Exorcist II : The Heretic (1977)

Directed by John Boorman

Starring Richard Burton, Linda Blair, Louise Fletcher, Ned Beatty, Max Von Sydow, James Earl Jones

Turns out our poor Reagan isn't in the clear yet when it comes to demonic possessions. Her psychiatrist wants her to dive deeper into her dreams and share them with her, risking everyone involved. At the same time the Catholic Church have asked Father Philip Lamont to investigate Father Merrin's exorcism from the original film.

With very little imagination and the idea that it could live up to cinema's greatest horror film, Exorcist II does practically everything wrong. It may be wrong to compare it to the original. In doing so we see that the film has no charm, no energy and no goal. As a stand alone film, it's confusing, tiresome, long and cheap.

You can feel effort from the cast, but one can only sense that their pay checks were strong enough to keep them through the film. Otherwise, I'd have difficulty believing they were doing the right thing.

Am trying to understand the opening up of the demonic scenario into the world, by placing activities in various places. But the joy of the original was that it was set in the one place. And the one girl.

1/5

If you like this you should try

The Exorcist (1973) 5/5

Ginger Snaps (2000)

Directed by John Fawcett

Starring Emily Perkins, Katharine Isabelle, Mimi Rodgers

Fun teenage horror story of two disturbed teenagers learning that growing up isn't so easy. Especially after a bite of a werewolf that happens to be roaming around the neighbour hood.

It's nice to see a teenage horror film being funny as well as meaningful. Mimi Rodgers is rather sweet as the sister's ditzy mother, who's understanding of becoming a woman is all rather sitcom like.

3.5/5

If you like this you should try

The Craft (1996) 4.5/5

The Exorcist (1973)

Directed by William Friedkin

Staring Ellen Burstyn, Max Von Sydow, Lee J. Cobb, Linda Blair, Jason Miller

After The French Connection William Friekin makes his gritty style known here. From his own novel William Petter Blatty adapts the story of a girl possessed by a demon who claims to be the devil.

Horror doesn't come any more intelligent than this. Usually horror should be shocking or fun. The Exorcist takes a serious look at the spiritual world of good and evil. Rather than have the demon as the villain doing the scaring, the more frightening parts come from where the choices the characters have made. This is probably the most mature horror film and should be treated as such.

Perfect for Halloween. When alone.

5/5

We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)

Directed by Lynne Ramsey

Starring Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly, Ezra Millar

It was said that Lynne Ramsey would have directed The Lovely Bones a few years back. After various disagreements and such, she left the project and it was given to Peter Jackson. The Lovely Bones for Ramsey would have been interesting, but it's a novel with more snow than grit for her.

Here however she takes Lionel Shriver's novel into what is the best drama film I've seen all year.

Eva is looking back upon her past relationship with her first born child, a sinister child named Kevin. She's perplexed at how his behaviour is so notorious and as Swinton portrays it, how she manages to let him get away with it.

As everyone seems to have contempt for Eva, we start to learn than Kevin has done something awful. And naturally the questions start to arise, such as if Eva responsible for letting him act this way - or is Kevin evil from day one?

This film doesn't answer these questions. What it does do is allow a woman to not enjoy motherhood. Ramsey has made the right decision in making the film slightly art house. It's here we discover that it doesn't matter what horrible thing Kevin has done - but that Eva is to face the wrath of it.

Tilda Swinton may look stale, but she does it so well. Again and again she proves herself well. Here she is nothing short of brilliant. It doesn't matter if Narnia will carry on - Swinton was always going to be fine.

5/5

If you like this you should try

Elephant (2003) 4/5

Poltergeist (1982)

Directed by Tobe Hooper

Starring JoBeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson, Beatrice Straight

It's funny how children attract danger or can be vessels for paranormal evil.

The premise is as old as horror. A family discover that their home is haunted. But the ride along the way is much different.

Poltergeist shows what can usually be the downfall of a film and uses a big budget to run with the imagination. Normally its what the audience don't see. But here the audience are treated to spectacles after intelligent build ups.

4.5/5

If you like this you should try

The Exorcist (1973) 5/5

The Omen (1976) 4/5

The Shining (1980) 3/5

Johnny English Reborn (2011)

Directed by Oliver Parker

Starring Rowan Atkinson, Gillian Anderson, Rosamund Pike, Dominic West

Did you hear anyone say, 'I can't wait for Johnny English 2' in 2003?

I didn't either.

That's not to say I disliked it. Johnny English was a charming, fun take on a well meaning spy who just thought too highly of himself. The makers wanted a new British Inspector Clouseau, and they relied their faith on Rowan Atkinson.

Now English is called back. He's been in Tibet, training himself to become a more centered individual. MI:7 want him back as he's the only way of getting information on the mysterious Vortex group.

Rowan Atkinson does his job well. Whatever isn't funny in the script he gives a go. Though he rarely succeeds. Most of the cast really do leave the work up to Atkinson. Surprises aren't rampant enough. It's as charming as Zoolander. But it's also as funny as it. Not saying as much.

3/5

If you like this you should try

Zoolander (2001) 2/5

Johnny English (2003) 3/5

Stormbreaker (2006) 3/5

Pumpkinhead (1988)

Directed by Stan Winston

Starring Lance Henriksen, Jeff East, John D' Aquino

Stan Winston, effects wizard of monsters and creeps gets to direct his own film. And throws in one of his nightmarish fiends to terrify us. Or at least the teenagers it sets after.

After loosing his son to a accident, Ed Harley managed to raise a crazed monster who will seek revenge on the teenager(s) responsible. Thus questioning of, 'What is it?' and the chase begins.

The deaths aren't gory enough for horror fans, if they are ever seen at all. And only once did I manage to feel a bit of suspense. Down played is the set piece of the monster itself, who carries with it a shaky sound effect. With plenty of fog to run about in, and a very weak idea of how the monster is to be killed, boredom seemed rife.

Sam Raimi's The Evil Dead may have started this run of creatures and teenagers in the wood. But it's clear there's not too much passion for letting the teens see a gruesome, ever overplayed end. If that's what it takes.

1.5/5

If you like this you should try

The Evil Dead (1981) 3/5

Poltergeist (1982) 4.5/5

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

Directed by Tomas Alfredson

Starring Gary Oldman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Strong, Colin Firth, Toby Jones, Ciaran Hinds, Kathy Burke, Tom Hardy, John Hurt

Calling various Harry Potter actors, there's still plenty of work available for you in adaptations.

Thank God.

John le Carré's novel gets it second adaptation, over three decades after the BBC's go. And for an audience that hasn't read the novel or seen the original, it's gorgeous.

Smiley, a retired espionage veteran is to attempt to catch out a mole in MI6 placed by the Soviets. And there I'll leave it.

I won't lie. One got a tiny bit confused with the lingo. One has an idea that the television show gives more time to allow details to ring. And if you're looking for suspense, the film doesn't deliver.

What Tinker Tailor does supply are the most beautiful performances I've seen in a long time. Whereas the majority of cinema goers feel reassured that Gary Oldman will do a good job, he may have to watch himself. Only because here he outdoes himself. With every movement of his natural and not letting himself get indulged, he has certainly won a heart that was already his.

Benedict Cumberbatch is certainly charming. And I feel it's nice to see Colin Firth take a step back and allow his presence be felt, but not weighted.

Due to the confusion, one may have to sit through it again. A pleasure rare in cinema today.

4/5

If you like this you should try

State of Play (2009) 3/5

Melancholia (2011)

Directed by Lars Von Trier

Starring Kirsten Dunst, Keifer Sutherland, Alexander Skarsgard, Stellan Skarsgard, Charlotte Gainsbourg, John Hurt

Along with Darren Aronofsky, Lars Von Trier is probably the only other pioneer of art house cinema thrown to the mainstream. And like Aronofsky, Von Trier is always more difficult for me to swallow than mainstream. Although his films tend to be better, one can't help feel, well...bored.

Melancholia sees Kirsten Dunst play Justine, a newly wed who on her wedding day manages to cause controversy with her sister and husband by not buying into her new happiness. Here we get John Hurt and Charlotte Rampling giving a British flavour of family - something that would look better in a Mike Leigh film than here.

There's an oncoming apocalypse according to the anxious behaviour of Justine's sister, Claire. But to be honest all the way through I didn't actually see where the two sister's conflicted interests where. Maybe because I'm used to linear narratives. Or maybe because this film isn't working enough to keep my attention.

Von Trier's previous film AntiChrist was gory, strange and difficult to swallow - but there was enough to keep the ball going. Even more impressive that it only had two characters. Melancholia on the other hand is just dull. I enjoyed the appearances of big actors, but somehow I think they where dooped. Dunst most of all.

2/5

If you like this you should try

Requiem for a Dream (2000) 2/5

Frost / Nixon (2008)

Directed by Ron Howard

Starring Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Sam Rockwell, Rebecca Hall

Ron Howard gets the job of making the hit stage show suitable for the stage. And in Howard fashion, there's a lift of joy and inspiration for the talk. Because that's what this film about. Talking.

David Frost's infamous chat with disgraced US president Richard Nixon is put into play with such enjoyable fair. There's fun to be had, although sometimes I do feel like the film was meant to be much more sinister. Howard doesn't want to go down this route. And instead we get a political drama with very little politics. Understandably. If it was laid with heavy political talk, the audience would yawn.

Michael Sheen is great fun as David Frost. Frank Langella stays clear of playing a villain. Which could have been fun if he pulled a Skelletor - but then Nixon might have been a scarier Master of the Universe.

4/5

If you like this you should try

A Beautiful Mind (2001) 3/5

The Queen (2006) 4/5