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View Full Version : Which was the better horror movie, The Exorcist or Scream?



xStraightxEdgexSaviorx
03-28-2011, 12:32 AM
Hello EWN community, SES back again with another 1st round match-up in my “Greatest Horror Movies,” tournament and we have another great match-up. Now before I begin I forget to mention last time that the voting period for any one particular thread is 3 days. That is a strict number now, so if you want to voice your opinion on the matter, you have to do it within that time frame. Now that I got that out of the way, unto what we came here for: the movies!! Both of these movies are actually really hit or miss with a lot of people, and while they both “hit” for me, I expect some people to say they didn’t like either one or both of these movies at all. The movies in question are of course The Exorcist and Scream. Like the first match-up, these movies are incredibly different, yet both very intriguing and unique. Again, here are some cool vids I found about the films.

I realize that this scene has been played out (although not as much as another famous scene from the Exorcist) you have to admit that this freaked you the F out the first time you watched it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-4f_NMUxcY

This is from Bravo’s 100 Scariest Movie Moments (highly recommend this it is a very fun watch), and it is discussing the beginning of Scream

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgGdR0rAaJc

My opinion:

Better movie: The Exorcist. The Exorcist was a brilliantly written and executed movie in my opinion. I know some people thought it moved a tad slow, which is neither a bad thing nor even a viable stance in regards to The Exorcist for me, but I thought it was brilliantly paced and wonderfully performed. Scream, while still an enjoyable movie, wasn’t the greatest acted out film I’ve ever seen despite its well known cast. I thought the script was very good (despite a few cheesy lines thrown in here and there), but the execution left just a tad to be desired. Exorcist takes this category for me.

Scarier movie: The Exorcist. Scream was pretty damned scary at times, especially in the end (which I will not spoil for those of you who haven’t seen the movie), but it doesn’t compare to the fright I feel every single time I watch The Exorcist. Now I am a man of faith, so this could mean that I have a bit of a biased opinion here, but for me there is nothing scarier than going toe-to-toe with Satan himself. Exorcist again takes this one.

Impact on pop culture/society/other movies: The Exorcist. Don’t get me wrong, when Scream splashed, it splashed hard. I know for a fact that people ran out and got caller I.D. afterwards, and the movie did inspire the goofiness that was the original “Scary Movie,” but it still didn’t make as big of an impact as The Exorcist did. The Exorcist changed some people’s lives apparently, and was the basis for their new-found faith. Not only that, but the number of supposed exorcisms performed in real life grew substantially after the film’s release. I don’t know the exact number off the top of my head, but I know it was far too large for it to be a coincidence.

Gore: Scream. Scream wins this one pretty easy here. It’s a slasher film though, what do you expect? There was one scene in particular in The Exorcist that I simply cannot ignore. The part where the stunt-double of Linda Blair (or my God I hope it was a stunt double) was violently masturbating with the crucifix was downright wrong in every sense of the word. It was almost too much to watch…even for me. Nevertheless though, Scream was infinitely gorier than The Exorcist, especially during the climax of the opening scene.

Overall: The Exorcist. This match-up was closer than you might think while reading my write up, as I did thoroughly enjoy Scream, but there was just something about that movie that kinda rubbed me the wrong way. I wanna say that I didn’t find the characters in the movie particularly likeable, but I think that was by design. I did find the film to be very entertaining though, and the entire premise absolutely grabbed me and didn’t let go. Still though, it doesn’t compare to The Exorcist in my eyes, as that movie continues to resonate with me even through 5+ viewings.

What do you guys think though?

el gabo
03-28-2011, 11:56 AM
The exorcist to me was much better. The antagonist isn't really a person in this movie, but big bad Damian himself. Given the history and nature of the Devil, as well as being an abstract character embodied as a little girl, it makes for a better bad guy (IMO.) Scream wasn't bad, but it set up an era of cheesy horror flicks that I wish never happened.

Also, as you pointed out it continues to resonate after viewing it 5+ times. The movie continues to resonate a huge audience after 38 YEARS!!!!!

BoycottTNA
03-28-2011, 12:05 PM
I chose Scream - against what will be the consensus I think, but that film was a huge part of pop culture when I was growing up and helped to evolve the slasher films

el gabo
03-28-2011, 12:21 PM
I chose Scream - against what will be the consensus I think, but that film was a huge part of pop culture when I was growing up and helped to evolve the slasher films

Exactly why I chose The Exorcist. Scream pooped out I Know What You Did Last Summer and subsequently, other cheesy films. Plus, the whole concept of slasher films has been done to death as opposed to The Exorcist which has really has not been able to imitated (well.) It's been done a few times:The Exorcism of Emily Rose and Stigmata came close, but no cigar.

On a side note: this made me shit my pants when I saw it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cralJYgeNh4&feature=related

xStraightxEdgexSaviorx
03-28-2011, 12:57 PM
Scream wasn't bad, but it set up an era of cheesy horror flicks that I wish never happened.

While I do agree with most of your sentiments, I must say that you cannot really blame Scream for the list of shite movies that came as a result of it, just as you can't blame The Exorcist for gems like Behind the Door and The Anti-Christ, or the plethora of bad gangster films after The Godfather. Imo, you have to take the movies for what they are, and even though I do have a section of my write-ups dedicated to the "impact" of the movies, it only focuses on the good movies that inspired it, and not all the bad movies that tried to rip off of the movie's success.

Besides, Scream was a very unique concept that hasn't successfully been duplicated. I applaud it for it's ingenuity, but it's still not close to The Exorcist imo.

Necroyeti
03-28-2011, 01:24 PM
The Exorcist.

It's like comparing a Hieronymous Bosch painting to a child's drawing of a Dragonball Z character. (both terrifying for vastly different reasons)

BoycottTNA
03-28-2011, 01:26 PM
The Exorcist.

It's like comparing a Hieronymous Bosch painting to a child's drawing of a Dragonball Z character. (both terrifying for vastly different reasons)

My Goku pictures are very precious to me.

xStraightxEdgexSaviorx
03-28-2011, 01:29 PM
My Goku pictures are very precious to me.

This made me smile.

Necroyeti
03-28-2011, 02:04 PM
My Goku pictures are very precious to me.
http://media-fanart.theotaku.com/764456-20100927175928.jpg
GODDAMN KAKAROT

Rich Cranium
03-28-2011, 02:24 PM
I vote off of which movie scared me more which I am sure yall do too so The Exorcist is it!

Kashdinero
03-28-2011, 02:39 PM
I almost went with Scream. Why? The Scream mask. I remember turning up to a halloween party, to MC, with one of those bad boys on! Still, can't beat the Exorsist for concept and legacy.

xStraightxEdgexSaviorx
03-28-2011, 03:57 PM
Sorry to disappoint folks, but in all likelihood there will not be another match-up posted tonight. I'm kinda booked solid with RAW and school. There's a small chance that I might post a thread without the "my opinion" section, but don't count on it. Sorry guys, but I'll be back in full action tomorrow.

xStraightxEdgexSaviorx
03-30-2011, 10:41 PM
Looks like The Exorcist is gonna take this one guys. I'll have the next match-up up and running withing the hour if all goes smoothly, so be on the lookout.

Tommy Thunder
03-30-2011, 11:52 PM
Scream is a brilliant film, but the exorcist is an all time great. Got to go with that here!

samoan619
03-30-2011, 11:55 PM
Oh this one is not even hard, Exorcist was my pick.. Scream came out when horror movies didnt affect me, but Exorcist to a child in the early 80s, oh the devil will scare the shit outta ya lolol...

68wPayne
03-31-2011, 12:07 AM
This is an absolute no brainer. Exorcist is not only one of the best horror movies ever; it is one of the best movies of all time. Scream didn't really do anything but make Neve Campbell one of my celebucrushes

xStraightxEdgexSaviorx
03-31-2011, 12:11 AM
Dang, it looks like The Exorcist has an even bigger lead now than when I last checked. The next match-up is up and running now guys, check it out if you got some free time.

xStraightxEdgexSaviorx
03-31-2011, 07:51 PM
For those of you who haven't been paying attention, The Exorcist takes this one by a score of 10-2. It'll go on to face the winner of the Silence of the Lambs/Ringu match-up in round two. The next match-up will be up tonight, so keep a lookout for it!