The Exorcism

Clearly the Pope wasn't so impressed with Russell's last outing as his exorcist so abandoned the project to some new producers who have decided he might do better as an dissolute actor ("Anthony") cast to play a priest who is an exorcist. Unbeknown to him, though, we know that the studio set is home to a malevolent spirit - who saw off his predecessor (or perhaps he just volunteered) - and is now determined to cause more mischief. Luckily, director "Peter" (Adam Goldberg) has engaged the services of a real priest (David Hyde Pierce) to authenticate the clerical aspects of the film as "Anthony" and co-star "Joe" (Sam Worthington) find their efforts constantly disrupted by his increasingly vivid dreams, lots of bursting light bulbs and the tiniest bit of Satanic body-bopping. There's really nothing at all to recommend this to anyone. It's not original, nor is it funny. The acting is wooden and it appears to have been written by someone who extensively studied the Janet & John book of dog-collar horror and thought it would make an entertaining film. Neither big name here do themselves any favours, and it ends, weakly, not a moment too soon. Perhaps an October/Halloween release might have served it better, but otherwise this is just a derivatively poor exercise on how the mighty have fallen.

Oh dear, poor Russel Crowe. He's a more than decent actor, so its a shame to see him in a film this uninspiring. Washed up alcoholic actor with PTSD (as a result of church based child abuse) takes on the lead role of priest in an Exorcist horror film, only to become the subject of his own demonic horror. Its not a great premise to start with not helped at all by its grim back drop of a struggling actor father, with a long suffering daughter, who is forced to adopt a parental role. Its more depressing and sad, than terrifying, adding to the generally leaden vibe, this flick gives off. The limited upsides include above average acting and production values, including special effects. In summary, if you have seen The Omen or The Exorcist, you have effectively already seen what is on offer here, just done a whole lot better.