It’s Blair Witch, No, It’s Paranormal Activity, No, It’s “The Last Exorcism”.

Rating:

Hello Kiddies…it’s your Demented Uncle Laurence with another incredibly disappointing movie review…I know…lucky you.

This time it is the fun, pseudo-documentary style “scare-fest” presented by our very good friend and “Bear Jew” himself, Mr. Eli Roth.

Now you may know Eli from his earlier works such as: “Cabin Fever” & “Hostel I & II” in addition to his intense roll as the “Bear Jew” in Quentin Tarantino’s incredible World War II fictional epic “Inglorious Basterds”.  If you are familiar with his work, you were excitedly stoked to not only see his name associated with this new “Horror Movie” but you were also excited to see him greet you prior to the beginning of the movie, a-la Vincent Price in 1959’s “The House on Haunted Hill”, engaging you to give your honest feedback once finished watching to whether you were truly scared with the supernatural experience.

With all of that said…”The Last Exorcism” follows the pseudo-documentary style exploits of the “Rev. Cotton Marcus” and his life as a second generation, wonderfully energetic, charismatic and honest Southern Baptist Minister who is on a quest to show Exorcism for what it really is…a sham…a-la Harry Houdini.

The movie is shot in the same style as “Blair Witch”, which in turned gave birth to “Blair Witch II”, which then begot “Cloverfield”, which even then…begot “Paranormal Activity”…and thus you have the genealogy of this films’ genre lineage.

Now was this movie more engaging and interesting then say the HUGELY disappointing and frustrating “Paranormal Activity”?  You bet your possessed assess it was.  Were the characters more relate-able, believable and easier to like?  To that, I also have to give a very big YES!

I really have to say that I enjoyed the way that this movie guided me through the story, the introduction of the key players which would play a part in our decent into the world of backwater faith and superstitious rituals as Rev. Marcus travels through his home state of Louisiana, to a very rustic farmhouse in order to aid a unfortunate family whose lives have come under the power of the “Devil” himself.

Throughout the movie and the characters you meet, you really gain a sense of incredible realism in the fact that the actors who portray the characters really have their performances down to the true and honest “T”…I mean they were really believable in their roles and kept true to the persona’s to which they portrayed…good for them.

I know…I know…when will I get to the actual review?  Well hold on to your crucifixes…you impatient smart-assess!  Jeeze.

The movie itself is anything but SCARY…which is what Eli was hoping you would experience when watching this flick.  It was not terrifying as you would have hoped to expect…especially with Mr. Roth’s name being associated with it.  However…again…it was far more enjoyable and engaging than it’s predecessor…the very horrible “Paranormal Activity”…that is…until the very end when you are left with the feeling that your wonderful jog through the back woods of Louisiana was brought to an abrupt and disgusting end when you just realized you stepped into a huge steaming pile of shit that stinks for more than the “Fire & Brimstone” of Hell itself.  Yep, that’s right…you just stepped into a huge steaming pile of “Blair Witch’s” afterbirth of “Paranormal Activity” meets “Rosemary’s Baby”…G-d help you.

This is the part where the good Reverend should have listened to the camera-guy who was filming his exploits when he suggested that they just leave the house…let’s just leave the house man…come on!  But then again…if they did that…what would have happened to the movie?  When the end comes…you’re left thinking: “Who honestly gives a shit”?!

So, sorry Mr. Roth…I really do dig you, you are a hell-of-a nice guy, truly personable and were very gracious when we interviewed you at last years “Spike TV Scream Awards”…however…this time…ya really should have put down the bong and thought about what you were putting your name to…especially since you were not participating in the writing and directing…which in that case…I am sure the movie would have been for more intense and definitely FAR MORE terrifying for sure.

Well kiddies…that’s it for me…I think I’m going to go and shag me a possessed chick…MAN! are they flexible?!

See ya!

Laurence