The taxman cometh on Monday!

Yeah, it's that time of the year in the US; taxes forms need to be in the mail on Monday.  I hope you haven't waited until the last minute.  But if you did, best of luck.

I want to play a game.  Let's see if you can finish your taxes by the deadline.  Oh, and I broke all your calculators.

Whether you need a break after getting your forms postmarked on Monday, or filed early and are looking for something to do, this edition of the Weekly Update is full of great movies, live stage events, and much more for you to check out.  

If you want to look ahead, the Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Calendar is being updated this weekend, so check it out next week.  

I know I'm late with this edition, as the day job thoroughly kick my butt this week, and I'm not terribly focused, so I'm going to keep it brief.  Stay safe, and I'll be back next week with more great Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Events happening under The Shadow Over Portland.

Happening This Week

Live Attractions 

The 2024 International Mermaid Museum Festival opens today, and runs through Sunday, April 14, at the International Mermaid Museum (1 S Arbor Rd in Aberdeen, WA).  Olive the Alchemist, founder of the Seattle Mermaid School, will preside on the mermaid throne, while the Northwest's Una the Mermaid will perform in her tank, and the PNW Unicorns Sky and Blue, and their handler Crystal, will be in attendance.

Wyrd War Art Gallery (3505 NE Broadway in Portland, OR) is hosting an exhibition of the work of fantasy artist Richard Hescox (above is some of his work for the film The Howling) every weekend through April 28.  The gallery is open from 3 to 7 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

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.

Back in Theaters

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The OMSI Sci-Fi Film Festival opens today in the OMSI Empirical Theater (1945 SE Water Ave in Portland, OR) and runs through (checks the site) holy Cthulhu, Thursday, May 23!  Nope, not listing everything, but I will say the selections are pretty strong.  '78's Invasion of the Body Snatchers, three films from John Carpenter, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, '53's The War of the Worlds,  and the festival ends with a screening of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga!  All on the Empirical Theater's four-story screen!!  Visit the link for all the details.

To celebrate the 45th anniversary of George Romeo's 1978 masterpiece Dawn of the Dead, the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) is screening a restoration of this horror classic through Sunday, April 14.  

Repo!  The Genetic Opera is playing at the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, April 18).

Riddle of Fire, writer/director Weston Razooli's shot on Kodak 16mm fantasy involving three children encountering poachers, a witch, a huntsman and a fairy, is playing at The Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Tuesday, April 16).  The opening weekend showings will be projected in GLORIOUS 35mm, all others showings will be projected digitally.

Hundreds of Beavers opens tonight at SIFF Cinema Egyptian (805 E Pine St in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Friday, April 12.  Please visit the link for showtimes, as it's not continuously playing).  

The Olympia Film Society series Reel Oddities Hungarian animator Marcell Jankovic's Son of the White Mare, described on the site as a "swirling, color-mad maelstrom of mythic monsters and Scythian heroes," at the Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE in Olympia, WA) at 7 pm on Wednesday, April 17, and 24.

The OFS Kids Club is screening E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial at the Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE in Olympia, WA) at 1 pm, on Sunday, April 14, and 21.  Kids 12 and under are admitted FREE.

Hayao Miyazaki's latest animated feature, The Boy and the Heron, is playing at the Ark Lodge Cinemas (4816 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Sunday, April 14).  Please check the link to find out when the dubbed or subtitled version is playing.

First Run Features  

The Beast, a sci fi romantic drama loosely based on Henry James' The Beast in the Jungle, is playing at Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, April 18).

The prequel The First Omen is playing at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, April 18), the Sandy Cinema (16605 Champion Way in Sandy, OR; scheduled through Thursday, April 18), the Yelm Cinemas (201 Prairie Park St SE in Yelm, WA; scheduled through Thursday, April 18), Studio One (3945 SE Powell Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, April 18), and the Metro Cinema (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR; scheduled through Thursday, April 18).

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is playing at Studio One (3945 SE Powell Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Wednesday, April 17), the Yelm Cinemas (201 Prairie Park St SE in Yelm, WA; scheduled through Thursday, April 18), the Sandy Cinema (16605 Champion Way in Sandy, OR; scheduled through Thursday, April 18), the 99W Drive-In (311 Portland Rd in Newberg, OR; playing with Dune 2 through Saturday, April 13), the Cameo Theatre (304 E 1st St in Newberg, OR; scheduled through Monday, April 15), the Granada 3 Theatre (1311 Adams Ave in La Grande, OR; scheduled through Thursday, April 18), the Joy Cinema (11959 SW Pacific Highway in Tigard, OR; scheduled through Thursday, April 18), the Blue Mouse Theatre (2611 N Proctor in Tacoma, WA; scheduled through Monday, April 15), and at the Milton-Freewater Drive-In (84322 Oregon-Washington Highway in Milton Freewater, OR; scheduled through Sunday, April 14 with Dune 2).

The found footage horror film Late Night with The Devil is playing at The Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA; scheduled on Friday and Saturday, April 12 and 13, at 10 pm), the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre (508 S Main St in Moscow, ID; scheduled through Sunday, April 14), and the Laurelhurst Theater (2735 E Burnside St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, April 18).

Film Festival and Stage Performance Submission Information 

 

The third annual Stage Fright Festival, possible the world's only queer horror theatre festival, is accepting applications through April 30 for performers, vendors, volunteers and sponsors.  You'll also find information on the show's fundraiser, running through April 15.  The show takes place from Thursday, October 3, to Sunday, October 13.

The H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival and CthulhuCon is accepting submissions for the 2024 festival in Portland, OR.  Visit the link above for all the details, as there are multiple deadlines (the final one is on August 1 for limited films).

The 16th Annual Guignolfest 72 Hour Horror Film Contest is taking applications for 2024 now.  You can also watch the trailer on YouTube.

The Northwest Flying Saucer Film Festival returns to McFiler's Chehalis Theater (558 N Market Blvd in Chehalis, WA) this September, and will begin accepting submissions of UFO themed shorts, documentaries, animations or music videos from Northwest filmmakers on January 1.  Deadline is August 18, 2024.

April, 2024

Friday, April 12

The Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA) will screen the films Robot Ninja  and The Dead Next Door, with filmmaker J. RT. Bookwalter in attendance for a Q and A, tonight at 9:15 pm.  Please note, special event ticketing pricing is in place to help support Mr. Bookwalter during his theatrical roadshow.

The Olympia Film Society is screening the silent Sci Fi classic Metropolis at the Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE in Olympia, WA) tonight at 7 pm, with a live score by David DiDonato.

Hop aboard the Pork Chop Express, as the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) screens Big Trouble in Little China tonight at 11:30 pm.

Hundreds of Beavers invade the SIFF Cinema Egyptian (805 E Pine St in Seattle, WA) today at 7 pm.

Severin Films and The Oscarbate Film Collective brings Francomania, a celebration of writer/director Jess Franco, to The Beacon (4405 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA) tonight at 9 pm.  The night starts out with Mansion of the Living Dead, followed by Macumba Sexual.  Severin will have a pop-up in the lobby selling discs.

Saturday, April 13

The BoneBat Comedy of Horrors Film Fest 2024, takes place at 1 pm today at the SIFF Cinema Egyptian (805 E Pine St in Seattle, WA).  Follow the event on Facebook for all the details.

The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) welcomes Severin Films for the screening of a restoration of Jess Franco's 1971 erotic horror classic Vampyros Lesbos tonight at 9:30 pm.

Everything from Nothing: The No-Budget Splatter of J. R. Bookwalter brings 1994's Ozone, and the Seattle premiere of the filmmaker's latest film, 2024's Side Effects May Vary to The Beacon (4405 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA) tonight at 8:45 pm.  Bookwalter will be in attendance.  

Hundreds of Beavers invade the Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St in Bellingham, WA) today at 4:05 pm, and tomorrow at 5 pm.

Gregg Araki's Nowhere, following an assortment of bohemians trying to make sense of their lives, but must survive drug trips, suicides, mutilations and alien abductions, is playing at the Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St in Bellingham, WA) tonight at 10 pm.

Sunday, April 14

Market for the Strange comes to Portland, OR, for the first time at The Leftbank Annex (101 N Weidler St in Portland, OR) today from 12 to 6 pm.  Admission is $5, with kids 12 and under admitted FREE.

The Oregon Symphony will cast a spell on you with Wands and Wizards, performing mystical music like Dukas' Sorcerer's Apprentice, selections from the Harry Potter films, and more!  The performance starts at 2 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (1037 SW Broadway in Portland, OR).

My Precious! A Lord of the Rings Drag and Burlesque Show takes place at 7 pm tonight at the Atlantis Lounge (3552 N Mississippi Ave in Portland, OR).  I'm assuming this is a 21 and older event, as it's in a lounge.  Call and check before you buy tickets for the kids.  Just saying.

Join hosts Evan J. Peterson and Morgue Anne for live recording of the Deep Cuts podcast after a screening of Possession at 5:30 pm today at The Rendezvous Seattle (2318 2nd Ave in Seattle, WA).  I assume this is a 21 and older event.  Doors open at 5 pm.

Severin Films returns to the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) for the screening of a restored, most comprehensive version available, of Jesus (Jess) Franco's Dracula, Prisoner of Frankenstein.  Described as a mix of 70's exploitation, Gothic horror and 20's German expressionism, this is one film I didn't know I needed to see!  The film starts at 7:30 pm.

McFiler's Chehalis Theater (558 N Market Blvd in Chehalis, WA) celebrates the 45th anniversary of the George Romero zombie classic Dawn of the Dead today at 5 and 7:30 pm.

The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) will show the film tonight at 8:15 pm.

PAM CUT Tomorrow Theater (3530 SE Division St in Portland, OR) will show the horror musical Little Shop of Horrors, with Gone West PDX hosting a pop-up plant sale in the lobby before the show (starts at 7 pm).

Monday, April 15

South Korean filmmaker Jae-hyun Jang's occult (possible folk horror) film Exhuma (Pomyo) plays at 9:15 pm tonight at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC).

Tuesday, April 16

Floating World invades the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) for a comic-book party to remember, along with a screening of The Return of Swamp Thing, Jim Wynorski's campy sequel to Wes Craven's original.  The film starts at 730 pm, but get there early to check out all the comic-book goodness.

The CMNYK Sci-fi Extravaganza lands the First Spaceship on Venus at the Darkside Cinema (215 SW 4th St in Corvallis, OR) tonight at 7 pm.  Pre-show starts at 6:15 pm.

Okay, I've stopped mentioning superhero movies on the site, but I'll make an exception for this one.  Vera Drew's coming of age parody The People's Joker, featuring a transgender Joker, plays at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) tonight at 9:30 pm.  The film faced legal challenges from DC for using characters from the Batman Universe, but seems to be coming to theaters now.  Guess the power of parody compels it... to be released.

Wednesday, April 17

Jordan Peele's Us is playing at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) tonight at 6 pm.  This inaugural Extra Credit! screening includes guest Nick Davis, an editor who worked on the trailer and marketing campaign for the film, will discuss his process in creating the trailer and share stories of his experience in the film trailer industry.

The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) celebrates Reel Canada's National Canadian Film Day with a FREE screening of David Cronenberg's Existenz tonight at 6:30 pm.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is playing at 7 pm tonight at the Admiral Theatre (515 Pacific Ave in Bremerton, WA).

Thursday, April 18

Bone Sorrow, a trio of dark surrealistic dramas by Nina Monique Kelly, takes place tonight and Sunday, April 21, on the stage at the Chapel Theater (4107 SE Harrison St in Milwaukie, OR).  Settle in for an evening filled with witches, ghosts and more.  This is part of the Fertile Ground Festival.

Raven's Manor (235 SW 1st Ave in Portland, OR) hosts Night Flight's Circus Obscura tonight at 8 pm.  Visit the link to reserve seats, as this event will likely sell out.  This is a 21 and older event.

A group of crooks kidnap the 12-year-old ballerina daughter of an underworld figure, only to discover the kid's a pissed off vampire, in Abigail, opening tonight at the Metro Cinema (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR; scheduled through Thursday, April 25), the Sandy Cinema (16605 Champion Way in Sandy, OR; scheduled through Thursday, April 25), and the Yelm Cinemas (201 Prairie Park St SE in Yelm, WA; scheduled through Thursday, April 25).  And I thought my job was rough.

The film opens on Friday, April 19, at Studio One (3945 SE Powell Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, April 25).

Sasquatch Sunset, which follow a family of Sasquatches for a year as they struggle with the changing world around them, opens tonight at the Metro Cinema (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR; scheduled through Thursday, April 25), the Laurelhurst Theater (2735 E Burnside St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, April 25), SIFF Cinema Uptown (511 Queen Anne Ave N in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Thursday, April 25), and Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, April 25).

The film opens Friday, April 19, at the Living Room Theaters (341 SW 10th Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, April 25).

By Crom, Conan the Barbarian is playing at the North Bend Theatre (125 Bendigo Blvd N in North Bend, WA; scheduled through Sunday, April 21)

The found footage horror film Late Night with The Devil is playing at The Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA) tonight at 7:30 pm.

Friday, April 19

Friday Night Frights brings the Zombi Holocaust (AKA Dr. Butcher M.D.) in all its uncut, uncensored, gory glory to the Blue Mouse Theatre (2611 N Proctor in Tacoma, WA) tonight at 10 pm.  Be ready with your barf bag, which were handed out in some theaters during the film's initial release.  But not at the Blue Mouse, so you better bring your own!

Okay, I've stopped mentioning superhero movies on the site, but I'll make an exception for this one.  Vera Drew's coming of age parody The People's Joker, featuring a transgender Joker, opens at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, April 25).  The film faced legal challenges from DC for using characters from the Batman Universe, but seems to be coming to theaters now.  Guess the power of parody compels it... to be released.

The film opens on Friday, April 26, at the Darkside Cinema (216 SW 4th St in Corvallis, OR; scheduled through Thursday, May 2), and on Wednesday, April 24, at The Beacon (4405 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Thursday, May 2).

The Egyptian Theatre (229 S Broadway in Coos Bay, OR) will show Jurassic Park tonight at 7 pm, and tomorrow at 2 pm.  Bring the kids, depending on how much you want to traumatize them!

OH MY GOD!  It's an entire week (okay, six days) of the epic bad movie Troll 2 in Hecklevision at Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Wednesday, April 24).

Saturday, April 20

The Mid Valley Comic Art Expo takes place this weekend at the Oregon State Fairgrounds (2330 17th St NE in Salem, OR) this weekend.  Stay tuned for updates, or follow the event on Facebook!

The Eighth Annual Magical Labyrinth Masquerade Ball takes place at Old Nick's Pub (211 Washington St in Eugene, OR) today starting at noon.  Dress in your best Labyrinth costume or Masquerade Ball attire and get ready for a day full of great events!  Children are welcome until 8 pm, but the establishment is not responsible if they are snatched by the Goblin King or his minions.

Alfred Hitchcock's silent thriller, The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog, is playing at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) today at 2 pm, with Dean Lemire performing his original score live on the Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ.

Slashy Slashy at Ashley's takes place to day from around 1 pm at Ashley's Pub (409 Pacific Ave, suite 105, in Bremerton, WA).  Play some Cursed Lands: Morgulia and maybe win an awesome prized.  Please note, this is a 21 and older event, as the venue is a board gaming pub.

Skinshow, a new perspective on the horrors of being human involving Frankenstein's Monster and the Creature from the Black Lagoon preparing for their entrances in a seedy cabaret (I'm not kidding, that's the plot from the CST website), plays at 7:30 pm tonight at the Clinton Street Theater (2522 SW Clinton St in Portland, OR).

Sunday, April 21

On this day, in 1880, the clipper ship Elizabeth Dane crashed off the shores of Antonio Bay.  In honor, the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) is screening a 4K restoration of the John Carpenter/Debra Hill ghost story The Fog tonight at 9:30 pm.  If you haven't seen it, the cast is amazing.  Just beware the fog!

The sci fi/comedy With Love and a Major Organ is playing at The Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Saturday, April 27).

The animated feature Kirikou and the Sorceress is playing at the SIFF Cinema Egyptian (805 E Pine St in Seattle, WA) today at 7 pm.  Part of the Reel Black series.

Studio Ghibli's Princess Mononoke is playing at the Tomorrow Theater (3530 SE Division St in Portland, OR) tonight at 7 pm.  This is the dubbed version.