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The Pope's Exorcist (2023)
Surprising Captivating
Greetings movie enthusiasts. First a disclaimer. I don't believe in demonic possession, not even a little bit. I've seen videos that claim to show actual exorcisms and I remain unconvinced. I didn't enjoy the original Exorcist or the subsequent sequels. I consider projectile vomiting silly and made all the more so by James Wood's hilarious sendup of the original as Father McFeely in Scary Movie 2. Worst of all is the very real possibility that, due to demonic possession films, real life children with Tourette's, or Epilepsy, or ADHD might be subjected to the trauma of an actual exorcism. It can happen.
However, much to my surprise, The Pope's Exorcist worked for me. I was drawn into its odd, dark and bewitching world. Russell Crowe was great as always. He brought warmth and humor to the role of Father Gabriel Amorth. Whether you're Catholic or not he's the sort of priest you'd like to sit next to at a dinner party.
Peter DeSouza-Feighoney was perfect and terrifying as the possessed boy. No, his head didn't spin around three hundred and sixty degrees. He didn't have caked on makeup an inch thick and, I'm happy to report, he didn't misuse a cross. He didn't need to resort to such cheap tricks to be spine-chillingly nightmarish.
The most spellbinding parts of the film were the conversations between Crowe and the boy, but those moments were far too brief. Imagine that you're a priest, or not a priest, and fate has cast you the opportunity to speak with an actual demon. You're conversing with an unholy and supernatural being, something not of this Earth, a creature of darkness and sin.
Wouldn't you be tempted to ask the demon about his existence, his views on freewill, his views on morality and on God? Was he created depraved or was he once pure and now fallen. And if fallen why? The mind boggles at the possibilities but this movie doesn't address those issues.
In the extended cut of The Neverending Story Atreyu didn't ask the G'mork his name. There was no need for that. The boy already knew it. Instead Atreyu asked his antagonist, "Who are you really and what makes you so wicked?" Those are the very questions that Crowe should've asked the demon who inhabited the boy. I'd like to know the answers.
Sean (1970)
The Life of a 1960's Hippie Kid
The year is 1969; the place Haight-Ashbury San Francisco. Ralph Arlyck, a film student from San Francisco State, interviews Sean Farrell, a remarkably articulate four and a half year old. Their conversation, as well as the scenes of Sean's life, are both delightful and disturbing.
The film student and the pre-schooler discuss such wide ranging topics as drug use, police brutality, gender roles, theology, Native Americans and travel. Sean may have another six months before he turns five but he's already a committed atheist, distrusts the police and claims to be a drug user. He explains how to recognize "Speed Freaks." They're skinny and creepy. Safe to say this little dude knows a thing or two about life.
Sean is a sweet and very lovable child. He's a boy with a quick wit and a good heart. But is he innocent? Not quite. He knows too much to be considered guileless and that's the fascination of this short film. How much knowledge is too much for a child?
The 1960's occupied only ten brief years; one decade. But the chasm it represents between the 1950's and the 70's is huge. Anyone with an interest in 20th Century America history should watch this film.
My Brother Is a Mermaid (2019)
An Unforgettable Coming of Age Story
Two brother, the older of whom is transgender, encounter intolerance and bigotry in their seaside English village. Outwardly this is a very simple story but one told with unsurpassed grace.
This short was filmed on a micro-budget. Funds were solicited on social media. The cast and crew were almost entirely amateurs. And yet it conveys more in twenty minutes than most professional films do in two hours.
A labor of love that has an authenticity that is completely lacking in big budget Hollywood superhero flicks. I don't consider it to be a "Gay" film. It speaks to anyone who was ever been bullied for any reason. It deserves to be viewed and enjoyed by many.