The year is 1973.  Gerald Ford is-assuming the office of Vice President after one historic scandal and during another, Roe v Wade is set to become the law of the land, and The Exorcist is to haunt cinemas the day after Christmas.   Flash forward fifty years to 2023 Kamala Harris is the sitting Vice President after a historic win, Roe V Wade has been overturned, and The Exorcist has played back in theaters for a 50th anniversary screening.

     The movie is one of only three films that still scares me when I rewatch it. Seeing it in the theater is no exception. When heads turn, beds shake, and other moments screen I still catch myself clutching my arm rest.  I have said it before and will continue to say it movies are made to be a communal event on the largest screen possible. (Side note this is the main reason I can not stand streaming services because they take away the social aspects of movies and hurt theaters. There are other reasons but that’s for another time).  

    When this screening was announced I was excited and got more excited when I got my tickets well over a week before the screening.  I was excited when I sat down and stayed that way as the house lights dimmed for the glow of the silver screen.  I loved that fathom events played an introduction to the film in honor of its late director and bookended the film with a then and now presentation on filming locations. I was disappointed that only five other people attended the Sunday afternoon screening because I love a crowded movie theater but that did not stop my enjoyment of the movie.

    With other horrifying films programmed for this spooky month I look forward to seeing both new releases and classic horror features on the big screen. 

     Until next time I will see you at the movies!