October 31, 2013 The dynamic duo of Ned Loach and Robert Gontier have once again conjured up more immersive sounds and fury in the run up to this year’s 360 Halloween Experience. Taking place over 3 sessions on October 25 – 26 at the historically rich Ontario Heritage Centre in downtown Toronto, the conflict between good and evil begins. The cinematic evil in this case comes in the form of Director, William Friedkin’s 1973 classic, The Exorcist. As you enter the heritage centre, Middle Eastern chanting starts to emanate and archaeological effigies appear as the transformation into a new reality begins.
T-Mak World has experienced the last 4 incarnations and this latest chapter once again becomes an inquisitor’s playground. The key to this and all previous experiences is the fine line Design Lead Andy Miller must walk in order to interpret subtle film notes from each movie without showing her hand. This allows audiences to build their own case with each set piece, with each scene interaction, with each artifact and with each actor. A film like The Exorcist holds such an indelible place in the consciousness of most film goers that pulling this off becomes challenging. That being the case, there were some overt references such as the little girl in a nightgown wandering throughout and the rope strewn bed that had a gelling effect on everything else.
For those that have never experienced a 360 Screenings, you are truly missing out. An evening of good wine, film and food in Toronto never goes out of fashion. The secrecy behind the experience, in which said film and location are not revealed until 24 hours before the event, only heightens ones anticipation in the run up to the screening. The ultimate reveal becomes apparent in the final act of the evening as an anxious audience retreats to the screening room for the full movie.
Verdict: 3.5 out of 5: The team behind 360 Screenings have tacked various genres in creating memorable experiences over the years but the horror genre by far is the most affecting in my opinion. Similar to their 28 Days Later experience, which was truly ghastly with the virus sub-text woven throughout, The Exorcist event highlights the medical and religious perspectives of the film in a what-could-it-be frame of reference.
Final Thought: The best kept secret is no secret anymore.
