Hey folks, Harry here with Starken's look at two future Holiday classics.... NOT! First he's giving us a look at Caleb Carr/William Wisher's draft of the EXORCIST prequel. It should be noted though that since Paul Schrader is now aboard as director, there's a strong chance that this script could be enhanced, and from the sound of it, it really doesn't need much. As for HOUSE OF A 1000 CORPSES - other than an absolutely fantastic opening with Sid Haig, the movie is a waste of film. The audience I saw it with a BNAT loved the opening - screamed with elation when the title hit the screen, then booed when it was over. We were all in shock, we all had faith in Rob Zombie - afterwards - we didn't. It was a very sad realization. There's a lot of promising moments and visuals throughout the film, but as a whole it fails miserably. Well, enough of me, here's what ya came for...
Happy Holidays to all at Aint It Cool.
Recently, I was fortunate enough to recieve a copy of the "Untitled Exorcist Prequel" screenplay. Instantly excited, I tore through the entire 127 pages in just under two hours. The story was as we expected it: Father Merrin, now a disrobed priest, travels to Africa where a local village boy becomes possessed by the Devil (not Pazuzu, again as many have stated.) I have several thoughts on the script:
First, this is not (as Warner Bros. will undoubtedly market it) a prequel as we have come to expect them as of late. It is it's own story, which happens to have a Father Merrin as its lead. However, the Merrin we meet is much darker than the Merrin we've come to know and love. He is tortured by horrific memories of WWII Holland (which is recounted in the script's first 6 pages.) He has also lost his faith and now spends his times digging up religious relics in third world countries. Second, this is not (again, as the folks at the WB will most CERTAINLY market it) a "horror" film. It is not even close. The film is actually a very subtle war drama mixed with three very interesting action set pieces. To be sure, there are horrific images in the film, however nothing that will "frighten" viewers, per se, like "The Ring." Third -- and please don't take this the wrong way: the SCRIPT (stand alone) is very well written -- the! film is completely unnecessary. Although the film is titled as an "Exorcist" film, no exorcism takes place. The final 30 pages of the screenplay are essentially Merrin and the Devil one-upping each other with machine gun dialogue (you must read it to believe it.) Unfortunately, it is very anti-climactic. There is a neat battle scene between Brittish soldiers and African Tribesman. Also, there is a funny (though probably not intentional) homage to "Cat People" where a tribeswoman is tied to a tree and devoured by lions (natch.) Now, from the Devil to Rob Zombie: Starken's Mini "House of 1000 Corpses Review":
Let's skip the story recap and get to the criticisms:
Why, Rob, why? In the name of all that us film geeks hold dear, why? Please stay in your recording studio. An interesting first act builds to an absolutely lackluster ending with insanely silly and predictable characters. Karen Black is fun for about ten minutes, but she soon loses her appeal. Sheri Moon is pretty enough to look at, but a very uncovincing actress. I laughed heartily as she lunged at the unlucky traveler's car door and screamed: "You're in hell, bitch! You're gonna die like a dog!" It absolutely slayed everyone in the room. I would agree with all your reader's criticisms: the film does seem to be a walking/talking ad for Rob's music (which of late is not nearly as good as when he was frontman of White Zombie.) I would also agree that the film is dull, not because no one dies until the last twenty minutes, but because the story is not interesting enough to hold one's interest.&nbs! p; Kids looking for a tree where a guy named Doctor Satan was hung? They get lost? They're attacked by hillbillies? Good Lord, are the future of horror movies in bad shape if this is the best a "renowned horror expert" like Rob Zombie can do. Skip this. Spend your 88 minutes doing something else...ANYTHING else...
If you use this call me "Starken." I will be back with a review of THE EYE and CABIN FEVER later this week.
