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The Power of Christ Compels You to See THE EXORCIST Midnights This Weekend at The Tivoli – We Are Movie Geeks

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The Power of Christ Compels You to See THE EXORCIST Midnights This Weekend at The Tivoli

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“Your mother’s in here, Karras. Would you like to leave a message? I’ll see that she gets it.”


THE EXORCIST screens this Friday and Saturday nights (August 4th and 5th) at midnight at the Tivoli Theater as part of their ‘Reel Late at the Tivoli’  Midnight series.


This ground-breaking, starkly filmed thriller THE EXORCIST stands for many as one of the most terrifying films of all time. Fairly explicit for 1973, it raised the bar in film-making for realism and adult horror and has been emulated many times. However, it is set apart by its well-written (Oscar-winning) script and realistic performances. Ellen Burstyn is an actress who begins to sense unusual behavior in her preteen daughter (Linda Blair). The bizarre symptoms (open sores, violent thrashing, etc…) escalate as Burstyn seeks help from all conventional avenues. Finally, she determines that Blair is possessed by Satan (or a demon at least) and must be exorcised. Jason Miller is a troubled priest whose own problems pale in comparison with the dilemma facing Burstyn. When things get worse instead of better, it is up to legendary priest Max Von Sydow to attempt to rid the child of the demons inside her.


The sense of fear and dread in THE EXORCIST is aided by the cold, claustrophobic settings and the use of the music ‘Tubular Bells’ during key moments. The visuals are primitive by today’s standards, but still provide major jolts, notably Blair’s explosive green vomit and her celebrated 360 degree head turning. The film is packed with gross-out moments and shockingly blasphemous episodes which work to upset and disarm the viewer. Mercedes McCambridge helped provide the raspy, vulgar voice of the possessed Blair. I have a soft spot for the disastrous and heavily-panned 1977 sequel THE EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC, which starred an older, bustier Blair and Richard Burton. Maybe we should screen the sequel at midnight one of these weekends!

The Tivoli’s located at 6350 Delmar Blvd., University City, MO. Admission is a mere $8!
The Tivoli’s website can be found HERE

http://www.landmarktheatres.com/market/st.louis/tivolitheatre.htm

Here’s the Reel Late at the Tivoli Line-up for the next few weeks:

Aug. 11-12           SPIRITED AWAY 
Friday and Saturday at midnight, Subtitled
Saturday matinee at noon in English

Aug. 18-19           THE SHINING 

Aug. 25-26           THE ROOM  with Tommy Wiseau in person! –
Preceded by a trailer for Tommy’s upcoming film BEST F(R)IENDS
All tickets $15; no passes