Preview: The Rite (2011)

Synopsis:

A skeptical Catholic priest is brought into the world of exorcism to discover there's more truth there than he ever expected.

• Poster: C+

Review:

It's been a long time since Anthony Hopkins was a selling point for a film. He has been unable to open a strong box office hit in years. So, why do they choose to make his face the central image for the film? It's exceedingly large and blown up to theater wall sizes would be terrifying, but not for the reasons the makers would hope.

• Trailer: C-; C+

Review:

I need a young priest and an old priest. There's a point where, if you've seen one exorcism movie, you've seen them all. This cliché-ridden, early 2010 horror flick falls back on the popular demonic possessions storyline hoping to convince audiences that it's something they haven't seen before, when it really isn't.

This trailer is sure to attract fans of the religious horror genre, yet it looks painfully similar to every one that's come before it. And using the Bram Stoker's Dracula score, while a good choice, does not make me want to see the film.

Oscar Prospects:

None.

Release Date:

• January 28, 2011

Full Review Synopsis:

I have not seen this film.

-Wesley Lovell (October 20, 2010) Original

-Wesley Lovell (November 16, 2010) New Poster

-Wesley Lovell (December 10, 2010) New Trailer