EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING (2004)

Set some time between WWII and the early 70's of the original film, EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING finds a young Father Merrin (this time played by Stellan Skarsgard) as a archaeologist who is called to go check out the discovery of a church in Africa that predates the infestation of Christianity in the area.  A traumatizing event during the War caused him to take a sabbatical from the priesthood, but what he finds in this ancient church leads him to return to his faith.

Those looking for an all out demon possession-fest will once again be disappointed, but those looking for a little bit of information about the relationship between Father Merrin and Pazuzu will find it interesting.  That's really about it.  The discovery of the church could have been super creepy, but instead it was pretty weak with nothing but computer-generated jackals and local tribesmen acting scared.  Finally at the end there's a little bit of possession action.  Zero nudity, very little gore or blood, light pacing with no real ups or downs, good acting.  On the one hand I was disappointed with the lack of excitement or scares, but on the other hand I kinda enjoyed learning a little bit more about Merrin's past.

Half-hearted recommendation, but for Exorcist fans only.

[Update: I just discovered that Part 5 is also the same story just a different director.  Yeah, that's pretty weird, but while it isn't that much better I did prefer that version over this one.]

Original trilogy
Part 1 - The Exorcist (1973)
Part 2 - Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)
Part 3 - Exorcist III (1990)

Prequel films
Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist (2005)

Sequel trilogy
Sequel 1 - The Exorcist: Believer (2023)

LE CHOC (1982)

I don't know what it is about hit men, but it seems that all of them want to quit their job.  Usually after one last one big score. 

Professional assassin Alain Delon does his one last job, but when he tells this criminal bosses that he's through they tell him no, he knows too much.  He kills the assassin sent to kill him then escapes out to the countryside where he meets the beautiful Catherine Deneuve on a turkey farm.  (I'm gonna go start hanging out at turkey farms!)  Naturally, even though she's married she falls for the studly Delon.  More people show up to kill him and now he goes on the run with Deneuve.

With any other actress I probably wouldn't have even given this film a chance, but I'm a sucker for Deneuve and because of her alone I liked this movie.  The story is highly unbelievable, but with two great leads it's still a fun ride with a nice romantic twist on the old retiring assassin story.  Recommended although it could have definitely been spiced up with some bigger action scenes.

 The condition of these horses piss me off.

THE EXORCIST III (1990)

Call it a hunch, but I think at one point there might have been a good movie hidden somewhere in here.  Unfortunately, that good movie didn't make it to the screen.  What did make it to the screen is a promising idea that's garbled all up and nowhere near as graphic or shocking as it should have been.

Fifteen years ago there was a serial killer haunting Georgetown and killing people in gruesome ways.  He was caught and executed.  Now suddenly the killings start up again and the killer is using the same unpublished techniques that the original killer used.  Police Lieutenant George C. Scott, who worked on the original case, is extremely shook up.  Then, when his best friend is tortured to death in a local hospital he takes it personally.  What does all of this have to do with the original Exorcist film you ask?  Not a whole hell of a lot until towards the end of the film they awkwardly shoehorn in a supernatural storyline featuring ol' Pazuzu as the killer!  What the f?

There are a few good moments of suspense (the hallway scene, the dining room scene), but for the most part, THE EXORCIST III looks like it was the victim of too much studio involvement.  Overall, it's still a good 90's movie that's worth checking out.  It'll probably be a disappointment to the majority of horror fans, but hey, it's still better than Part 2.

Original trilogy
Part 1 - The Exorcist (1973)
Part 2 - Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)

Prequel films
Exorcist: The Beginning (2004)
Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist (2005)

Sequel trilogy
Sequel 1 - The Exorcist: Believer (2023)