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The Ninth Configuration

post #1 of 10
1/25/07 at 5:01pm
Thread Starter 
This is a bizarre little film directed by the writer of "The Exorcist", based on his little-read novel concerning the inmates of an insane asylum for soliders who went AWOL in Vietnam.

It's definitely "cult", though with an uncommon mixture of horror and comedy, but humor derived from the characters' dialogue, instead of it being campy. Really, there isn't much to compare this film to. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on mushrooms? And despite its lack of a known cast, it's not obviously low-budget.

And oh yeah, I think it's great. 8/10. To reveal anything more about it would ruin it...

Anyone seen it? Utterly forgotten movie, but it's on DVD.

Oh, and quotable:

"I think the end of the world just came for that bag of Fritos I had in my pants pocket. "

"The man in the moon tried to fuck my sister!"
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post #2 of 10
1/25/07 at 5:14pm
I've seen it. Really great little film, that has a good twist with Stacey Keach towards the end, as well as great supporting performances by Jason Miller, and Joe Spinell and this movie is so hilarious, I love the Shakespeare dogs. I'm thinking that the comedy was intentional, but regardless it was a funny movie with occasional dramatic moments, and an interesting plot. I just never saw how Blatty regarded it as the "true" sequel to The Exorcist.
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post #3 of 10
1/25/07 at 9:18pm
I loved this movie. I used to watch this all the time on Starz about ten years ago. I had never heard about it at the time, but I haven't forgotten it since. A pretty good DVD came out a few years ago with a couple commentaries..
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post #4 of 10
1/25/07 at 9:39pm
Saw this because I'd heard about it when it got a brief cinematic re-release in the UK around 98-99? Got it out of my Uni library when I was in my second year of BA (Hons) Film Production and loosely based my major around it (insanity, asylum, curing the sick etc.) and even tried to court Nick Moran (of Lock, Stock) for the lead, as it's one of his favourite films. Didn't happen, but at least I got a chance to see a film that I otherwise wouldn't have seen, probably to this day.

And that would have been my loss. Its a gem, unlike anything else out there and richer for it. Probably Keach's greatest performace to my memory, and the only other film (after The Exorcist) that I've ever seen Jason Miller in.
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post #5 of 10
5/19/09 at 11:01pm
I watched this recently after reading about it on one of the AV Club's myriad lists (I think it was the "Movies with an abrupt tonal shift" one). What a wacky little film. Loved Jason Miller in it (and the MASH-like storylines that tend to revolve around him). Loved Stacy Keach in it. And, wow, what an amazing fight sequence at the end.

In the end, though, (and this line may be stolen from an old review I read online) it's like you handed director responsibilities to someone who'd never seen a Hollywood movie before and just let them go to town. For everything that works (the aforementioned fight scene), there's an element that falls completely flat (the utterly weird sound design).

Also, this movie won the Golden Globe for Best Screenplay, and was nominated for Best Picture.

EDIT: Apparently, this post was brought to you by Parentheticals.
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post #6 of 10
5/19/09 at 11:29pm
The bar fight scene has made its way on quite a few Top 10 scrap lists, it's the only bit i've seen from it.

It's alternative title, Twinkle, Twinkle, Killer Kane is quality.
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post #7 of 10
5/20/09 at 12:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rene (Mr.Eko) View Post
I just never saw how Blatty regarded it as the "true" sequel to The Exorcist.
My guess is because it delves into the theme of spirituality (and specifically, Christianity). Certainly more than The Exorcist II, which delves into nothing but nonsense.

I love this film. I find myself still thinking about some of the shots, scenes and characters at really random times in my life. And that bar fight scene is my favorite.
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post #8 of 10
5/20/09 at 3:03am
My favorite religious film of all time.
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post #9 of 10
12/19/11 at 4:16am

This movie is a near fucking masterpiece and one of the great unheralded films of the 70's.

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post #10 of 10
12/19/11 at 5:28am

Shhh, some cunt may try to remake it.

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