Blatty’s classic ‘The Exorcist’ raised the bar for screen horror

THE EXORCIST (1973)

By TERRY R. CASSREINO

Rarely does a major motion picture succeed in frightening you while also challenging your core beliefs.

William Peter Blatty’s “The Exorcist” does just that. It’s an extremely effective and frightening film. It’s well directed by a film maker at the top of his game. And it’s a classic motion picture that has never been topped.

“The Exorcist” also is one of the most intently personal and religious stories ever put to film. This film firmly believes in the existence of good and evil, of God and Satan, and it dares you to do the same.

William Friedkin was fresh off directing the award-winning “The French Connection” when he took on Blatty’s best-selling novel. Blatty produced the film and wrote the script – which was based on the true story of the exorcism of a young boy.

As the “The Exorcist” opens, a little girl and her mom are living in a rental home in Georgetown when strange things begin to happen. Eventually, Chris MacNeil begins to believe her daughter, Reagan, is possessed by a demon. Beds levitate, bodies fling, heads spin 360 degrees. And you believe it all.

Top Five Week at Sneak Prevue continues. Today’s edition: The Top Five Horror Films.

‘Manhattan’ remains Woody Allen’s timeless masterpiece

By TERRY R. CASSREINO

MANHATTAN (1979)

One year after winning the Oscar for “Annie Hall” in 1977, Woody Allen helmed his first serious drama – an absorbing film no doubt inspired by one his favorite directors, Sweden’s Ingmar Bergman.

Diane Keaton heads an ensemble cast for “Interiors,” the story about three sisters whose lives spiral downward when their parents divorce. The drama was a milestone in Allen’s career.

And, I believe, “Interiors” made Allen a better filmmaker, someone who is unafraid to tackle honest, emotional issues. It also prepared him well for his next film, “Manhattan,” a comedy-drama that opened in theaters the following year.

Allen has created many great films in his career, from the laugh-fests of the 1970s like “Sleepers” and “Love and Death” to the rich, character-driven comedies of the 1980s like “Broadway Danny Rose” and “Radio Days.”

But of all his works, “Manhattan” is the one I enjoy the most. “Manhattan” ranks up there with “Annie Hall,” “Hannah and Her Sisters” and “Everyone Says I love You” as the best of Allen’s lengthy screen career.

Robert Duvall does justice to Pat Conroy’s ‘The Great Santini’

By TERRY R. CASSREINO

THE GREAT SANTINI (1979)

Robert Duvall has had an impressive film career playing a key role in many classic American motion pictures, including a memorable three from Francis Ford Coppola: “The Godfather,” “The Godfather, Part II” and “Apocalypse Now.”

But one of Duvall’s best performances, and a wonderful film in its own right, almost never was released to theaters. Duvall played the title role in the 1979 film “The Great Santini” – but the movie sat on the shelf for months.

Based on the best-selling autobiographical novel by Pat Conroy, Duvall played the main role of Bull Meechum, “The Great Santini,” a gruff, bull-headed, hard-nosed Marine colonel who had a complex relationship with his family – especially his son.

The film, adapted by director Lewis John Carlino, remains faithful to Conroy’s book. As the Meechum family settles into their new home in Beaufort, S.C., son Ben struggles to build a relationship with his overbearing father.

Sneak Prevue Mailbag: Confessions of a movie junkie

By TERRY R.CASSREINO

It’s Wednesday, Middle of the week. And it’s time to introduce a new mid-week feature here at our fast-growing blog: The Sneak Prevue Mail Bag.

Every Wednesday starting today, I will dig deep into the overflowing Sneak Prevue mailbag (yes, in the two weeks we have been publishing we have received a slew of e-mails with questions from readers). And I will try to answer some of the more interesting queries.

So, here goes. And remember, if you have a question for me on anything related to film, both classic and contemporary, feel free to drop us a line at editor@sneakprevue.info. We’ll answer them as soon as possible.

Mr. Cassreino: You mentioned in your Sneak Prevue Web site biography that you worked at the Plaza Cinema 4 in New Orleans East while you were in high school. Did you really? I went there once a long, long time ago with my girlfriend, I think it was back in 1979. We tried one busy Saturday night to enter a sold-out showing of “The Main Event” with Barbra Streisand. And when the usher refused to let me in the sold-out auditorium, I purposely threw a full glass of Coke and popcorn all over him. Was that you? If so, I’m sorry. – J.P. from New Orleans