Compelling

Rating: 10/10 (12 June 2015)

It's widely considered, the scariest movie ever made. It's not really up for debate either, much to my chagrin. I don't think it's as scary, as it is disturbing, and absolutely brilliant. By that, I mean, a film that puts the "fear" of God back into the viewers. What other film could do that? The Exorcist is a triumph of special effects. The demon, Pazuzu, looks just as good in 1973 as it does now. It's a mystery why such brilliant practical effects were replaced with CGI. This film also takes you on a psychological ordeal. The line is blurred between reality and fiction, between faith and science, between lies and truths. You'll keep wondering if it's all just some kind of disease Regan has.. well, until the exorcism begins.. then it's pretty obvious. I loved this movie. It's a testament to the power of the cinema, and what it can do for people, for better or worse. People ran out of the movie theaters when the film was released, possibly traumatized. For the era of Vietnam, that is really something.