Sorry I haven't posted a Weekly Update in a couple of weeks, but between the heat wave and some messed up issues at work, I just found myself unable to muster the energy to sit in front of the computer and get things done. The problems at the day job have settled down recently, so I hope to have more time and energy to get into the office.
Speaking of the heat wave.....
Back when temperatures were reaching all time highs a couple weeks ago, several theaters had to shut down for a few days, as their AC units couldn't handle the heat. So, if your area is visited by another heat dome, or just abnormally high temperatures, please use the links provided in this Weekly Update to make certain the venue you wish to visit is open. No sense in driving in such hot weather just to find your destination isn't open.
And let's be honest, some days it's just too damn hot to drive anywhere.
Now, before we get to what's happening this week, let's take a look at some of the theaters and events that are coming back in 2021 and beyond. And having said that, here's the first event I have listed in 2022!
That's right! Horrific: A Horror Themed Dance Show is Back from the Dead (and ready to party, I assume), returning to the stage at Alma Mater (1322 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA) on Saturday, January 15, 2022. Showtimes are 6:30 and 9 pm, and the event is presented by Tacoma Dance Studios. I'll post more details as soon as available, or you can follow Horrific on Facebook.
On Wednesday, July 28, the Portland Horror Film Festival opens both online and at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR). The nine day festival will be mostly on line, but will also present films at the Hollywood Theatre on selected dates as well. Check the link for schedules and ticket prices.
Another event returning is Friday Night Frights at the Blue Mouse Theatre (2611 N Proctor St in Tacoma, WA). The series opens this Friday, July, 16, with the sci fi/horror/thriller Dreamscape, followed by the Roger Corman classic Piranha, directed by Joe Dante, on Friday, August 20. Both shows start at 10 pm.
As for independent theaters reopening, The Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA) has opened its doors, which means we have a Weird Elephant screening this month. You'll find the complete (at this time) list of genre films playing at that venue in the Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Calendar. Also, The Grand Illusion (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA) will be reopening on August 20, so expect updates on their future attractions later in the month. Also, the Academy Theater
(7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR) reopens this Friday with some great
genre hits you might have missed on the big screen in the past year and
a half.
In upcoming event news, I've included on the calendar the genre films featured in the Northwest Film Center Cinema Unbound: Drive-In Theater at OMSI. The link will give you all the details, as well as a complete list of films being shown.
And the Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Calendar is updated with all the events I could find coming to the Pacific Northwest in the future. Check it out and start your planning early!
If you want to support the site, please visit my Ko-fi page.
And now for the films and events happening right now...
Northwest Ghost Tours has released its summer schedule. If you want to take a spooky, walking tour to the most haunted spots in Oregon City, be sure to check out the site. The tours run through August 14.
Granada 3 Theatre (1311 Adams Ave in La Grande, OR) is showing The Forever Purge, the fifth and final installment of the series, through Thursday, July 15. Final installment... Yeah, right, heard that before.
The Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA) will show Werewolves Within through Thursday, July 15.
The Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) presents another screening of the Soviet sci fi classic Solaris tonight at 7 pm. Don't miss the chance to see this one on the big screen!
The Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) presents 2009's computer animated version of Astro Boy today at 4 pm. This is part of the Family Time at CST series.
The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) pays tribute to the late Richard Donner with a screening of Superman: The Movie tonight at 6:30 pm.
The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) will screen Blade Runner: The Final Cut tonight at 9:40 pm.
The Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) will screen the animated classic The Iron Giant today at 4 pm. The screening is part of the Family Entertainment at CST series.
On a less family oriented note, the Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) will screen the anime classic Ghost in the Shell tonight at 8 pm. This film NEEDS to be seen on the big screen, and will wash away any residual nightmares induced by the Americanized remake.
The Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) will screen The Rocky Horror Picture Show, complete with the Clinton Street Cabaret tonight at midnight. Doors open at 11 pm, with a pre-show at 11:30 pm.
The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) screens Edgar Wright's second in the so-called Cornetto Trilogy, Hot Fuzz, tonight at 11:10 pm.
Sunday, July 18
It's easy to considered Hard Boiled to be director John Woo's finest hour. After all, the ending gunfight pitting Chow Yun-fat and Tony Leung against hundreds of gangster goons in a FORTY MINUTE hailstorm of bullets, blood and broken glass. You can catch it on the big screen, the way it should be seen, tonight at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC).
Monday, July 19
The Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) will screen the silent Sci Fi classic Metropolis, with 25 minutes of restored footage, tonight at 7 pm. Part of the Clinton St. Resistance series, proceeds will benefit the Oregon Justice Resource Center.
Tuesday, July 20
The Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) will screen the 1992 craptastic Sci Fi film The Lawnmower Man tonight at 7 pm.
The Lot + Hollywood Theatre presents a screening of the Jim Henson dark fantasy Labyrinth, with a musical set by Kyle Craft. It all takes place at The Lot at Zidell Yards (3030 S Moody Ave in Portland, OR). Doors open at 7 pm, with the show starting at 8 pm.
The Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) will screen the animated classic The Iron Giant today at noon. The screening is part of the Family Entertainment at CST series.
The Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) will screen the Sci Fi Noir cult classic Dark City tonight at 8 pm. If you've never seen this one, check it out on the big screen! It will be so worth it!!
The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) presents a digital restoration of the 1939 musical fantasy Wizard of Oz today at 2 pm, and Sunday, July 25 at 2 pm.