Customer Reviews

Church

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

this was an overall good movie i will watch again.

When I heard about this movie, I wanted to watch it for it's name alone, I felt nervous watching it because I thought it was going to be as frightening as other horror films involving religion. Now, the acting is very good, the scenery is amazing and eerie, it's what I expected to look like when I saw the cover of it. There is plenty of gore and in very gruesome ways, the subway scene is historic! There is one scene from this movie that is a really famous painting, let's see if you will know what scene I'm talking about. I liked the ending of the movie, it's a real twist, but I was expecting alot more. I kept saying to myself, this has to be the scene where the dead rise! But there are no zombies in this movie so don't expect any, there's alot of de javu in this, but I really expected more, like a battle between good and evil. The atmosphere couldn't have been any better, if you're a horror fan wanting to watch something different, with a really creepy atmosphere watch this movie. If you're looking for a horror movie with tons of action, look elsewhere, though this was fun to watch it leave me wanting to know more about what happened, that's probably the reason I wasn't too satisfied with it, because it leaves you wanting something. Oh and here's some advice, never go into a church with metal doors.

The story seems initiated by the fascination of the otherworldly architecture of the european gothic cathedral, which of course is the ultimate setting for a movie about pagan demons coming back to life.
A mediaeval pagan sect is massacred by templars and a cathedral is build on the burial ground to seal off the "evil". In present day the curiosity of a librarian working in the church leads to the awakening of what was once buried underneath.
The movie is intellectual and slowpaced, which will scare off the illiterates expecting a slasher-movie in the usual Argento-style, but the pace is essential to the whole idea, the investigation and exposal of the mystery. It's a great jigsaw puzzle, worthy of repeated viewing. Feodor Chaliapin Jr. (who didn't want us to laugh in The Name of the Rose) makes a good appearance as the bishop, having the perfect face for this kind of menacing old clergyman. The rest of the acting is simply adequate, the english dubbing mostly awfull, but the cinamatography and special effects are quite inventive, making it not only a great story but an inciting cinematic experience as well.

I`m a huge fan of Dario Argento, he produced many films that I really liked such as Demons, Dawn Of The Dead, and directed such classics as SUSPIRIA and DEEP RED, but this one is probably the most disappointing production from him I`ve seen to date. But I must admit that the direction from Michele Soavi who gave us the fantastic and frightening STAGEFRIGHT is not bad, the performance from the actors is correct, the special effects are good and the score is extraordinary but where is the story!!! Where the movie is going? Those questions are not even resolved at the end. This is probably the most bizarre and weird film I`ve ever seen. It worth a watch but not expect much...

Originally planned as the third installment in the DEMONS series, this interesting concept became a completely different film altogether which is kind of TOO BAD. The DEMONS series is a lacklustre and tedious affair. It would have benefited greatly with this entry since it would have guaranteed at least ONE GOOD film in the series. THE CHURCH, although lacking on several aspects, is light years ahead of them.

The plot centres around a massacred village. It's cursed victims are accidently resurrected several centuries later. The main action takes place inside a very imposing church that was built over the massacre site. Several unlucky people are accidently locked inside where they become possessed and attacked one by one by the invisible demons. The film is very chatty so patience is definately neccessary but for those of you who stick it out, you will be awarded with several scenes of artistic merit and INTENSE GORE. Soavi, like Argento, Fulci & Bava, doesn't shy away from depicting loss of life in the most unsettling manner. The scene that comes to mind is a very disturbing, very graphic, very BLOODY suicide. There is also a neck impaling, a face ripping, and a very humorous demise involving a speeding subway. Also, the HORNED ONE HIMSELF makes a couple of unexpected cameos flaunting his goat-like appearance and elaborately curved horns - farm animals never looked this viscious.

THE CHURCH is your typical Italian/Euro horror movie with the typical BAD dubbing, stiff acting and several million plot holes. However, fans of the genre REALLY don't care about these films shortcomings because they more than make up for it with their visual style and awesome body count. THE CHURCH is a very attractive movie to look at. The main actor's are quite attractive as is the stunning Church location. Argento/Soavi fans should enjoy this surreal but confusing tale of Satanists, Satan and everything else that is UNHOLY. Don't expect DEMONS 3- this film is FAR superior to both of those BAVA attrocities. However, for those of you WANTING a DEMONS affair you might want to skip on this one because YOU WILL be disappointed.

Ok, heres the deal. The opening sequence was very well done, the gothic style and mood to the movie was also effectively achieved. But the character development was horrid and the final scenes of the movie seemed to be rushed. The final scenes, the whole summoning of Baphomet/sex scene and the rise of the damned set-piece could have used some more time I think. And who cares about those characters who were introduced later in the film. And why are the two seemingly main characters almost totally forgotten at the end of the film? Anyway, those are just some of my gripes and considering most italian horror films, those kind of gripes would be pretty standard. Overall it was a decent movie, good gore, good opening sequence and i'll leave it at that.

Produced by Dario Argento,this is an atmospheric,creepy Italian horror,with beautiful and tense atmosphere,where even silence is important.This all is,of course,beautiful directed by Michelle Soavi.

Well, actually, it could. Picture quality and dubbing are indeed quite good.
But that's not why you'd buy an italian horror movie, is it? Here's the downside: ridiculous acting, effects that are nowhere near special (and few and far in between, too), a plot and characters that in most cases make little or no sense... So, unless you're a hardcore collector of italian C movies, think twice before you order this - there's much better stuff around to spend your money on.

Discriminating Horror Fan: Do not be afraid to drop your dollars on this disc. Semi-Lovecraftian creepiness goes down in midieval cathedral. Michele Soavi directs this very stylish flick from a script that allows the plot to meander through set-pieces the way only Europeans can. THE CHURCH does have that already nostalgic mid-80's feel to it, but somehow Argento and crew achieved production value impressive even by today's standards. Acting that ranges from competent to very good, lush photography, gorgeous interiors, plenty of well executed gore and creature effects that never become gratuitous, even some genuine suspense; it all moves at a pace that feels just right towards a wicked climax and spooky final sequence. I don't want to over do it, but this is a real gem. Beautifully transferred from pristine source material, it looks and sounds great. Anamorphic, trailer, director bio, in an attractive keepcase. If you are a hardened gore-hound, a Universal/Golden-Age snob, or a EuroTrash pervert, you might want to try before you buy. But if you're like me, a bit of all three, this is money well spent.

I bought this one knowing that some of the Italian horror is pretty lame. This film is an exception. While Argentos participation was nominal, his influence is seen in this movie. Good camera work and the actors are quite capable. The dubbing is very well done, which is rare in these imports. About everything in horror that can be done has been done, but this movie caught my interest and kept it throughout. Not much for extras but the DVD has great picture and sound quality.