The film tells the story of mountaineer Aron Ralston who went through hell on his climbing expedition. Ralston’s right forearm got pinned for nearly five days under a boulder during a climb in Utah in May 2003. He used a dull knife to amputate the limb, then scaled a 65-foot sheer wall and hiked out before running into a family that gave him water and food. He was finally rescued by helicopter.
Since CBS Films wouldn’t screen the film for critics, Evan Dickson hit a midnight screening of Ed Gass-Donnelly’s The Last Exorcism Part II, now in theaters everywhere, in hopes of witnessing the last great exorcism. Instead, he felt duped by yet another snail-paced film jam-packed with filler.
“Since this installment drops the POV approach I was actually kind of excited for the format shakeup here, stupidly thinking that maybe things would be sped along and an actual story would be told,” said Dickson in his review. “Nope! If anything, this new sequel breaks new ground in treading water, wasting time and general narrative inertia. It’s an almost Herculean feat of nothingness.”
It’s sort of a shame, too, because he says Ashley Bell’s performance is pretty great: “Bell’s depiction of Nell is good enough to deserve a better movie. At one point I considered giving the film a pass on that merit alone” that was until he realized there were still 70 minutes left in the movie…
Click here to read the review in its entirety, or take the time to write your own review to tell all of Bloody YOUR thoughts.
The Last Exorcism Part 2 made me long for the comparatively breakneck pace of the first film. While there’s some fascinating stuff happening in found footage on an indie level, the mainstream features hinging on the conceit are still (for the most part) stuck in the “nothing happens for the first 80 minutes” mode. Since this installment drops the POV approach I was actually kind of excited for the format shakeup here, stupidly thinking that maybe things would be sped along and an actual story would be told. Nope! If anything, this new sequel breaks new ground in treading water, wasting time and general narrative inertia. It’s an almost Herculean feat of nothingness.
Unencumbered by the justification of camera angles, The Last Exorcism Part 2 roams free in the slow burn wilderness of modest expectations. It picks up right where the first film left off, looks around, and scurries into oblivion. Nell Sweetzer – played by the quite good Ashley Bell – still isn’t quite right. After she crawls into the wrong bed in the wrong house she’s taken in by the kindly Frank Merle [Muse Watson], who places her in what basically amounts to a halfway house for troubled girls. Ostensibly troubled, I should say, since the movie can’t be bothered to develop any of them beyond establishing one girl’s disregard for stereo imaging by sharing her iPod earbuds with Nell five seconds after meeting her. Uninterestingly enough, this may be the first halfway house in cinema history populated entirely by normal people.
Nell gets a job as a maid at a local hotel and finds herself intrigued by all of the carnal sounds emitting from its hallways. This is actually one area in which the film does some nice character work. You can sense Nell’s temptation, not only to explore her own sexuality – but to be normal. I’d be lying if I said there weren’t a few nice character beats here featuring her grappling with New Orleans, and life, in general. But short films have character beats too and there’s no reason this movie needed to be longer than a 15 minute webisode. The film just plays these beats over and over again like a mobius strip until it looks at its watch and decides it’s time for some sort of truncated third act. Truly, any sense of escalation is pure wishful thinking on the part of the audience after watching the same scenario unfold countless times.
Finally, the film realizes that it’s hit the mandatory minimum length for a theatrical feature and decides to wrap things up. Director Ed Gass-Donnelly, having wisely kept things in neutral for 75 minutes, needs only to tap slightly on the accelerator to establish that this sputtering wretch is indeed drawing to a close. There’s a quick exorcism (voodoo this time) that utterly lacks the visceral impact of the first film, a brief return to the halfway house and a denouement punctuated by flashes of what may be the worst CGI flames to ever leap out of a DCP.
It’s a shame because The Last Exorcism Part 2 features some good performances and decent technical work. Bell’s depiction of Nell is good enough to deserve a better movie. At one point I considered giving the film a pass on that merit alone. But that was before I realized I’d only been in the theater for 18 minutes and there were 70 left to go.
Exorcism centered on an Evangelical preacher, played by Patrick Fabian, who, after years of performing exorcisms, decides to allow a documentary crew to film the last exorcism he plans to perform, in order to show his work is a fraud.
The sequel follows Nell (Bell) who, six months after the first film’s events, has move to a halfway house only to realize that the demon that has ruined her life is still after her! Without giving anything away, the sequel takes an interesting romantic approach that’s spun around Nell’s new boyfriend, Chris. A subplot is that Bell is also targeted by a group of rogue Reverends who mean to kill her.
Official: Continuing where the first film left off, Nell Sweetzer (Ashley Bell) is found alone and terrified in the woods. Back in the relative safety of civilization, Nell realizes that she can’t remember entire portions of the previous months only that she is the last surviving member of her family. Just as Nell begins the difficult process of starting a new life, the evil force that once possessed her is back with other, unimaginably horrific plans that mean herlast exorcism was just the beginning.
Not screened for critics, CBS Films has shared the opening sequence from The Last Exorcism Part II, in theaters everywhere tomorrow. Evan Dickson will be out late seeing the movie for you dear readers; but we encourage you guys to write your own reviews, too.
“Continuing where the first film left off, Nell Sweetzer (Ashley Bell) is found alone and terrified in the woods. Back in the relative safety of civilization, Nell realizes that she can’t remember entire portions of the previous months only that she is the last surviving member of her family. Just as Nell begins the difficult process of starting a new life, the evil force that once possessed her is back with other, unimaginably horrific plans that mean herlast exorcism was just the beginning.”
Cabin Fever and Hostel‘s Eli Roth returns to produce this possession horror flick. READ MORE
CBS Films has released a new clip from The Last Exorcism Part II, their sequel to the found-footage horror opening in theaters March 1. This clip from the Ed Gass-Donnelly directed sequel hints at some mean girl posturing as Nell’s past is discovered on YouTube.
“Continuing where the first film left off, Nell Sweetzer (Ashley Bell) is found alone and terrified in the woods. Back in the relative safety of civilization, Nell realizes that she can’t remember entire portions of the previous months only that she is the last surviving member of her family. Just as Nell begins the difficult process of starting a new life, the evil force that once possessed her is back with other, unimaginably horrific plans that mean herlast exorcism was just the beginning.”
Eli Roth produces once again. Head inside to check it out! READ MORE
Ashley Bell returns as Nell in The Last Exorcism Part II later this week, so it was a good opportunity to catch up with the actress to talk about the differences between this new sequel and the film we originally thought would be The Last Exorcism. Bell discussed where Nell is in her life, the temptations of New Orleans, sympathizing with the Devil and a potential third film in the franchise.
In theaters this Friday, March 1st from director Ed Gass-Donnelly, the sequel continues where the first film left off. “Nell Sweetzer (Ashley Bell) is found alone and terrified in the woods. Back in the relative safety of civilization, Nell realizes that she can’t remember entire portions of the previous months only that she is the last surviving member of her family. Just as Nell begins the difficult process of starting a new life, the evil force that once possessed her is back with other, unimaginably horrific plans that mean herlast exorcism was just the beginning.”
Andrew Sensenig, Spencer Treat Clark, Muse Watson, David Jensen, Judd Lormand, Joe Chrest, Julia Garner, Louis Herthum, Tarra Riggs, Ashlynn Ross, Cristina Franco, Raeden Greer, E. Roger Mitchell and Boyana Balta also star. The film is once again produced by Eli Roth.
Check out the official website and Facebook for more on the film. Head inside for the interview! READ MORE
I haven’t been a huge fan of the art released thus far for CBS Films’ The Last Exorcism Part II, their sequel to the found-footage horror opening in theaters March 1.
The new graphic poster, revealed by MTV, comes from artist Rich Knepprath and was created in anticipation of the new horror movie from producer Eli Roth. It taps into the 1970′s vibe of the film, which stars Ashley Bell as Nell Sweetzer, who managed to survive the demonic encounter from the original found footage film.
“Continuing where the first film left off, Nell Sweetzer (Ashley Bell) is found alone and terrified in the woods. Back in the relative safety of civilization, Nell realizes that she can’t remember entire portions of the previous months only that she is the last surviving member of her family. Just as Nell begins the difficult process of starting a new life, the evil force that once possessed her is back with other, unimaginably horrific plans that mean herlast exorcism was just the beginning.” READ MORE
A new UK teaser brings up the trailer tally for The Last Exorcism Part II. I sort of like it better than the first one, but maybe that’s just because it goes a little easier on the CGI.
In theaters March 1 from director Ed Gass-Donnelly, the sequel continues where the first film left off, “Nell Sweetzer (Ashley Bell) is found alone and terrified in the woods. Back in the relative safety of civilization, Nell realizes that she can’t remember entire portions of the previous months only that she is the last surviving member of her family. Just as Nell begins the difficult process of starting a new life, the evil force that once possessed her is back with other, unimaginably horrific plans that mean herlast exorcism was just the beginning.”
Andrew Sensenig, Spencer Treat Clark, Muse Watson, David Jensen, Judd Lormand, Joe Chrest, Julia Garner, Louis Herthum, Tarra Riggs, Ashlynn Ross, Cristina Franco, Raeden Greer, E. Roger Mitchell and Boyana Balta also star.
Watch the official website and Facebook for more soon. READ MORE
CBS Films’ The Last Exorcism Part II is arriving on March 1, but some of you will be seeing it early thanks to Bloody Disgusting!
The studio, who also provided us with a look at some new exclusive imagery, will be doing special 10:00pm promo screenings on Thursday, February 28 in select markets before opening! We have three (3) admit two passes per the below listed markets (make sure to look before you RSVP).
HERE’S HOW TO GET TICKETS: First, read inside to see if you live near one of the markets. Then, put the selected market and “LAST EXORCISM BD” in the subject line and send YOUR NAME to [email protected]. We have (3) pairs of tickets to each of the below markets. Winners will be contacted with theater information and other details. Make sure to arrive early!
“Continuing where the first film left off, Nell Sweetzer (Ashley Bell) is found alone and terrified in the woods. Back in the relative safety of civilization, Nell realizes that she can’t remember entire portions of the previous months only that she is the last surviving member of her family. Just as Nell begins the difficult process of starting a new life, the evil force that once possessed her is back with other, unimaginably horrific plans that mean herlast exorcism was just the beginning.” READ MORE
While there’s still a bit of a wait fot The Last Exorcism Part II, which arrives in theaters March 1 from CBS Films, that doesn’t mean that a third film is off the table! I just got off the phone with Ashley Bell who confirms that the second film leaves room for another potential sequel that they’re hoping to make. I’ll share my FULL interview with Bell next week (closer to the film’s release), but I wanted to get this tidbit out to you a little early.
When asked if there were plans to make a third film, depending on how this one performs, she answered, “There’s a wait and see approach, but yeah there have been [discussions]. There’s a twist at the end [of Part 2] that is literally so shocking! I would love to step back into my Doc Martens for a third time.”
In Part II, “Continuing where the first film left off, Nell Sweetzer (Ashley Bell) is found alone and terrified in the woods. Back in the relative safety of civilization, Nell realizes that she can’t remember entire portions of the previous months only that she is the last surviving member of her family. Just as Nell begins the difficult process of starting a new life, the evil force that once possessed her is back with other, unimaginably horrific plans that mean herlast exorcism was just the beginning.”
Question – if they make this third film, what should the title be? READ MORE
We’ve landed a trio of new one-sheets beginning with an international stitched up look at WWE’s awful No One Lives (read our review), acquired by Anchor Bay Films for release later this year. In the film, “A ruthless criminal gang takes a young couple hostage and goes to ground in an abandoned house in the middle of nowhere. When the captive girl is killed, the tables are unexpectedly turned. The gang finds itself outsmarted by an urbane and seasoned killer determined to ensure that no one lives.” Midnight Meat Train‘s Ryuhei Kitamura directs.
Then there’s the UK quad for The Last Exorcism Part II, in theaters March 1 from CBS Films. “Continuing where the first film left off, Nell Sweetzer (Ashley Bell) is found alone and terrified in the woods. Back in the relative safety of civilization, Nell realizes that she can’t remember entire portions of the previous months only that she is the last surviving member of her family. Just as Nell begins the difficult process of starting a new life, the evil force that once possessed her is back with other, unimaginably horrific plans that mean herlast exorcism was just the beginning.”
Also added is a poster for Alex Karpovsky’s Rubberneck, starring Alex Karpovsky, Jaime Ray Newman, Amanda Good Hennessey, Dennis Staroselsky and Dakota Shepard. Via Tribeca Film, “Months after a one-night-stand-gone-nowhere with his sexy coworker Danielle, sad-sack Boston scientist Paul still finds himself increasingly consumed with obsessive thoughts toward his clearly uninterested colleague. Paul nurtures his fantasies with the occasional polite exchange at work, believing Danielle will eventually come around, but when Danielle seems receptive to the advances of another lab worker, Paul’s barely contained delusions and long-repressed impulses threaten to bubble over. Is Paul just a jilted loser, or is there something more dangerous lurking beneath the surface of his scarred psyche?” Rubberneck will be available nationwide on VOD starting February 19th.
Lastly, in theaters March 8 from Music Box Films is The Silence, Baran bo Odar’s film starring Ulrich Thomsen, Wotan Wilke Möhring, Sebastian Blomberg, Katrin Sass, Burghart Klaussner. READ MORE
We now have a hi-res look at the crucified new one-sheet for The Last Exorcism Part II, which arrives in theaters March 1 from CBS Films. The poster teases that “God Asks. The Devil Commands.”
“Continuing where the first film left off, Nell Sweetzer (Ashley Bell) is found alone and terrified in the woods. Back in the relative safety of civilization, Nell realizes that she can’t remember entire portions of the previous months only that she is the last surviving member of her family. Just as Nell begins the difficult process of starting a new life, the evil force that once possessed her is back with other, unimaginably horrific plans that mean herlast exorcism was just the beginning.”
Andrew Sensenig, Spencer Treat Clark, Muse Watson, David Jensen, Judd Lormand, Joe Chrest, Julia Garner, Louis Herthum, Tarra Riggs, Ashlynn Ross, Cristina Franco, Raeden Greer, E. Roger Mitchell and Boyana Balta also star. READ MORE
We’ve now added three new images alongside a bizarrely tiny poster for The Last Exorcism Part II, which arrives in theaters March 1 from CBS Films. Hopefuly we’ll have a hi-res version tomorrow. We’ve also added a new TV Spot that’s now airing.
“Continuing where the first film left off, Nell Sweetzer (Ashley Bell) is found alone and terrified in the woods. Back in the relative safety of civilization, Nell realizes that she can’t remember entire portions of the previous months only that she is the last surviving member of her family. Just as Nell begins the difficult process of starting a new life, the evil force that once possessed her is back with other, unimaginably horrific plans that mean herlast exorcism was just the beginning.”
Andrew Sensenig, Spencer Treat Clark, Muse Watson, David Jensen, Judd Lormand, Joe Chrest, Julia Garner, Louis Herthum, Tarra Riggs, Ashlynn Ross, Cristina Franco, Raeden Greer, E. Roger Mitchell and Boyana Balta also star. READ MORE
Kicking off this massive afternoon of news, Zac Efron, pictured, and Akiva Goldsman are teaming up for a mystery supernatural project at Warner Bros. titled The Falling, says THR. Efron will star in the film and produce via his Warners-based Ninjas Runnin’ Wild Productions and Goldsman’s Weed Road banner. Also on board to produce are husband-and-wife team Tory Tunnell and Joby Harold of Safehouse Pictures. Every effort is being made to protect the logline of the project, which is being described as “an edgy thriller centering around an otherworldly being.” The idea originated within the studio, which then presented it Goldsman and Efron. Goldsman and Harold, the screenwriter who worked on Warners’ upcoming Tom Cruise sci-fi movie All You Need Is Kill, then hammered out a story.
Simply Jodie has leaked out a trio of looks at Jodie Foster in Neill Blomkamp’s Elysium, in theaters August 9. “In the year 2159, two classes of people exist: the very wealthy, who live on a pristine man-made space station called Elysium, and the rest, who live on an overpopulated, ruined Earth. Secretary Delacourt (Jodie Foster) will stop at nothing to preserve the luxurious lifestyle of the citizens of Elysium – but that doesn’t stop the people of Earth from trying to get in by any means they can. Max (Matt Damon) agrees to take on a life-threatening mission, one that could bring equality to these polarized worlds.”
Twitch is reporting that Wolf Creek 2 is finally a go! The site reports that Gregg McLean returns and that principle photography is already underway in Australia. John Jarratt, as reported multiple times, returns as the franchise villain. In the film, “While seeking an authentic Australian adventure, one unlucky backpacker learns the deepest, darkest secrets of the Outback’s most infamous serial killer.”
Lastly, inside we’ve added a new TV Spot for The Last Exorcism Part II, in theaters March 1. The Last Exorcism sequel follows Nell (Ashley Bell) who, six months after the first film’s events, has move to a halfway house only to realize that the demon that has ruined her life is still after her! READ MORE
Below you’ll find the first TV Spot for the Ed Gass-Donnelly-directed The Last Exorcism Part II, in theaters on March 1, 2013. The spot aired during the season finale of “American Horror Story: Asylum.”
Penned by Gass-Donnelly and Damien Chazelle, “Continuing where the first film left off, Nell Sweetzer (Ashley Bell) is found terrified and alone in rural Louisiana. Back in the relative safety of New Orleans, Nell realizes that she can’t remember entire portions of the previous months only that she is the last surviving member of her family. Just as Nell begins the difficult process of starting a new life, the evil force that once possessed her is back with other, unimaginably horrific plans that mean her last exorcism was just the beginning.” READ MORE
I’ve never seen a second trailer arrive so quick, yet CBS Films has already premiered a new look at The Last Exorcism Part II, although this appears to be a shorter cut than this two minute version.
In theaters March 1 from director Ed Gass-Donnelly, the sequel continues where the first film left off, “Nell Sweetzer (Ashley Bell) is found alone and terrified in the woods. Back in the relative safety of civilization, Nell realizes that she can’t remember entire portions of the previous months only that she is the last surviving member of her family. Just as Nell begins the difficult process of starting a new life, the evil force that once possessed her is back with other, unimaginably horrific plans that mean herlast exorcism was just the beginning.”
Watch the official website and Facebook for more soon. READ MORE
CBS Films will have you bending over backward for The Last Exorcism Part II with the first official trailer that takes you behind the second “last” exorcism. Will the sequel finally get all of Him out? We’ve also updated the article with an insane new image.
In theaters March 1 from director Ed Gass-Donnelly, the sequel continues where the first film left off, “Nell Sweetzer (Ashley Bell) is found alone and terrified in the woods. Back in the relative safety of civilization, Nell realizes that she can’t remember entire portions of the previous months only that she is the last surviving member of her family. Just as Nell begins the difficult process of starting a new life, the evil force that once possessed her is back with other, unimaginably horrific plans that mean herlast exorcism was just the beginning.”
Watch the official website and Facebook for more soon. READ MORE
CBS Films will have you bending over backward for The Last Exorcism Part II with their brand new one-sheet, which features star Ashley Bell contorting her body once again.
In theaters March 1 from director Ed Gass-Donnelly, the sequel continues where the first film left off, “Nell Sweetzer (Ashley Bell) is found alone and terrified in the woods. Back in the relative safety of civilization, Nell realizes that she can’t remember entire portions of the previous months only that she is the last surviving member of her family. Just as Nell begins the difficult process of starting a new life, the evil force that once possessed her is back with other, unimaginably horrific plans that mean herlast exorcism was just the beginning.”
Watch the official website and Facebook for more soon. READ MORE
CBS Films announced today that it has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to The Last Exorcism Part II from Studiocanal for release in theaters on March 1, 2013.
Directed by Ed Gass-Donnelly from a screenplay by Gass-Donnelly and Damien Chazelle, The Last Exorcism Part II is the sequel to the critically-acclaimed 2010 hit The Last Exorcism which surpassed all expectations by grossing more than $20 million its opening weekend.
“Continuing where the first film left off, Nell Sweetzer (Ashley Bell) is found alone and terrified in the woods. Back in the relative safety of civilization, Nell realizes that she can’t remember entire portions of the previous months only that she is the last surviving member of her family. Just as Nell begins the difficult process of starting a new life, the evil force that once possessed her is back with other, unimaginably horrific plans that mean herlast exorcism was just the beginning.”
Eli Roth produced the film along with Marc Abraham, Thomas A. Bliss and Eric Newman of Strike Entertainment. Patty Long and Gabrielle Neimand served as executive producers. READ MORE
StudioCanal’s secretive The Last Exorcism 2 made an appearance at the American Film Market in Santa Monica this past week. In the film, Ashley Bell returns as Nell Sweetzer, the possessed young girl, with Ed Gass-Donnelly is directing.
While we exclusively broke the story to you, here’s the official synopsis:
“Eli Roth & Strike Entertainment bring us an even more terrifying and bigger scale sequel to The Last Exorcism that grossed $70 million worldwide. It looks like Nell Sweetzer’s last exorcism was not foolproof. She is back… and so are her demons.
Continuing where the first film left off, teenage Nell Sweetzer is found dirty and terrified in the woods having just escaped a demon ritual in which a cult helped her give birth to a demon baby. Confused and scared, Nell is examined by doctors but she doesn’t remember much about the previous few months except that as a result of everything, her family is now dead. She is moved into Davreaux – a girls’ halfway house in New Orleans, where she will try to put her life back together with the help of the therapist, Frank Merle. She even begins to date a boy named Chris and starts a job at a local hotel.
But something doesn’t feel right to Nell. She is being sought after by the demon who possessed her in the first Last Exorcism. It wants Nell, but in a different way than before…”
Head inside for the first full pic! READ MORE
According to the ever so unreliable IMDB, Andrew Sensenig, Spencer Treat Clark, Muse Watson, David Jensen, Judd Lormand, Joe Chrest, Julia Garner, Louis Herthum, Tarra Riggs, Ashlynn Ross, Cristina Franco, Raeden Greer, E. Roger Mitchell and Boyana Balta have all joined Ashley Bell in StudioCanal’s The Last Exorcism: A Sequel.
Ed Gass-Donnelly directs the sequel, which may actually be a prequel. A casting report back on April 20 said it ewas shooting under the name Beginning of the End: The Last Exorcism II. We’ll update you as soon as we have something official.
The 2010 Exorcism, produced by Eli Roth, via Arcade Pictures, with Eric Newman, Marc Abraham and Tom Bliss, via Strike Entertainment, grossed $70 million worldwide on a budget of $1.6 million. It centered on an Evangelical preacher, played by Patrick Fabian, who, after years of performing exorcisms, decides to allow a documentary crew to film the last exorcism he plans to perform, in order to show his work is a fraud.
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