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Episode review: The Exorcist: S1 Chapter 6 “Star of the morning”

23 Monday Jan 2017

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THE EXORCISM has been performed albeit without the desired results that Father Marcus and co. were hoping for

So… Where does that leave things for this series?

The writers and producers would have known that there was only so much rope to tie around the Rance’s possession, and with last week’s revelation that Angela is indeed Regan, where does that leave things?

What more damage can the demons accomplish?

Well, let’s take a look at Chapter 6, “Star of the morning” to see if there were any clues.

Warning, there are spoilers ahead.

  1. Chris MacNeill sold out
    Towards the beginning of the episode we are provided with something of a flashback.
    Basically, in the series version of Chris MacNeill, there is a lack of empathy towards her.
    After the ordeal that her daughter went through during the exorcism, Chris’ acting work dried up and she was left with the option of writing a book exploiting Regan’s demonic encounter entitled The Devil In My Daughter.
    The impact that this had between her and Regan was evident in the latter moving away and changing her name.
    What does it mean now that Chris is back on the scene though?
    Can she really change her ways and more importantly, will Regan forgive her for her sins?
    There is a moment in the morgue when it is revealed that the body is not Casey, that suggests there is hope there yet when both Chris and Regan hug, but again, is this just a false ray of hope for what is to come? 
  1. Father Tomas’ descent
    It appears that the Friars of Ascension’s hopes of luring him into their fray has come undone by the temptation of Jessica that they unleashed upon him.
    His distractions have led him down another path, but can he be saved and will he redeem himself yet?
    It appears that he is still willing to prove himself to Father Marcus.
     
  1. The Friars of Ascension
    The main focus moving forward does appear to be on the devil cult known as the Friars of Ascension, who have attained some pretty powerful representatives from the city of Chicago.
    Chief among these gatherers, priest aside, was the Chief of Police, hand picked by the demon himself to become, “One of Us”, much to Maria Walters chagrin.
    With the demon / devil attaining more and more power from Chicago’s officials, what is the end game here?
    And why is Father Tomas so important for their succession? 
  1. Dead bird gorging on the river bank
    When Father Marcus finally does catch up to Casey, it is via tunnel network underground riddled with the possessed homeless.
    We see Casey in full demonic mode, and even taking on the spider walk to make good her escape.
    Father Marcus persists however, stumbling across Casey by the river, washing away her sins in a baptism as he performs his last exorcism upon her and freeing her soul.
    It all seems a little too easy by this point.
    Why does the demon give up on her now?
    Now that Angela has revealed herself as Regan, does the Demon want to exploit this further and claim her as his prize?
    We’re well and truly past the halfway mark now, with four episodes remaining.
    We’ve made it thus far, but can’t help hoping that they’ve left some kind of ace up its sleeve as the show is in danger of losing interest fast.

 

  • Paul Farrell

A look ahead at horror in 2017 pt.2

05 Thursday Jan 2017

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It

Release Date: 7 Sep
The story of a group of kids who take on a killer clown entity only to face their demons once more in adulthood.
Prediction: It’s the Stephen King tale that confirmed my love for his work and as much as people praised the mini-series, in particular that of Tim Curry’s performance, (of which I concur) there was a slight lacking in the fear factor that the entity creates that is captured in the book.
If they can do that then they’ve hit a winner in my book.

The Mummy

Release Date: 8 Jun
As Universal Pictures look to resurrect their horror movie franchise, they turn to the familiar tale of the Mummy.
In this instance keeping the action adventure feel but dialling it up to 11+ and casting Tom Cruise in the lead.
Prediction: Someone described this online as Mission Impossible with a supernatural twist which I feel is an adequate description.
This movie will probably be a case of all style and no substance, but will be a hit regardless.

Patient Zero

Release Date: 17 Feb
A pandemic outbreak in the form of a mutated version of rabies turns humans into a new species called ‘the infected’.
Stars Doctor Who’s Matt Smith and Game of Thrones’ Natalie Dormer, this definitely has a British vibe and will tread that line of drama and realism with adequate aplomb.
Prediction: Better than your average movie and could be a surprise hit as a result.

Raw

Release Date: 10 Mar
The French film and television industry are starting to generate some deliciously disturbing stories of late and Raw is the latest to fall into that mix.
Following the story of a vegetarian who takes part in an initiation ritual that leads her to becoming a cannibal.
Prediction: Believe them or not but there have been reports of medial services being called out to attend to audience members fainting over the graphic nature involved.
This merely piques my interest further and leads me to believe that this could be the sleeper hit of the year.

Resident Evil: The Final Chapter

Release Date: 26 Jan
Alice and friends must team up one last time against the evil Umbrella organisation and save humankind.
Prediction: There are fans of the series who will love this film and the makers will give them all they what they expect and more.
For other mortals, this will be yet another exercise for Paul WS Anderson to delve into the franchise that he has dedicated most of his career to by taking one last bow.

Rings

Release Date: 23 Feb
It’s starting to feel like the year of the franchises and there’s a couple more to come yet.
The American version of the J Horror success gets its third outing.
Set 13 years after the last movie, but the twist this time is the discovery of a movie within the movie of the cursed videotape.
Prediction: More of the same with nothing new on the table will make this a tired exploration of a tried and tested genre.

Saw Legacy

Release Date: 27 Oct
Another film franchise set to return with its traditional Friday before Halloween.
Prediction: Most people will want the gore factor heightened and the traps to be extravagant and near on impossible to escape.
With the Sperig brothers at the helm, I feel that this could a triumphant return for Billy The Puppet.

Split

Release Date: 26 Jan
An American psychological horror thriller film from M. Night Shyamalan.
His last film The Visit showed signs of his former glory but can the story of three girls being kidnapped by a guy with multiple personalities continue his upward trajectory?Prediction: Shyamalan may only be saved by James McAvoy’s performance. That’s a lot of pressure resting on his shoulders.

Suspiria

Release Date: 14 Oct
All is not as it seems behind the walls of a prestigious Dance Academy in Berlin.
What lies behind the grisly murders?
Prediction: What can I say about this remake?
It’s hard to shake the attachment I have for the original, which is one of my favourite horror movies ever.
But IF I were to remove my snob hat for a moment, the leafs hold a lot of potential, with Chloe Grace Moretz, Dakota Johnson, and Tilda Swinton.
Let’s pause judgement and say that this could prove to be one of the surprises of the year.

World War Z 2

Release Date: 8 Jun
The Zombie outbreak that was based on a pretty good novel only to disappoint with its massive snooze fest of a film.
But it managed to gain a wide release and success which only means one thing. A sequel.
Prediction: Despite Brad Pitt apparently coming back and the promise of a whole new direction, I can’t help but feel that this movie is going to be yet another let down.

Back to Part 1

A look ahead at horror in 2017

05 Thursday Jan 2017

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2016 PROVED TO BE quite a big year for Horror films with the successes of Don’t Breathe, The Conjuring 2, and The Witch to name but a few.

But can this year prove to be as fruitful in delighting our senses and twisting our minds?

Let’s take a look at the movies that lie ahead…

Alien: Covenant

Release Date: 18 May
Is it me or is there more hype around this movie than Prometheus?
It might have something to do with the return of our beloved xenonorph and its predatorial instincts that once again see humans in a fight for survival.
Prediction: With Michael Fassbender reprising his role as the ‘synthetic’ David, along with a strong cast, this looks and feels like the Alien franchise is back on form.

Amityville: the Awakening

Release Date: 30 Jun tbc
This marks the 18th entry into the Amityville franchise, which by my reckoning makes this the most in a  series.
This time the story focuses on Belle and her twin siblings, one of whom is comatose until strange paranormal occurrences awaken him.
Prediction: With the movie changing hands through the selling of Miramax plus poor preview screenings have seen this movie delayed on several occasions.
If this movie does see the light of day, I expect that it will be yet another poor addition to the franchise posing the question why bother returning to it at all.

Annabelle 2

Release Date: 10 Aug
The sequel to The Conjuring spin-off that sees the possessed doll wreak havoc on an orphanage.
Prediction: Another weak entry. The plot line seems farcical.

The Belko Experiment

Release Date: 17 Mar
Think of this as Battle Royale set in a high-rise building as 80 participants are told by an unknown voice that they must play a game of kill or be killed.
Prediction: Brought to the screens by the visionary mind of Australia’s Greg McLean (Wolf Creek, The Darkness) this could be a pleasant surprise albeit using familiar territory. Expect a gruesome battle of survival to occur.

The Bye Bye Man

Release Date: 13 Jan tbc
The concept behind this movie sees three college students find themselves stalked by an entity that can take control of your mind simply if you think or say his name.
Prediction: Sounds like a shit version of The Candyman.
Shitty title, shitty premise doesn’t bold well in my opinion, but hey, I’m happy to be proven wrong.

Chucky 7

Release Date: Dec
Not much is known about this movie yet other than writer of the all six instalments and director of the last two, Don Mancini has resurrected the killer doll for another on-screen outing.
Prediction: If this heralds the right kind of comedy this could be the best version since Bride of Chucky.

A Cure For Wellness

Release Date: 16 Mar
When a young executive goes to retrieve his CEO from a wellness centre, he finds himself spiralling into a world of secrets where his own sanity is tested.
Prediction: Director Gore Verbinski can be a bit hit be miss and if we’re honest more miss of late.
Judging by the trailer though, this could well be a return to form and perhaps one of the better horror movies of 2017.

The Dark Tower

Release Date: 27 Jul
The science fantasy western horror book series from the mind of Stephen King gets the movie treatment.
The film in this instance has been described as a ‘quasi-sequel’ to the books.
Prediction: With a lot of big names producing this movie and the likes of Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey taking the leads there is a lot of high expectations on this being a success.
I for one feel that they won’t be disappointed.
A hit that will likely bring more from the universe in further outings.

Flatliners

Release Date: 28 Sep
Again not much has been announced around the details of this movie other than it being a sequel to the 90’s classic with Kiefer Sutherland set to reprise his role of Dr Nelson Wright.
Prediction: This movie sits on the precipice of success or failure.
With Ellen Page attached I have a feeling this could be better than your average flick and could take this franchise into bold new territory and reawaken a tinge of nostalgia. “Today’s a great day to die.”

Friday the 13th

Release Date: 13 Oct
Another reboot is on the horizon marking this as the 13th instalment.
Not much else has been announced other than it being delayed til later in the year.
Prediction: This needs to be delivered with the right blend of humour and horror in order for Jason to truly terrorise the screens again.
I so want this to be a success but I feel like this might be the final nail in Jason’s coffin.

Get Out

Release Date: 24 Feb
A horror satire from the insatiably brilliant mind if Jordan Peele sees Chris, an African-American man, try to escape from an estate where its black residents go missing.
Prediction: The comedy horror hit of the year.

Insidious: The Last Key

Release Date: 30 Oct
The latest chapter of supernatural horror franchise continues this time with James Wan’s previous partner in horror, Leigh Whannel at the helm.
Prediction: Better than the previous outing but not a par on the original.

Horror Movies in 2017 pt.2

The Blair Witch franchise (1999-2016)

20 Tuesday Sep 2016

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WHAT DEFINES A successful modern day horror film?

Can The Blair Witch Project lay claim to this prestige or does the myth that surrounds it cloud our perception?

One things for sure, it was a landmark movie in not only the style in which the movie is delivered which effectively launched found footage horror to the forefront of the movie mainstream but also in the mode of establishing a new style of marketing that connected with audiences worldwide.

It had a pulse and substance to it that resonated on a massive scale and it was for this reason that USA Today went on record to state The Blair Witch Project was the first movie to go ‘viral’.

A trend was then set with numerous movies hoping to follow suit and creature a hit with a low budget feel.

What does that mean today though?

Does the movie still stand the test of time?

There have been books released, a rushed-to-production “unofficial” sequel released the following year in 2000 with Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2.

And just recently an “official” sequel has been released, Blair Witch, which all lend weight to the mythos of The Blair Witch legend for good or ill.

Join our discussions on The Blair Witch franchise in a Surgeons of Horror Special podcast below.

  • Paul Farrell

The Shallows (2016)

04 Sunday Sep 2016

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The-Shallows JOIN THE Surgeons of Horror team in our first ‘reaction’ podcast, dissecting the recent Blake Lively vehicle, The Shallows.

Get our gut reaction and comments and of its entry into the killer shark universe.

Will it prove to be out of its depth, try to stay afloat and attempt to tread water, or prove to be a bombora pioneer?

Check out our thoughts and views in the podcast below.

 

LINKS:

The Jaws Franchise (1975-1987)

The Jaws franchise (1975 – 1987)

04 Sunday Sep 2016

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Jaws WHERE DO YOU begin when attempting to dissect Jaws and the franchise that it spawned?

It is so iconic, so embedded in the psyche of fans of film and the culture that it hails from.
Hell, it pretty much gave birth to the modern film and created what is now known as the summer blockbuster.

To say that it’s huge is a gross understatement.

Director, Steven Spielberg was only 26 when he made this movie and from the success of this went on to become one of the most successful directors in the industry.

But the final product could have been very different.

Its troubled production has been well reported upon from its lack of script, last-minute casting, and a mechanical shark that didn’t work.

It should have taken 55 days to film but it went on to take 159 days to complete running significantly over the production schedule.

So why and how did this film become so successful?

Its success would inevitably lead to similar themed movies and inspirations; chief amongst these was Joe Dante’s Piranha. A film that doesn’t shy away from the fact that it was a blatant rip off.

The Surgeons of Podcast team had a tough assignment before them in order to tackle such a subject as this.

One could say that we’re gonna need a bigger podcast session in order to carry this thing out. [Sorry, I couldn’t resist]

Either way, the team gathered our thoughts and opinions and tried to suppress them into the below discussion, hopefully for your hearing pleasure.

Take some time to listen to 3 individuals crammed into ‘The Cabin” in order to convey the impact that this movie had on us as individuals and the bragging rights over who was the most affected by it.

Have fun.

 

Links:

The Shallows (2016)

The Hills Have Eyes Part 2 (1985)

05 Tuesday Jul 2016

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The Seventh and Last Feature for our Wes Craven Season 1 discussion centres on his first sequel and with it a potential to start a franchise.

Needless to say, The Hills Have Eyes Part 2 would not live up to expectations and the franchise would end up dead in the water despite reaching a cult status. Subsequently there have been 2 recent film adaptations based on the original and a comic book to boot.

Wes Craven has distanced himself from the project, citing it as an unfinished piece when he handed it in to the producers to review. The producers, aka the money and finance would accept the film as its first draft and push this out into cinemas with the need to market swiftly. The result speaks for itself.

As for Craven, this was no passion project. It did however, provide funds for him to create horror cinema gold, A Nightmare On Elm Street, (More on this in an upcoming season) and along with it the iconic character of Freddie Kruger.

When sidled next to A Nightmare On Elm Street, The Hills Have Eyes Part 2 pales in comparison. The film picks up with survivor from the first film, Bobby, discussing the horrific events that unfolded and the devastating impact it had on him and his family.

Bobby now runs a bike racing outfit and endeavours to take them back out to the sticks for them to compete in a race, but this task appears to be too great an ordeal and he reluctantly chooses not to go.

So, it is down to fellow survivor, Ruby / Rachel (and the dog, Beast of course) to take our intrepid team of victims / youths to certain doom when they once again come face to face with the mutant family in horror poster icon, Michael Berryman reprising his role as Pluto and The Reaper (Papa Jupiter’s brother).

So much is inherently wrong with this movie. Bad characters, poor set up, and no plot. It’s a wonder that it got off the ground. Perhaps is it wasn’t resting on its stronger predecessor and Craven’s now recogniseable name attached to it, it probably wouldn’t have.

And with the already mentioned, A Nightmare On Elm Street, and its success, along with it cane a much longer lifespan for The Hills Have Eyes Part 2 would ordinarily have occurred.

Check out the surgeons of horror podcast below for more thoughts and views.

https://player.whooshkaa.com/player/episode/id/98518?visual=true

Also available in iTunes.

– Paul Farrell

 

Retrospective: The Masque of the Red Death (1964)

01 Friday Jul 2016

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Based on the short story by Edgar Allen Poe and directed by B-Movie legend Roger Corman, this macabre story centres around a prince who lords it up whilst sheltering from the plague-ridden scenes that envelop the town around him.

He’s more than happy to delve into his riches and ignore the plight of others.

In fact he relishes in it and goes to great strengths to terrorize the peasantry.

Playing the role of the villainous tyrant Prospero is another horror icon, Vincent Price who becomes embroiled in a satanic cult and despite being known for his hammy antics, in this role his very nature is well suited to the character and he appears to be incredibly comfortable in his skin.

Corman was also evidently a huge fan of Poe’s work, this movie being the seventh of eight series, which included The Pit and the Pendulum and The Raven. The Masque of the Red Death is definitely the stronger of these titles, with Corman hitting all the right notes and belying the negative image that has been depicted upon him by critics.

This movie has a great lead in Price and plays with the melodrama and nuances with great style and substance and is a fine example of a director at the height of his craft.

  • Saul Muerte

Flashback Friday: The Return of Swamp Thing (1989)

24 Friday Jun 2016

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Returnofswampthing
THE MOMENT THAT THIS SEQUEL begins you know that you are already in for a completely different beast from its predecessor.

Dick Durock returns as the man in the suit and struts his stuff with the kind of machismo campness that only the 80’s could get away with.

Before you know it, the opening credits roll over a series of comic images from DC’s publications with Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Born On The Bayou kicking in with its upbeat rhythms and you are drawn into the groove from the get-go.

Yes – the acting is hammy and Louis Jourdan returns as the villainous Arcane, eats up the scenery and appears to be enjoying every moment that he’s on screen, but the movie is completely aware of its identity and is delivered with tongue firmly in cheek.

We have some familiar faces in Heather Locklear (Melrose Place) as Arcane’s daughter and the heroine / love interest of the piece.

Along with the magnificent Sarah Douglas (Ursa in Superman and Taramis in Conan the Destroyer) both playing to the same tune.

All of which, leaves the audience with an upbeat, feel-good notion to the movie, mainly because it doesn’t take itself seriously and dare I say, marginally better than the original?

Let me make this clear – It’s not the best of movies – not by a long shot, but somehow because it wears its identity firmly on its sleeve, the audience almost forgives its sins and happily plods along with it regardless of its flaws, but only marginally.

 

The Conjuring (2013)

16 Thursday Jun 2016

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AS IT STANDS The Conjuring is sandwiched in the middle of James Wan’s directorial career, nestled nicely alongside Insidious, which was released two years earlier.

When you combine this with the likes of Saw, Insidious 2 and now The Conjuring 2, Wan has firmly established himself as a master in the horror genre field.

This movie was potentially (and arguably) a game changer for Wan and is most certainly an indication of a man coming into his own within his craft.

Upon closer scrutiny, the film treads familiar ground centring on a family haunted by an evil, malevolent spirt, that wishes to do some serious harm to them all.

There are even obvious homages to the original Poltergeist movie, but where it starts to tread new ground and where Wan shines brightly is through his storytelling and excellent use of light and shadow.

The pace of the movie is handled with great care. The balance of tension is beautifully interspersed with scares. And when those scare come, they come with genuine spine-tingling reality.

In fact, part of the appeal of The Conjuring is through its gritty realism. Throw in some strong performances from Lili Taylor, Vera Farmiga, and Patrick Wilson, and you’ve got yourself a credible and believable movie that captivates and entertains throughout.

– Saul Muerte

For more insights on the film check out the podcast discussions below, but be warned, I handed over host duties to Mr Antony Yee for this one and he pushed the time limit just a tad. But not without his charm and knowledge thrown into the mix.