The Vatican Tapes

Greetings from Lithuania.

"The Vatican Tapes" (2015) is a very enjoyable "possession / exorcism" movie. While the plot is not really original, the ending kinda was original, really original. It has not bad mood for this kind of horror movie, and although it has clichés all around, the overall experience was positive.

Michael Peña is totally miscast in this movie, he is one of the most reliable "comic reliefs" in industry at the moment, so it is hard to take him seriously in priest robe with serious face, there were some scenes with him near the end when i just wanted to chuckle - not that he is a bad actor, he is solid one, but at this moment in his carrier this kind of movie is clearly not his strongest side. Djimon Hounsou is also a bit miscast, although this 2 times Oscar nominee is much more believable in this role. Others were OK, nothing special. Directing was also OK, and i kinda liked cinematography and editing, they create this feeling of uncertainty.

Overall, i kinda see why "The Vatican Tapes" has such a lot rating at IMDb (4.5 at the moment) - lots of recent horror movies about possession and exorcism are shoot in "found footage" style, but this one plays straight and its overall look is inconsistent, there are many close ups and shaky camera and some weird shoots, but as a whole i liked this style and as i have mentioned it creates this tension and feeling of uncertainty. Ending was also kinda original in my opinion. While this flick isn't the most original or best in its genre, it was a pretty descent one.

Here we go again with the negative reviewers. I wonder what's wrong with those people? You are not going to tell me that this is the worst horror movie you ever saw, because then you talk a lot of bull... Okay it's not the best movie about possession or exorcism but it sure ain't the worst one. You can not compare it with The Exorcist because that movie was one of the first one about that subject and for that time it had everyone on the tip of their chair. Linda Blair will probably remain the best actress as a possessed person but it doesn't mean that other actors can't play that role. I thought Olivia Taylor Dudley did a good job with her performance. Looking innocent and then pure evil, to me it all looked real, and that's what's it all about with movies like this one. I surely was entertained and I saw hundreds of worse horror movies then The Vatican Tapes. Don't believe the haters here because they don't know what they are talking about.

I'm sure most horror fans with an interest in religion/exorcism based films will find something to enjoy here.

Sure it's nothing new, but it's well acted and stylishly executed in terms of cinematography.

There's not really any wasted time on screen, and it rattles along at a good pace.

So many horror films these days have a cheap feel, this doesn't. It's not a classic like The Exorcist, or The Omen, but it's a heck of a lot better than most being made nowadays.

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

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")