On E List of Movie Reviews

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The Exorcist (1973)

Rate: 10
Viewed: 1/04, 9/04, 7/05, 2/06, 1/13

Exo1
7/05: "What an excellent day for an exorcism."

Well, The Exorcist is one of the finest horror films ever made. Many people have put it in the top five of their Best Horror Film list, and you may think that's overrating it. Honestly, they're not.

The Exorcist is a bona fide work of art that represents the best of the horror genre because it's that chilling and eerie. Throughout are many unforgettable scenes including the famous taxi stop at front of the house as seen in the movie poster. Recently, I was in Georgetown to check out the famous steps, and it's scary to be on it because of the steep slope.

Linda Blair's transformation is something else. Her character is so horrifying that she's effective. Jason Miller is phenomenal as Father Damien. Although there are several gaps and a slight misdirection, I'm still impressed by the way William Friedkin set up the complex storytelling while hiding the centerpiece until it's ready to come out at the appropriate time.

All in all, The Exorcist is a must-see horror film.

2/06: The Exorcist is a horrifying picture that's laden with incredible special effects.

The never-seen-before version is more improved than the original, and it contains a better, more kind ending than the previous cut. Two outstanding performances are rendered by Max von Sydow and Jason Miller. Then, there's Linda Blair who's mesmerizing, securing a place in the annals of motion pictures.

All in all, if there must be a film to serve as the benchmark of the horror genre, it's undoubtedly The Exorcist.

1/13: Upping my rating of The Exorcist from '9' to '10', I feel the film has gotten better with repeated viewings, and it's still a horror masterpiece.

The famous Exorcist Steps is located in Georgetown of Washington, D.C., so you cross the Key Bridge and take a left before a quick right where the gas station is at. And there you'll see the steps which is slightly obscured by a tall red brick building. Walking on the steps is an interesting experience that should be tried by everybody because it's part of movie history.

All in all, William Friedkin is a legend.