The Exorcist: The Complete Anthology (1973-2005)

[KrugStillo]

Originally Posted by Schfooge

That's true, but 3 is definitely too young. However, when they get to be around 8 to 10, some kids might be better at handling horror movies than some teenagers (or some adults for that matter).

Agreed. 3 may be a bit young for The Exorcist.

[eiknarf]

Well, ya don't have to believe the Regan molestation undertones are there, but they are, and it makes for a great metaphor, or parallel story. That's called "good writing"; having a well written script which uses
complex and advanced psychology to communicate hidden narratives.

[mzupeman]

Originally Posted by slimdude

You let your 3 year old niece, watch horror movies with you? Some parental guidance that this! Whether if she like the movies or not, don't you think it was inappropriate? 3 years is entirely too young for anybody to be watching horror films, or any R rated movies with adult content!

She does, and she seems to love telling this forum about it. Why I have to know she's watching this with her three year old niece, or any other horror movie with said niece, is beyond my understanding. Just say 'with my niece' and leave a little ambiguity to it so we don't need to have this discussion.

Personally, I dont think 'the kid can handle it' is a good enough justification. Maybe they can... But there had to be a point in time where the adult figure had to 'spin the wheel', sitting a child down and allowing them to watch a horror film without REALLY knowing how it would affect them... And that's messed up. You could seriously scar a kid for life.

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by TwelveVacancies

Whether they could handle it or not, I don't know why anyone would want to watch a porno with an underage child in the first place.

A person should feel the same way about horror movies, or any other R rated movies as well. That's the point! Most horror films of today contain explicit sex scenes, nudity and excessive profanity. It's inappropriate for any child. I don't try to be friends with my children, I'm their parent.

[The Peanut Monkey]

Originally Posted by slimdude

A person should feel the same way about horror movies, or any other R movies as well,and some horror films contain explicit sex scenes, nudity and profanity. It's inappropriate for any child! I don't try to be friends and be cool with my child, I'm a parent.

I agree. Sitting down with a three year old and watching, say, RoboCop together? I don't get how anybody can do that and feel cool with it. Why would you even want to? Let's not forget that the brain develops quickly, so even a few years down the line makes a world of difference.

A child that's three isn't going to show any specific interest in The Exorcist, or at least no more than anything else in the world, and so initially that would have to come from the adult. I'd seriously question why that adult would feel the need to do so in the first place. Kids are curious; it's how they learn. That doesn't mean exposing them to everything in life instantly.

Then again, then isn't the first time Sarah Wentworth has mentioned here on the forum sharing her on-screen interests with her younger family, so I presume she knows what she's doing whenever she writes it (and the expected reactions), for better or for worse. Very naughty.

The link to fairy tales seems silly; it's true numerous old fairy tales (and rhymes) are grim(m) in nature, but quite how you can compare a fairy tale to something like The Exorcist which, let's be honest, may feature a child but has a very adult tone, aimed at adults, and is graphic in nature throughout, is beyond me. Fairy tales are not exclusively downbeat, anyway, and I'd question how many modern children are actually exposed to the bulk of them.

If somebody wants to show kids films clearly not meant for them, well... good luck (and hopefully nothing troubling occurs), but let's not pretend this is acceptable for the majority of people out there, and I'm surprised any other reaction is expected, movie site or no.

Presumably all these off-topic thread ramblings will be moved, but still, it's been interesting.

[omenboy]

Originally Posted by TwelveVacancies

Difference is she was actually doing that and Blatty had a point writing the scene, whereas there is absolutely nothing sexual about discussion between Regan and Chris about horses. You've somehow turned something very innocent into something quite sinister and perverted. And seeing d*cks everywhere.

It is well known that Linda Blair has always been a lover of horses (and animals in general) since she was very, very young. For all we know Friedkin might have encouraged her to improvise in that scene and talk about something she could relate to. It wouldn't be the first time something like that has happened with an actor, and anyone familiar with horse breeding would know the word "gelding" - it is a commonly used equestrian term. In fact, Wes Craven even changed the species of animal in his tv movie "Summer of Fear" from a dog to a horse because Linda Blair was such a horse enthusiast:
http://www.wescraven.com/tv-entries/summer-of-fear/


As for Burke, he was asked by Chris MacNeil to babysit Regan. My theory is Regan started a commotion in her room, he went up to investigate and she threw him out the window.

"Do you know what she did? Your ****ing daughter?" Well, yes - what she did was kill him.

[Xen11]

Originally Posted by The Peanut Monkey

I agree. Sitting down with a three year old and watching, say, RoboCop together? I don't get how anybody can do that and feel cool with it. Why would you even want to? Let's not forget that the brain develops quickly, so even a few years down the line makes a world of difference.

A child that's three isn't going to show any specific interest in The Exorcist, or at least no more than anything else in the world, and so initially that would have to come from the adult. I'd seriously question why that adult would feel the need to do so in the first place. Kids are curious; it's how they learn. That doesn't mean exposing them to everything in life instantly.

Then again, then isn't the first time Sarah Wentworth has mentioned here on the forum sharing her on-screen interests with her younger family, so I presume she knows what she's doing whenever she writes it (and the expected reactions), for better or for worse. Very naughty.

The link to fairy tales seems silly; it's true numerous old fairy tales (and rhymes) are grim(m) in nature, but quite how you can compare a fairy tale to something like The Exorcist which, let's be honest, may feature a child but has a very adult tone, aimed at adults, and is graphic in nature throughout, is beyond me. Fairy tales are not exclusively downbeat, anyway, and I'd question how many modern children are actually exposed to the bulk of them.

If somebody wants to show kids films clearly not meant for them, well... good luck (and hopefully nothing troubling occurs), but let's not pretend this is acceptable for the majority of people out there, and I'm surprised any other reaction is expected, movie site or no.

Presumably all these off-topic thread ramblings will be moved, but still, it's been interesting.

I watched Robocop when I was 3 years old. It was absolutely wonderful. I understood it. I wasn't stupid. I could handle it. I don't understand why everyone takes this notion that kids are absolutely braindead and have no idea what's going on. Maybe some are the exception. But if you treat them like braindead idiots... guess what? They'll never know anything because you've clouded their mind with BS films made for kids where acting like a braindead idiot seems to be the norm. I remember being 3 years old and rolling my eyes at how moronic some of these "kid" films were. It was really condescending.

What are you afraid of? What is going to happen to a kid if they watch a movie? Please. It makes no sense that you've inherited this outrageous notion that movies turn people into monsters (I assume that's what you're saying).

If a kid turns into a monster, its because of something happening in reality, not in the television set.

And how is this off topic? We're talking about The Exorcist, one of the most controversial films of all time. People are scared of it for all the wrong reasons. It really comes down to religion and this fear put into you that everything that opens your mind and makes you question or feel something outside of what they program into you, is a sin.

Watching horror movies
Masturbation
Eating a certain food on Fridays
Working on Sunday
Reading Harry Potter
Daring to question what you are told

All those things are perfectly fine.

[BNex99]

Originally Posted by #Darren

So is Dominion "opened up" from the previously mentioned 2:1 aspect ratio, or cropped from it?

And what is the consensus on it's intended OAR?

Judging from the screenshots, it's been cropped.

I believe "The Beginning" was shot 2:1 also, but it's always been presented 2.40:1, both in theaters and on DVD.

[TwelveVacancies]

Originally Posted by slimdude

A person should feel the same way about horror movies, or any other R movies as well, and most horror films of today contain explicit sex scenes, nudity and excessive profanity. That's the point! It's inappropriate for any child. I don't try to be friends with my children, I'm their parent.

I wouldn't even waste their time with today's horror films.

And again, it all depends on the child, and of course the movie. Obviously some horror films highly inappropriate even for teens and I personally wouldn't even bother showing a film like The Exorcist to a kid because they'd enjoy it so much more at an age where they can understand everything. But if a 9/10 year old happened to see it, it's no big deal (given they can handle it).

I think it's silly to write-off the genre completely. There are plenty of us in this thread that have grown up watching horrors and there was nothing wrong with that whatsoever. There are also some far more frightening children's films out there than some of the R rated horrors! And just look at what kids are seeing on the news, and in real life these days. I'd rather my kid be safe at home watching a horror film and take comfort in knowing it's all make-believe.

[OI8T12]

Originally Posted by Xen11

[Show spoiler]I watched Robocop when I was 3 years old. It was absolutely wonderful. I understood it. I wasn't stupid. I could handle it. I don't understand why everyone takes this notion that kids are absolutely braindead and have no idea what's going on. Maybe some are the exception. But if you treat them like braindead idiots... guess what? They'll never know anything because you've clouded their mind with BS films made for kids where acting like a braindead idiot seems to be the norm. I remember being 3 years old and rolling my eyes at how moronic some of these "kid" films were. It was really condescending.

What are you afraid of? What is going to happen to a kid if they watch a movie? Please. It makes no sense that you've inherited this outrageous notion that movies turn people into monsters (I assume that's what you're saying).

If a kid turns into a monster, its because of something happening in reality, not in the television set.

And how is this off topic? We're talking about The Exorcist, one of the most controversial films of all time. People are scared of it for all the wrong reasons. It really comes down to religion and this fear put into you that everything that opens your mind and makes you question or feel something outside of what they program into you, is a sin.

Watching horror movies
Masturbation
Eating a certain food on Fridays
Working on Sunday
Reading Harry Potter
Daring to question what you are told

All those things are perfectly fine.

How many kids do you have?

[SymbioticFunction]

Robocop to a 3 yr old? Was it the unrated version? lol

[nekromantik]

Watched part 3 yesterday and it was great thriller with supernatural elements. I disagree with first not being horror like blattey says. It's a horror with good story and depth plus meaning but for me it's still a horror.

[SymbioticFunction]

Originally Posted by nekromantik

Watched part 3 yesterday and it was great thriller with supernatural elements. I disagree with first not being horror like blattey says. It's a horror with good story and depth plus meaning but for me it's still a horror.

One of the things I especially like about Exorcist 3 is seeing Jason Miller again as patient x. And that's one of the changes demanded by the studio. So I don't know if I would actually prefer the original cut (if it's ever released). Having said that, the tacked on exorcism is a bit hokey and feels out of place.

Edit: It's also a bit odd that Exorcist 3 discusses the close friendship of Karras & Kinderman when that bond was never portrayed in the cinematic version of The Exorcist.

[EvilResident]

Originally Posted by SymbioticFunction

One of the things I especially like about Exorcist 3 is seeing Jason Miller again as patient x. And that's one of the changes demanded by the studio. So I don't know if I would actually prefer the original cut (if it's ever released). Having said that, the tacked on exorcism is a bit hokey and feels out of place.

IIRC He wasn't Father Karras in the book, which disappointed me greatly when I read it after seeing the movie. I agree it was a change for the better. I wish the original finale of the movie was still intact.

[SymbioticFunction]

Originally Posted by EvilResident

IIRC He wasn't Father Karras in the book, which disappointed me greatly when I read it after seeing the movie. I agree it was a change for the better. I wish the original finale of the movie was still intact.

Interesting, thanks.

[The Peanut Monkey]

Originally Posted by Xen11

I watched Robocop when I was 3 years old. It was absolutely wonderful. I understood it. I wasn't stupid. I could handle it. I don't understand why everyone takes this notion that kids are absolutely braindead and have no idea what's going on. Maybe some are the exception. But if you treat them like braindead idiots... guess what? They'll never know anything because you've clouded their mind with BS films made for kids where acting like a braindead idiot seems to be the norm. I remember being 3 years old and rolling my eyes at how moronic some of these "kid" films were. It was really condescending.

This just reads like an adult trying to get into the mindset of a three year old, to be honest, mixed with fragments of memories.

You were three years old, you understood the film, the satire of American culture, and the extreme blood and cursing (or, let's phrase that a different way, the 'aggressive nature') didn't perturb you. And you can remember all that; the film, the meanings and your reactions. Oh, and how condescending other films were. Well, okay then. I remember screaming in a supermarket because my mother wouldn't buy me a packet of cookies. Regardless, when the human brain is in such an early stage, soaking up information the way it does, I think it's very irresponsible to foist something on them when you have no real way to know how they'll react, either consciously or subconsciously, either now or in ways down the line. Their personalities are still forming.

I also object to your use of the term "braindead", as if films more directly suited for the younger audience are in some way unhelpful, insincere or generally not stimulating the brain, and that children watching these are being "clouded" by their parents. Now that's condescending.

Originally Posted by Xen11

What are you afraid of? What is going to happen to a kid if they watch a movie? Please. It makes no sense that you've inherited this outrageous notion that movies turn people into monsters (I assume that's what you're saying).

If a kid turns into a monster, its because of something happening in reality, not in the television set.

It's a fine and noble sentiment, but it simply doesn't work in real life. The boundaries set are there for a reason, and y'know what? Most people are cool with that. I even agree with your sentiment in regards to older children, when their minds have developed more, but three?

Originally Posted by Xen11

And how is this off topic? We're talking about The Exorcist, one of the most controversial films of all time.

I suspect the reasons for the controversies are generally little to do with three year olds watching this and more to do with the general messages and imagery conveyed within.

Originally Posted by Xen11

Watching horror movies
Masturbation
Eating a certain food on Fridays
Working on Sunday
Reading Harry Potter
Daring to question what you are told

All those things are perfectly fine.

That's... nice? I think children aged three are too young to make the decision about watching adult films; I'm not really sure what your list has to do with that. Please don't turn this into a debate about whether people are too puritan and slaves of the system generally, although it is helping me form a picture on your specific viewpoint.

[EvilResident]

[Show spoiler]

Originally Posted by Xen11

I watched Robocop when I was 3 years old. It was absolutely wonderful. I understood it. I wasn't stupid. I could handle it. I don't understand why everyone takes this notion that kids are absolutely braindead and have no idea what's going on. Maybe some are the exception. But if you treat them like braindead idiots... guess what? They'll never know anything because you've clouded their mind with BS films made for kids where acting like a braindead idiot seems to be the norm. I remember being 3 years old and rolling my eyes at how moronic some of these "kid" films were. It was really condescending.

What are you afraid of? What is going to happen to a kid if they watch a movie? Please. It makes no sense that you've inherited this outrageous notion that movies turn people into monsters (I assume that's what you're saying).

If a kid turns into a monster, its because of something happening in reality, not in he television set.

And how is this off topic? We're talking about The Exorcist, one of the most controversial films of all time. People are scared of it for all the wrong reasons. It really comes down to religion and this fear put into you that everything that opens your mind and makes you question or feel something outside of what they program into you, is a sin.

Watching horror movies
Masturbation
Eating a certain food on Fridays
Working on Sunday
Reading Harry Potter
Daring to question what you are told

All those things are perfectly fine.

I genuinely question if you've ever actually met a 3 year-old. The kind of reasoning you're talking about is not physically possible in someone who is 3. There is a HUGE difference in brain capacity and reasoning ability through adolescence. It's why we don't let toddlers vote. What you're suggesting is something like saying a small child should be able to bench 200 lbs. It's not how their bodies work. I also claim bs on your claims of rolling your eyes at condescension at that age. If it's true, your amazing physically impossible brain should be studied in a lab somewhere.

Also, I find it fascinating that your belief in pop culture is held at such a fervor, yet your disdain of religion is so great. It's almost like PoP culture IS your religion. I have the same issues foisting graphic movies on kids that I do with religion. They're too young to make those decisions themselves, and it's why we have adults in the world to be responsible for them. If a small child didn't need adult guidance, we wouldn't need parents.

[balthazar_bee]

I'm pretty liberal about what my son watches, always have been. It's how I was brought up, and I turned out okay I suppose. Plus, some of my fondest memories are of watching horror movies as a kid. I wouldn't want to deny him that. (And, for the record, Robocop is one of his favourite movies.)

But 3? That's pretty damned young. I mean, what does it serve? Does the kid enjoy it? I mean, we're not talking about Poltergeist here. The Exorcist is a very talky, psychologically dense little film -- punctuated by moments of balls-to-the-wall terror.

I can't see too many three year olds sustaining interest for the Iraq prologue, let alone the entire movie. And if they do, good chance they'll suffer a bit psych trauma.

I saw it at eight or nine and it did quite a number on me.

Again, 3?

Hey, all kids are different I guess.

[nekromantik]

Originally Posted by SymbioticFunction

One of the things I especially like about Exorcist 3 is seeing Jason Miller again as patient x. And that's one of the changes demanded by the studio. So I don't know if I would actually prefer the original cut (if it's ever released). Having said that, the tacked on exorcism is a bit hokey and feels out of place.

Edit: It's also a bit odd that Exorcist 3 discusses the close friendship of Karras & Kinderman when that bond was never portrayed in the cinematic version of The Exorcist.

Yeah the exorcism is out of place. It was more about the devil using Gemini killer to get back at them and less about a exorcism.

[happydood]

Horror movies are made for developing minds- specifically those minds in that no longer a child/not quite an adult space- this is why they so often deal with myth and transgression and taboo subjects. Fear and violence in that form CAN be (I stress CAN be) a healthy way of externalizing the kind of inner turmoil a 13 year old and up feels.

But I wouldn't give the more transgressive ones to a 3 year old anymore than I would give a Clifford book to an adult and expect them to get something out of it. As with all things, when the time comes and as a parent you feel they can handle it, I see horror movies as a part of growing up.

I had my Universal Monsters and edited Hammer films on the Saturday afternoon creature feature till I was twelve and then was allowed the more subversive stuff (Psycho/The Exorcist/The Shining/Halloween/Friday The 13th/Nightmare on Elm Street) with my older siblings and parents. This actually helped me process the messages (if any) that they had and begin to critically separate the wheat from the chaff- Friday the 13th, thanks for telling me what a bad movie is.

I imagine I'll follow suit with my kids. My 3 year old daughter LOVES ParaNorman. That's about as far as I'll let her get for a few more years.