-- The Exorcist: Linda Blair, pea soup, 360-degree head turn, Satan, "the power of Christ compels you...," blah, blah -- whatever, it's still a great movie. And besides, it stars Ellen Burstyn, who is practically perfect in every way. Part of the Castro Theatre's William Friedkin Series, it screens tonight at 7 p.m.; $6-$9. -- The Turn of the Screw: Henry James' complicated Gothic tale about a governess in a haunted house gets the......

Along with our friend Dan Carbone, whom we already told you about, the NY/SF theater-as-mind-altering-device company Banana Bag & Bodice was honored on July 16th with three New York Independent Theater Awards nominations for its original play, The Rise & Fall of the Rising Fallen, last seen on this coast at the 2006 San Francisco Fringe Festival. Rising Fallen was cited by NYIT for Outstanding Ensemble and Outstanding Production of a Play, and playwright......

Wow, there's a whole lot of benefits for worthy causes going on this weekend, as well as a head-spinning amount of other stuff to do: Friday that's tonight, and it's the kick-off for Creativity Explored's (3245 16th St. at Guerrero) Annual Holiday Art Sale, a bargain hunter’s paradise of original artwork by artists with developmental disabilities. And it’s all on sale for rock bottom prices – many items as low as $5. Creativity Explored......