A Hit of Movies: Review - The Last Exorcism

This evening I had the pleasure of going to the movies, after what has felt like a long hiatus. It was nice to be back, but not everything was so nice about it. I am pretty sure the ticket prices have gone up again ($11.00 and not even in 3D), but I do have to say that for $5, you sure do get a lot of soda (like a half gallon). I split it with my fran and there was still half a cup when I left. Oh, and I didn't even mention you get free refills on the large. The concessions are definitely where you can get your money's worth. Now, if only I could say that for the film I saw.

The Last Exorcism is the latest attempt at the kind of small film thriller/horror success that is rarely found, as it was with films like The Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity, and I would even say Cloverfield. Unfortunately, it relies heavily on different suspense and even plot devices from these films, rarely breaking any new ground. This film, like its more successful (in terms of creative and innovative) predecessors, relies on one single camera throughout the picture. I have found that in this film, however, the cuts are more apparent (when they aren't supposed to be) and the shots seem less reliable(how many times is the cameraman going to run outside to get different establishing shots when the action is happening inside? I know these could all potentially be "pre-filmed" within the chronology of the story, but there are specific details in these shots to suggest they are being filmed in real time). And I digress. Overall, the documentary style taken with this film seems merely there as a gimmick to attract viewers looking for the scare they got out of last fall's genuinely scary Paranormal Activity.

On to the acting. I have to say that the woman who played Nell (relative newcomer Ashley Bell) did her best throughout the film, and she easily stole every scene from the others actors, who for the most part, didn't seem much bothered by the whole situation (despite the fact that there was clearly some demon present). She was definitely the favorite of the film, and kind of reminded me of Judy Garland from the Wizard of Oz, a much less happy, demon-filled Garland, but one of similar looks nonetheless. Since she is, as I said, a relatively new face to audiences, it was easy to forget that she was an actress and perhaps actually a subject of this documentary.

My obscure film/tv knowledge plagues me. Help, Prof. Lasky!

I cannot say the same for the lead actor, Patrick Fabian, who play Cotton Marcus, a sham exorcist and preacher. He was way too recognizable for me (he has about 80 credits on IMDB, many of which are for guest spots on very popular television shows). His presence nagged me throughout the film, as I tried to figure out where he was from. Then, it hit me. He played the college professor Kelly Kapowski has an affair with on Saved By the Bell: The College Years. Not my best moment, but hey, I've got some pretty good tv/film knowledge, eh? Waste of time, you say? Holy farkins, I think you're wrong!

So, he was distracting, Bell was great, and the film was uninspired and pretty much walked over the same ground tread by much better fare already mentioned. It's one consolation: the ending, which was a surprise. That surprise, however, is something I am not quite sure was earned, as it was either a smart connection to the rest of the story, or something pulled right out of the filmmakers'...ummm...left field. No cursing on this site! The sheer fact that ending made me think tells me that the film was at least worth half the admission price.

Final verdict? I rank it $5.50 out of the $11.00 I paid.

Let me know what you thought (this means you, fran Pat).

I said good day, sir!
-E