New Vatican vs. Devil Flick Gets Reviews From Hell

JEFFREY DAUGHERTY (www.jeffreydaugherty.com) submits this news item by Newsmax

The Catholic Church has nothing to fear over “The Vatican Tapes” — the latest Hollywood exorcism flick, which opened in theaters Friday, is getting a devilish shellacking. 

“With its whispering in ancient tongues, bendy double-jointed contortions, and holy water that stings, ‘The Vatican Tapes’ is basically ‘Exorcism’s Greatest Hits’ played by a schlocky cover band,” Chris Nashawaty of Entertainment Weekly writes.
 

And Katie Walsh of Tribune News Service says: “Distressingly, it’s not even the littlest bit scary.”

Twelve out of 15 critics surveyed by movie review site RottenTomatoes.com didn’t like “The Vatican Tapes,” which stars Olivia Taylor Dudley, Kathleen Roberston and Djimon Hounsou, and chronicles “the ultimate battle between good and evil — God versus Satan,” distributor Lionsgate says.

The plot, according to Lionsgate: “Angela Holmes is an ordinary 27-year- old until she begins to have a devastating effect on anyone close, causing serious injury and death. Holmes is examined and possession is suspected, but when the Vatican is called upon to exorcise the demon, the possession proves to be an ancient satanic force more powerful than ever imagined.”

Los Angeles Times critic Martin Tsai boils it down this way: “Since Angela accidentally cut herself at her birthday party, she’s been able to summon ravens, speak in tongues, cough up eggs and compel a police detective to gouge his eyes with two light bulbs.”

Often, Catholic groups issue angry missives at movies that reference the church and the devil — films like “The Exorcist,” “The Omen” and “The Devils” were condemned by the now-defunct Legion of Decency — but “The Vatican Tapes” appears to have flown under the radar.

And the movie, which is rated PG-13 for disturbing violent content and some sexual references, does have its defenders.

Justin Chang of Variety writes: “Silly, screechy and eminently watchable, this thrifty horror exorcise (er, exercise) could yield decent theatrical profit … and might turn even more heads in VOD [Video on Demand] play.”

Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter also compliments the film for “a nifty climactic plot twist.” But Scheck goes on to say that that twist “is undercut by the sickening feeling that it sets up the premise for a sequel.