DVD: The Exorcism Of Emily Rose

This is based on a true story. Depending on your point of view was Emily Rose killed by Demons who possessed her soul, or because of negligence on the part of the family priest who was taking care of her?
The film is set around the court room where the priest is accused of causing Emily's death. As with all court room dramas there is the side of the prosecution and the defence. What side you come down on is a personal issue. Emily was a healthy young woman who had everything to live for, but without warning she began having seizures, visions and rather pasty skin. Now as you would expect she was given pills, bed rest and a dose of afternoon television but this didn't work. Doctors and specialists came by the dozen but no cure was found. In the end her very devout family called in the family priest who claimed that Emily was not medically ill but was possessed by evil entities. An exorcism was carried out but she only got worse and in the end she died.
The film does not give you answers to unanswered questions, it only tells the story and lets you make up your own mind, but whatever the case Emily herself is considered a saint. Apparently her grave is visited by thousands of visitors every year who believe she had a vision of of the Virgin Mary who gave her the option to die in peace or to live and fight on. Emily chose to live, but ultimately she lost.
The film is good, but it isn't really horror. It raises questions, it's uncomfortable viewing at times and you have this whole good and evil thing going on, but whatever your views it is interesting simply because it is a true story. We will never know exactly what happened to poor Emily in her mind, but her story is one that will go on.
Score Board: Give it a go, but turn away when Emily starts eating spiders for dinner.

Book: The Secret Of Crickley Hall by James Herbert

James Herbert is the British equivalent of Stephen King, only better (in my humble opinion). Although James Herbert is considered a horror writer, I personally don't think that his work is all that horrific, a lot of his stories are supernatural based, involving spooks and things that go bump in the night. This rather weighty novel is no exception, and at 600 pages long it is really something to get your teeth into. However, unlike his rival Stepehen King, James does not waffle on and all those 600 pages are worthy of inclusion.
I love a good ghost story. Something you can curl up with in front of the fire on a winter evening and this book ticks all the boxes as far as I am concerned. You have the big haunted house, the restless ghosts , the mysterious opening doors, the cold draughts, the noises in the cellar and all those other 'haunted house' cliches that you know you love really.
The story is set in Devon, in a big old haunted house that was once used as a place of safety for evacuated children in the war. Only these kids came to a grisely end due to the fact that their governers were insane. As with all these stories there is the usual family that moves in not knowing that the house is not exactly Home Sweet Home.
I enjoyed the story, it was well written, well researched and the characters were likeable. The story moved along at a good pace and there was no pages of unnecessary waffle which spoil so many books these days. As I said before there is no really grotty bits, no axes, no blood and guts and no swearing, but it is still atmospheric and eerie. The house could have done with a dose of Evette Fielding and her 'Most Haunted' team which I am sure would have cured all it's ill's, but as it was, it was a perfect setting for a perfect ghost story.
It is well worth reading but one word of warning, don't read it in bed and then fall asleep because then there really will be something going bump in the night - your head when the book falls on it! Believe me I speak from experience! Get the paperback. It's safer.
Score Board: 9/10 Turn the lights off and enjoy!