Run Time: 1 hrs. 40 min.
Rating: PG-13
The Bouw-Man.
There are few items as scary as exorcism, so it’s not surprising that Hollywood keeps producing a variety of heart-thumping pictures on the subject. Pretty soon I expect to see nothing but trailers of films about vampires and exorcisms. In this latest version, we have an evangelistic minister traveling to a small Louisiana town to perform yet another exorcism (preview indicates that he has performed over 47). A long the way he is warned by the local townspeople that he should “walk away” from this one. I can’t think of a more deliberate statement then when one young man proclaims, “You’re going to make a U-turn. Then I want you to go back where you came from,” when the reverend asks for directions. Yes, it appears this latest exorcism will be his most profound one to date. Anything less would not be true scary movie material.
“The Last Exorcism” is shot documentary style to give a more realistic impression to what is transpiring. This form of film-making for the horror/thriller genre was made famous by the independent hit, “The Blair Witch Project” in 1999. More recently, we have seen this from 2009’s “Paranormal Activity.” Apparently if you have a light budget and no stars in your scary film, documentary style is the way to go. It’s still inconceivable to me that “The Blair Witch Project” took in a domestic gross of $140 million, when it cost just $60,000 to produce. “Paranormal Activity” was just as impressive with a domestic gross of nearly $108 million, and a production budget of just $15,000.
Prediction.
Bottom line, the preview is really well made. With the possessed sibling bending all parts of her body in every direction, even the most resilient viewer probably had to look away. People like to be scared, and this one seems as good as any to accomplish that feat. $28 million as a starting point for its first weekend gross.
Opening Weekend Gross: $28 Million
Noodles.
The Last Exorcism is not my cup of tea. That said, I think it looks like it could be a decent film if you're into this kind of picture. Eli Roth lends some of his horror movie credit so you would hope he wouldn't just attach himself to a piece of trash. However, I would be nervous going in due to the PG-13 rating. You can't tell me that demonic possession is a subject that most kids are chomping at the bit to go see. This movie seems made for a more mature viewer, and yet can I assume it will be tame enough to watch with my 13 year old? Do I want to watch another toothless horror picture?
Prediction.
Horror can be a big draw and if I had to bet my last dime whether this movie would open huge or not, it would be hard to take that bet. The film seems unremarkable to me but since its not in my wheelhouse I usually misjudge the public reaction. Since I have to make a prediction I'm going to say it wins the weekend and makes 25 Million.
Opening Weekend: Gross: $25 Million
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