While it does look creepy, and possibly good (I like Anthony Hopkins), I can't imagine it will pack the punch of the original 'The Exorcist' – which I can still barely watch. But I'm sure The Church (and priests) will be harshly judged by 'non-judgemental' Hollywood types (just don't you dare ever disagree with their uber-leftie views) and Catholics will be portrayed in the worst possible light. It's as predictible as the final 'gotcha' in a contemporary horror flick.
Looks interesting. What's this about the "based on a true story" bit? Is that going to be like Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code where it was allegedly "based on a few true facts"?
It looks stupid and overwrought. It'll probably do more harm than good.
It's based on Matt Baglio's book "The Rite". If it gets people to read the book then I suppose it has some purpose. But from now I'm going to assume that we'll be dealing with pretty stock protagonists who embody well-worn character types (skeptic vs believer, science vs religion, etc) culminating in a morally ambiguous ending. Plus. special effects work that mask what is really diabolical in favor of bad CG work. We've been here before.
I'm looking forward to seeing this. I love to get the daylights scared out of me. And, although most of the garbage that comes from hollywood is ignorant of real Catholicism, sometimes they get it right.
I am thinking of two instances right now, one the rather silly "Hauntings" series which has "real" investigations of people possessed or who have ghosts. When they include the actions of the Church regarding exorcism, the few I've actually watched, they are respectful and not offensive at all.
Then the Showtime series "Tudors" made me want to convert to Catholicism even though I am one already.
Oh, then of course there is "The Sound of Music"…but that was a long time ago.
I never could put into words why the original Exorcist bothered me, although I had been told it was an accurate portrayal of factual accounts. Until Fr. Euteneuer pointed out that the problem with movies of this genre are that they portray the Catholic Church as weak. They leave the impression that God's One True Church can be subdued or weakened (my words). Caveat emptor!
Am I the only one who thinks they got the casting backwards? These days I would think the "sceptic" would be the older priest and the true believer would be the younger one.
Sue, IMHO you are sure right. btw some of the book, The Rite is on googlebooks. I read a review that it is good. Hope the movie does show the power of the Church. AnneG
I am confident enough and well read enough on matters of the Church that at least in my view point I can get past all the PC Hollywood non sence and actually enjoy what seems to be a very good plot.
October 23, 2010 at 3:24 pm
While it does look creepy, and possibly good (I like Anthony Hopkins), I can't imagine it will pack the punch of the original 'The Exorcist' – which I can still barely watch. But I'm sure The Church (and priests) will be harshly judged by 'non-judgemental' Hollywood types (just don't you dare ever disagree with their uber-leftie views) and Catholics will be portrayed in the worst possible light. It's as predictible as the final 'gotcha' in a contemporary horror flick.
October 23, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Looks interesting. What's this about the "based on a true story" bit? Is that going to be like Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code where it was allegedly "based on a few true facts"?
October 23, 2010 at 5:29 pm
The "Vatican" did get serious about exorcism recently. But I don't know of any "denials" so that can't be the basis of the "true story."
Looks interesting, nevertheless.
October 23, 2010 at 5:36 pm
Creepy. I think I'll stick with The Blues Brothers.
October 23, 2010 at 5:55 pm
Notice how they won't use the name of Jesus in a reverent way in the preview. I wonder if they will in the movie? Hmmm…
October 23, 2010 at 6:22 pm
This comment has been removed by the author.
October 23, 2010 at 6:23 pm
It looks stupid and overwrought. It'll probably do more harm than good.
It's based on Matt Baglio's book "The Rite". If it gets people to read the book then I suppose it has some purpose. But from now I'm going to assume that we'll be dealing with pretty stock protagonists who embody well-worn character types (skeptic vs believer, science vs religion, etc) culminating in a morally ambiguous ending. Plus. special effects work that mask what is really diabolical in favor of bad CG work. We've been here before.
October 23, 2010 at 9:47 pm
I'm looking forward to seeing this. I love to get the daylights scared out of me. And, although most of the garbage that comes from hollywood is ignorant of real Catholicism, sometimes they get it right.
I am thinking of two instances right now, one the rather silly "Hauntings" series which has "real" investigations of people possessed or who have ghosts. When they include the actions of the Church regarding exorcism, the few I've actually watched, they are respectful and not offensive at all.
Then the Showtime series "Tudors" made me want to convert to Catholicism even though I am one already.
Oh, then of course there is "The Sound of Music"…but that was a long time ago.
October 23, 2010 at 10:09 pm
I never could put into words why the original Exorcist bothered me, although I had been told it was an accurate portrayal of factual accounts. Until Fr. Euteneuer pointed out that the problem with movies of this genre are that they portray the Catholic Church as weak. They leave the impression that God's One True Church can be subdued or weakened (my words). Caveat emptor!
October 23, 2010 at 10:48 pm
Am I the only one who thinks they got the casting backwards? These days I would think the "sceptic" would be the older priest and the true believer would be the younger one.
October 24, 2010 at 12:27 am
More trash from Hollyweird. End of story.
October 24, 2010 at 12:56 am
Sue, IMHO you are sure right. btw some of the book, The Rite is on googlebooks. I read a review that it is good. Hope the movie does show the power of the Church. AnneG
October 24, 2010 at 5:09 am
True that, Sue!
October 24, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Love it, can't wait to see it.
I am confident enough and well read enough on matters of the Church that at least in my view point I can get past all the PC Hollywood non sence and actually enjoy what seems to be a very good plot.
October 25, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Would thoroughly recommend the book The Rite.
The Prayer to St. Michael is needed more than ever today.
November 7, 2010 at 7:25 pm
Whoa! I'll be watching that…during the day, not at night…