DVD Collectors Online

The House of Exorcism, a review by Achim

Title: La Casa dell'esorcismo
Year: 1973
Director: Lisa and the Devil, Mario Bava, The House of Exorcism, Alfredo Leone [Mickey Lion]
Rating: NR
Length: 187 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital Mono, Commentary: Dolby Digital Stereo
Subtitles:

Stars:
Lisa and the Devil
Telly Savalas
Elke Sommer
Silva Koscina
Alessio Orano

Plot:
Two years after the commercial disaster of LISA AND THE DEVIL, producer Alfredo Leone made the decision to salvage the film by shooting an all-new possession plot to cash in on the success of THE EXORCIST. The re-cut gratuitous grindhouse-style film -- starring a now bile-spewing Elke Sommer and former Hollywood leading man Robert Alda -- was retitled THE HOUSE OF EXORCISM and would become an international box-office hit.

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Trailers
Radio Spot



On the bright side, the overly confusing plot of Lisa and the Devil (my review) is streamlined a bit by removing some of the boring bits (but unfortunately also the ending) and making it something that goes on in the obsessed girl's mind. While at the same time the plot is dumbed down, removing any necessity for the viewer to interpret the things on screen themselves.

Where the good intention to make the rather surreal original into something more accessible for a broader audience terribly fails is the choice of frame work: A badly executed carbon copy of the The Exorcist must go wrong. The only good thing here is, that Elke Sommer's over-acting skills fit right in

I would suggest this film as an example how an entire film can be changed by adding a few bits, redubbing some scenes and some edits, but it had been done before and since, even by Woody Allen!



(From Mario Bava marathon on July 21st, 2009)

The Omen II: Damien, a review by Jon

The Omen II: Damien
3 out of 5



The chilling tale of Damien, the son of Satan whose birth was prophesised in the Book of Revelations, began with The Omen

The sequel to The Omen is what Aliens is to AlienThe Omen

(From Jon's Alphabet Marathon 2010 on July 10th, 2010)

Angel Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: As it turns out, Darla has the same illness that she had before she became a vampire. And she will die from it - within the next months. Angel tries anything in his power to prevent that - except for making her a vampire again.

My Opinion: Full circle. Darla sired Angel. Angel sired Drusilla. And now did Drusilla sire Darla. I liked the tests (they had an Indiana Jones touch), but I'm asking myself what kind of guys did try it before Angel, because the first guy didn't really looked unbeatable.

Synopsis: Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war! Angel couldn't prevent the rising of Darla. Dru and Darla waltz through the city and leave a trail of blood and they do a massacre - just like Wolfram & Hart wanted them to do.

My Opinion: This episode totally proves the point I made earlier. Angel has let these people die - willingly, when he could have saved them. Let's see how that develops.

Synopsis: Angel fires Cordelia, Wesley and Gunn and goes on a hunt for his "relatives". In the meantime the three try to do what is supposed to be Angel's job: help the helpless.

My Opinion: Angel can be a badass even without being Angelus. But being on a campaign of vengeance has such results. But it is exciting to watch him.

(From Angel Marathon on February 16th, 2008)