Dean's Double Feature
by Dean Trail
Embedded Files
The Exorcist (1973)
“The power of Christ compels you!”-Both Priests
Content Warning
Notable sexual elements, minor violence, notable vulgarity, all surrounding children
Review
The Exorcist is one of the most acclaimed horror movies of all time. It is about a child named Regan who is possessed by the demon “Pazuzu” and her mother getting priests to perform an exorcism on her. For its time, The Exorcist was easily one of the best and most terrifying horror films which was not incredibly graphic. Unfortunately, some elements of the film are quite dated, causing it to be quite poorly paced with a large lull in the second act. The film is well written, shot, acted, and everything else, and if I were reviewing it at the time it was released, I would give it a 9 or a 10, but because of how it has aged, I must give it an
8/10 - Great.
Historical Significance
The first horror film to win an Oscar was The Exorcist, winning one for best sound mixing and one for best adapted screenplay. It was also nominated for 8 other awards, including best picture. The film is 51 years old, but still treated as a “must watch”, demonstrating its historical impact. Another thing that displays this film's significance, is the fact that it may have partially inspired the satanic panic, having brought exorcisms, demons, and possession into the mainstream not long before the panic began.
Poltergeist (1982)
“Hello? What do you look like? Talk louder, I can't hear you! Hey, hello! Hello, I can't hear you! Five. Yes. Yes. I don't know. I don't know.”-Carol Anne Freeling
Content Warning
Minor violent and sexual content, portrayed both with fear and wonder.
Review
Poltergeist is an absolute classic light horror film and is absolutely amazing for introducing people to horror. The film is able to balance wonder and fear almost perfectly, due to being made by Steven Spielberg (Jurassic Park) and Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) in partnership. The film is able to make an interesting system for ghosts without being bogged down in details. Unfortunately, the digital effects aged poorly, some of the acting early on is quite stilted, and the pacing is odd, taking a long time to get to anything and having a weird split in the third act. This film is quite good, and absolutely worth watching if you are introducing someone to horror, but not nearly as good for audiences looking for something darker (like me), so I give Poltergeist
7/10-Good.
Historical Insignificance
Poltergeist, while being an iconic film, doesn't seem to have had much stylistic influence on horror. It may occasionally be referenced, but the style of horror that doesn't dip into particularly disturbing psychological content, gore, sex, or full on comedy seems to have gotten less common over time. The only thing that I have seen referenced more than once is when Carol-Anne looks into the TV.
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