We're expounding upon the unease and urban landscape that open the director's cut of the Exorcist. Perched above the ominous stairs that lead to doom (or towards the Key Bridge and expensive shops for the rest of us), a light switches off, the bushes rustle in the wind, and then come the cymbals.
It's a solid opening that proves the power of ambience — without the added sound, the visuals become voyeurism of wealthy people.
For those concerned, this week's ambience does not include jump scares, screaming, or exorcisms: just cars, people, wind, and unease.
I'm leaving out my favorite funny moment from the film — I'm always tickled by (fictional) all-caps screaming (ATTICA ATTICA).
The possessed shouts calling for "MERRIN!" after the priests enter the Exorcist house are undoubtedly terrifying. But imagine if Lankester Merrin's name was instead Amish Pickle. Amish Pickle would be engaging in pre-exorcist niceties in the foyer, and a blood-curdling "PICKLE!" would fill the air. That would be great (although not as great as a Richard Pryor exorcism).
And then imagine the backstory of Amish Pickle earnestly searching faraway lands for ancient evil. Finding artifacts, that's Priest Pickle, stealing from Iraq.
Staring down a waving statue amidst a desert dog fight, Pickle.
Happy Halloween!