Horror Story Versus A Memior: The Visitation

The Visitation by Frank Peritti

Sorry I have been absent from blogging. There has been a lot going on, that it made me unable to keep up. But that’s over and here we are with The Visitation. A part of me is sad that this was postponed until now, as it would have been perfect during October. Oh well. I guess it doesn’t really matter as my big sister, janeaustenrunsmylife.wordpress.com scooped me on it anyway.

Frank Peretti is an author that is probably not known to everyone. He writes Christian novels, ranging from suspense, to horror, to everyday fiction; but most have to do with angels battling demons. He is one of my favorite authors.

Like Because of Winn-Dixie, I saw the movie before I knew there was book. So let’s see, which is better; book or film?

Background:

Frank Peretti grew up the child of a minister. He studied English, screenwriting, and after he graduated become an assistant pastor. He ended up leaving the pastorhood and went to work at a ski factory. There is where he had his first work published, and that led him down the path of authorship he remains on today.

The book contains numerous in-jokes to people who either grew up in church or are pastor’s children. Some of these may be misunderstood by those who do not have this background, or never encountered/been the people he parodies.

This book has only been turned into one film, The Visitation (2006) by Twentieth Century Fox.

Film Synopsis:

The cinematography is done in a very dark, and at times with limited color. It is also done in a voyeuristic approach, giving you the sense that someone is always watching. There are also a lot of close-ups, adding to the horror and creepy side.

So the film starts off a little different then most you see. As they show the credits, you actually HAVE to pay attention as they fact that are very important to the story.

We see photos of a woman, Marian Jordan, waving good-bye to her husband. Next thing we see, is a newspaper clipping, she’s missing. So yes, the film starts off with Pastor Travis Jordan’s wife being abducted. Everyone searches for her, but they discover her murdered. Not just murdered, but part of some kind of Satanic Cult ritual.

After the death of his wife, Pastor Travis Jordan is so grief-stricken, that he ends up quitting the ministry. And Now the actual film begins.

Three years later, some strange things start happening in Antioch.

Michael, a seventeen-year-old who recently moved there, steals the church van and fills it with a kegger heading out to a party. All of a sudden a man is in the road, as Michael tries to swerve to miss him, his car flips over; completely destroyed. Michael comes out without a scratch and the man tells him, “He is Coming”.

At the Catholic church, Arnold the janitor is cleaning and complaining about his aches and pains. He notices the crucifix crying, when he touches it he sees visions and is healed. He sees the same man Michael saw, who tells him too, “He is Coming”.

And that’s not the only “signs and wonders”. In a hotel, the mildew makes Jesus on the wall. People see him in the clouds. It’s becoming a full-scale Jesus spotting epidemic.

Travis buries his dead dog, and a few days later, he is brought back to life. The same man being spotted on the hill.

So the ministers meet up to discuss what is going on, when at the Catholic Church even more healings start occurring. Travis is out to figure out what is going on, and he ends up on the trail of Brian Nichols.

Brian Nichols is a recent addition, working as a farm hand. He starts a prayer meeting/revival, which turns into a cult following. His charisma and healings have many following him, some even saying that he is Christ come back.

Sorry for lack of pictures, I can’t really find any

Travis, however, feels something is off. He is not alone, as Michael’s mother, the city’s vet, is also eager to prove Brian is false and save her son, one of his followers. Pastor Kyle is convinced that the cause of everything is demonic possession, and as the film progresses it is a battle of good and evil; with Travis discovering that Brian is not only more than what he seems, but from Travis’ past.

The Book:

Now the book is the same as the movie, but different.

I know, that doesn’t seem to make any sense, but give me time and I will explain. The book is actually two different stories, told in the present time with all the supernatural and cultish issues; and the second one is a flashback of Travis and his growing up in the ministry and choosing it for himself.

Story I: The Visitation (Present TIme)

This story is very similar to the film. There are all kinds of healings being done throughout, much more than in the film. We also see how the town reacts to this strange occurrences. Some join the movement, some try to profit off of it, etc.

People from all over try to join the movement, some even proclaiming that they too are healers or Jesus.

Story II: Travis’ Past

So Travis started out as a pastor’s son. He participates, dedicating and rededicating his life to the Lord. His father ends up quitting the ministry and they move to an island; where Travis gets involved with a movement, later believing he has “healing hands”.

After he graduates, and realizes God doesn’t work the way “we think” he should work, he enrolls in ministry school. He marries, and his wife works while he goes to school. They have some pitfalls when they encounter a church that doesn’t seem to really care about the people, but making money and building an empire.

Eventually, Travis and his wife, Marion, begin pastoring their own church. While they have a lot of fun building up the youth group and working with the kids; they have a lot of animosity from the older members who don’t care for all the changes.

From there they move to Antioch. They build up the church, but Marian is diagnosed with cancer. When she succumbs to the disease, Travis says he no longer believes in God and leaves the church.

The Differences:

So the biggest differences between the book and the film is that the film is more concentrated on one story, while the book is split between two, which do connect at the end,

The film concentrates on the “visitation” aspect, presenting it in a horror way, creating a very good scary film. While the book is split between a fictional memoir, and the town. While this “visitation” version has horror, it also has a more comedic side.

In the film, Pastor Kyle is older and is a pillar of strength against all the things happening in the film. Evangelistic backup. In the book, Pastor Kyle is young, sweet, and this is his first time pastoring a church. He goes to Travis for help, which does push him into investigating, but doesn’t make Kyle as interesting a character.

Which Is Better:

I really love the movie. It is focused, tells a congruent story, and has enjoyable characters.

The book is a little divided for my particular view. I personally think that the book would have been better if it had been two books. So because of that:

Winner: Film

If it wasn’t for the divided story, I would have declared a tie. The film is amazing as a horror film, while the one half of the book is equally amazing in telling the story of a community who is altered by this “healer’s” appearance.

For more reviews, go to Indifferent Dad Versus Loving Dad: Because of Winn-Dixie

 

Indifferent Dad Versus Loving Dad: Because of Winn Dixie

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

I was first introduced to this book when I saw the film. I was sixteen or seventeen at the time and my local theater was re-showing this film in theaters for a dollar. As my friends and I had nothing better to do, we decided to check it out.

That probably would have been the end of my experience, except I was helping a friend’s mom clean out her house, I spotted the book. I asked her if I could have, it as she was tossing it anyway, wondering if it was better or worse than the film. And of course with the start of this new blog, it’s the perfect time to review it.

As I saw the film before reading the book, I’m going to review it first. After all, the method in which you view/watch something, often determines your opinion of it.

Background:

Kate DiCamillo graduated from the University of Florida in the ’80s, and went on to work at a book warehouse. This ended up being her inspiration her to write her own children’s novels, Because of Winn-Dixie being the first of sixteen.

DiCamillo’s personal life inspired her novel. When she was a little girl she suffered from chronic pneumonia, forcing her family to move to Florida for her health.  Her father stayed behind to sell his orthodontic business, but never rejoined the family again.

This book has been praised by many. In 2000 it won the Newbury and Josette Frank Award. In 2003, it won the Mark Twain Award. In 2007, the National Education Association named the book one of its “Teachers’ Top 100 Books for Children”; and in 2012 it was declared one of the “Top 100 Chapter Books of All Time” by School Library Journal.

This book has only one appearance on the screen, in 2005, as Because of Winn-Dixie.

Film Synopsis:

I didn’t like this movie when I first saw it and that hasn’t really changed. Ten year old Opal has just moved to Naomi, Florida with her preacher father. Her mother left them years ago, so long ago that Opal doesn’t remember anything about her.

Opal is very lonely this summer as she has no friends. There are only four kids in church but she’s not interested in them as Amanda seems like a snob; Dunlap and Stevie are boys; and Sweetie Pie is a baby who sucks on her knuckles.

So this was my first problem with the film. Opal was cute when she was playing baseball by herself and showing how sad she is. But then she seems so judgmental and rude, that now we don’t feel for her at all as she is sounding like Bella from Twilight. (Please don’t ask me to review them).

And don’t get me started on the father character. He is supposed to be hurting from his wife leaving him, but instead he just seems mean, cruel, and that he is completely uninterested in his daughter’s complete well-being.

This doesn’t happen in the film. It is just a metaphor for his lack on interest in his daughter.

One day Opal is sent to the market, the Winn-Dixie, to pick up a few item, when a dog runs in. In order to save him from going to the pound, she pulls an Annie and claims that dog belongs to her, his name being Winn-Dixie.

Her dad does not want her to keep the dog, making signs to post around town. This brings about our villain, you know other than her father (yes I am stating that her father is the villain), the landlord. Yes the landlord is a grumpty-grump, Mr. Alfred.

He wants the dog gone or else they will lose their free rent at the mobile home. The Preacher is going to send him to the pound, but changes his mind and takes a loan out to pay the rent.

Winn-Dixie and Opal go around town, finding new places and people. Opal wants to buy a collar for Winn-Dixie, but doesn’t have enough money. She works out a plan with Otis, the man who runs the pet store, to work some odd jobs at the store to pay for it. Otis is a great character and was played well. Otis is a musician who has recently been released from prison. He had been playing music in the park, and when the officer tried to take away his guitar. He fought him, later being charged with assault. Otis is a kind person who all he wants is to make music. Opal and Winn-Dixie help him trust others as they don’t care about his background.

Winn-Dixie and Opal visit the library where they meet Miss Franny. She is single as she never wanted to marry, content with her money and books.

Courtesy of my sister blog janeaustenrunsmylife.wordpress.com

Miss Franny tells Opal stories and shares her “sorrow” candy, candy that’s sadness and sweetness can only be tasted by those that have felt pain.

And then they meet the “witch” Gloria Dump. Gloria is a recovering alcoholic who is going blind. They become the best of friends as Opal provides Gloria with company, and Gloria helps Opal see the quick judgements she has been making about the people in her life are wrong.

Opal and Gloria decide to throw a party inviting everyone: Otis, Mr. Alfred, Miss Fanny, Amanda, Dunlap, Stevie, Sweetie Pie, and the Preacher. Everyone comes except the Preacher (see why I say he is the “villain” of the film. Even Mr. Alfred came and he hates everything.) Everything is going well until a summer storm picks up.

Winn-Dixie is afraid of storms and takes off. Opal runs all over town looking for him, being followed by her father who finally decides to help him. They work out all their issues and return to Gloria’s, without Winn-Dixie. The group sing together, Winn-Dixie returns, and everyone has become friends. End.

The Book:

The story is pretty similar although in this one, while the dad is not happy with the idea of adopting a dog, he quickly gets over this as it makes his daughter happy. There is no threat of being kicked out or any issues with the landlord. In fact, he isn’t even in the story.

Truth be told, there are no villains whatsoever in the book.

No one is a “bad guy”. The book is more about moving to a new place and trying to carve out your place in the community, along with trying to figure out who you are as a person.

In the book we have more character development, of course, as we get to know more of everyone’s personal issues and the problems they face.

The relationship between the father and his daughter are much more poignant and kind. The preacher comes to the party and not only enjoys meeting all her friends, but helps her look for Winn-Dixie immediately; instead of being forced into the situation.

The Differences:

The biggest difference between in the book and the film was that the film felt the need to add a villian. While the book just focused on a young girl adjusting to the changes in her life and connecting to her new community. The film however felt that wasn’t strong enough and added, not one but two villians: the grumpy curmudgeon Mr. Alfred; and her selfish, indifferent father. This weakens the film as it causes you to disconnect and dislike the father, rather than understand and feel his pain.

Which Is Better:

In this case it was easy:

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Winner: Book

The film was not that good. The characters were not really lovable or enjoyable; except for Otis, Miss Fanny, and Gloria Dump; but sadly they are not in enough of the film to make it really enjoyable.

The book was so much better, not only in the character development, but in the father and daughter relationship, I cannot stress this enough. His wife left him when his daughter was three and he has a lot of issues surrounding this. He had to not only raise his daughter on his own, but  lost his helpmate and had to deal with his moral and religious beliefs. He knows he isn’t being the type father his daughter needs, but is trying.

For Opal she is lonely and grows to not only love but become a part of the community. However, these past few years she has been worried that she was the reason her mother left, finally having those fears put to rest when she realizes that her mother made that choice of her own free will; and the love of her father and friends are more than enough to guide, help, and support her.

For the previous post, go to Four Women Versus Two: Mrs. McGinty’s Dead

Is there a film based on a book that you’d like me to review next?

Comment below!