[Greg]

I don’t understand why these weren’t put as supplemental material on our DVD here in the States. Did they just have more success in sales over there in the Netherlands ergo actual special features on their release? 😮

[Greg]

Hmmm… that’s something to think about. I would actually rather see a hardcore, no pulling punches, cinematic expose on the Annalise Michel exorcism (and not obviously the Emily Rose film) if that were possible. Perhaps in several more years when the personal sensitivity of the material was not as much of a problem for the families.

[Greg]

If there ever was a remake, I think I would go and personally kill all the studio heads that went along with the idea. 🙁 🙁 🙁 :mad

It’s strange that you’re picking people who already sound or look dead for the part. Maybe the remake will be made in the Netherworld.

[Greg]

Thanks, Mike. You said it very well in spite of many patience in my rebuttals. 😛

[Greg]

Double post 🙁

[Greg]

All I have to say about boredom is that it is a human concept and is totally subjective. From an actor’s perspective (Yes, I am an actor), I don’t agree that Gabriel Mann gave a terrible performance– quite the opposite. He probably gives the most natural performance in the whole film. Clara Bellar does have a whimiscal sense about her, but her honesty is what really counts. If there is anything to be said against Billy Crawford, we have to remember it is his film debut. He spends most of the film asleep however, and his possessed scenes come off very effectively.

Dominion is probably one of the most recent films and best examples I’ve seen that is directed like an old film. Watch any of the old Hitchcock, George Stevens, or King Vidor films and you’ll get a film that looks like Dominion. I don’t like ETB just so I can feel liberated by Dominion’s existence; not at all. The fact is that ETB sacrifices all insight and psychological storytelling for third-rate, apocryphal “jack-in-the-box” showmanship. In fact, if Dominion didn’t exist I could care less. This religious angst in this film, which I would not prefer to call it as such, is the subject of the film. If you watch Blatty’s The Ninth Configuration, it has the exact same kind of questions and contemplations Dominion has. Now if you didn’t enjoy the film that’s fine by me. I just don’t think Dominion should be torn down by such a whimiscal excuse as boredom.

[Greg]

I don’t think the point is how he should do it, but why is he doing it. Sounds similar, but it really isn’t. I’ve met people who are just like Gabriel Mann’s character in terms of a personality, and if someone can pursue a consistent set of tactics in a performance like that then we know they were deliberate, clear choices which are what actors should be doing. Yes, you can disagree with the material, but not as much in the approach– if it is in fact a good one.

I think saying Mann has no on screen death scene doesn’t really prove much considering most of the deaths in the original film are off screen. Perhaps making a comparison to the original here is irrelevant, but to make a point I guess the comparison is merited.

By the way, saying I enjoy boredom doesn’t negate my point. I’m saying boredom is an illusion built up by people with shorter attention spans. When you compare older films like Lawrence of Arabia and Giant to films of today, the old may seem boring. You should be able to understand these technical concepts of boredom since you say you are a director, and therefore a film like this should be far from that considering the technical aspects of this film consist of many events, actions, and character drama to come by. Furthermore, most directors USUALLY do not reference apparent ‘boredom’ in their critques of films. At least not the ones I know of.

[Greg]

The film though apparently is practically the same film almost scene for scene with only a few changes here and there. I haven’t seen the film, but those are the reviews. It’s also the same screenwriter at the helm feeling there wasn’t much else to tell, but didn’t walk away from gaining another buck or two. 😮

[Greg]

Quote: Ohhhh the THINGS I would do to Linda Blair! She is GORGEOUS!
______

I’m sure THE Captain Howdy felt the same way. 😛
______

Quote: Something about her bugs me, but I’m too picky with girls so my opinion is worthless
______

That’s a pretty odd comment to make. Of course beauty is totally subjective. In the gaelic old days, beauty meant you were pretty healthy looking. It still does, but there is more of this sense concerning certain characteristics, but whatever. The lighting does play into it. 🙂

[Greg]

When you get to this point where you have to decide which you prefer given that you are comparing two truly magnificent pieces of cinema, it really does become a question of taste. I know die hard Exorcist fans prefer the original cut that was nominated for Best Picture, but there are also others who prefer the version that is closer to the book in terms of feeling it to be more than just a movie. A good friend of mine, for example, prefers TVYNS since he believes Friedkin and Blatty have always gone for the main objective of documentary realism; then the newer, more realistic sound effects and additional material on the people make it the more realistic. So therefore, it really becomes here a taste issue. A friend of mine was trying to deduce what where the best Kubrick films, and my reply was that most of them are classics, so it becomes difficult and maybe unmerited to compare a measure of achievement when all have achieved so much. Therefore again, it just becomes what is your personal favorite. Now if it were comparing something like Exorcist to Exorcist II then it would be a question over what exactly is better in terms of achievement; no question what is of course. 😛

[Greg]

I think she is beautiful and a great actress. It’s a shame that she hasn’t really gotten much attention outside of The Exorcist. I would love to direct her or act with her someday. 🙂

[Greg]

It’s better than being obsessed with Exorcist II or ETB. 😛

I met this lady not too long ago who saw Exorcist II in the theatre, and she couldn’t stop laughing at my satirical comments of it and my review I sent to her for laughs. It was classic entertainment. 😀

[Greg]

I agree with you wholeheartedly, Mike. I think the effects are simple at best, but they’re nothing that take away from the dramatic points that they make. Simplicity obviously has its advantages and beauty as well. As long as anyone can tell what the effect is supposed to mean, it is up to the audience to believe in it. And that’s true for any visual effect, good or bad. I mean I was a bit taken back by the EFX at first, but they’ve totally grown on me since then and I love Storaro’s brillance as a cinematographer in creating a Northern Lights effect that covers the whole light spectrum. His obsession with colors is consistent throughout Dominion as seen in his other great works like Apocalypse Now, The Last Emperor, and Goya in Bourdeux. The cattle eating the hyenas is fine to me. I get the point and thus it doesn’t really require a debate.

In conclusion, I agree with your statements. 🙂

[Greg]

The Ninth Configuration is an excellent film and is way better adapted from its source material to the screen than The Exorcist III. Yes, it’s a totally monster when compared to The Exorcist, but I see what you mean in terms of its issue placement and such. TNC is a great comedic, dramatic, gothic spiritual story. Very well written, acted, and directed.

I like how you brought up A Shot In The Dark. That’s a classic Clouseau comedy.

[Greg]

Hey M.I.K.E., that was a very good critique and overview of Dominion. I think you covered a lot of the elements that many people have generally panned for no apparent reason other than that Dominion has been drawn down by the stigmatism of ETB. Those were some very intriguing and insightful comments. I admire them very much. 😀

[Author]

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