LT Features

Exorcising Daily is Good For Your Health

You know when you have a big heaping plate of something delicious – just for argument’s sake, lets say it is a pile of mashed potatoes – and you start to feel yourself getting full but just can’t stop because it’s that good?  Well, my newfound obsession with The Last Exorcism is kind of like a non-edible version of that.  When I first got involved with the film I was at Comic-Con and despite an incredible interview with Daniel Stamm (the Director) and Eli Roth (the Producer) and an awesome panel discussion about the movie, I still avoided actually seeing the film for myself.  Then my boss forced me to go (if you think I deserve a raise can I get an “AMEN”) and I refused to close my eyes for the entire duration.  Then, realizing it was actually pretty incredible, I got mad at myself for waiting so long to see it. 

Yesterday morning I saw Daniel and Eli again for our date… I mean press interviews and resisted every urge in my body to ask them “what does it all mean?”  Talk about a dream scenario – seeing a film that you loved but have so many questions about and then being in the presence of the masterminds that created it.  Too bad I turn into a mute mannequin in the presence of celebrities.  My love affair continued with a morning full of watching, and re-watching, the movie’s viral campaign on You Tube.  I won’t spoil that for you – you must check it out yourself.  Basically I’m in a deeply complex and slightly dysfunctional relationship with The Last Exorcism.  I can’t seem to resist anything having to do with the movie even though, just like my creamy potato binge, it kind of hurts a little bit.  Everything is fine and dandy when the lights are on, but when I go to sleep at night I close my eyes and see Nell, the girl in the film who appears to be possessed, sitting in the corner looking super-duper creepy.  Shiver.

Anyway, I’ll try to bring myself back to reality for a bit and tell you all about the interviews yesterday.  Eli got there early (which is about as rare as a shooting star in the entertainment industry) and we all got to listen to him tell hilarious stories about his time back at film school.  Incredibly, he and EPIX’s own Jason were classmates so they were reminiscing about the good ol’ days.  I starred on, glassy-eyed in amazement nodding as if I had been right there with them.  I wanted to chime in, “Oh yeah, Film 101 – that class was great!” but maintained my air of composure.  I did my usual thing (smile and nod) and then when Daniel arrived, both Derek and Jason took turns interviewing the pair about their film.  Oh, and did I mention there were free bagels with all the fixings?!  Talk about a great morning.

Eli and Daniel signed an EPIX hat and although I want to stuff it with cotton and sew it closed so I can sleep with it like a teddy bear, I am going to give it away to one of you all.  To win it you need to perform your own staged exorcism (like the photo above) and TwitPic it to me @LTfeatures.  It doesn’t need to be elaborate, just give it your individual flair – the best one gets the hat! 

Good luck and happy exorcising.

L.T.