The Vatican Tapes

It's not really about exorcism, though it is about possession. And I have to admit, that I am surprised by the low rating here on IMDb. It's very well crafted, has an array of good actors in it and the script is solid. While I would agree that it doesn't reach the heights of some of the best horror movies out there, this is certainly a very good movie.

The acting is strong, the story holds up and the ending works too. Yes some characters react strange to our main character, but overall it's not the worst behavior in horror movies (or in the clichés we are used to). I like the mentality of the movie and the director seems to know his stuff. As does the cinematographer (both plus leading actress are on an interesting audio commentary on the disc) too. I was pleasantly surprised by this and maybe you will be too

THE VATICAN TAPES is a creepy and horror film about exorcism, professionally , though flawed , directed by Mark Neveldine . For 2,000 years the Vatican has recorded evidence of evil . May God have mercy on their souls. Truly terrifiyng story following the ultimate battle between good and evil - God versus Satan . Angela Holmes (Olivia Taylor) is an ordinary 27-year-old who lives with her boyfriend (John Patrick) . At the beginning Angela has an argument with her overprotective daddy (Dougray Scott) , shortly after she has a convulsion and her father and fiancé carry her to the hospital until she begins to have a devastating effect on anyone close, causing serious injury and death. Holmes is subsequently 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 . Later on, she is under psychiatric care under Dr. Richards (Kathleen Robertson) , suffering from the effects of being possessed by the devil . It's all up to Father Lozano (Michael Peña) to wage war for more than just Angela's soul, but for the world as we know it . She getting sicker by the time, being really possessed, as a demon into a young woman gone amok . Family relies on priests who start to visit her every day . There is something dark and sinister inside Angela , a nasty demon that goes bersek and she wants to eject it. Then , Cardinal Mattias Bruun (Peter Andersson) investigates the sinister happenings , as he attempts to help the possessed lass and he submits Angela a weird exorcism . There are some things best kept in secret.

Horror picture shot in fits and starts with incoherent plot, dealing with a ghastly possession , as a young woman is possessed by a malevolent and heinous spirit causing creepy, scary and terrible moments ; then , a priest and two Vatican exorcists must do battle with an ancient satanic force to save the soul of the strange girl . A rare film about exorcism in similar style to The Exorcist 1973 by William Friedkin . This latter movie remains still startling and engrossing with every viewing, it spread countless sequels and imitations, one of them is this one, though , of course, it is far cry from the original Exorcist . Genuinely scary moments overcome some obvious plot devices. This is a juicy terrifying material fashioning an iconic diabolic possession, providing screams, thrills, shocks and chilling scenes .It has an extremely known premise spawns the film in ups and downs. All semblance of plausibility is extracted, leaving a main cast of little known actors : Olivia Taylor and John Patrick , to show their limited skills. However, the support cast is pretty good , such as : Dougray Scott , Michael Peña , Peter Andersson Djimon Hounsou , Kathleen Robertson , Michael Halsey .There appears briefly Michael Paré , Daniel Bernhardt and Alison Lohman who married director Mark Neveldine playing a Psych patient , but she has less than 2o seconds of screen time.

It delivers a scary and eerie ambient thanks to an expert cameraman, Gerardo Madrazo . As well as a frightening, suspenseful and chilling musical score byJoseph Bishara . Being efficiently produced by Chris Morgan , Eric Reid and Richard Wright . This silly, non-sense , late night horror picture was decently directed by Mark Neveldine , though with no originality and it has some flaws and gaps. Mark Neveldine has directed a few acceptable films such as : ¨Crank¨, its sequel : ¨Crank high voltage¨, ¨Ghost Rider : Spirit of Vengeance¨and in pre-production ¨Finding Jack¨ . Rating 6/10 . Passable and decent exorcism/horror movie . No for squamish

I was entertained for an hour and a half, and had my expectations subverted - in a positive way (not in a Rian Johnson way, thankfully). It is well shot, using good effects, it has a reasonable script, with on par performances all round.

The Vatican has maintained tapes of possible satanic possessions over the years. Vicar Imani (Djimon Hounsou) shows Cardinal Bruun (Peter Andersson) the case of Angela Holmes (Olivia Taylor Dudley). Two months earlier, her boyfriend Pete Smith (John Patrick Amedori) throws her a surprise birthday party with her father (Dougray Scott) attending. She cuts herself with the cake knife and reluctantly goes to the hospital. Strange things start to happen including her unquenchable thirst. She is hospitalized. There's an incident and the police is called in but Father Lozano (Michael Peña) sees the supernatural. Angela is put into a group home under the supervision of psychiatrist Dr. Richards (Kathleen Robertson).

It's a horror without scares. It's plodding. It has no style and no pace. It has worthwhile actors but not all of them stick around. It should have Father Lozano as the protagonist since he's the most natural point of view. Angela could work if it goes more into the demon world. The story is flat and unoriginal. It's on the slow boil and stays there. It's security camera footage and slow moving plot. There is some attempt at atmosphere. The exorcism doesn't have pea soup but it does have CGI fire. This was released theatrically but it's more fitting as one of the countless VOD offerings.

In Los Angeles, Angela Holmes (Olivia Dudley) is a happy young woman, pride and joy of her father Colonel Roger Holmes (Dougray Scott) and in love with her boyfriend Peter "Pete" Smith (John Patrick Amedori). On her birthday party, she cuts her hand and Roger and Peter take her to the hospital. When she returns home, she has a seizure and they drive her back to the hospital. Then Angela is discharged but she pulls the wheel of the taxi causing a serious accident. She returns in coma to the hospital. Forty days later, she has no response and Father Oscar Lozano (Michael Peña) convinces Roger to unplug the life support system. Out of the blue, she awakes in perfect health. Soon Angela shows signs of demoniac possession and the Vatican sends Cardinal Bruun (Peter Andersson) to perform an exorcism to save her soul. Will there be time to save her body?

"The Vatican Tapes" is a decent and underrated horror film, one of the best about exorcism. The plot is based on Catholic beliefs but is engaging. Most of the cast is excellent and has good performances; maybe only Michael Peña has an inexpressive performance. The conclusion has an open end maybe with the intention of a sequel. But in general, "The Vatican Tapes" is satisfactory with an appropriate use of Handycam or surveillance video. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Exorcistas do Vaticano" (Exorcists from the Vatican")