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.

I saw this movie on ABC Family's "13 Nights of Horror". I began watching it because of the cast, specifically Summer Glau of Firefly and Serenity (The 4400, Sleepover, etc) renown. It's a slow starter, but if you're a fan of mild horror and teen flicks, I think you'll find enough to keep you interested. The actors seem to take some time to get into their roles, but around the halfway mark the performances become quite sound and the plot really starts to click. Jennifer Tilly delivers a solid, if slightly bizarre, performance as the nutty occult professor, and Morgan Fairchild can't help but please as the image-conscious, pushy sorority mother. Basic plot, no spoilers: twin sisters arrive at Temple Hill University as legacies to the elite sorority Alpha Nu Gamma. Sarah, the blonde one (Mika Boorem) is trying to live down a history of being "the weird one" and a cutter. Lindsey, the dark one (Summer Glau), is trying to live down a history of being Sarah's sister. They elect to rush Alpha Nu Gamma until strange things start happening and Sarah decides to rush the rival sorority and discovers that the rivalry is not just about who dates the hottest guys or throws the best parties.

This movie is amazing, and definitely not something I'd expect from ABC Family. It's captivating, mature, and has a twist that I absolutely didn't see coming. The actors show talent beyond their years, the story keeps you guessing, and it's one of the few movies about the occult that doesn't make me ashamed of how commercialized witchcraft has become. There's a lot of universal themes that really give it heart: finding greatness in the most unlikely of places, learning to accept and embrace your inherent differences, and of course, fighting like (and against) all hell for the people that you love.

I believe what makes a great fiction movie is its ability to seem like it almost could be real. Granted, the demonic sorority sisters, the existence of "The One" and the super-cool magick tricks are a bit of a stretch, but there's a lot in the movie that's believable. For example, the relationship dynamic between Sarah and her sister is easy for anyone to relate to, especially if you've ever felt like you were overshadowed by a sibling. The struggle of good vs. evil is something that we all fight with at some point, if not every day of our lives. And the desire for acceptance at all costs...I know I shudder to think of the things I've done in the past to try to get the popular girls to like me. This movie makes it very easy to relate to its characters, even the minor ones. I know my bet friend in high school was a dead ringer for Vita. And for all those stickler Wiccans out there, the initiation ceremonies of both sororities are actually similar to real coven initiations, i.e. the kisses, the wording of the pledge, etc.

This is really a great movie, people, much better than the original. It's got character, it's got flair, and it's got intensity. Definitely two hours well spent. Oh, and just in case you're wondering: my ABSOLUTE favorite part is when Sarah runs off to save Finn from being sacrificed in the eternal flame. I couldn't stop laughing. It was beyond priceless; can't believe ABC Family actually showed it, lol.

Blessed Be.

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...

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...