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The Initiation of Sarah (2006) (TV) More at IMDbPro »

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14 out of 15 people found the following review useful:
Starts slow but ends in a conflagration., 22 October 2006
8/10
Author: Gwen from Kansas City

I saw this movie on ABC Family's "13 Nights of Horror". I began watching it because of the cast, specifically Summer Glau of Firefly and Serenity (The 4400, Sleepover, etc) renown. It's a slow starter, but if you're a fan of mild horror and teen flicks, I think you'll find enough to keep you interested. The actors seem to take some time to get into their roles, but around the halfway mark the performances become quite sound and the plot really starts to click. Jennifer Tilly delivers a solid, if slightly bizarre, performance as the nutty occult professor, and Morgan Fairchild can't help but please as the image-conscious, pushy sorority mother. Basic plot, no spoilers: twin sisters arrive at Temple Hill University as legacies to the elite sorority Alpha Nu Gamma. Sarah, the blonde one (Mika Boorem) is trying to live down a history of being "the weird one" and a cutter. Lindsey, the dark one (Summer Glau), is trying to live down a history of being Sarah's sister. They elect to rush Alpha Nu Gamma until strange things start happening and Sarah decides to rush the rival sorority and discovers that the rivalry is not just about who dates the hottest guys or throws the best parties.

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13 out of 15 people found the following review useful:
Decent as Far as Television Films Go..., 22 October 2006
7/10
Author: youshotandywarhol from Oregon

"The Initiation of Sarah", a remake of the 1978 television film, is also a TV-movie that aired on ABC Family's "13 Nights of Halloween" special. The film is about two sisters, Sarah and Lindsay, who are off to college. Turns out, unfortunately, that the sorority that Lindsay plans on attending is run by a coven of evil witches who practice in the occult, and they have been rivals with Sarah's sorority for generations. As Lindsay's behavior becomes increasingly strange, Sarah begins to worry about her sister's well being. But these sorority witches will have to make some sacrifices to initiate Lindsay into their sorority, and Sarah plays a large part in their dark ceremony. Now it's up to Sarah to save both herself and her sister from the sorority sisters before they both become victims.

This is a made-for-television movie, so I wasn't expecting a whole lot from this film, but I was pleasantly surprised by the film's overall quality. The story is pretty interesting and well written, I have never seen the original television film so I can't compare the two, but as far as I'm concerned the plot was fairly well constructed. It's a little corny at times, but I was expecting that so it wasn't too big of a deal. The acting was pretty well done, extremely good for a TV movie. Mika Boorem is the leading lady playing Sarah, and she does quite well. Morgan Fairchild plays Sarah's mother (or whom she believes is her mother, who is actually an evil witch herself), which was rather interesting because she also had a role in the original film. And Jennifer Tilly (who played in "Bride of Chucky") plays her role also very well, as usual. There were a few really neat moments and sequences throughout it, and the special effects were decent enough, but nothing spectacular.

Overall, "The Initiation of Sarah" is an enjoyable, fun little horror movie. It's not really "scary" by any means and those who are immune to the horror genre won't find anything remotely startling, but it serves well as a good little movie to enjoy during the Halloween season. While "The Initiation of Sarah" is no masterpiece, you have to admit, it's pretty good for TV-movie. 7/10.

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7 out of 10 people found the following review useful:
Should be put in movie theaters, 31 October 2006
8/10
Author: ArtTalentFairy from United States

I gotta say, for an made for TV movie, the Initaition of Sarah is pretty good. With all the other "horror" and "scary" movie crap out there this should have be put in movie theaters. The special effects may not be all that great, but it's still got a nice plot and twist to it, and doesn't ruin a single bit of it. I especially appluade the actors' performances and I've become a bit of Mika Boorem (is that spelled right?) fan after seeing this. And true the movie may not be all that scary, but it adds a great feel to the whole Halloween theme. I've never seen the original film at all, but after seeing this I've been dying to!!!! The Initiation of Sarah is one of the greatest made-for-TV movies ever and should've been put on the big screen. ABC Family really delivered this time.

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1 out of 1 people found the following review useful:
Average but not bad..., 4 October 2009
5/10
Author: kal07

Notable points were: 1) Joanna Garcia... This is the first time I've seen her and she surely can turn heads around. Very eye-catching and the bitchy role suited her well. She did a good job.

2) For a TV film, it was decent quality...Cant expect much more than what it delivered for a TV film.

3) The campus scenes and the college backdrop was really nice and spectacular. Whoever decided the filming locations gets a Thumbs Up!

4) I've seen Mika Boorem before in Smile and thought she was fabulous in that film, here she is OK.

5) Summer Glau was below average here...she looked a little mechanical like her character from Terminator...

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Decent for what it is, 22 February 2008
Author: VinnieRattolle from United States

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

My long-standing opinion about remakes is that they should simultaneously pay homage to the original and bring something new to the table -- the latter is why the 1998 PSYCHO remake sucked so badly. THE INITIATION OF SARAH remake fit the criteria, though it's no better or worse than the original. It is, however, quite different. The 1978 version was CARRIE meets the original SATAN'S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS; this version is the THE CRAFT meets the remake of SATAN'S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS by way of CHARMED.

Twins Sarah and Lindsay Goodwin are now 18 and headed for college. Soon they find themselves pitted against each other when they're coerced into joining different sororities... initially unaware that the two sororities are run by rival covens of witches. Morgan Fairchild (who essentially played Joanna Garcia's role in the original) hams it up as the mother of the Goodwin girls and Jennifer Tilly brings a new dimension to the character originated by Shelley Winters, the creepy house mother at P.E.D.

Like the original, the film suffers from being made for TV. The hip, witty one-liners are corny, many of the low-budget CGI effects are hokey, and some of the acting borders on camp. That aside, there are some unforeseen twists, it's well structured and the characters are likable... though Fairchild and Tilly's characters should have been fleshed out a bit more. And as it ended, I couldn't help but think it was a pilot for a TV series. Certainly has that sort of vibe.

Each version of the film is reflective of the era in which it was made, so I can't denounce this one for being so different from the Kay Lenz version. Unfortunately, the remake had the potential to be so much better, if only it were made for theaters instead of television. It certainly has its moments and its charms, so take it for what it is: a derivative made for TV horror movie aimed at teenage girls.

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3 out of 6 people found the following review useful:
Yay!, 22 October 2006
10/10
Author: shinini86 from United States

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

I realize I'm gonna sound extremely spacey but i want this movie so much its not even funny.

But don't assume that because I'm gushing you'll like it to. Some entertainment just takes certain people to like. Others probably will hate this movie, but i love it.

I love the chemistry between the characters, Jennifer Tily's oddness, the typical but sweet/sincere protagonist boy.

I really want this to go to movie or Im gonna have to stalk ABC Fam till its on air again and tape it !eww!

I don't think there is anything spoiler like in here, but just in case.

oh and by the way does anybody agree?

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11 out of 24 people found the following review useful:
An entertaining, well-done occult movie that puts "The Craft" to shame, 22 October 2006
8/10
Author: lily0826 from United States

This movie is amazing, and definitely not something I'd expect from ABC Family. It's captivating, mature, and has a twist that I absolutely didn't see coming. The actors show talent beyond their years, the story keeps you guessing, and it's one of the few movies about the occult that doesn't make me ashamed of how commercialized witchcraft has become. There's a lot of universal themes that really give it heart: finding greatness in the most unlikely of places, learning to accept and embrace your inherent differences, and of course, fighting like (and against) all hell for the people that you love.

I believe what makes a great fiction movie is its ability to seem like it almost could be real. Granted, the demonic sorority sisters, the existence of "The One" and the super-cool magick tricks are a bit of a stretch, but there's a lot in the movie that's believable. For example, the relationship dynamic between Sarah and her sister is easy for anyone to relate to, especially if you've ever felt like you were overshadowed by a sibling. The struggle of good vs. evil is something that we all fight with at some point, if not every day of our lives. And the desire for acceptance at all costs...I know I shudder to think of the things I've done in the past to try to get the popular girls to like me. This movie makes it very easy to relate to its characters, even the minor ones. I know my bet friend in high school was a dead ringer for Vita. And for all those stickler Wiccans out there, the initiation ceremonies of both sororities are actually similar to real coven initiations, i.e. the kisses, the wording of the pledge, etc.

This is really a great movie, people, much better than the original. It's got character, it's got flair, and it's got intensity. Definitely two hours well spent. Oh, and just in case you're wondering: my ABSOLUTE favorite part is when Sarah runs off to save Finn from being sacrificed in the eternal flame. I couldn't stop laughing. It was beyond priceless; can't believe ABC Family actually showed it, lol.

Blessed Be.

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10 out of 24 people found the following review useful:
I had high hopes for this remake..., 13 November 2006
1/10
Author: stevenw-1 from San Francisco, CA.

...but as is typical with every modern remake of films from the '70's they had to crap all over the original INITIATION. This is less an involving film about a misfit with special powers enduring social abuse while at college and more like an episode of "Charmed". I did enjoy Jennifer Tilly's involvement and it was nice seeing Morgan Fairchild return to the environs (she played the lead nasty in the far superior 1978 film). That's about it. Witchcraft used to be a scary, mysterious subject of films. In this dreck, it's a casual, non-chalant accessory for all the overly-cute actresses. Not intriguing by any means. Stick to "Charmed" the TV series and seek out the original 1978 INITIATION OF SARAH on video instead.

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