I decided to watch "Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist" and "Exorcist: The Beginning" back to back tonight. I have to say that Renny Harlin went up about five notches in my respect book. I had seen E:TB when it was in theaters and I liked it more than most, but after watching Paul Schrader's version, I've decided that Harlin made the better of the two films. Harlin's version was faster, more action oriented, scarier, better looking, better script, and overall just plain better. For example, the church in "Dominion" is full of light, absent of any sort of dust on the floor, and not very creepy. In "The Beginning", Harlin masks it in shadows, adds grime to the walls and statues, and gives it a very foreboding feeling. Smart, smart decisions.

Such is the case with most of this guy's movies. The problem is, they just don't make money! This upsets me, because people assume Harlin is a bad filmmaker. Granted he doesn't pick projects well, but he is really good at making a film that works. "Mindhunters" for example was the underappreciated thriller of 2004/2005.

"Deep Blue Sea" is still a damn fun film, even after Samuel L. meets his maker.
"The Long Kiss Goodnight" was the "Kill Bill" and "The Bourne Identity" before either of those films.
"Cutthroat Island" - highly enjoyable.
"Cliffhanger" - a classic.
"Die Hard 2" - great Christmas film.
"A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master" - better than "Freddy's Dead".
and "Driven"... okay, "Driven" is pure shit, but it's pure shit with Burt Reynolds and Stallone!

I haven't seen "The Covenant" and I heard terrible things about it, but I know it'll be entertaining enough to warrant a rental.

Just had to get this out there. Carry on.

DarkMaze wrote:

E:TB was too derivative, with blander characters, crowbarred-in plot elements (like the lame and random love-interest thing) and some god-awful CG.

And "Dominion" had GREAT CG!? The CG was worse!

And E:TB didn't have Cheche... ugh... Cheche...

Speaking of which, the acting in "Dominion" left a lot to be desired. Something the "bland characters" in E:TB actually got right.

DarkMaze wrote:

Nevertheless, my favorite of the series is Exorcist III. That movie is fantastic.

This has nothing to do with anything, but I got into a conversation tonight about "Dominion" vs. "The Beginning" and somehow it turned into how in the opening of "Rambo III" Rambo went up against a Thai Fighter... but not a TIE Fighter... although that would be awesome... and Rambo would win.