CaptainHowdy.com The #1 Exorcist Fansite Since 1999
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I became a fan of the film after reading the book which was every bit a sensational & provocative ‘event’ as seeing the movie. I didn’t know anyone who hadn’t read “The Exorcist” when the paperback hit & remember many conversations with friends & family who were blown away by the material. Most of all, I recall the doubt felt that the book could translate well to a film given the subject matter which turned out to be unjustified. As for fansites, it’s a wonderous opportunity for me to babble relentlessly. Like now.
There is a terrific little shop near where I live that specializes in witchcraft. I’m forever there browsing for candles, crystals or Tarot cards & chatting with the gals. They like to talk about spells they saw on “Charmed” & debate which ones work & which ones don’t as if this wasn’t an Aaron Spelling tv show. (stoppoing time, for anyone interested, is ‘real’ according to the clerk who happily demonstrated her “Heroes”-esque ability. No kidding.) People believe what they wish & that’s great. My beliefs don’t allow for demonic possession or the power of incantation beyond their ability to make a fine fiction.
It’s definately true that Zombie is doing “H2” (That was all that was written on the stylish poster besides Zombies’ name). Can’t wait to see it & it would be great to see a delux version of the old slasher pic. Universal has always treated the property like trash. Hopefully, the release of “H2” will be just the right incentive to get the ball rolling. If you are into slashers, may I recommend the recent re-issue of “My Bloody Valentine” with much of the x-rated gore restored. Not a great pic but slasher fans will love seeing it all cleaned up. Oh, Aug 28/09 is the release date for “H2”
Collecting these wonderful Hammer horrors is a real PAIN! Warner issued a good bare bones collection of “Horror of Dracula”, “Dracula Has Risen From the Grave”, “Taste the Blood of Dracula” & the under-rated “Dracula Ad 72”. The set is called “4 Favorite Warner Draculas” & sells for about $20 on ebay. Several companies issue “The Satanic Rites of Dracula” & “The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires” (although Anchor Bay has the latter on a nice double Feature with “Frankenstein Created Woman”) I’ve never seen a copy of “Dracula Prince of Darkness” on dvd but know they sell for many, many dollars on ebay under the Anchor imprint. AB also has “Scars of Dracula” & “Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb” I saw a copy of the Lee “Mummy” for $7 on ebay & ordered “The Hammer Franchise Collection” which contains “The Evil of Frankenstein” & “The Brides of Dracula”. Paramount has “Frankenstein & the Monster From Hell”. It’s a real dogs’ dinner of titles & publishers although these are some of my favorites.
Just bought a shiny new copy of “Beyond the Door” at HMV (Bit pricey but worth it). Have the in-name-only sequel “Shock” (BTD II) by Bava which is also worth a look. “Beyond the Door III” is on ebay. Pity “Passions” didn’t utilize the “Beyond the Door” material for the Mills/”Tabitha” charactor. They were just getting into “Dark Shadows” mythology by having “Tabby” date “Barnabas Collins” when the soap got cancelled (again). With all the supernatural mayhem going on in “Harmony”, “Beyond the Door” would have made wonderful backstory.
Not against the idea. Loved the 2nd season & have all 3 on dvd but it seems the concept behind the show…paranoia on the last years of the “Millenium”…has hamstrung its’ chance for return as assuredly as “Space: 1999” won’t be making a comeback any time soon. There was the odd storyline pertaining to a celestial cataclysm & an impending armaggeddon in 2050 but there’s not a whole lot “Black” could do about that. I think “Millenium” was a product of it’s time & that time has passed but it’s nice to see the influences it makes years after the fact in series like “Angel” or those awful “CSI” things.
So THAT was what all the fuss was about! GREAT movie. Easily my fav bat-pic and definately one of the most entertaining of the year. Right up there with “X Files” & “Sex and the City”. If it were another kind of movie it would stand a chance at best pic nomination come oscar time.
Actually, I’m ordering in a bunch of new books for 2009 & yours is on the list (if I can find a copy under $50 otherwise it waits til I can find one used.) Should be able to find it on Amazon or that linky-thing you posted. Looking forewaed to it.
I never considered the comedic quality to “Rosemary’s Baby” Blatty zoomed in on until the much inferior & overtly comedic “Son of Rosemary” hit the stands. (Heartbreakingly disappointing & to be avoided for all those who love “Rosemary’s Baby”). Quite like earlier Levin work such as “This Perfect Day”, “Deathtrap”, “The Stepford Wives”, “The Boys From Brazil” but more recent material like “Sliver” and the “Rosemary” sequel left me cold.
Really looking foreward to Zombies’ “Halloween 2”. If any of these re-launched franchises has a chance of taking off it’s “Halloween”.
Hi, FatherB, was wondering if “Exorcist III” really was such a miserable financial failure. I remember it opening strong at #1 with a headline reading “Exorcist III sends heads spinning at the box office” and while business dropped more than 50% during week 2 of its’ release, it must have made 25 mil in 14 days. As great looking a movie as “EIII” was, it never struck me as being a hugely budgeted production & so I’m thinking it was moderately successful even without taking into account video & dvd sales & overseas revenue. Probably tho’, it did not perform up to studio expectations.
Consider yourself lucky. Didn’t (couldn’t) make it thru the “Exorcism” film with ugly B&D lesbian exploitation, grotesque 70’s quasi-porn and exorcisms which consist of graphic knife attacks. Artless & depressing yet they occupy a place of honor on the cult shelves somewhere between “The House at the Edge of the Park” & the collected works of Fulci.
I’m old enough to remember just how badly “Exorcist II” flopped. It really was a scandal & even in the days before internet people were talking. My partner & I watched it on late night cable recently and his angry response to the pic surprised me. He was mad when he saw it years ago & after all this time it still pissed him off that it was even made. “A desecration”, he called it. Me, I’m used to it and more forgiving of its’ MANY flaws. It still deserves better as a film with that kind of pedigree. A lot of high profile failures of the era (Phantom of the Paradise, Blow Out, come to mind) have been dumped unceremoneously on the shelves despite a genuine interest from fans who collect or remember.
That cult films spiderwalk is very nice. Bought it last week for under 20 bucks & would buy more if I ever saw stuff. There really should be more merchandise given the clout of the studio to peddle it to the masses and the calibre of a pic like “The Exorcist”.
