Film Review for: The Rite – 2011

Film: The Rite

Year: 2011

Cast: Sir Anthont Hopkins, Colin O’Donpghue, Alice Braga, Cairan Hinds, Toby Jones, Rutger Hauer, Marta Gastini, Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Arianna Veronesi, Anrea Calligari, Chris Marquette, Torrey DeVitto, Ben Cheatham, Marija Karan, Rosa Pianeta,

Plot: An American seminary student travels to Italy to take an exorcism course. Which is just the start, of some really strange occurrences?

Review: This was a surprisingly good film; Rutger Hauer plays a rather limited part in this film but still manages somehow to look menacing. The pairing of Colin O’Donoghue as the one time embalmer and now Priest Michael Kovak, and Alice Braga Journalist was a good one as they acted well together and it looked natural their acting together, not forced at all.

The ever excellent Sir Anthony Hopkins stole the entire film as Father Lucas Trevant the exorcist and unwilling mentor to Michael. His acting ability is beyond compare and is totally believable as both priest and possessed.

The story line is strong and the directing by Mikael Mafstrom was dark brooding and atmospheric, so much so at times you could have cut the tension with a knife.

With that said not a particularly scary film, but jumpy in places and a few more where you’re just waiting for something to happen. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t make you jump straight away. Very well done

9/10 excellent film well worth a watch,

Film Review for: Costa Chica: Confessions of an Exorcist – 2006

Film: Costa Chica: Confession of an Exorcist [aka Legion: the Final Exorcism]

Year: 2006

Cast: David Heavener, Roddy Piper, Ariel Teal Toombs, Lee Benton, Jackeline Oliver, Tad Atkinson, Eileen Grubba, Davita Heavener, Brian Kamei, Danny Lerner, Aton Sanz-Katz.

Plot: Priest Michael San Chica is set to do one last exorcism even though the church threatens to excommunicate him if he does.

Review: this 2006 B Movie is all a it should be from the makeup to the “mood” lighting, if you are into low budget possession movies then this is the one for you, father San Chica [David Heavener] narrates all the way through, something a stronger story line wouldn’t need, however it adds to the tension and the drama.

Excellent film, also know as Legion: the Final Exorcism.

Written, directed and starring the great David Heavener is well worth a watch

8/10 classic B-movie horror