The Last Exorcism

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: August 27, 2010

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: A reverend and a film crew make a documentary about how exorcisms are fake until they are confronted with a real demon child.

Review: This movie is a faux documentary similar to The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity. It focuses on a charismatic preacher named Cotton Marcus (Patrick Fabian), who is being interviewed by a film crew about his preaching. When the topic of exorcisms arises, he says that while he does perform this for people, he doesn't believe that demons take over people's bodies. He believes it is a psychological affliction and that these people only believe that the devil has their soul. Once he performs the exorcism (complete with rigged picture frames and bed shaking), the person believes the demon is gone and so it is. To prove his point, he takes the film crew with him on one last exorcism. When he arrives at the Sweetzer farm, he realizes that the possessed person is a young girl named Nell (Ashley Bell). After some initial resistance from her brother Caleb (Caleb Landry Jones) but whole-hearted belief by her father Louis (Louis Herthum), Cotton performs the fake exorcism. Later that night, however, he and the crew find Nell in their hotel room on the brink of a psychological break. I didn't know much about this movie before watching it so I didn't really have any expectations. It's similar to many movies of this genre, and when combined with the shaky cam action of documentary-style shooting, the movie definitely has its own automatic tension. Most of the allure is the camera angles and unfocused style of filming. This creates all the mystery and adds to the supernaturalness of the movie. There isn't a lot of blood, although there's a pretty violent scene with a cat. Animal lovers will hate it, but it doesn't actually show anything. Sound effects take the imagination on a ride and you only see the before and after shots, which makes the graphic nature of the scene all in your mind. There really isn't anything unique about this movie. I always have to wonder why the devil only seems to possess girls. And why do all southern people have to be religious zealots? I mean really, it's such a stereotype.

Watch It: Because even if the ending was retarded, you're right there with it till the end just trying to figure out what the hell is going on.

Skip It: Because, well, the ending was retarded.

Gamer

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: September 4, 2009

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: Humans become video game pieces to be controlled by others in a life or death game.

Review: In the future, technology has advanced to the point where video games are played out in real life. People control other people in games called "Society" and "Slayer." Kable (Gerard Butler) is a convict on death row who is several wins away from being set free. He is controlled by a 17-year-old teen named Simon (Logan Lerman). The creator of both games is Ken Castle (Michael C. Hall), who also invented the mind control technology used to link the gamer to the game piece. The movie is part science fiction and part reality, an interesting speculation at what the future holds for us. It shows us a world that is disconnected from reality and emotions, where money can purchase life. While techonology can be beneficial in some instances, it can also cause destruction when in the hands of egomaniacs. Even when the public is aware that real people are being killed in "Slayer," no one seems to mind. There is no humanity left in this society and no human rights to speak of. Notable supporting actors and cameos include Kyra Sedgwick, Terry Crews, John Leguizamo, Milo Ventimiglia, and Ludacris.

Watch It: For Butler in great action sequences and a look at what first-person gaming can become.

Skip It: If you are easily affected by jerky camera movements. This was worst than The Blair Witch Project because of the rapidly changing viewpoints between live action and gaming perspectives.

Quarantine

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: October 10, 2008

DVD Release Date: February 17, 2009

Plot 411: A reporter and cameraman shadowing firefighters responding to a call become victims with everyone else when the apartment building is locked from the outside and deadly force is used to keep them in.

Review: This is like a tribute to The Blair Witch Project and Cloverfield because it is shot with the same hand-held shakiness and documentary feel. Technically speaking, I think it's pretty awesome how the cast and crew are able to shoot long takes using one camera angle. As a viewer though, it's really disorienting and frustrating because you can't see what's happening. I guess you're supposed to feel as though you're stuck in the building with the characters. Personally, it's annoying when you can't see around a big fat head and the focus of the camera wavers in and out. Jennifer Carpenter, who I thought did pretty well in The Exorcism of Emily Rose, was also good in this one. Lots of screaming, running and shaky hands. Jay Hernandez and Johnathon Schaech play the firefighters. Basically the building's residents call 911 because an old lady in the building is screaming bloody murder. When the cops and firefighters enter the woman's apartment, the lady is foaming at the mouth and bites a cop in the neck. At some point, the entire building is locked up from the outside. Confusion ensues and people start dying.

Watch It: If you can stomach the wobbly camera without puking.

Skip It: If you don't like these faux documentaries and like your movies wrapped up in a nice package.

Trailer: