Why have all the good horror films gone?

Rating: 8/10 (9 September 2010)

The Exorcist was a ground breaking film, tearing up many taboos along the way. The book, which was written by William Peter Blatty, would probably scare an atheist. When the demons start yelling, Merrin! Merrin! Merrin Nnnn! That sent some chills down my spine when I read the book, and I don't even believe in demons. The Special effects in this movie were the best ever done up to that time in a horror movie, and were all done without the aid of digital effects. Linda Blair plays the demons possessed Regan, and I was surprised she was allowed to play such a graphic role at her age, until I learned she wasn't in most of the more graphic scenes. The crucifix scene has to be one of the most notorious in Hollywood history. Ellen Burstyn is believable as the at first concerned and then terrified mother. Cobb is great as usual as the probing police Lt. Kinderman. Max Von Sydow lends good support, as the doomed Father Merrin, and he is the famed hat and coat in the fog and shadows as he makes his way from a taxi to the front of the MacNeil house. Jason Miller is a key figure in the film as father Karras, a psychologist priest who has lost his faith and is charged with Regan's case. His investigation contains some of the eeriest scenes, such as his figuring out the demons messages on the tape of Regan.