HOLLYWOOD, July 3, 2000 – Get ready for some movie déjà vu when titles like “The Exorcist” reappear on neighborhood marquees in the coming months. And we’re not talking about revival house screenings, either. You see, on top of all the hits (and none-hits), there’ll be some pretty familiar titles that’ll be competing for your eight (or more) bucks – and Linda Blair‘s barf-o-rific horror classic is just the tip of the re-release iceberg.
For the uninitiated, “The Exorcist” was the blockbuster of 1973, nabbing a total of 10 Oscar noms; winning two (for best original screenplay and best sound) and making Linda Blair forever a target of easy satire. The re-release — bowing nationwide this September – will feature a 12-minute deleted scene from the original film wherein Blair’s character does the so-called “Spider Walk” down some stairs. It’s just one of the goodies in store for cinephiles.
“… Relatively speaking, this year does have a lot of high-profile ones re-releases,” says Paul Dergarabedian, president of the box-office tracking firm, Exhibitor Relations.
“2001: A Space Odyssey” “The first one was this year was ‘Rear Window’ re-released back in January, this September there’ll be ‘The Exorcist,” and there’ll definitely be more to come, like ‘2001: The Space Odyssey’ early next year.”
And as opposed to what you might think, Dergarabedian swears financial incentives are not usually the reason behind a studio’s decision to re-release a film.
“[Re-releases] are mixed bags in terms of their box-office potential. Some do amazing business, like the ‘Star Wars‘ series a few years back, but many others – like a lot of smaller cult films – will not.”
Adds Dergarabedian: “Generally, they’re not expected to make a lot of money, the studios just want to give people a chance to see it on the big screen.”
With that noble intention in mind, here’s a lowdown on other classics that’ll soon be returning to the big screen:
“Blood Simple” (July, 2000) – Twenty-five years ago, the Coen brothers made their first full-length feature with a script so complex you’d think it could only come from more experienced hands. Not to give anything away, it’s a noir that revolves around a rich man, his cheating wife, her lover and a hired gun.
“Gimme Shelter” (August, 2000) – Uncut and restored, the 1970 doc on the Rolling Stones captures its infamous, violence-marred Altamont Speedway concert. “This Is Spinal Tap”
“This Is Spinal Tap” (September, 2000) – Never mind the Monkees, this is the faux rock ‘n roll documentary that ends all rock ‘n roll documentaries. Even though Rob Reiner and company created the bigger-than-life metalheads 16 years ago, the clichés and stereotypes still stick.
“El Norte” (September, 2000) – First feature from director Gregory (“Selena”) Nava, the film chronicles a Guatemalan brother and sister’s attempt to cross the U.S. border. Shot in 1983, the movie still remains one of the most provoking tales on undocumented immigrants.
“A Hard Day’s Night” (October, 2000) – The first Beatles full-length movie, the Fab Four played themselves as they go from gig to gig with hilarious shticks crammed in between. The 1964 flick has been restored for audiences auditory and visual pleasures.
“Female Trouble” (2000) – Step back Bobby and Peter Farrelly. Before the gross-out tactics of “Kingpin” and “Dumb and Dumber,” there was the lowbrow camp of John Waters. This 1975 film traces the slow demise of one Dawn Davenport (Divine) as she goes from juvenile delinquent to serial killer – all because her parents refuse to buy her cha-cha heels for Christmas.
“2001: A Space Odyssey” (2001) As if it’s not obvious enough – yes, Stanley Kubrick‘s 1968 space opus is reissued to mark the new millennium. The renowned director’s vision of the moon is one vast open and minimal space with very little dialogues. Enjoy.
