Beat the Post Halloween Blues! You'll still find lots of great Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy events happening across the Pacific Northwest!!

It's easy to fall into the Post Halloween Blues.  The start of the normal holiday season is upon us, and you start to wonder if you'll have to wait until next October to ease your craving for something other than another Christmas special on television.

Unless you've been very good and your cable provider

feels like being a bit less traditional this year.

Well cheer up, Pacific Northwest Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Fans!  This edition of the Weekly Update is full of great events to keep the Halloween Spirit alive in your hearts.  Take a look below for details on the special screening of American Satan at The Joy Cinema and Pub in Tigard, OR, this weekend.  Or the great films playing at the Rio Theatre in Vancouver, BC.  Oh, and did I mention the screening of Mothra at The Hollywood Theatre in Portland, OR?  You'll also find details on Treknology at The Kiggins Theater in Vancouver, WA, information on the Goblin tour, and SO MUCH MORE!

And don't worry, as I'm busy updating the Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Calendar with more great movies, events and stage productions coming to the Pacific Northwest through the rest of the year.  And I've got listings for 2018 as well!  Keep checking back, as the list will just keep growing!!

Remember, it's easy and FREE to have your event listed on the site.  Just send me an email at shadowoverportland@live.com with all the details, and any promotional artwork, and I'll post it on the calendar.  I can't make it simpler than that!

And if you attend any of the events listed on the site, please help spread the word!  Let the organizers know you read about it at The Shadow Over Portland!!

Ongoing

Bad Reputation Productions (creators of ROAD HOUSE: The Play! and The Lost Boys-Live!) presents They're Here, a stage production of "the 1982 classic film that made you terrified of television static, swimming pools and clowns."  Gee, I wonder what film they're talking about.  The production runs through Saturday, November 4 at The Siren Theater (315 NW Davis St in Portland, OR).  For more details, including showtimes and ticket information, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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The October Horror concludes at The Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR) with a Tobe Hooper double feature (probably more of a tribute now, as the schedule was announced before Mr. Hooper's death) of Poltergeist and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre!  The films play through November 2.  Showtimes have yet to be announce, so check back here, or at The Academy Theater website, closer to later in the month.

November, 2017

Wednesday, November 1

Keep the Halloween Holiday glow going tonight at The Fixin' To (8218 N Lombard St in Portland, OR) with Day of the Undead, featuring Lagoon Squad, Aw' Mercy and The Shriekers.  The music starts at 9 pm and admission is just $5.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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Weird Wednesday at The Joy Cinema and Pub (11959 SW Pacific Highway in Tigard, OR) has been postponed because of the might of KONG!  The Joy is running an encore screening of the Toho film King Kong Escapes tonight at 9:15 pm.  If you missed this one at last Saturday's Scare-A-Thon, you have one final chance to catch it on the big screen.  Admission is just $1 and you must be 21 or older to attend.  Be sure to help support The Joy Cinema by stopping at the concession stand for some tasty treats and beverage.  Remember, Kong gets angry when you bring in outside food and drinks!  For more details, visit The Joy Cinema website.

Friday, November 3

Suffering from post-Halloween blues, Victoria, BC horror fans?  Well, head to the Metro Studio Theatre (1411 Quadra St in Victoria, BC) this weekend for Evil Dead The Musical!  Showtimes are 8 pm tonight and 6 pm on Saturday.  Of course, there will be a Splatter Zone!  For more details, visit the Evil Dead The Musical website.

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The Mystery of Irma Vep, a spoof of gothic melodramas, opens tonight at the Funhouse Lounge (2432 SE 11th Ave in Portland, OR).  The show runs through Saturday, November 25.  This quick change marathon includes a sympathetic werewolf, a vampire and a possible undead Egyptian princess!  For more details, including showtimes and advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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David Cronenberg's cult classic Videodrome plays at The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) tonight at 11:30 pm.  This one will be amazing on the big screen, so don't miss out!  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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These aren't the fairy tales you remember as a kid!  The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) presents Fairy Tale Burlesque tonight at 8 pm.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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Continuing their efforts to Save Movie Madness, The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) will screen Princess Mononoke tonight at 7 pm.  Proceeds will go to support the goal of building a community screening room at Movie Madness.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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The Joy Cinema and Pub (11959 SW Pacific Highway in Tigard, OR) presents the Rock and Roll fantasy American Satan, a new take on the Faust story starring Black Veil Brides singer Andy Biersack and Malcolm McDowell.  Showtimes are 9:15 pm tonight, Saturday and Sunday.  Tickets are $10 at the door (Groupons or other promotional offers can not be accepted for this special booking).  For more details, visit The Joy Cinema website.

Saturday, November 4

The Jet City Comic Show takes place at the Greater Tacoma Trade and Convention Center (1500 Broadway in Tacoma, WA) starting at 10 am.  Fred "The Hammer" Williamson will be attending.  For more details, including a list of events, guests, and advance ticket sales, visit the Jet City Comic Show website or the Facebook Event Page.

UPDATE: Puyallup, WA, native Sarah Butler (the 2010 remake of I Spit on Your Grave) is scheduled to attend.

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Join the Friends of Lone Fir Cemetery for the Guided Tour: The Rest of the Cemetery at the Lone Fir Cemetery (SE 26th Ave and SE Morrison St in Portland, OR) today at 10 am.  This tour is of the area of the 30 acre cemetery north of the main road.  Tickets are $10 per person and all proceeds to to cemetery restoration and education.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Sunday, November 5


Goblin - The Sound of Fear Tour stops at Neumos (925 E Pike St in Seattle, WA) today at 7:30 pm.  For more details, including a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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The 2017 Bleedingham Horror Short Film Festival presents an encore prestation of this year's Official Selection Screening and Award Ceremony for Washington Entries tonight at the Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St in Bellingham, WA) at 6 pm.  Get more details at the Facebook Event Page.

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The animated movie Todd and the Book of Pure Evil: The End of the End plays at 9 pm tonight at The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC).  Director Craig David Wallace and star Bill Turnbull (Curtis) will be attendance.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Monday, November 6

Goblin - The Sound of Fear Tour stops at the Wonder Ballroom (128 NE Russell St in Portland, OR) tonight at 8:30 pm.  For more details, including a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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It's another vacation at a rundown cabin in the woods, but this time it's a group of kids saving their parents from the neighbor looking to feed everyone to a family of the undead!  Dead Shack, describes as a Canadian mix of Dead Alive and Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse, screens at 6:30 pm tonight at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC).  Director Peter Ricq will be in attendance for a Q and A.  For more details and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Wednesday, November 8

The Kiggins Theatre (1011 Main St in Vancouver, WA) presents Treknology: The Real-Life Science Behind  Star Trek's Technology tonight at 7 pm.  Hosted by Science on Tap - Oregon and Washington, the presentation will feature theoretical physicist and author Ethan Siegel, PhD, discussing the technology from the long lived series and implications for its use in the real world.  For more details, and advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Friday, November 10

American Murder Song hosts the Portland Donner Party Reunion at Kelly's Olympian (426 SW Washington St in Portland, OR) from 6 to 11:59 pm tonight.  Be prepared for an epic evening of history, live music and entertainment "served rare."  For more details, and a way to make dinner plans and reservations, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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LitCrawl 2017 - Sci-Fi and Fantasy Reader's Theater takes place at 6 pm tonight at Cassidy's Restaurant (1331 SW Washington St in Portland, OR).  Authors Curtis Chen, Tina Connolly, Fonda Lee and David Levine will take the stage to perform reader's theater scenes from their latest published novels.  For more detials, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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The rock and roll fable Streets of Fire comes to the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) tonight at 11:30 pm.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) presents at 30th anniversary screening of Predator tonight at 9 pm.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Saturday, November 11

Frankenstein's Comicbook Swap returns to the East Portland Eagle Lodge 3256 (4904 SE Hawthorne Blvd in Portland, OR) for Frankenstein's Comicbook Swap: These go to 11.  Trust me, you'll find something cool to take home from the tables of comic books, toys, card, graphic novels and MORE!  Just $1 gets you in from 12 to 6 pm (kids and elders are free), or be an Early Bird and get in at 11 am for just $5.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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Join the Friends of Lone Fir Cemetery for the Guided Historical Tour at the Lone Fir Cemetery (SE 26th Ave and SE Morrison St in Portland, OR) today at 10 am.  This tour is of the area of the 30 acre cemetery south of the main road.  Tickets are $10 per person and all proceeds to to cemetery restoration and education.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) will screen the Ishiro Honda kiaju classic Mothra, in GLORIOUS 35mm, tonight at 6:30 pm.  Authors Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski will be present to introduce the film and sell copies of their book Ishiro Honda: A Life in Film, from Godzilla to Kurosawa.  And they'll be happy to sign your purchase as well!  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.

Sunday, November 12

The director's cut of Human Highway, Neil Young's post-apocalyptic musical comedy starring Dean Stockwell, Russ Tamblyn, Dennis Hopper, Sally Kirkland and Devo, screens at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) tonight at 7:30 pm.  Gerald Casale from Devo will be in attendance.  Tickets are on sale now to Hollywood Theatre Members, and go on sale to the public on Friday, October 27 at noon.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.

Black Roses (1988)

It's hard to figure out what the people behind Black Roses were thinking as production began.  One assumes they figured it would do well, as mixing horror with rock and roll paid off for 1986's Trick or Treat.  And director John Fasano delivered the delightfully campy Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare on very small budget (somewhere between $52,000 and $100,000, depending on the website).

And though Fasano delivers again, at least as far as making the low budget creatures look good onscreen and getting the best from his cast in a limited time, the script by Cindy Cirile (credited as Cindy Sorrell) falls flat.  The film takes too long to get to the good stuff, and the underlining message is certain to annoy most viewers. 

The film opens with a brief, unnecessary opening sequence at a concert, where a group of demon rockers turn the audience into murderous monsters.  The film would have worked better by not spoiling its own plot in this fashion and opened in the small town of Mill Basin, where the rock group Black Roses plans to open their latest tour with a series of trial performances.

 Because if you want to test out new material,

you want to head to the cultural hotbed of the state.

By the way, it's about 50 miles south of Mill Basin.

As one might expect, the local teens are thrilled to have the group perform in their town, but the parents aren't so sure.  A citizen's group, led by Mrs. Miller (Julie Adams, Creature from the Black Lagoon), want the concerts cancelled.  But Mayor Farnsworth (Ken Swofford) reminds the worried crowd that new music is always scary to old fogies and that's normal.  Hey, kids will be kids.

The parents sit in on the first concert, where Damian (Sal Viviano) and his group pretend to be more interested in power ballads than rock and roll.  Deeming the band loud but safe, Mrs. Miller and the rest of the adults leave.  And once the door shuts behind them, the lights go down, the leather goes on and the Black Roses starts rocking.

Now that the old folks have shut the door,

LET'S ROCK!

Trust me, they won't hear a thing.

But high school teacher Matthew Moorhouse (John Martin) starts noticing changes in his students.  It's subtle at first, normal acts of rebellion like questioning why the reading material is full of out of date, dead writers.  But as the concerts continue, the teens becoming increasingly unruly and violent, resulting in several murdered parents.  But only after Moorhouse's favorite student, Julie Windham (Karen Planden), attempts to seduce him (after killing his ex-girlfriend) is he prompted to take action against Black Roses.  Well, okay, the fact that Julie turns into a demon when he rejects her advances might have played a part in his decision.

Attempting to burn the stage down, Moorhouse discovers the band are demons in human form, using the power of rock and roll to warp the minds of the audience and turn them into murderous slaves.  Or something like that.  Anyway, Moorhouse must face Damian in his true form and save the souls of the towns' kids. 

Seriously, we need to pay teachers more.

Look at all they do for our kids!

As mentioned above, Fasano scored a year earlier with Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare, another low budget mix of heavy metal and horror.  Not that either film could be considered good in the traditional sense, but Black Roses lacks the goofy sense of fun and this lack of humor (intentional or otherwise) drags the film down.

But that's not the only problem with the script.  It's pretty slow going in the beginning, as Cirile seems to try developing characters that are little more than stereotypes.  Even worse, the script's attempt to build Moorhouse as the hero is by having every say how much he cares for his students.  If you had a drinking game based on that, I suspect most would pass out before the third act, as EVERYONE in the town mentions it.  Add to the shot count the times Moorhouse says how much he cares and you'll be off to the hospital.  

Another pacing mistake occurs when the band decides to add two more concerts to it's schedule.  I'm sure Cirile was trying to subtly build up the increasing hostile behavior of the students, but the students are presented as damn near perfect (even the anti-authority one), so even the most minor change in them would have to set off an alarm in Moorhouse.  After all, he really does care about his students.  Even when Moorhouse watches the kids turn into hoodlums after the second concert, in a scene shot and edited to make his drive down main street seem more like a descent into Hell, he doesn't do a damn thing.  Hell, even the cops seem to have the night off.

 Look, I might care about my students, but one of them

will have to turn into a demon before I leap into action.

Oh, there we go!

The other problem with this approach is, thanks to the opening scene, we know the band members are demons.  But after such a tease, we have to wait for half the film's running time before the real monster mayhem continues.  Sure, we get a small tease as a giant bug comes out of a stereo speaker and attacks a parent, followed by a few acts of patricide.  But the opening promised rock and roll demons, and the film makes the audience wait too long for their return.  Sure, trimming the script might have shortened the running time, it would have also reduced one's urge to press the fast forward button.

Still, the film does have some good points.  Fasano makes good use of the low budget creatures from his SFX shop, always filming them in a manner that shows off the creature as often as possible.  Sure, it's easy to see how Fasano framed his shots to hide the puppeteers, and some of the make-up effects aren't top notch, but it's impressive work for a low budget flick.  The designs of the final demon is very nice and all the effects are better than most films with similar budgets.  It's no surprise several of the SFX people went on the work on bigger budgeted films.

Given the limitations of low budget films like this, the cast is pretty game and do their best with the material.  The kids act like real teens for the most part, not some Hollywood stereotypes.  Moorhouse and the Mayor appear genuinely concerned over the kids, without being preachy or attempting to appear "cool" (though Moorhouse does seem pretty conflicted when possessed Julie comes calling).  And I must give props to Planden, who sports a gigantic set of demon teeth before she transforms.  Seriously, I'm not sure how she was able to endure wearing them long enough to film the scene.

I've heard of suffering for your art,

but those had to HURT!

Unfortunately, Julie Adams appears in only two scenes early on, than just vanishes.  She's mentioned later, but it seems a wasted opportunity not to have the possessed kids, or the band, attack her for attempting to shut the concerts down.  Okay, full disclosure, I'm a big fan of Adams and have been since Creature from the Black Lagoon, so I'm all for more of her in any movie.  Still, it seems a missed opportunity not to have her character meet her end in this film, even if it's not shown onscreen.

And that brings up the script's main flaw.  Though the murdered parents are portrayed as abusive (both mentally or emotionally), uncaring or just plain lecherous, the authority figures are ultimately proven right about the band.  In this film, rock and roll is truly the devil's music and only the intervention of adults who know better can save the town's teenagers from a corruption.  By making Moorhouse the one who discovers the band's secret and defeats them, rather than one of his students, the script makes a statement that won't play well to horror or heavy metal fans.

Let's be honest, when this character is right

about rock and roll, you WILL annoy

your target audience.

The soundtrack is solid, with music from King Kobra, Lizzy Borden, and Tempest.  King Kobra vocalist Mark Free and drummer Carmine Appice perform as members of Black Roses as well.  I'm sure that's a reason for having several concert scenes in the film, as it gets the most out of the musicians.  But again, it drags the story out too much and keeps the horror from kicking in.

I wish I could say Black Roses is a cult favorite for me.  Though I do admire the low budget creatures, the game cast and Fasano's direction, the film lacks the cheesy sense of fun found in Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare.  Add in a very slow pace and the script's misguided message, and this film fails to live up to the promising idea.  Guess you could say this band never gets its act together during the trial run.

A movie shouldn't open with a demonic rock band,

than make the audience wait for almost an hour 
before more monster mayhem ensues.