The Excorcist
 

I think the excorcist is one of the scariest films of all time. After all these years, it still gives me the creeps.

i didnt care for it and i definetly think its over rated

Great film. Will always be one of the greatest horror films ever made. Simple as that.

Re: The Excorcist
 

I agree.

Was it banned in the US for years like it was in the UK? I don't think it warranted that, but it certainly added to the hype surrounding the film.

I like the Exorcist but think it's way too overhyped. Everyone was fainting and vomiting in the Exorcist audience because they were a bunch of mainstream soccer moms who would never set foot into a theater showing something like NOTLD or TCM. Friedkin and Blatty also seemed to think their audience would watch this as something more than just a horror movie---like demonic possession was something as commonplace as a cold or stomach virus. Same with the Omen movies. They just took themselves way too seriously.

Many ghost movies do the same thing. I personally don't believe in the paranormal and don't appreciate filmmakers assuming that I do.

No one's forcing you to watch it (no offence meant). I don't like westerns but appreciate that many people do, I just refrain from watching them. Live and let live.

Re: Re: The Excorcist
 

It wasn't banned but I think it was on the Catholic Church's shit list... which is stupid if you think about it because the movie's really saying that the Church is the only thing that could fix Regan... probably one of the best pieces of PR the Catholics ever had.

I don't think it's overrated at all. Don't forget that it came out not too long after the late 1960's when the American societal fabric was all shook up... the perfect American child turning into a filthy long-haired foul-mouthed blaspheming freak was one that really resonated with a lot of people... seeing children curse, masturbate and puke on priests was really shocking at the time... the film does have its weak points but it is still a very effective horror film.

you have a point about the films taking themselves too seriously i guess, i think i like that pompous approach when it comes to the omens though, damien is aloof personified after all.

are you sure that blatty and friedkin actually wanted the audience to believe that stuff? and, no offence or nothin here dr. k, but what do you think: i imagine the exorcists and omens really work best on still-terrified ex-catholics like myself.. call it new testament camp if you want to! ;)

I assume Blatty believed demonic possession is possible (hell, even likely) because a few yrs ago he wrote a book about the "true" case the Exorcist was based on (mentally disturbed kid on a bad trip). As for Friedkin, he's pretty much said he believes in demonic possession in a few interviews.

I can see your point about the movie's effect on an ex-Catholic; I come from southern baptist country, so instead of demonic possession, I'm generally more frightened of inter-racial marriages, rap music, and Papists (just kidding).

Not scary. That's not to say it's not a great movie, it is. On my top 50 even. But it's not scary.
Also, the Classics folder is for 60's and earlier, not 70's