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THE-EXORCIST

[R.I.P.] ‘The Exorcist’ Special Effects Master Marcel Vercoutere

Movies
Posted by EvanDickson on April 21, 2013 @ 3:45pm
Category: Movies / News

Marcel Vercoutere, who built the life-sized animatronic robot for Linda Blair’s possessed Regan in The Exorcist has died at the age of 87. Many of us weren’t alive at the time of the film’s release and even less of us were of the age to see it in a theater, but by all accounts the moment that robot’s head spun around was a huge pop culture “moment.” No one had seen anything like that before, and Vercoutere’s work still holds up today.

Whenever we cover a possession movie here on BD, everyone (including me) acknowledges that it’s sort of amazing how nothing in the past 40 years has even come close to touching The Exorcist in terms of impact. Vercoutere was a huge part of that.

Cinematographer Owen Roizman told the LA Times, “ He had made this unbelievable robot and everything about it worked — it almost had facial expressions. I was standing there looking at it and I said, ‘You know what, we forgot something. We don’t have any breath coming out.’ Marcel just said, ‘I’ll deal with that.’ He was so calm. And before you know it … the dummy had breath.”

Head inside to see the robot 40 years later! READ MORE

How Many People Can Write In The ‘Exorcism Diaries’?

Movies
Posted by EvanDickson on April 08, 2013 @ 9:22pm
Category: Movies / News

Black List writer Barbara Marshall has been hired by Summit Entertainment to do a new pass on the script for Exorcism Diaries, per Deadline.

The film is based on the book “The Real Story Behind The Exorcist” by Mark Opsasnick and is being produced by Roy Lee, Sonny Mallhi and Doug Davison. Summit’s tale centers on “a reporter searching for the truth behind the most famous exorcism in history, but soon discovers that the real-life story is not quite finished. As a result, she finds herself in harm’s way of the same supernatural entity that she is chasing.”

No word on if Marshall is doing a page-1 rewrite or if she’s working from the prior drafts by Jay Baruchel, Jesse Chabot and Mark Opsasnick.

Incredible Infographic Displays Your Favorite Horror Movie Franchises By the Numbers!!!

Movies
Posted by MrDisgusting on March 29, 2013 @ 5:41pm
Category: Movies / News

A very special thanks to Hank Sforzini for creating and sending us the absolutely incredible Horror Movie Franchises By the Numbers infographic!

This infographic highlights facts from eight popular horror franchises including The Omen, Alien, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween, Friday the 13th, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Exorcist and Night of the Living Dead.

“I have spent the last year working as a freelance writer for ‘Paste Magazine’ and my creative partner, Joseph Bass, and I created this as we are both horror movie enthusiasts,” says Sforzini.

It’s clear that both Sforzini and Bass love the genre as much as we do, and we give our eternal thanks to them for creating this masterpiece of web art! READ MORE

Exclusive

[Interview] Sevendust’s Lajon Witherspoon Talks ‘Black Out The Sun’, Touring, And Racism In Metal

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on March 25, 2013 @ 11:00am
Category: Music / Exclusives

Tomorrow marks the release of melodic hard rock band Sevendust’s ninth studio album Black Out The Sun, which is the followup to 2010’s Cold Day Memory. In anticipation of this release, we got the opportunity to do a one-on-one chat with singer Lajon Witherspoon to discuss the album, touring with Coal Chamber, Lacuna Coil, and Candlelight Red, the 1999 show with Metallica in Detroit, and more. We also got to ask if Witherspoon had ever encountered any racism during their career as well as Lajon’s love of horror. You can check it all out below

Make sure to pre-order your copy of Black Out The Sun on iTunes. READ MORE

[This Day In Horror] ‘The Exorcist’ Is Unleashed Upon Audiences!

Movies
Posted by EvanDickson on December 26, 2012 @ 12:21pm
Category: Movies / Editorials

December 26th, 1973.

William Friedkin’s horror masterpiece The Exorcist has more cojones than any mainstream horror film I’ve seen in years. It’s an amazingly brutal, profane, scary and funny film – one that simply couldn’t be made today within the studio system. Not a chance. The fact that this movie came out 39 years ago blows my mind.

According to BoxOfficeMojo, the film has taken in around $232,906,145 at the US Box Office and $208,400,000 in foreign markets for a combined worldwide total of $441,306,145. Huge numbers for a movie with a production budget of $10.5 million, a figure that by today’s studio standards seems scant. In short, the movie wasn’t just a hit – it was a global phenomenon (even though those numbers include the gross of 2000′s successful re-release).

I wasn’t even born 39 years ago and I imagine the same could be said by a large chunk of our readers. Why do you guys think we don’t see movies like The Exorcist hit that same level of mainstream awareness today? Are audiences weaker? Are the corporate-owned studios more cowardly? Is there some sort of new politically correct awareness that is actually increasing the limits on what’s deemed appropriate in the artistic marketplace? I have my own theories, but I want to here from you.

[Remember This?] When People Lost Their Shit In Theaters?

Movies
Posted by MrDisgusting on December 12, 2012 @ 2:05pm
Category: Movies / News

Your job as a filmmaker is to create the illusion of reality, a place where a filmgoer can lose themselves in and forgot about their real life troubles. As easy as that sounds, creating a believable and immersive experience isn’t that simple.

Each and every year I dream for that impactful horror film, the one that makes me “feel” something. While I don’t necessarily believe in the notion of being “scared”, I do very much think that some films can be physically effective.

So, with the above title, I’m not asking if you remember a time when people lost their shit in theaters, but more-so if you recall the last time you had that experience. There’s literally nothing better than watching hundreds of people around you stand up, and scream and yell in terror right before your eyes.

We’ve all grown up to stories about how effective William Friedkin’s The Exorcist was back in 1973, but what has rocked the boat since then? Personally, one of the best experience I had was in viewing a “sneak peak” of DreamWorks’ The Ring back in 2002. I will never forget the audience reaction to Samara coming out of the television screen – you’d have thought she was literally in the theater. And while there was quite the reaction to Paranormal Activity in 2007, it wasn’t even close to what I witnessed back in 2002.

So I ask for you guys to tell me about your crazy theater experience. What movies had such an impact on patrons that they lost their shit? READ MORE

10 Top Calorie-Burning Horror Movies!!!

Movies
Posted by MrDisgusting on October 29, 2012 @ 6:11pm
Category: Movies / News

The Telegraph just published a report detailing the results of a study done by the University of Westminster on the calorie-burning efficacy of horror films. Per the report, watching some of these horror films burns can burn up nearly 200 calories a time. Or in more tangible terms, a horror movie can burn off a bar of chocolate.

According to the study, “viewers who put themselves through 90 minutes of adrenaline-pumping terror can use up as much as 113 calories, close to the amount burned during a half-hour walk and the equivalent to a chocolate bar.” The University of Westminster study measured the total energy expenditure of ten different people as they watched a selection of frightening movies.

Want to know what the results were? Head inside for the Top 10 Calorie-Burning Horror Movies and then click here for more info! READ MORE

[Exclusive Halloween Treat] Last Unseen FX Test Footage Video From ‘THE EXORCIST’!!

Movies
Posted by MrDisgusting on October 26, 2012 @ 9:32am
Category: Movies / Exclusives

In previous weeks Bloody Disgusting presented you with an exclusive look at never-before-seen special effects test footage that’s been unearthed from William Friedkin’s 1973 horror masterpiece The Exorcist! The footage was provided by someone very special to us, who unfortuantely cannot be named.

Let me attempt to explain what you’re about to see… READ MORE

[Halloween Treat] Watch ‘The Exorcist’ Edited As A 80′s Sitcom (With Laugh Track And All)!

Movies
Posted by MrDisgusting on October 25, 2012 @ 1:35pm
Category: Movies / Trailers

Courtesy of the good folks at Film School Rejects comes easily the funniest Halloween Treat this October!

The following enteres a world in which one asks, what if following the huge success of The Exorcist, Warner Bros. had decided to make a television spinoff?

The edit plays like a short pilot presentation for William Friedkin’s The Exorcist TV series, with laugh track and all. Regan, played by Linda Blair, has never been so funny! Watch it below and then chime in with your thoughts. READ MORE

[Exclusive Halloween Treat] Watch MORE Unseen FX Test Footage From ‘THE EXORCIST’!!

Movies
Posted by MrDisgusting on October 17, 2012 @ 10:03am
Category: Movies / Videos

Last week Bloody Disgusting presented you with an exclusive look at never-before-seen special effects test footage that’s been unearthed from William Friedkin’s 1973 horror masterpiece The Exorcist! The footage was provided by someone very special to us, who unfortuantely cannot be named.

Let me attempt to explain what you’re about to see (it will be broken into 3 parts with more “treats” coming in a few days!)… READ MORE

[Exclusive Halloween Treat] Watch Unseen FX Test Footage From ‘THE EXORCIST’!!

Movies
Posted by MrDisgusting on October 12, 2012 @ 12:28pm
Category: Movies / Videos

I’ve been teasing a massive Halloween treat for a few days now. I hope this makes your head spin!

Bloody Disgusting is beyond excited to present you with an exclusive look at never-before-seen special effects test footage that’s been unearthed from William Friedkin’s 1973 horror masterpiece The Exorcist! The footage was provided by someone very special to us, who unfortuantely cannot be named.

Let me attempt to explain what you’re about to see (it will be broken into 3 parts with more “treats” coming in a few days!)… READ MORE

Exclusive

[Exclusive] Vote On Which Horror Theme Celldweller Should Cover For This Halloween

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on October 10, 2012 @ 5:35pm
Category: Music / Exclusives

Bloody-Disgusting is thrilled to bring you this awesome opportunity to make YOUR voice heard! Celldweller is looking to do a cover/remix of a famed horror theme for this Halloween and we want to know which one YOU would love to hear the most! Below is a poll that lets you pick between these four choices: “Cry Little Sister” (The Lost Boys), “Tubular Bells” (The Exorcist), “Hello Zepp” (Saw), and the Tales From The Crypt Theme! The poll is open until Noon EST this Sunday, the 14th, so make sure to get your vote in below!

Make sure to check out our exclusive video interview with Klayton here. READ MORE

[Future Movie Reviews] Len Wiseman’s ‘The Exorcist’ Remake!

Movies
Posted by Evan Saathoff on August 29, 2012 @ 1:11pm
Category: Movies / Editorials

Greetings. I am a film critic from the future. The near future. So near it wouldn’t even impress you. Everything’s the same. It’s depressing. As a future film critic, it’s my task to electronically deliver spoiler-filled reviews of awful films from my present to yours with an aim to keep these cinematic atrocities from existing in the first place through the power of premature bad press. These are my chronicles: The Future Movie Reviews.

Raise your hand if the one thing that always bugged you about The Exorcist was its lack of CG vomit? I only see a couple hands, but you guys are going to f*cking love Len Wiseman’s remake. The remaining 99% of you may find some slight issues with the film.

Head inside for more! READ MORE

Exclusive

Director Kerry Prior Talks ‘The Revenant’ And Why ‘The Exorcist’ Is A Comedy!

Movies
Posted by EvanDickson on August 21, 2012 @ 2:45pm
Category: Movies / Exclusives

The Revenant finally arrives in limited theaters on August 24th from Lightning Entertainment. After that the original comedy-thriller hits DVD, Digital Download and On Demand September 18 courtesy of Lionsgate Home Entertainment. I recently hopped on the phone with writer/director Kerry Prior to discuss how he found balance in the film’s unique and violent tone, and why he thinks that The Exorcist is a comedy.

“The breakout film centers on a fallen soldier who somehow finds he has joined the ranks of the living dead. Bart Gregory (Anders) has just recently been laid to rest – so why is he still up and walking around? The only way he can keep himself from diminishing to dust is to supply himself with a constant supply of fresh blood. He quickly decides to do law enforcement a favor by cleaning up the streets.”

Winner of the Best Feature, Best Director, Best Actor and Audience Choice at the 2009 New York City Horror Film Festival, The Revenant stars David Anders (TV’s “The Vampire Diaries”) and Chris Wylde (Joe Dirt). Head inside for the interview, the film’s trailer and a list of theaters where you can find the movie. READ MORE

[Special Feature] Toto Watches… ‘The Exorcist’!!!

Movies
Posted by EvanDickson on August 03, 2012 @ 2:00pm
Category: Movies / Editorials

Toto Miranda is new to horror.

Or, at least horror as you and I know it. He’s a film buff (and musician – as a member of The Octopus Project he’s one of the loudest drummers on the planet) and has a huge amount of respect for the horror genre, but is just now getting around to seeing a few movies that some of us less-well-adjusted folks call “classics”.

Remember the thrill you got when you first realized you were a true horror fan? Remember the excitement of realizing just how many awesome movies you hadn’t seen yet? We’re hoping to recapture some of that excitement through Toto’s eyes as he watches some of our favorite horror movies for the very first time.

Head inside to check out his thoughts on William Friedkin’s The Exorcist! Just in time for Killer Joe hitting today! READ MORE

Exclusive

[BD Interview] ‘The Exorcist’ Director William Friedkin On Avoiding Formula, And The Studios, In His New Movie ‘Killer Joe’

Movies
Posted by EvanDickson on August 03, 2012 @ 11:30am
Category: Movies / Exclusives

In theaters today from LD Entertainment is Killer Joe, an insanely fun and disturbing movie directed by the man behind The French Connection, The Exorcist, Sorcerer, To Live And Die In LA and Bug – William Friedkin. The film stars Matthew McConaughey, Juno Temple, Thomas Haden Church and Gina Gershon and is based on a play by Pulitzer and Tony Award winner Tracy Letts.

I recently spoke with Friedkin about crafting Joe, his sixteenth film, and his decision to make it outside of the studio system. We also talk about the film business in general and which of today’s filmmakers he finds inspiring. Oh, and he also weighs in on the futility of even comparing movies like Citizen Kane and Vertigo. It’s a long interview (we even talk Near Dark) but, when you get a chance to speak to someone with this kind of body of work, you want to go for the big picture.

“When 22-year-old Chris (Emile Hirsch) finds himself in debt to a drug lord, he hires a hit man to dispatch his mother, whose $50,000 life insurance policy benefits his sister Dottie (Juno Temple). Chris finds Joe Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), a creepy, crazy Dallas cop who moonlights as a contract killer. When Chris can’t pay Joe upfront, Joe sets his sight on Dottie as collateral for the job. The contract killer and his hostage develop an unusual bond. Like from a modern-day, twisted fairy tale, “Killer Joe” Cooper becomes the prince to Dottie’s Cinderella.”

Killer Joe opens today in select cities. Head inside for the interview. Spoilers ahead. READ MORE

Editorials

[Special Feature] Toto Watches… ‘[REC]‘!

Movies
Posted by EvanDickson on July 26, 2012 @ 7:00am
Category: Movies / Editorials

Toto Miranda is new to horror.

Head inside to check out his thoughts on [REC]! Just in time for [REC] 3 hitting next week! READ MORE

Exclusive

[Video Interview] Matthew McConaughey On Going For An NC-17 And The Violence Inside ‘Killer Joe’

Movies
Posted by EvanDickson on July 25, 2012 @ 12:00pm
Category: Movies / Exclusives

LD Entertainment will soon release Killer Joe, which is directed by the man behind The Exorcist and To Live And Die In LA – William Friedkin. This may not sound like a horror film to you – but it is indeed bloody and disgusting. It’s also very entertaining. It’s interesting to see Matthew McConaughey (Failure To Launch, Magic Mike) taking more challenging roles these days, and this is certainly one of them. His “Joe” is an unstoppable psychopath, but he also has some interesting ticks and hold-ups (and of course a creepy fascination with Juno Temple’s “Dottie”).

I recently spoke with McConaughey about what it was like trying to find the humanity inside such a violent character. We also talked about working with William Friedkin, not shying away from the NC-17 rating and some of the bolder career choices he’s been making recently.

Killer Joe opens in NY on July 27th and in Los Angeles on August 3rd. Head inside for the interview. READ MORE

[BD Postcast] ‘News From The Crypt’ Episode 50(!) & ‘Double Murder’ Episode 40: ‘Cabin in the Woods’ vs ‘Evil Dead II’

Movies
Posted by Danny! on June 04, 2012 @ 12:02pm
Category: Movies / Podcasts

Has it already been 50 episodes? FRIGHTENING! On this special anniversary episode of News From The Crypt, the crew heads back to the 80′s to check out some of their favorite horror classics! They also riff on Hannibal and The Exorcist coming to the small screen, while also sharing reviews of Dark Shadows, Chernobyl Diaries and much, much more!

ALSO…

It’s vacation season yet again and as your family packs up the minivan to head out to the lake house, Danny! and Tim provide you with some life-saving tips in the latest episode of Double Murder: Cabin In The Woods vs Evil Dead II! Can Joss Whedon’s new take on an old trope knock Sam Raimi’s cinema classic off it’s throne? Tune in to a very special 40th episode of Double Murder to find out!

Check it all out in News From the Crypt and Double Murder by reading below or typing “Bloody Disgusting” into iTunes. READ MORE

TV: ‘Martha Marcy May Marlene’ Writer Tapped For ‘Exorcist’ Series!

Movies
Posted by MrDisgusting on May 24, 2012 @ 11:09am
Category: Movies / News

Nearly 40 years after The Exorcist became the first horror movie ever to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, Hollywood has again become possessed with William Peter Blatty’s best seller.

Vulture is reporting that Sean Durkin, the writer-director of last year’s absolutely fantastic Elizabeth Olsen thriller Martha Marcy May Marlene, is adapting the fiendish classic into a ten-episode television series (as previously reported years ago by Bloody), this time backed by Morgan Creek and produced by Roy Lee, the executive producer of films like The Departed and The Ring.

Unlike the iconic 1973 film, Durkin’s version of “The Exorcist” follows the events leading up to a demonic possession and especially the after-effects of how a family copes with it: In short, not well, and when medical and psychiatric explanations fail, the desperate family turns to the church, with Father Damien Karras finally brought in to attempt the exorcism.

“The Exorcist” TV series won’t be formally shopped to networks for another two weeks, but executives are already calling seeking meetings to inquire about landing the Durkin update.

Meanwhile, Transformers and Real Steel producer Don Murphy and Susan Montford’s Angryfilms are developing their own TV series that deals with the eviction of unwanted demons, “The Exorcist Handbook.” “This is an original series, not another remake,” said Murphy, in an interview with Vulture. “It’s all about the main character, who [only] became an exorcist to help the woman he loves. It’s going to be intense and scary.” Murphy did his undergraduate work at Georgetown University and, accordingly, his Handbook has hired on a Jesuit priest who is an actual exorcist as a consultant. READ MORE

[BD Caption Contest] Last Week’s Winners! New Contest Pic Inside!

Movies
Posted by EvanDickson on May 20, 2012 @ 4:49pm
Category: Movies / News

Who said I wasn’t fair?

First Prize – Winner is Benatar01 with ““That’s called a uvula Jack,…Everybody’s got one.”” Prize is a Blu-ray Copy Of The Mimic Trilogy.

Second Prize – Winner is IGETIGETBLOODY with “Even Jack Nicholson thinks Evans sh*tty winner picks are insane!” Prize is a Blu-ray Copy Of The Devil Inside.

Note, I picked the second one because it actually made me laugh. Winners, please DM me your US mailing address (no PO Boxes please).

Rules:

1. We pick a still from a movie. It’s included after the jump. You head to the comments section and submit your best one-liners, zingers, pathos riddled couplets etc…

2. You can enter as many times as you like and submit as many captions as you want, but each caption must be in a separate comment. Otherwise it will be too hard to tell where one caption ends and the other begins. Your entries can be posted anytime during the first five days after the still is announced (you don’t want to submit your winning zinger after we’ve picked the winner). Also any racist, sexist, homophobic or generally hateful jokes will be disqualified. You don’t have to be insanely PC – just use your best judgement.

3. We pick the winner and announce them and their winning caption when the next photo in the contest is posted. We will address you by your BD Infected name. You can then DM me your address and I will send you your prize in a timely manner (i.e. you should have it in about a week). You must be a US resident to receive your prize!

This weeks prizes are:

First Prize Blu-ray of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

Second Prize DVD of Madison County.

Head inside for this week’s picture! READ MORE

Ozzy Osbourne Talks Influence Of The Exorcist On Black Sabbath

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on June 01, 2011 @ 5:09pm
Category: Music / News

Ozzy Osbourne is no stranger to the darker side of life. Constantly surrounded with dark, gothic imagery that was heavily influenced by horror, Ozzy is now opening up about how the film The Exorcist influenced Black Sabbath in their early days. Check out the quote after the jump.

The Exorcist

Posted by Bloody Disgusting Staff on December 26, 1973 @ 12:00am
Category:

Based on the 1971 novel by William Peter Blatty, The Exorcist marries three different scenarios into one extraordinary plot. A visiting actress in Washington, D.C., notices dramatic and dangerous changes in the behavior and physical make-up of her 12-year-old daughter. Meanwhile, a young priest at nearby Georgetown University begins to doubt his faith while dealing with his mother’s terminal sickness. And, book-ending the story, a frail, elderly priest recognizes the necessity for a show-down with an old demonic enemy.

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