CaptainHowdy.com The #1 Exorcist Fansite Since 1999
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Yes, indeed! Ryan, the Cap has posted a lot of new stuff on the homepage including this article. Catch ’em while their alive! 🙂
Oh, and yes, I will toot Ryan Streat’s horn. He yet another great writer in this wonderful book. 🙂
I am happy to see you agree on “9002 draculA ynnohj” posting a link for all of us curious about this dissertation. Johnny? 🙂
I have read the book and I believe Exorcist fans will find it a joy to read just as I did.
While a portion of the book’s title, “Critical Essays,” denotes a collegiate viewpoint only, don’t hesitate to buy this book. In America, the word “essay,” often screams “monotonous,” “tedious,” and “uninteresting.” This is not the case here.
Benjamin Szumskyj did a wonderful job of editing 13 unique compositions from compelling writers into one compilation of intriguing and thought-provoking “individual chapters.”
Enjoy!
When Regan/Pazuzu shouts, “MERRIN!,” it sure as shit scared the hell of Sharon and everyone else. That scene was so fantastic in the way in which it was shot … the viewer looking down to witness the terror from above. Friedkin rocked that scene as it was another build-up to the exorcism.
I agree about the EIII: Legion scene … it scared the shit of out me when it happened which is so rare because Blatty set it up so perfectly! See it here.
Good points again. I know Blatty did not have a thing in the movie about an exorcism being performed, but he had to write one to appease the studio. I’m really sure if the let Blatty go for it on his own, it would have had more impact.
Blatty’s direction and opening scene in the church was awesome. Plus, your the image of your gravatar is probably the scene that scared the hell out of me most because it had a clever set up.
Good find, Ratboy. I really need to watch the film again. It’s the only one in the The Exorcist series that I like. However, the Granny crawling on the ceiling should have been ditched, but that’s probably a little of Blatty’s old slapstick comedy writing coming out of him! 🙂
Rat, not sure I remember the tape and EIII: Legion being connected to the original. I do know for EVERY Exorcist follow-up film, they use either a visual or audio link … just as did they with the prequel like this one here.
Thanks, Cap. I’m surprised that Ishtar, Heaven’s Gate, and Water World didn’t make the list. I’m guessing they didn’t do a date adjusted cost analysis.
Cap, makes better sense for a non-techy that’s learning. You’re right on my misunderstanding of the “blog” terminology, I believe (see below).
I’m seeing this as a “drill down” in this order:
Website: http://www.captainhowdy.com
Page (or Link?): Discussion Forum
Blogs (Headings): Forum Index
Blog (Blog): FORUM MEMBERS MUST READ!!
Posting: What I’m doing now.Let me know if that’s even more correct. Maybe I will get this with your help!
Fr. Bowdern
Cap, I’m showing my absolute stupidity on how website blogs work in a public forum. However, I’m still a little lost on the Discussion Forum part. So, here’s what I “think” this means in a non-techy way:
1. Current postings (blog entries), including all links, photos, etc. under the subheadings within a posting in the Discussion Forum section will (after December 8th, 2008) become a separate link; i.e., “Old Posts” or “Whatever the Cap Names it.” This basically means the newly named “old Discussion Forum” will become a link for review or reference only. All postings as mentioned above will not be migrated into the “new Discussion Forum.”
2. A new (and thus empty on December 8, 2008) Discussion Forum will be added to this site utilizing the new software for blogging. This will actually become the “blog central” as we have now under the heading “Discussion Forums.” This new Discussion Forum will be clean slate in pristine condition.
Sorry to be this confused, but I think someone (better than I) can explain this in a “Website Blogs for Dummies” fashion. However, I’m not going to “bash” myself for not knowing because I’ve been successful at figuring how to post a link with a photo on this website and making my own animated avatar! 🙂
Welcome JohnnyAlucard2009!
I’m jealous that you were allowed to do your dissertation on this film! I would love to read it. Do you think you could post it here or perhaps include a link? I think everyone here would like to read your dissertation as well.
I agree about the recording and why the word “Merrin,” in a singing fashion, was never expounded on.
We knew who Merrin was from the beginning and that word is actually a clincher for the audience to make a connection about the fact that Regan is truly possessed. Regan never knew, by any measure, who Merrin is. It’s never mentioned in the novel, script, or screenplay.
In fact, the scene in which Rev. Tom, President of University, is discussing the exorcism with Bishop Michael, there is a brief mention that Merrin just returned from “a dig near Nineveh.” Therefore, with Merrin being northern Iraq on an archeological dig, Merrin would not be known to everyone in that particular Catholic parish. When the Bishop has to ask about an exorcist, we know Merrin is a humble man. Merrin is truly an unknown figure to Karras (and especially Regan).
I think this is a just major clue that Blatty reveals with great undertone to make us think or connect the dots for ourselves while Karras is in the blind spot. I see this as a way in which scenes have been written where the reader/viewer is aware that the killer is hidden behind the door with an ax as the victim enters the room. 🙂
