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)

All I Wanna Do, a review by Tom

Title: All I Wanna Do
Year: 1998
Director: Sarah Kernochan
Rating: PG-13
Length: 96 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85
Audio: English: Dolby Digital Stereo, French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: Spanish

Stars:
Kirsten Dunst
Gaby Hoffmann
Lynn Redgrave
Rachael Leigh Cook
Thomas Guiry

Plot:
Hot young stars Rachael Leigh Cook ('She’s All That'), Kirsten Dunst ('Wag The Dog', 'Interview With The Vampire'), Gaby Hoffmann ('Volcano') and Heather Matarazzo ('54', 'Scream 3') light up the screen in this refreshing, feel-good comedy from one of the acclaimed creators of 'Sleepless In Seattle'! If there’s one thing this wild group of friends at an all-girls high school has learned, it’s how to get what they want! So when word leaks out that their school is about to merge with an all-boys academy, some of the students strike back…devising a hilarious scheme to sabotage the plan! Get ready for a side-splitting lesson in laughter, as the girls wage an all-out assault in on outrageous battle of the sexes!

Extras:
Commentary
Featurettes
Production Notes
Scene Access
Trailers

Nothing special. I originally bought this movie when I was on my "Rachael Leigh Cook" shopping spree. If anything, this movie is worth for those interested in seeing an early movie of Kirsten Dunst, Rachael Leigh Cook and Monica Keena. Vincent Karheiser (Connor in Angel) also has an early role.

Rating:

(From December Marathons - DISCUSSION AND REVIEW THREAD on December 6th, 2009)

Angel Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

1. Deep Down
Original Air Date: 10/6/2002
With Angel trapped on the ocean floor and Cordelia stuck on a mystical plane, Fred and Gunn are frustrated at the lack of clues regarding their friends' whereabouts, especially after the only eyewitness to Angel's disappearance is murdered.

Guest Stars:
John Rubinstein
Laurel Holloman
Stephanie Romanov
Daniel Dae Kim

My Thoughts:
Great season opener! I enjoyed every minute of it. It is Wesley to the rescue... but yet he is still not back as part of the team just yet.

My Rating:

(From Angel Marathon on March 16th, 2010)