181 - The Exorcist III (1990) & Dominion (2005) →

CW: Suicide, Still Birth, Mental Illness, Ableism

It’s an Exorcist Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey wrap up the franchise with a pleasantly bizarre surprise and... what's the opposite of a surprise?

Read our afterthoughts for this episode here!

The Classic Film: The Exorcist III (1990)
"A police Lieutenant uncovers more than he bargained for as his investigation of a series of murders, which have all the hallmarks of the deceased Gemini serial killer, leads him to question the patients of a psychiatric ward” (IMDb.com). The Exorcist III's poetic strangeness makes it feel like the precursor to some of the best prestige television of the past ten years. It's not perfect nor as good as the original, but after Exorcist II: The Heretic, it seems damned close.

The Modern Film: Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist (2005)
"Years before Father Lankester Merrin helped save Regan MacNeil's soul, he first encounters the demon Pazuzu in East Africa. Merrin's initial battle with Pazuzu leads to the rediscovery of his faith” (IMDb.com). Dominion is better than Renny Harlin's reshot "The Beginning," but if we're honest, not by that much (and that's due in large part to the lack of support from producers Morgan Creek). It's just too bad that we didn't see it first.

Audio Sources:
"Adventures in Babysitting" produced by Touchstone Pictures & Silver Screen Partners III
"Clueless" produced by Paramount Pictures
"Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist" produced by Morgan Creek Entertainment
"Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb" produced by Columbia Pictures & Hawk Films
"The Exorcist" produced by Warner Bros. & Hoya Productions
"The Exorcist III" produced by Morgan Creek Entertainment
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones

156 - Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977) & Exorcist: The Beginning (2004) →

CW: Suicide, Stillbirth, Infanticide

Worst of 2020 - #4 (tied) Exorcist II: The Heretic

Read our afterthoughts for this episode here!

It’s an excellent week for an exorcism on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey sully the legacy of the original Exorcist from both ends!

The Classic Film: Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)
"A teenage girl once possessed by a demon finds that it still lurks within her. Meanwhile, a priest investigates the death of the girl's exorcist” (IMDb.com). This sequel doesn't only ruin the ending to the original, it also sucks. It is the father of lies.

The Modern Film: Exorcist: The Beginning (2004)
"Years before Father Lankester Merrin helped save Regan MacNeil's soul, he first encounters the demon Pazuzu in East Africa. This is the tale of Father Merrin's initial battle with Pazuzu and the rediscovery of his faith” (IMDb.com). The sequel asked, "What if the original was actually the SECOND time Father Merrin fought Pazuzu?" This prequel yells in response, "Three times! You weren't here! He did it three times!"

Audio Sources:
"Dio" written and performed by Tenacious D
"The Exorcist in 30 Seconds (and Re-enacted by Bunnies)" produced by Angry Alien Productions, LLC
"Exorcist II: The Heretic" produced by Warner Bros.
"Exorcist: The Beginning" produced by Morgan Creek Entertainment, et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"S&M Present" (Robot Chicken S01E09) produced by Stoopid Monkey, et al.
"Sandstorm" produced by Darude
"Tubular Bells" composed by Mike Oldfield

120 - The Exorcist (1973) & Ava's Possessions (2015) →

CW: Child Molestation, Rape, Genital Mutilation

Best of 2020 - #7 (Tied) The Exorcist

Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1219011754568499200

It’s Demonic Possession Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey feel compelled to discuss the supposed "Scariest movie of all time!" Thank you to @TheChickapedia for the recommendations!

The Classic Film: The Exorcist (1973)
"When a young girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her desperate mother seeks the help of two priests to save her daughter” (IMDb.com). A creepy movie that managed somehow to actually frighten millions, The Exorcist may not be that terrifying but it's certainly an incredible film.

The Modern Film: Ava's Possessions (2015)
"Ava Dobkins is recovering from demonic possession. With no memory of the past month, she is forced to attend a Spirit Possession Anonymous support group. As Ava struggles to reconnect with her friends, get her job back, and figure out where the huge bloodstain in her apartment came from, she's plagued by nightmarish visions - the demon is trying to come back” (Momentum Pictures). A great premise and promising tone aren't enough to save this predictable surprise from its own plot.

Audio Sources:
"Ava's Possessions" produced by 
“BLAME BEELZABUB” written by Sean Lennon and Jordan Galland & performed by Foley Stewart
"Episode #11.20" (You Bet Your Life, S11E20) produced by FilmCraft Productions
"The Exorcist" produced by Warner Bros. & Hoya Productions
"Max von Sydow" via Say It Like A Swede @  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG6TBfUD1_U
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens" produced by Lucasfilm, et al.
"Tubular Bells" composed by Mike Oldfield