The Initiation of Sarah

Twin sisters (Mika Boorem & Summer Glau) start college in Louisiana where the former joins a sorority of outcasts while the latter is accepted by an uppity sorority. Both houses have uncanny secrets. Costars include: JoAnna Garcia, Jennifer Tilly and Morgan Fairchild.

"The Initiation of Sarah" (2006) is a remake of the 1978 television movie that was a knockoff of "Carrie" (1976) mixed with "Satan's School for Girls" (1973). Fairchild returns here to play the mother of the two girls.

This is more of a revamping than a faithful remake as the only thing that's the same is the basic set-up, which I'm fine with because who needs an exact repeat? There's also a change in tone. The original flick was relatively realistic with weighty drama whereas this one is decidedly comic booky with unbelievable paranormal happenings and cheesy satanic rituals. The garish opening sequence tells all. The two protagonists aren't as likable either.

On the positive side, JoAnna Garcia is beautiful (despite the devious character she plays) and Jennifer Tilly is more fascinating than Shelley Winters' character in the original. There are also some thought-provoking new ideas. Unfortunately, the dull first act and the tedious fiery climax with the corresponding gobbledygook doom it.

The movie runs 1 hour, 28 minutes, and was shot at Centenary College, Shreveport, Louisiana.

GRADE: C-/C.

Sisters Sarah and Lindsey (Mika Boorem and Summer Glau) are pledging the alpha Nu sorority at Temple Hill University, unaware of the devilish forces afoot. Sarah just might be the "chosen one" that her new friends have been waiting for.

Indeed, the Alpha Nu's are an ancient coven of witches using the black arts to get what they desire. Sarah must get in touch with her inner witch in order to combat these practitioners of eeevil.

THE INITIATION OF SARAH is a fun update of the original classic. Especially good is the magnificent Jennifer Tilly as the demonically delectable Dr. Hunter! Also, Morgan Fairchild returns from the original in a pivotal role.

So, grab some wine, this movie provides the cheeeze...

In my point of view this movie isn't labeled properly and therefore is highly underrated. It's clearly a comedy, and a very hilarious one.

I mean, if hot girls aren't enough of a reason to watch a movie like this for you then you should know that the plot is awesome.

From an evil hot(most of the times) witch that hits on dudes by mixing coffee with their own sweat to awesome back-flipping Jedi mind-tricks, it's all there.

But the best of all is that it doesn't feel like other movies of the same kind... You don't realize you are actually appreciating it until your muscles hurt from laughing so hard.

I guffawed my bowels out, and i'm glad I watched this.

I gotta say, for an made for TV movie, the Initaition of Sarah is pretty good. With all the other "horror" and "scary" movie crap out there this should have be put in movie theaters. The special effects may not be all that great, but it's still got a nice plot and twist to it, and doesn't ruin a single bit of it. I especially appluade the actors' performances and I've become a bit of Mika Boorem (is that spelled right?) fan after seeing this. And true the movie may not be all that scary, but it adds a great feel to the whole Halloween theme. I've never seen the original film at all, but after seeing this I've been dying to!!!! The Initiation of Sarah is one of the greatest made-for-TV movies ever and should've been put on the big screen. ABC Family really delivered this time.

Notable points were: 1) Joanna Garcia... This is the first time I've seen her and she surely can turn heads around. Very eye-catching and the bitchy role suited her well. She did a good job.

2) For a TV film, it was decent quality...Cant expect much more than what it delivered for a TV film.

3) The campus scenes and the college backdrop was really nice and spectacular. Whoever decided the filming locations gets a Thumbs Up!

4) I've seen Mika Boorem before in Smile and thought she was fabulous in that film, here she is OK.

5) Summer Glau was below average here...she looked a little mechanical like her character from Terminator...