On this instalment, we welcome artist and author Thomas Sheridan from thomassheridanarts.com to discuss the 1973 classic-horror film The Exorcist. 

The film introduces Washington D.C Actress 'Chris MacNeil' as her 12 year old daughter 'Regan' begins to exhibit increasingly disturbed behaviour. Despite a number of tests and treatments, Regan's condition continues to deteriorate amidst a series of shocking paranormal events. After the medical establishment concedes defeat, it is deemed that a metaphysical approach may be the only option left, and so Chris consults the local Jesuit order to exorcise the demon. 

We discuss the historical relevance of the film, in terms of its mythos and cultural significance at the time. The film is widely regarded to be one of the most disturbing horror movies ever made, and traumatised audiences throughout the 70's and beyond. 

We look at the social critiques being made in the film in relation to science, rationalism, the medical industry and religion; whereby the backdrop of trauma and crisis leaves both the characters and the audience in a state of conflict. We also explore the occult story being told in the film relating to the nature of evil, before looking at why this film is less shocking now than it was in 1973. 

Topics discussed include: Thomas Sheridan, Iraq, Babylon, Pazuzu, Demon, Georgetown, University, Washington D.C, Elite, High Society, Possession, Paranormal, Destruction of Innocence, Nature of Evil, Movies, 1970’s Standards, Pop Culture, Miley Cyrus, Sexual Conduct, Debasement, Shock Value, Marketing, Aleister Crowley, Choronzon 333, Medical Industry, Big Pharma, Ritalin, Rationalism, Science, Scientism, Religion, Love, Faith, Catholic Church, Vatican, Jesuit, Priest, Fear, Cluster-B Personality, Occult, Carl Jung, Art, Consciousness, History, Conspiracy, Symbolism, Freemasonry, Vietnam War, Snowflake Phenomenon, Safe Spaces, Bureaucracy, Theatrics, Manipulation, Victim Complex, Psychic Immunity, Trauma, Delusion, Moral Judgements, Critiques, Thomas’s Books, Puzzling People, Defeated Demons, Walpurgis Night, The Druid. 

On this installment, we return to one of our very first reviews by looking at its 2016 sequel Now You See Me 2, directed by John M. Chu. 

The film picks up a year after the Four Horsemen's introduction to the world, where they lay in hiding and await further instruction from 'The Eye'; the mysterious secret society they had previously been inducted into. After finally being prompted to orchestrate another public spectacle, the show is hijacked by a hacker who exposes the Horsemen and blackmails them into stealing a secret surveillance device. But as the Horsemen work to turn the tables on their new adversary, the intrigue and subterfuge builds toward a grand revelation that changes everything.  

We discuss the sequel in comparison to the first film, reiterating the storyline and common threads relating to secret societies and the mystery school tradition. We look at the arts of stagecraft and sleight of hand, and how these tools are used to create mystery and spectacle in the real world. The Four Horsemen clearly personify the mass media complex, where sensationalism and trivial revelation are used to distract the audience from something else. 

We look at the multi-layered understandings within the story, and how both the Horsemen and the audience are taken through a ritual process of role-play, revelation, and initiation; whilst the greater truth remains obscured in darkness. We also touch on concepts like surveillance and secret societies, questioning as to what message the film is trying to send about these two controversial topics. 

Given that the film was clearly created by a group of initiates, what perception do they want us to have about secret societies and their role in society?

Topics discussed include:

Magic, Mystery, Heist, Illusion, Deception, Secret Society, Symbolism, The Eye, Four Horsemen, Apocalypse, Revelation, Jesse Eisenberg, Morgan Freeman, Mark Ruffalo, Surveillance, Social Media, Sleight of Hand, Alchemy, Daniel Radcliffe, Michael Caine, Tarot, The Fool, Houdini, Rhodes, Atlas, Stagecraft, Initiation, Celebrity, Uri Geller, Cold War, CIA, Mi6, Paranormal, Counterintelligence, Attention, Logic, Suggestion, Publicity, Multi-Layered Understandings, Perception, Ego, Fame, Role-Play, Freemasonry, Disney, National Treasure, Benevolence, Ed Solomon, Boaz Yakin, Symbolic Language.