Demons, witches, and devils have been around in religion and life for nearly as long as people have been around. This extends into movies as since the very beginning of motion pictures, we have attempted to capture the fears of these types of fears on film in a number of ways. Most of the media we see on it is built out from existing ideas to create a new narrative that looks to capture the interests of the general public enough to make a profit or base a movie on it. While many people know both the book and movie of The Exorcist, something like The Rite (watch it Here) that more or less came and went in the early 2010s proves that it also has an interesting story to tell. Whether or not you believe in the religious supernatural events found in either the book or the movie, it...
- 1/16/2024
- by Andrew Hatfield
- JoBlo.com
Amateur mixed martial arts fighter Donshay White died this weekend after losing a heavyweight match in Louisville, Kentucky, reports The Courier-Journal. He was 37.
Officials called the fight just two minutes into the second round on Saturday after received a series of punches from Ricky Muse, the newspaper reports.
It was White’s first bout since November 2015, reports Bluegrass Mma.
White collapsed in the locker room shortly after the fight, Hardrock Mma promotions media director Gary Thomas told the Courier-Journal, adding that it’s believed he suffered a “cardiac event.” The official cause of death has not yet been revealed.
Hardrock Mma,...
Officials called the fight just two minutes into the second round on Saturday after received a series of punches from Ricky Muse, the newspaper reports.
It was White’s first bout since November 2015, reports Bluegrass Mma.
White collapsed in the locker room shortly after the fight, Hardrock Mma promotions media director Gary Thomas told the Courier-Journal, adding that it’s believed he suffered a “cardiac event.” The official cause of death has not yet been revealed.
Hardrock Mma,...
- 7/18/2017
- by Rose Minutaglio
- PEOPLE.com
Ron Moody as Fagin in 'Oliver!' based on Charles Dickens' 'Oliver Twist.' Ron Moody as Fagin in Dickens musical 'Oliver!': Box office and critical hit (See previous post: "Ron Moody: 'Oliver!' Actor, Academy Award Nominee Dead at 91.") Although British made, Oliver! turned out to be an elephantine release along the lines of – exclamation point or no – Gypsy, Star!, Hello Dolly!, and other Hollywood mega-musicals from the mid'-50s to the early '70s.[1] But however bloated and conventional the final result, and a cast whose best-known name was that of director Carol Reed's nephew, Oliver Reed, Oliver! found countless fans.[2] The mostly British production became a huge financial and critical success in the U.S. at a time when star-studded mega-musicals had become perilous – at times downright disastrous – ventures.[3] Upon the American release of Oliver! in Dec. 1968, frequently acerbic The...
- 6/19/2015
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Possession continues to be a hot button issue in both the media and the general public. As The Devil Inside proved recently, Big Red still brings in big box office. You know what that means, right? Another flick dealing with demons! Hooray!
TomCat Films has acquired the international distribution rights to the docudrama The Rite of Exorcism: Myths, Mystery & Hope, which is being touted as "telling the true story of the Catholic Church’s most mysterious, yet misunderstood ritual."
The film is directed by Frank Di Bugnara, Jr., and stars Fr. Gary Thomas, Fr. Gabriel Amorth, and Matt Baglio. Look for more as it comes. Dig on a poster, the plot crunch, and a trailer below.
Synopsis
The docudrama cuts through all the Hollywood hype about demonic
possession, the devil, and the rite of exorcism and tells the true story about the ancient rite. Exorcists routinely witness many types of...
TomCat Films has acquired the international distribution rights to the docudrama The Rite of Exorcism: Myths, Mystery & Hope, which is being touted as "telling the true story of the Catholic Church’s most mysterious, yet misunderstood ritual."
The film is directed by Frank Di Bugnara, Jr., and stars Fr. Gary Thomas, Fr. Gabriel Amorth, and Matt Baglio. Look for more as it comes. Dig on a poster, the plot crunch, and a trailer below.
Synopsis
The docudrama cuts through all the Hollywood hype about demonic
possession, the devil, and the rite of exorcism and tells the true story about the ancient rite. Exorcists routinely witness many types of...
- 1/20/2012
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
The Rite is jumping out onto Blu-ray and DVD in a few days and we’ve managed to tie down Matt Baglio,the author of the original book The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcism, and ask him about his involvement with the film and his experiences with the exorcism class which inspired the project.
Baglio attended the class whilst working as a journalist in Rome and the experience was compounded by his relationship with Californian parish priest Father Gary Thomas whom Baglio shadowed as he went through the course and the result was The Rite – an examiniation of exorcism and religion in the 21st Century.
Here’s the interview,
Was it a journalistic instinct to attend the Exorcism class? Or were there any spiritual questions you hoped to address?
In the beginning it was strictly journalistic. I heard about this course being offered at a university that...
Baglio attended the class whilst working as a journalist in Rome and the experience was compounded by his relationship with Californian parish priest Father Gary Thomas whom Baglio shadowed as he went through the course and the result was The Rite – an examiniation of exorcism and religion in the 21st Century.
Here’s the interview,
Was it a journalistic instinct to attend the Exorcism class? Or were there any spiritual questions you hoped to address?
In the beginning it was strictly journalistic. I heard about this course being offered at a university that...
- 6/16/2011
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The Film:
Based on a 2009 book called The Making of a Modern Exorcist by Matt Baglio, The Rite tackles exorcism in the least theatrical of ways. As Fr. Lucas (Anthony Hopkins) says during an exorcism: “What were you expecting? Spinning heads and pea soup?” But that’s The Rite‘s downfall. It’s fairly average in these terms of cinematic boos we’ve now been accustomed too, in thanks to The Exorcist and its zillion clones.
Mikael Håfström tries to make the most out of a film that’s idea is more interesting theologically than cinematic. The Rite is moody and well-acted, even if Hopkins overshadows the film’s lead, newcomer Colin O’Donoghue. Doubt is religion’s old friend. Without doubt, we wouldn’t seek the truth, either spiritually or logically, which makes for an interesting if not well-worn angle for an exorcism film. It’s no wonder Christian websites are praising the film.
Based on a 2009 book called The Making of a Modern Exorcist by Matt Baglio, The Rite tackles exorcism in the least theatrical of ways. As Fr. Lucas (Anthony Hopkins) says during an exorcism: “What were you expecting? Spinning heads and pea soup?” But that’s The Rite‘s downfall. It’s fairly average in these terms of cinematic boos we’ve now been accustomed too, in thanks to The Exorcist and its zillion clones.
Mikael Håfström tries to make the most out of a film that’s idea is more interesting theologically than cinematic. The Rite is moody and well-acted, even if Hopkins overshadows the film’s lead, newcomer Colin O’Donoghue. Doubt is religion’s old friend. Without doubt, we wouldn’t seek the truth, either spiritually or logically, which makes for an interesting if not well-worn angle for an exorcism film. It’s no wonder Christian websites are praising the film.
- 5/31/2011
- by Jon Peters
- Killer Films
There was a time when a good "inspired by true events" film would be able to pull me in, and despite the idea that "true" is used to mean that nothing can be proven, and the basis in reality is "some guy said this happened," they were often fairly entertaining movies.
These are generally films about aliens, major government conspiracies, and otherwise things that people look at you funny if you start talking like they are "true." Exorcism, and or demonic possession would be another prime example, and now we have The Rite.
I tend to like these movies a little more than most (certainly most critics), basically because, who cares? It's an excuse to have a film that hopefully builds some tension, delivers a fair amount of entertainment value, and if we start the discussion with things that are completely fictional, or tie them to some "true" events, what's the difference?...
These are generally films about aliens, major government conspiracies, and otherwise things that people look at you funny if you start talking like they are "true." Exorcism, and or demonic possession would be another prime example, and now we have The Rite.
I tend to like these movies a little more than most (certainly most critics), basically because, who cares? It's an excuse to have a film that hopefully builds some tension, delivers a fair amount of entertainment value, and if we start the discussion with things that are completely fictional, or tie them to some "true" events, what's the difference?...
- 5/27/2011
- by Marc Eastman
- AreYouScreening.com
Watching The Rite on this Blu-ray, DVD, Digital Copy Combo Pack was one of the great creepy watches so far of 2011. It’s a “based on true events” film that follows a young seminary student named Michael Kovak (Colin O'Donoghue) to Rome to attend an exorcism school at the request of his counselor, Father Matthew (Toby Jones). Kovak’s problem is he doesn’t believe in the devil, he’s lost his faith so to speak.
Kovak meets Father Lucas (Anthony Hopkins) who will soon change everything for him, including his faith. He watches Father Lucas perform some exorcisms that include a pregnant 16 year old (Marta Gastini) which will remind horror fans of some scenes from The Exorcist from years ago. Other standout scenes include a possessed Father Lucas looking down to a little girl who is trying to talk to him and he does something out of the blue...
Kovak meets Father Lucas (Anthony Hopkins) who will soon change everything for him, including his faith. He watches Father Lucas perform some exorcisms that include a pregnant 16 year old (Marta Gastini) which will remind horror fans of some scenes from The Exorcist from years ago. Other standout scenes include a possessed Father Lucas looking down to a little girl who is trying to talk to him and he does something out of the blue...
- 5/14/2011
- by brians
- GeekTyrant
Warner Brothers is releasing The Rite (review here) from director Mikael Håfström, which starred Anthony Hopkins, on May 17th to Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy. No cover art has been released yet, but here’s the special features and they include:
* Alternate ending (Bd-exclusive)
* The Rite: Soldier of God – meet Father Gary Thomas, the Vatican-ordained exorcist whose life story inspired the film (Bd-exclusive)
* Additional scenes
Source: Blu-ray...
* Alternate ending (Bd-exclusive)
* The Rite: Soldier of God – meet Father Gary Thomas, the Vatican-ordained exorcist whose life story inspired the film (Bd-exclusive)
* Additional scenes
Source: Blu-ray...
- 3/15/2011
- by Jon Peters
- Killer Films
Do we ever get tired of demon possession movies? Never! And the latest, the Anthony Hopkins-starrer The Rite, will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on May 17 from Warner Home Video.
The Rite, which has the addition of being inspired by true events to add to its creep factor, tells the story of Catholic seminary student Michael Kovak (Colin O’Donoghue in his first feature film starring role) who is sent to the Vatican to study exorcisms, despite his growing doubts about his faith. In Rome, he meets Father Lucas (the always cool Hopkins, The Wolfman), who has performed thousands of exorcisms. Battling his own skepticism, Kovak gets drawn into a particularly troubling case that proves even too much for Lucas, and Kovak is the only one who can help.
Alice Braga (Predators), Ciaran Hinds (upcoming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2) and Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner,...
The Rite, which has the addition of being inspired by true events to add to its creep factor, tells the story of Catholic seminary student Michael Kovak (Colin O’Donoghue in his first feature film starring role) who is sent to the Vatican to study exorcisms, despite his growing doubts about his faith. In Rome, he meets Father Lucas (the always cool Hopkins, The Wolfman), who has performed thousands of exorcisms. Battling his own skepticism, Kovak gets drawn into a particularly troubling case that proves even too much for Lucas, and Kovak is the only one who can help.
Alice Braga (Predators), Ciaran Hinds (upcoming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2) and Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner,...
- 3/15/2011
- by Sam
- Disc Dish
Exorcists are back. There has been a slew of flicks over the past few years that have seen Satan and Christ’s soldiers repossess the silver screen for epic battles to condemn/save souls. Next up is Mikael Håfström’s The Rite, based on a true story (spooky).
In this UK exclusive, the director talks about the ins and outs of making a horror film, tackling the Exorcist and working with the legendary Anthony Hopkins. The Rite opens in the UK from 25th February.
Do your personal beliefs enter into how you approach this material? Did you have to come to terms with your own beliefs in order to be faithful to what the story is representing?
Mikael Håfström: Not to become faithful for the story, but I think doing a film about this subject matter and these questions definitely triggers you to ask yourself things, without a doubt.
In this UK exclusive, the director talks about the ins and outs of making a horror film, tackling the Exorcist and working with the legendary Anthony Hopkins. The Rite opens in the UK from 25th February.
Do your personal beliefs enter into how you approach this material? Did you have to come to terms with your own beliefs in order to be faithful to what the story is representing?
Mikael Håfström: Not to become faithful for the story, but I think doing a film about this subject matter and these questions definitely triggers you to ask yourself things, without a doubt.
- 2/17/2011
- by FilmShaft Staff
- FilmShaft.com
By Ed Sum
Director: Mikael Håfström.
Writers: Michael Petroni.
Stars: Colin O'Donoghue, Anthony Hopkins and Ciarán Hinds.
There are some good things to like about The Rite. The cinematography is splendid, with a touch of symbolism snuck in here and there. And the story is more than what one would expect.
Instead of yet another film about purging a helpless soul of evil, it’s about a young man, Michael Kovak (Colin O'Donoghue), coming to terms with his own past. He has a rite of passage to undertake. Life is not a free ride, as audiences are led to believe. The movie is slowly paced, and one really has to appreciate it when the film reaches its conclusion.
Like recent exorcism-style movies, the tale focuses on a hero who is suffering from a crisis of faith. The fantastic takes a back seat and a more realistic film has taken its place.
Director: Mikael Håfström.
Writers: Michael Petroni.
Stars: Colin O'Donoghue, Anthony Hopkins and Ciarán Hinds.
There are some good things to like about The Rite. The cinematography is splendid, with a touch of symbolism snuck in here and there. And the story is more than what one would expect.
Instead of yet another film about purging a helpless soul of evil, it’s about a young man, Michael Kovak (Colin O'Donoghue), coming to terms with his own past. He has a rite of passage to undertake. Life is not a free ride, as audiences are led to believe. The movie is slowly paced, and one really has to appreciate it when the film reaches its conclusion.
Like recent exorcism-style movies, the tale focuses on a hero who is suffering from a crisis of faith. The fantastic takes a back seat and a more realistic film has taken its place.
- 2/3/2011
- by noreply@blogger.com (Ed Sum)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
Based on the book by Matt Baglio, The Rite is exactly what you would expect from another film about exorcism. The advantage of this film is that it is based on the factual tale of Rev. Gary Thomas, changed to Michael Kovak for the film. I'll use the term factual lightly as it really is up to the viewer to determine what their belief on the entire matter is....
Now, in any film dealing with exorcism we always seem to get the same story. Someone has no faith, witnesses an exorcism, now they have faith. It seems like pretty typical territory and there's no surprises here. Even knowing exactly where the story is going from the first moment didn't change how much I enjoyed the film. Hell, (no pun intended) even the obvious Hollywood ending didn't ruin the movie for me.
Colin O'Donoghue is Michael Kovak, a man running away...
Now, in any film dealing with exorcism we always seem to get the same story. Someone has no faith, witnesses an exorcism, now they have faith. It seems like pretty typical territory and there's no surprises here. Even knowing exactly where the story is going from the first moment didn't change how much I enjoyed the film. Hell, (no pun intended) even the obvious Hollywood ending didn't ruin the movie for me.
Colin O'Donoghue is Michael Kovak, a man running away...
- 1/30/2011
- by Keepers of the Bid
- Horrorbid
Tip's new LP, which drops this month, has been in the works since 1999, in Mixtape Daily.
By Shaheem Reid
Q-Tip
Photo: Jerritt Clark/ Getty Images
Don't Sleep: Necessary Notables
Independent Album: Kamaal the Abstract
Headliner: Q-Tip
Songs We Can't Stop Playing: "Blue Girl," "Feelin' " and "Damn You're Cool"
Essential Info: A decade later, and Q-Tip finally gets to put his album out. On September 15, Kamaal the Abstract officially sees the light of day.
"In 1999, I just came out of putting out the song 'Vivrant Thing' and 'Breathe and Stop' off the Amplified album. Clive Davis signed me to Arista," Tip told us last week. "I'm a student of the game. I know what Clive did. He put out an album with Miles Davis called Bitches Brew in the '70s. It's considered to be the first fusion album of its kind. I said to Clive, 'I want to do...
By Shaheem Reid
Q-Tip
Photo: Jerritt Clark/ Getty Images
Don't Sleep: Necessary Notables
Independent Album: Kamaal the Abstract
Headliner: Q-Tip
Songs We Can't Stop Playing: "Blue Girl," "Feelin' " and "Damn You're Cool"
Essential Info: A decade later, and Q-Tip finally gets to put his album out. On September 15, Kamaal the Abstract officially sees the light of day.
"In 1999, I just came out of putting out the song 'Vivrant Thing' and 'Breathe and Stop' off the Amplified album. Clive Davis signed me to Arista," Tip told us last week. "I'm a student of the game. I know what Clive did. He put out an album with Miles Davis called Bitches Brew in the '70s. It's considered to be the first fusion album of its kind. I said to Clive, 'I want to do...
- 9/1/2009
- MTV Music News
Tip's new LP, which drops this month, has been in the works since 1999, in Mixtape Daily.
By Shaheem Reid
Q-Tip
Photo: Jerritt Clark/ Getty Images
Don't Sleep: Necessary Notables
Independent Album: Kamaal the Abstract
Headliner: Q-Tip
Songs We Can't Stop Playing: "Blue Girl," "Feelin' " and "Damn You're Cool"
Essential Info: A decade later, and Q-Tip finally gets to put his album out. On September 15, Kamaal the Abstract officially sees the light of day.
"In 1999, I just came out of putting out the song 'Vivrant Thing' and 'Breathe and Stop' off the Amplified album. Clive Davis signed me to Arista," Tip told us last week. "I'm a student of the game. I know what Clive did. He put out an album with Miles Davis called Bitches Brew in the '70s. It's considered to be the first fusion album of its kind. I said to Clive, 'I want to do...
By Shaheem Reid
Q-Tip
Photo: Jerritt Clark/ Getty Images
Don't Sleep: Necessary Notables
Independent Album: Kamaal the Abstract
Headliner: Q-Tip
Songs We Can't Stop Playing: "Blue Girl," "Feelin' " and "Damn You're Cool"
Essential Info: A decade later, and Q-Tip finally gets to put his album out. On September 15, Kamaal the Abstract officially sees the light of day.
"In 1999, I just came out of putting out the song 'Vivrant Thing' and 'Breathe and Stop' off the Amplified album. Clive Davis signed me to Arista," Tip told us last week. "I'm a student of the game. I know what Clive did. He put out an album with Miles Davis called Bitches Brew in the '70s. It's considered to be the first fusion album of its kind. I said to Clive, 'I want to do...
- 9/1/2009
- MTV Music News
Justin Ambrosino’s “The 8th Samurai” received the Best of the Fest Award at the the 2009 La Shorts Fest, which ended Friday night with its awards ceremony at Cinespace in Hollywood.
The nine-day event handed out best music video honors to “Man-Sized Wreath,” directed by Crush Toronto and Gary Thomas; named “Free Doritos!,” directed by Joe and Dave Herbert, best creative commercial, and singled out Jonathan Kalafar’s “We Love You” as best documentary.
Special recognition awards went to Dan Cadan’s “The Devil’s Wedding” and Bert Bertie’s “The Taxidermist.” Jim Rothman’s “I’m Not Matt Damon” earned the best independent filmmaker award.
In addition to “Samurai,” the following winners are automatically eligible to be submitted to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Oscar consideration:
Experimental: “Sky People,” directed by Shanti Thakur
Animation: “Alma,” directed by Rodrigo Blaas
Comedy: “Boutonniere,” directed by Coley Sohn
Drama: “Hotel,...
The nine-day event handed out best music video honors to “Man-Sized Wreath,” directed by Crush Toronto and Gary Thomas; named “Free Doritos!,” directed by Joe and Dave Herbert, best creative commercial, and singled out Jonathan Kalafar’s “We Love You” as best documentary.
Special recognition awards went to Dan Cadan’s “The Devil’s Wedding” and Bert Bertie’s “The Taxidermist.” Jim Rothman’s “I’m Not Matt Damon” earned the best independent filmmaker award.
In addition to “Samurai,” the following winners are automatically eligible to be submitted to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Oscar consideration:
Experimental: “Sky People,” directed by Shanti Thakur
Animation: “Alma,” directed by Rodrigo Blaas
Comedy: “Boutonniere,” directed by Coley Sohn
Drama: “Hotel,...
- 8/1/2009
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
- Ioncinema.com's Remains of the Day (Monday to Friday) is a look at eight and 1/2 news items that we didn't have enough time to cover but are worth mentioning here. For July 31st we have Justin Ambrosino grabbing an award from La Shorts, current "it" director of the moment taking on "Jesus" and Scott coming back for more "Aliens". 1. One of Our Own Former Ioncinema.com writer Justin Ambrosino takes the 2009 La Shorts Fest award for "Best of the Fest" for The 8th Samurai. This also qualifies his to be eligible for Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Academy Award consideration. Way to go Justin! See more winners below. 2. Tales From...Constantin PopescuPopescu one of the directors in the sharp, short-film collage of works from Romanian filmmakers in Tales from the Golden Age, has just completed post prod on Portrait of the Fighter as a Young Man
- 8/1/2009
- IONCINEMA.com
Hellmann's creates a new ad packed with animated infographics, revealing just how far-flung the food chain has become.
Things are just different in Canada. For example: Over there, Hellmann's--the mayonnaise brand, owned by Unilever--has been flogging a new campaign called Eat Local, Eat Real. And to promote its message of sustainable foods, grown close to where they're consumed, they've produced a doozy of a commercial.
Directed by Steve Gordon of Sons and Daughters, with animations and art direction by Crush of Toronto, the ad brings to life the path that most foods travel before arriving at the plate. According to Gary Thomas, the creative director at Crush that worked on the commercial, the concept wasn't forced on Hellmann's--working with their ad agency Ogilvy, they came up with the basic idea. And that set Thomas and his collaborators on something of an odyssey:
We all found the statistics pretty eye opening.
Things are just different in Canada. For example: Over there, Hellmann's--the mayonnaise brand, owned by Unilever--has been flogging a new campaign called Eat Local, Eat Real. And to promote its message of sustainable foods, grown close to where they're consumed, they've produced a doozy of a commercial.
Directed by Steve Gordon of Sons and Daughters, with animations and art direction by Crush of Toronto, the ad brings to life the path that most foods travel before arriving at the plate. According to Gary Thomas, the creative director at Crush that worked on the commercial, the concept wasn't forced on Hellmann's--working with their ad agency Ogilvy, they came up with the basic idea. And that set Thomas and his collaborators on something of an odyssey:
We all found the statistics pretty eye opening.
- 7/29/2009
- by Cliff Kuang
- Fast Company
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