The Shadow Over Portland: 8/6/23

I'm not over-hyping this. You'll be amazed at all the great Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy events taking place just this week. If all this is happening in August, image what might be coming in October!

Great Cthulhu, he wasn't kidding!

First up, CineMagic in Portland, OR is serving up some great giant monster mayhem this week, followed next Friday with the Portland premiere of the documentary King on Screen, along with some great films based on his novels.

You'll also find an 80s slasher at the Academy Theater in Portland, OR, some non-mutant mayhem at The Grand Cinema in Tacoma, WA, Puppeteers for Fears unleashing Cthulhu: The Musical in Corvallis, OR, the Washington State Toy Show heading to Everett, WA, The Cosmic Unicorn Art Carnival in the Circus in Portland, OR, and SO MUCH MORE. Scroll down and check it out!

Of course, you'll find even more in the Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Calendar, covering the rest of the year and even some events in 2024.

As usual, have to get back to the day job. Take care and I'll be back next Friday with more great events happening under The Shadow Over Portland.

If you'd like to support the site, please visit my Ko-fi page. Thank you!

Happening This Week

Live Attractions

The Portland Art Museum (1219 SW Park Ave in Portland, OR) will host Guillermo del Toro: Crafting Pinocchio through September 17. If you've seen the film (and even if you haven't yet, but what are you waiting for?), you don't want to miss this exhibit into the making of a stop-motion classic.

Hidden Worlds: The Films of LAIKA is open at the Museum of Pop Culture (located in the Seattle Center; 325 5th Ave N in Seattle, WA). The exhibit features never-before-seen artifacts from the Laika production studios, immersive set displays, character interactive and a sneak peek at the studio's next feature, Wildwood. The exhibit will be open through Summer 2024.

The Museum of Pop Culture (325 5th Ave N in Seattle, WA) has Jim Henson puppets and set pieces from the 2019 Netflix series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance on display now. You can read about the display, and the work the museum put into displaying the artifacts, at the link.

Back in Theaters

CineMagic (2021 SE Hawthorne Blvd in Portland, OR) is going monstrous this week, with screenings of Pacific Rim, Shin Godzilla, and Starship Troopers through Thursday, August 17. Visit the link for showtimes.

The 80s slasher film Madman is playing at the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR) though Thursday, August 17.

The post apocalyptic action classic The Road Warrior is playing at the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR) though Thursday, August 17.

The superhero spoof Mystery Men, starring the late Paul Reubens, is playing at the Kiggins Theatre (1011 Main St in Vancouver, WA) through Sunday, August 13.

The Empire Strikes Back at Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Wednesday, August 16).

John Sayles' sci fi classic The Brother from Another Planet is showing at Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Monday, August 14).

Forget the mutant mayhem. 1990's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, is screening at The Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA; scheduled through Thursday, August 17). Please note, this is not a double feature.

The 2015 kid friendly horror film Goosebumps is playing at the Tracyton Movie House (1520 NE Riddell Rd in Bremerton, WA; scheduled through Thursday, August 17).

First Run Features

The Australian horror film Talk to Me is showing at the Metro Cinemas (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR; scheduled through Thursday, August 17), the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, August 17), the Sandy Cinema (16605 Champion Way in Sandy, OR; scheduled through Thursday, August 17), the Living Room Theaters (341 SW 10th Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, August 17), and the Laurelhurst Theater (2735 E Burnside in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, August 17).

The Last Voyage of the Demeter is playing at the Yelm Cinema (201 Prairie Park St SE in Yelm WA; scheduled through Thursday, August 17), the Ark Lodge Cinemas (4816 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Sunday, August 20), and the Sandy Cinema (16605 Champion Way in Sandy, OR; scheduled through Thursday, August 17).

Guess you can't keep a monster shark down. Meg 2: The Trench opens tonight at the Sandy Cinema (16605 Champion Way in Sandy, OR; scheduled through Thursday, August 17), Studio One (3945 SE Powell Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, August 17), Granada 3 Theatre (1311 Adams Ave in La Grande, OR; scheduled through Thursday, August 17), the Skyline Drive-In (182 SE Brewer Rd in Shelton, WA; scheduled through Thursday, August 17, with Barbie), the Yelm Cinema (201 Prairie Park St SE in Yelm WA; scheduled through Thursday, August 17), and the Tracyton Movie House (1520 NE Riddell Rd in Bremerton, WA; scheduled through Wednesday, August 16).

Yeah, Disney's trying it again. Haunted Mansion is playing at the Yelm Cinema (201 Prairie Park St SE in Yelm WA; scheduled through Thursday, August 17), Studio One (3945 SE Powell Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, August 17), and the Sandy Cinema (16605 Champion Way in Sandy, OR; scheduled through Thursday, August 17).

Wes Anderson's sci fi romantic comedy/drama Asteroid City is playing at the Metro Cinemas (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR; scheduled through Thursday, August 17), the Roxy Bremerton (270 4th St in Bremerton, WA; scheduled through Thursday, August 17), the Living Room Theaters (341 SW 10th Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, August 17) and the Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE in Olympia, WA; scheduled through Friday, August 18).

Film Festival Submission Information

Time to start assembling your filmmaking friends for The 15th Annual Guignolfest: 3-Day Horror Film Contest. For more details, visit the event's Facebook page or website.

Volunteers Needed

Friends of Lone Fir Cemetery is recruiting actors, tour guides, tour support and set up help for the Tour of Untimely Departures event on Saturday, October 28. Email info@friendsoflonefircemetery.org for more info and to sign up.

Haunted Attraction Auditions

Scaregrounds PDX Auditions take place on Saturday, August 19, and Saturday, August 26. The audition and the acturalevent takes place at Oaks Amusement Park (7805 SE Oaks Park Way in Portland, OR). Visit the links to find out how to apply.

Monsters are wanted at The Fear PDX Haunted House (12301 NE Glisan St in Portland, OR). Visit the link to apply.

August, 2023

Friday, August 11

Puppeteers for Fears presents Cthulhu: The Musical at 7 pm tonight at the Whiteside Theatre (361 SW Madison Ave in Corvallis, OR). Tickets are on sale now. Doors open at 6 pm.

The Frankenstein Friday series at Midnight Friday at the Joy Cinema (11959 SW Pacific Highway in Tigard, OR) concludes tonight with House of Frankenstein, starring Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney, Jr., and John Carradine. The film, of course, starts at midnight.

Anyone who believes all remakes will suck needs to head to The Beacon (4405 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA) for a screening of the terrific 1988 remake of The Blob tonight at 10 pm.

The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) will show Paul Bartel's sci fi cult classic Death Race 2000 tonight at 11:30 pm.

The Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) will screen Kansas Bowling's Mondo-style documentary Cuddly Toys, about being a young woman in a world of predatory men, tonight at 7 pm. Be aware, the theater is warning the film contains "lengthy scenes of violence and material that could be viewed as controversial, offensive, or even triggering." It is not an all-ages feature, and viewer discretion is highly advised.

Saturday, August 12

The Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire (18601 Sky Meadows Lane in Snohomish, WA) kicks off its second weekend with An Enchanted World of Mythical Beasts and Beings today and tomorrow.

UPDATE: This event is SOLD OUT!

The Washington State Toy Show heads to the Angel of the Winds Arena (2000 Hewitt Ave in Everett, WA) today until 4 pm. Early Bird Admission (opens at 9 am) is $10, General Admission (opens at 10 am) is $5.

The Beacon (4405 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA) will screen David Cronenberg's sci fi body horror classic The Fly tonight at 9:30 pm.

The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) will screen a restored version if the Japanese-Indian animated adaptation of the religious epic Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama today at 6 pm, and on Monday, August 21, at 6:30 pm.

The Egyptian Theatre (229 S Broadway in Coos Bay, OR) will screen Jim Henson's fantasy Labyrinth tonight at 8 pm. Cosplay is encouraged, though you might want to watch the size of your codpiece.

As part of the monthly Studio Ghibli series, the Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St in Bellingham, WA) will screen Kiki's Delivery Service through Wednesday, August 16.

The Blue Mouse Theatre (2611 N Proctor in Tacoma, WA) will show The Rocky Horror Picture Show tonight at 11:55 pm.

Sunday, August 13

Animation Art Day: Puppet Dept of ShadowMachine starts at 11 am today at the Portland Art Museum (1219 SW Park Ave in Portland, OR). The event starts with a panel discussion until 12:30 pm, delving into the process of creating puppets for Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, followed by a gallery presences from 2:30 to 4 pm. The event is included with admission to the PAM, and is on a first come, first served basis.

Satan Wants You, a feature documentary about how a young Canadian woman and her psychiatrist help ignite the Satanic Panic in the 80s, will be shown at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC). The filmmakers will be present for a post-show Q and A.

It might be a bit early, but the Christmas horror/comedy classic Gremlins is playing through Thursday, August 17, at the Living Room Theaters (341 SW 10th Ave in Portland, OR).

Monday, August 14

Fathom Events brings Laika's Coraline to theaters nationwide tonight and tomorrow. Visit the link to find a location near you.

Tuesday, August 15

The Cosmic Unicorn Art Carnival at the Circus takes place from 7:30 to 9:30 pm tonight at Escape Bar and Grill (9004 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR). Be ready for an evening of queer art, film and live performances, hosted by Theodora Monster and Aunt Gore. This is a 21 and older event.

The CMNTK Science Fiction Extravaganza brings the William Castle classic House on Haunted Hill, starring Vincent Price, to the Darkside Cinema (215 SW 4th St in Corvallis, OR) tonight at 7 pm. Not sure it's sci fi, but it's a great film worth checking out on the big screen. Preshow starts at 6:15 pm.

Wednesday, August 16

Church of Film brings Allegro Non Troppo, an Italian send up of Fantasia, full of hilarious, psychedelic animation and satires of the anxieties and alienation in the era of consumerism, to the Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) tonight at 7 pm.

A 4K restoration of Park Chan-wook's 2003 classic, Oldboy, is playing at SIFF Cinema Egyptian (805 E Pine St in Seattle, WA), Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Saturday, August 19), and the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) through Thursday, August 24.

It opens on Friday, August 18, at the Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE in Olympia, WA; scheduled through through Thursday, August 24).

The Whiteside Theatre (361 SW Madison Ave in Corvallis, OR) will show the 2000 superhero film X-Men tonight at 7 pm.

Friday, August 18

Shenaniganza Version 4.0 takes place from 7:30 pm to 1 am tonight at Urbanite (1005 SE Grand Ave in Portland, OR). The event features live performances and local crafts, as well as food and beverage vendors. Admission is just $5.

Friday Night Frights brings an underrated sci fi/horror classic, Event Horizon, to the Blue Mouse Theatre (2611 N Proctor in Tacoma, WA) tonight at 10 pm. Don't miss out on this chance to see the film on the big screen!

CineMagic (2021 SE Hawthorne Blvd in Portland, OR) presents the Portland premiere of the documentary King on Screen, and the film adaptations of Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, Carrie, Creepshow, and Misery. If CineMagic is showing stuff like this in August, I can't wait to see what they have planned for October! Visit the link for showtimes.

The Beacon (4405 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA) will show Stuart Gordon's From Beyond tonight at 9:30 pm.

Queer Screams: LGBTQ+ Genre Film Festival takes place this weekend at the Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) this weekend. Friday features a Lynn Lowry Double Feature of Shivers and The Crazies, with the actor in attendance, and Sunday features a screening of Elvira's Haunted Hills, with director Sam Irvin in attendance, and MUCH MORE!

The Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA) will screen the sci fi noir film Dark City in GLORIOUS 35mm through Thursday, August 24.

The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) will show the sci fi film in GLORIOUS 35mm tonight at 7:30 pm.

Ridley Scott's sci fi/horror classic Alien is showing at Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Wednesday, August 23).

In space, no one can hear you scream. But they can hear you laugh. Mel Brooks' Spaceballs is showing at Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Wednesday, August 23).

The Iron Giant is playing at The Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA; scheduled through Thursday, August 24).

Batman Forever is playing at The Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA; scheduled through Thursday, August 24).

Weird Elephant at The Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA) is showing the anime Paprika tonight and tomorrow at 10 pm.

Saturday, August 19

I have no idea what this movie is, but it sounds AWESOME! The new priest in town, armed with extraordinary martial arts skills, crucifix blades and a handgun with a holy cross on the handle, starts kicking ass and cleaning up the streets. But will he meet his match with a bloodsucking, skull stealing vampire serial killer? Find out, as VHS Uber Alles brings this obviously cheesy film to The Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA) in GLORIOUS VHS tonight at 9:30 pm.

The Beacon (4405 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA) will show the Shaw Brothers most notorious film, The Boxer's Omen, tonight at 9:30 pm.

The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) will show David Lynch's Blue Velvet tonight at 11 pm.

Sunday, August 20

Animayhem at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) will screen Memories, a sci fi anthology by Katsuhiro Otomo and Satoshi Kon, tonight at 7:30 pm.