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Post by And Such Were Some Of You on Jan 24, 2006 13:12:26 GMT -5
The Exorcism of Emily RoseQUICK TAKE: Drama/Horror: A hotshot defense attorney sets out to defend a priest who's on trial for the exorcism-related death of a girl he claims was possessed by demons. PLOT: Erin Bruner (LAURA LINNEY) is a hotshot defense attorney who's a rising star in the law firm run by her boss Karl Gunderson (COLM FEORE). Her latest case and one that might make her a senior partner, however, will be her toughest test yet. Since her firm represents the Archdiocese, they've been asked to defend Father Richard Moore (TOM WILKINSON) who's incarcerated on charges of negligent homicide regarding the death of Emily Rose (JENNIFER CARPENTER). It seems that the 19-year-old college student, her family and Father Moore believed she was possessed by demons, thus leading to the latter performing an exorcism on her. It didn't work, and having rejected all medical treatment, the girl eventually died. Despite offers of a plea bargain, Father Moore refuses to admit any guilt, instead saying that he only wants to tell Emily's story and explain what really happened. Pitted against tough assistant district attorney Ethan Thomas (CAMPBELL SCOTT), his piles of medical evidence and his dismissal of their claims of demonic possession, Erin sets out to defend her client with the help of various witnesses. They include Erin's classmate Jason (JOSHUA CLOSE), anthropologist Dr. Adani (SHOHREH AGHDASHLOO) and medical doctor Graham Cartwright (DUNCAN FRAZER) who witnessed the attempted exorcism. As supernatural events seemingly begin to occur in her presence, Erin does what she can to prove Father Moore's innocence.
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Post by And Such Were Some Of You on Jan 24, 2006 13:18:45 GMT -5
Did anyone view this movie? On yesterday I was going to my manager to have her sign off on some documents when she began to speak to me about his movie. She wanted to know my thoughts and I informed her that I didn't see it. She asked if I would rent it so that we can have a discussion about it today. During our conversation on yesterday we began to speak about Spiritual Discernment (Discernment of Spirits). She mentioned that one thing that made her feel a litty creepy about this movie is that she knows that someone can in fact be demon possessed, so to see Emily manifest made her feel a bit uncomfortable. She also began to share with me how she can "sense" evil in a person and does not know where "this" comes from. She said that she can even "smell" evil and don't know what to make of it. My manager is Catholic. So that I can have a fruitful discussion with my manager and maybe even find opportunity to speak "Truth" to her, I purchased this movie last night and watched. This morning I emailed my manager (who is out of town for the week and asked me to email my thoughts to her) to give her my "take" on it, here is what I emailed to her: Okay, I purchased the movie last night and watched it and here is what I think/what challenged me:
- I too felt a little creepy as I watched the demonic manifestations in Emily. As you know, I also believe that someone can be possessed by demons, however the part that challenged me is that I don't believe that somone who has the Spirit of God dwelling inside of them can be demon possessed but I do believe that they can be demonically oppressed. However, Emily was a believer and therefore I could not grasp how she can be overtaken as she was. I believe that each case in the bible where you read about someone being overtaken by a demon(s) that they did not become believers until after the exorcism/deliverance.
- Also when Emily began to name the "six" demons that were within her, I had a problem with two of them. When she mentioned Legion, I began to think that it couldn't be so because Legion itself implies "thousands" and therefore she actually had more than six if truly legion was one of them. Read Mark Chapter 5 in the Bible because this story of Emily reminided me of that as I was watching it. The second name I had a problem with was Lucifer. Lucifer was Satans name before he rebelled and therefore considered a "good angel". How then can one of the demons be lucifer? Also, can/would satan himself actually inhabit a body?
- It would have given us a greater understanding if the movie showed just how "hyper-sensitive" Emily was. We only know that from the testimony of the lady who studied such. And exactly what was Emily "hyper-sensitive" to? Did you get that part and I just missed it? Spiritual discernment which we were discussing on yesterday should not cause you to become sensitive to demonic activity/being overtaken by such. What it does is allow you to "sense" good from evil which if Emily had this gift wouldn't she have known the evil presence and not become possessed?
- Stigmata - don't even know if I believe in that at all.
- Also, since I also do not believe in the "Holy Mother of God", I found it difficult to understand how she can speak with Emily and explain her fate. If she was truly to continue to live and suffer to allow her story to be told wouldn't this come from God Himself? I also don't understand WHY it was so important for her story to be told? Demonic manifestation is nothing new because it is told in the Bible - so I was left with the thought, "what's the point"?
- The funny part to all of this: after I watched this movie I prayed for no repercussions (nightmares, demonic activity etc.) however, I woke in the middle of the night at EXACTLY 3:00 am!!!!
Anyone? |
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Post by lanl ns on Jan 24, 2006 13:50:29 GMT -5
I don't like film that deal with demonic overtones especially when dealing with the Catholic church.
It seems to me that in films with a Catholic presence the demons always win and the person is never free..... and all these other strange things always begin to happen to other people who are associated with the person being exorcised.
And me knowing the truth about casting out demons it makes me really wonder about the corruption and lies of Catholicism?
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Post by And Such Were Some Of You on Jan 24, 2006 13:59:22 GMT -5
It seems to me that in films with a Catholic presence the demons always win and the person is never free..... and all these other strange things always begin to happen to other people who are associated with the person being exorcised. I was also going to write in the email to my boss that I don't see in this movie where God received the glory. Even if Emily was told by the "holy mother" that is she returns her story will be told, it doesn't demonstrate where anyone benefited from it. The priest though found guilty, was sentenced to time served, stated that he couldn't go back to the church because "one you see darkness of that sort, you cannot forget it". And the update at the end of the movie said that he went into "seclusion". I didn't write this in the email about God getting the glory because I want to see where my manager is and what she feels about what I wrote thus far. I don't want to give her too much too soon. Whether in the Catholic church or not, I believe that one can experience demonic oppression if they are trying to help someone who is possessed. I really don't believe that is limited to the Catholic church but tells us that we have to know how to "fight this war". |
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Post by Jasmine nsi on Jan 24, 2006 14:25:24 GMT -5
I have no takes on the movie, as i didn't not watch it. I do know that here in las vegas 3 or 5 days days after this movie came out, a man driving on the strip plowed into 12 pedestrians standing on the corner getting ready to cross the street.
His exact words and I quote: "The people were staring at me with demon eyes.
Would this movie creep me out. im not sure, before i even came to Christ, I was all into scary movies. I've learned that some things we watch, causes doors to be opened in our lives.
I for one do not agree that a christian can be demon possessed, however I do believe that oppression can take place when we have allowed the enemy to play with our mind.
I awake every morning at 4 am, sometimes earlier. But not because of a bad movie, or night mare. I always thought that my awakings meant that I needed to spend time with God, however God showed me that He just wanted to spend time with me.
Thats an awesome feeling to know that the Lord wants to spend time with you.
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Post by ybrown on Jan 24, 2006 15:12:24 GMT -5
ASWSOY, Just a little backgournd info.... The guy that wrote Emily Rose is a spirit-filled Evangelical Christian who doesn't believe a spirit-filled Christian can be demon-possessed. I whole-heartedly agree with this. He did a lot of research into exorcisms for the movie after finding out about this real-life exorcism and the legalities that followed after the death of Emily Rose. You asked what was the point of the film. God is doing some things. To get more Hollywood films done by spirit-filled Christians, exposing the masses to Jesus and God in a way that they don't know they're essentially being exposed to His Kingdom and the realities of good vs. evil. Sometimes a movie is the closest that some will ever get to a chruch.  Is the story of Emily Rose important in and of itself? Probably not, but it's meant to get people talking about spiritual things. The head of the studio, Clint Culpepper greenlit (gave the go-ahead to make the picture) Emily Rose after reading the script on the weekend that The Passion came out. That's the only reason why this movie with some spiritual depth (and less gore) was backed by a powerful Hollywood studio. Thank God for the success of The Passion. I met Clint at a movie premiere party a couple of weeks after Emily Rose came out. That week, I called him and actually pitched an idea for a movie that I somewhat got from this board and after a couple of weeks of considering it, he passed. He told me to call him when I had something else he may be interested in. I thought the idea and topic were excellent. So much so that I'm continuing to work on the script. Clint's passing on my idea just goes to show sometime we get too deep on this board. Maybe a little too deep for the movies... ;D I promise you'll see some deep Christian-based movies coming out real soon. One that I'm currently working on isn't wearing a Sunday outfit, but I promise you, its all God. |
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Post by Jasmine nsi on Jan 24, 2006 16:09:04 GMT -5
I dont think its about being deep. Its all about preference.
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Post by And Such Were Some Of You on Jan 24, 2006 16:15:55 GMT -5
The funny part to all of this: after I watched this movie I prayed for no repercussions (nightmares, demonic activity etc.) however, I woke in the middle of the night at EXACTLY 3:00 am!!!! Maybe I should explain this part because it has nothing to do with devotions etc. LOL In the movie Emily, as well as the attorney for the defense kept waking up @ 3:00 AM and that is when some of the "manifestations" would occur. The priest explained to the attorney that the demons were making a mockery of the time that Christ died which he stated was 3:00 PM. I thought it was funny that I woke up at exactly 3:00 am! Did I relate it to anything demonic...NO, I related it to me having to use the bathroom and my body was alerting me of such. |
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Post by jasmine nsi on Jan 24, 2006 16:42:40 GMT -5
Thanks for including the 3:00 am plight. It makes a difference because for a moment I didn't understand the significance of the 3:00 am awakening.
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Post by And Such Were Some Of You on Jan 25, 2006 7:44:41 GMT -5
ASWSOY, Just a little backgournd info.... The guy that wrote Emily Rose is a spirit-filled Evangelical Christian who doesn't believe a spirit-filled Christian can be demon-possessed. I whole-heartedly agree with this. He did a lot of research into exorcisms for the movie after finding out about this real-life exorcism and the legalities that followed after the death of Emily Rose. Yes, I know this. No, I asked what is the point of Emily living to suffer to tell her story, when demons, demonic manifestations and deliverance/exorcism is already in the bible. Again, in this movie God did not get the glory, it appears that the enemy got the victory in Emily, and the priest - whom I would consider the two main characters. Exactly, and it is this door that I will walk through with my manager. Not that what we discuss is deep or the people are deep it may be exactly what Jasmine said here: |
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Grace
Full Member
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Post by Grace on Jan 25, 2006 10:24:57 GMT -5
This was a movie that is supposed to be based on a true story. With that said we know that things were added for Dramatic effect.
As far as the movie was concerned for me I took it as that just a movie. I would prefer to hear the actual account from the family members or the actual priest. Also the one thing I did get from this movie is that the enemy has the people fooled, even those who supposedly know God do really beleive that the Devil is real. Or for that matter that there are demons.
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Post by keita on Jan 25, 2006 13:45:10 GMT -5
...Clint's passing on my idea just goes to show sometime we get too deep on this board. I don't know about that conclusion, ybrown. Maybe "Clint" just ain't deep enough for this board...or your work.  Oh, I'm totally okay with that!  |
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Post by ybrown on Jan 25, 2006 14:56:35 GMT -5
...Clint's passing on my idea just goes to show sometime we get too deep on this board. I don't know about that conclusion, ybrown. Maybe "Clint" just ain't deep enough for this board...or your work. Oh, I'm totally okay with that! Thank you for catching what I was saying, Keita. ;D |
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Post by ybrown on Jan 25, 2006 15:42:03 GMT -5
No, I asked what is the point of Emily living to suffer to tell her story, when demons, demonic manifestations and deliverance/exorcism is already in the bible. Are you taking the stance that this exorcism was a God thing? I see it more as a demonstration of the error of not just the Catholic Church, but also of that of undiscerning Christians that can so easily fall into the dirty clutches of the enemy if they don't know the Word. Exorcisms are addressed in scripture, even when Jesus and the disciples had cast out a few, and it was mainly done to show Christ's dominion over the demons (Luke 10:17). But at one point in the New Testament, the treatment of demonic warfare shifted. If you look at the teaching portions of the New Testament, primarily Romans through Jude, they refer to demonic activity but they don't discuss the actions of casting them out as in the OT and earlier times in the NT. I think that's key. Insteading of casting out demons, we're told to put on the armor to stand against them and to flat out resist the devil and stay on our toes. In other words we're not to give him room in our lives at t'all. So I don't believe there was a point to Emily Rose's suffering from God's perspective. He wasn't trying to tell us anything, Satan was. And I do agree when you say: Ultimately it was a demonstration of Satan's craftiness and man's error. Previously Emily had been diagnosed with a medical condition and for some reason the parents didn't thnk that explanation was good enough so they proceeded on the exorcism route with the priest. It was evil cloaked in error and it was piled on and on and on....until a girl lost her life and several other lives were forever changed. Satan sought to steal, kill and destroy. And that he did...well, too. Very light humor... not to be taken seriously. Sorry it wasn't funny. |
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Post by nina on Jan 26, 2006 8:26:17 GMT -5
I noticed that the word "exorcism" is used only in a catholic context. I looked some information about it - to see more of the catholic approach - and found a lot on these pages: www.newadvent.org/cathen/05709a.htmwww.newadvent.org/cathen/12315a.htmwww.newadvent.org/cathen/04711a.htmwww.newadvent.org/cathen/04713a.htmwww.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=9464We don't usually say exorcism, we say casting out demons. However, this is their definition: "Exorcism is (1) the act of driving out, or warding off, demons, or evil spirits, from persons, places, or things, which are believed to be possessed or infested by them, or are liable to become victims or instruments of their malice; (2) the means employed for this purpose, especially the solemn and authoritative adjuration of the demon, in the name of God, or any of the higher power in which he is subject. The word, which is not itself biblical, is derived from exorkizo, which is used in the Septuagint (Genesis 24:3 = cause to swear; III(I) Kings 22:16 = adjure), and in Matthew 26:63, by the high priest to Christ, "I adjure thee by the living God. . ." The non-intensive horkizo and the noun exorkistes (exorcist) occur in Acts 19:13, where the latter (in the plural) is applied to certain strolling Jews who professed to be able to cast out demons. Expulsion by adjuration is, therefore, the primary meaning of exorcism, and when, as in Christian usage, this adjuration is in the name of God or of Christ, exorcism is a strictly religious act or rite. But in ethnic religions, and even among the Jews from the time when there is evidence of its being vogue, exorcism as an act of religion is largely replaced by the use of mere magical and superstitious means, to which non-Catholic writers at the present day sometimes quite unfairly assimilate Christian exorcism. Superstition ought not to be confounded with religion, however much their history may be interwoven, nor magic, however white it may be, with a legitimate religious rite. " I found it also interesting that in both the original and the new document regarding what they call the "rite of exorcism", they proclaim ""the victory of Christ and the power of the Church over the demons." Maybe that's the fundamental paradox of the catholic church, always between the letter and the spirit, no pun intended... I also came across a thread about the movie in a catholic forum here: forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?p=1252596#post1252596and it seems that they appreciate the approach of the film maker. It also looks like there is a lot of confusion about possession... Since it is very real, and it is most often put in the public eye in a catholic context, I wonder why, beyond the movies and the terms used to refer to demon possession, it is not more spoken of in the church at large? Whatever our opinion about the catholic church, the fact is that they obviously have a lot of "material" - for lack of a better word - about it, and they more vocal about it. Strictly about movies, it is true that in most the results are negative if not tragic (as well as in real life unfortunately). We see those priests labouring through the process and still be defeated. And, somehow, we expect that, because it exposes the catholic way of going about it. However, we have been lead to believe that casting out demons is a matter of a few minutes, but I remember hearing some proeminent ministers talking about some instances when it took several days for the person to be delivered, and that they had to call "back up" and keep on until the demons were cast out. I understand that movies play a part in raising awareness on certain topics, but they don't answer legitimate questions. There is probably a great need for follow up and more of the truth to be told about this, openly. |
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