Frightening and disturbing

Rating: 10/10 (14 February 2000)

Time seems to blunt the effectiveness of some horror movies, but The Exorcist isn't one of them. The real day-to-day feel of the movie (i.e. we're not in outer space or something) only feeds the fear. If you're a religious person, or were brought up Catholic, there are definite religious overtones that can definitely get under your skin (the quick shot of the defiled Virgin Mary really got under mine). The visual effects are stunning and repulsive, but what I noticed this time around (again) is how important the sound track is in setting the horrifying mood of the movie. Got to see the DVD 25th anniversary edition, which has some extra scenes (I know it has a second subliminal vision of the scary-as-hell face of one the demon). No ordinary movie, watch it if you dare (seriously).