Well, you might think it's a slow time of the year for Horror Fans, but I have some surprises for you!

Well, New Years Eve might be a little slim, but January starts off with a big bang, featuring zombies, vampires and much more.

December, 2015

Thursday, December 31

The Decadent 80's and The Jack London Bar (529 SW 4th Ave) in Portland, OR, present a Very Zombie New Year starting a 9 pm.  Dance to 80's Underground, B Sides and New Wave alongside ZOMBIES!  Of course, there will be a costume contest, with prizes, before midnight.  And Screamvina and The Unchained Girls will be attending as well.  This event is presented with no cover charge, but you must be 21 or older to attend (and be sure to bring ID!).  For more information, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Happy New Year!

January 2016

Friday, January 1

"Death by stereo!"  Okay, I have issues with the final 10 minutes of The Lost Boys, but up until that point, it's a damn good vampire movie.  And part of my problem is, though they do not sparkle, they sure are pretty.  But I know it's just me, and the film is great (up until the end, in my opinion).  Still, the death by stereo is enough to jar you out of any post New Years Eve mishap and the gore at the end is really fun.  Part of the Olympia Film Society Friday Night Frights series, the film screens at the The Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE) in Olympia, WA tonight at 9 pm.  Visit the Facebook Event Page or the Capitol Theater website for more details.

Saturday, January 2

Okay, Portland Horror Fans, the holiday hangovers are over and time to start the New Year out right.  So head to the Alberta Rose Theatre (3000 NE Alberta St) for Toxic Avenger The Musical tonight at 6 and 9:30 pm.  After all, what better way to celebrate the start of a new year that watching a bullied nerd mutate into a tutu wearing, mop swinging, rather ugly superhero for the oppressed of Tromaville?  Maybe we can convince him to mop out the affordable housing problem here (oh, maybe that was too political!).  Regardless, check the Toxic Avenger The Musical website for more details.

Friday, January 8

The Olympic Film Society Fright Club presents a screening of George Romero's Night of the Living Dead tonight at 9 pm.  This is an important film in the development of the zombie as a cinematic icon. stripping away the idea of the zombie as a mindless minion of an overlord (as in White Zombie) and turning the creatures into the flesh devouring beings we all know and love.  The film starts at 9 pm at The Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE) in Olympia, WA.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page or the Capital Theater website.

Friday, January 15

Friday Night Frights presents Stephen King's Misery at the Blue Mouse Theater (2611 N. Proctor St) in Tacoma, WA, tonight at 10 pm.  Admission is only $6, and there will be PRIZES and more.  And seriously, this is one great film that should be experienced on the big screen.  You can find more details at the Facebook Event Page.

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"Death by stereo!"  Okay, I have issues with the final 10 minutes of The Lost Boys, but up until that point, it's a damn good vampire movie.  And part of my problem is, though they do not sparkle, they sure are pretty.  But I know it's just me, and the film is great (up until the end, in my opinion).  Still, the death by stereo is enough to jar you out of any post New Years Eve mishap and the gore at the end is really fun.  Part of the Olympia Film Society Friday Night Frights series, the film screens at the The Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE) in Olympia, WA tonight at 9 pm.  Visit the Capitol Theater website for more details.

Saturday, January 16

The Clark County Antique and Collectable Show runs through Sunday, January 17, at the Clark County Event Center (17402 NE Delfel Rd) in Ridgefield, WA.  You'll find Pez dispensers, toys from the 1880s to the 1970s, get your own treasures evaluated by an ISA appraiser for just $7 an item, and much more.  Check out the Facebook Event Page for more details.

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Oh man, if I was able to be in Bellingham, WA, today.  The Thing from Another World is playing at playing at The Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St) and I would DIE to see this one on the big screen.  No, it's not the John Carpenter version, but the Howard Hawks production about a giant "carrot" monster attacking the scientists living in an Arctic research station.  Okay, let's not get into the debate as to whether Hawks or Christian Nyby was the director, the film has classic Hawks troupes throughout, including sharp dialog, strong female characters and, if this is the version I didn't see on commercial TV when I was young, a light bondage scene with Kenneth Toby and Margaret Sheridan.  Oh, how AWESOME will that be on the big screen!  The show starts at noon, and you'll find more details at the official website.

Krampus (2015)

The Christmas demon Krampus is no stranger to The Shadow Over Portland.  We've had our share of Krampus Laufs and burlesque performers portraying the demonic figure.  But Michael Dougherty (Trick 'r Treat) is bringing Saint Nick's dark helper to the masses this year with his feature film, Krampus.

While it does take a few liberties with the traditional story, Krampus is a dark, rather nasty, Horrorday film.  As with Dougherty's Trick 'r Treat, it's not as much of a horror comedy as you might think, based on several reviews and the IMDb website.  Despite the PG-13 rating, this film is bleak and devoid of any life lessons about the holidays you might expect.

The film centers around Max (Emjay Anthony), a boy who's lost his faith in the Christmas spirit.  His parents, Tom and Sarah (Adam Scott and Toni Collette) are in a failing marriage, and arrival of Sarah's sister Linda, and her family, only add to his dismay.  I should mention, Max is a bit violent in his defense of the holiday season, portrayed as normal by a series of holiday shopping battles playing during the credits.

Yep, the expenditure of cash and the pressure to make the holidays "merry and bright" leads to deep seated resentment bubbling to the surface of everyone in the house.  In frustration, Max rips up his letter to Santa and tosses it out the window.  But, rather than falling to the snow below, the shreds are whipped into the sky and soon, a blizzard isolates the families from the rest of the world.

Oh, why do I bother?

Well, if I'd seen how things turn out, I might have....

Sure, the discarded letter is a bit Mary Poppinish, but the results aren't as family friendly as you might envision a holiday horror film to be.  Instead of restoring Max's faith in the holiday spirit, the force he unleashed begins dragging away his family members.  Max's Austrian grandmother revels that, as a young girl, she also lost the holiday spirit, resulting in a visit from Santa's shadow, Krampus, which dragged her family and neighbors off the the underworld, leaving her alive to ponder her misdeed.

And oh yes, mayhem ensues.  And, despite their best efforts, family members are taken away in some pretty horrific manners.

The cast is great, with Max's more liberal family playing off well against Linda's more conservative husband and offspring.  Be aware, this is NOT a Red State/Blue State conflict, as the two families come together for their survival.  It's just a family dynamic most people will recognize in their own holiday gatherings.  No sides are taken by the script, it just sets up a conflict for early in the movie, only to be resolved as the two families try to survive the horror engulfing them.  And again, the script avoids any hot button political discussion, allowing the two groups to overcome their differences and fight against a common foe with ease.

It also generates some comedic moments, but I don't consider that making this film a horror comedy.  Unlike films like Tucker and Dale vs. Evil, the character moments, not the general tone of the script, generates the laughs.   Krampus is dark, unrelenting and not a very funny film, despite the humor provided by two culturally different families attempting to find a common ground to survive a demonic onslaught.

And, speaking of Krampus and its minions, it's so nice to see practical effects back on the big screen in a horror film.  Sure, we have a few moments of CGI mayhem, but most of the monsters are practical and look amazing.  Sure, I suspect some CGI was used to erase the wires and such in these creatures, but I can live with that.  And, as I think I mentioned, the design of Krampus was spectacular.

Yeah, that's a picture you want on your Christmas cards.

Well, okay, I do....

And the Krampus design was brilliant.  It echos the idea of a dark version of Santa well, and looks really amazing.  It makes me want to see the character again in another film.

I have to admit, the families under siege storyline was a bit dull.  It's been used so many times before that it became tiring at times.  Sure, the characters did the right things, like not venturing out alone once they became aware of the danger, but it just had a bit of formulaic feel I couldn't shake when watching the film.  Too many moments involved an attack on one group of characters, acting as a prelude for another attack as a second group goes off to investigate.  Even thought the creatures were different, and pretty cool, it became rather predictable and even the new minions couldn't shake that feeling.

And now we come to MILD SPOILERS....





I have to credit screenwriters Todd Casey, Dougherty and Zach Shields for delivering a dark, non-traditional holiday ending, despite the glut of holiday films that makes the suffering of the main character an outlet for finding the true meaning of Christmas (National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, I'm talking to you!).  As I mentioned earlier, Krampus is not a force trying to make things right, but keeps in the tradition of punishing naughty children, in this case, ones who have lost faith in the spirit of the holiday.  Despite Max's best attempts to right his transgression, he doesn't emerge with a Scrooge-like revival of the holiday spirit.  I'll leave it up to you to watch this film and see how it ends out for yourself.

What, you expect thing to end well with that scene?

END OF MINOR SPOILERS.

I can't call it a classic Horrordays film, as the siege mentality of the film is rather bland, but Krampus is a lot of fun and shows Dougherty is a true master of horror.  Like Trick 'r Treat, this film has no redemption at the end, signifying he knows what makes us afraid of the darkness around us and how trying to find the light doesn't always mean one will escape unscathed.  And that's the true essence of a horror film.

Merry Christmas to all

and to all, a good FRIGHT!

The Horriday Season is upon us, and here's all the events I've found through 2016!

Sure, it's going to be a soggy Christmas here in the Northwest, but that doesn't mean you can't find some spooky fun happening in your neighborhood.  I've got some creepy screenings, a few haunting burlesque offerings and a couple haunted attractions to put the Horror into the Horrordays.  So here's what I've found through the end of 2015, and it looks like the year is going out with quite a shiver!

Friday, December 18

Christopher Walken intends to end the war between Heaven and Hell, and only more cowbells, ur, a young girl and a former priest can stop him.  Projekt Records and Movies in the Dark, in conjunction with The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd) in Portland, OR, present a 35mm screening of The Prophecy tonight at 9:30 pm.  Advance tickets are available for $8 at The Hollywood Theatre website.

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Or, perhaps, you want something a bit more in tune with the frosty month.  In that case, head up to The Blue Mouse Theater (2611 N. Proctor St) in Tacoma, WA, for the Friday Night Frights screening of John Carpenter's The Thing.  Yes, the chilling classic will be shown on the big screen at 10 pm tonight, and, as always, there will be vendors and PRIZES!  The doors open at 9:30 pm and admission is only $5!!  Check out the Facebook Event Page for more details.

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The Wes Craven classic, A Nightmare on Elm Street, screens tonight at 9 pm at The Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE) in Olympia, WA.  Presented as part of the Olympic Film Society Fright Club series, this is one film I shouldn't have to explain why you need to see it on the big screen.  Tickets are $9, $6 for OFS members.  Doors open at 8:30 pm, with the show starting at 9 pm.  Tickets (if available) can be purchased a half hour before the show, and the Mezzanine Lounge will be open to those 21 or older (and yes, ID is required).  For more details, visit the link.

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Of course, we all wonder what would happen should a porn director with five bucks be inspired by Star Wars and Blade Runner (thanks to Bleeding Skull for that summery).  The result is Droid, presented by VHS Uber Alles (with special thanks to Scarecrow Video) at the Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St) in Seattle, WA.  And seriously, with such a summery, you can't afford to miss this screening.  Tickets are just $2, and you can find more details at the Facebook Event Page.

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The Fear PDX Haunted House (5413 N Columbia Blvd) in Portland, OR, presents The Fear PDX-Mas, five haunted attractions with one admission price, from 7 to 11 pm tonight and tomorrow (December 19).  Visit Elf Block Nine, The House of Krampus, A Zombie Christmas Story, Rudolph's Revenge and MORE!  Tickets to the five attractions are only $20 (VIP Fast Passes are $35).  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Fear PDX website.

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The Mental Trap Escape Room (3855 SW Murray Blvd) in Beaverton, OR, has opened a Krampus House with new puzzles and storyline.  The room is open through December 29, and you can visit the Facebook Event page, or the official website, for more details. 

Saturday, December 19

"Hooray for Santie Claus!" and the EMP Museum (325 5th Ave N) in Seattle, WA, for screening Santa Claus Verse The Martians again this holiday season.  The film screens at 11 am, 12:30 and 2 pm at the JBL Theater.  That's right, BACK TO BACK SCREENINGS, and you don't have Joel and the 'bots to help you through it (I pity the projectionist).  Admission is free, and you'll find more details at the event webpage or the EMP website.

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Oh yes, Portland Horror Fans, you knew it was coming.  It wouldn't be the Horror-day season without The Grindhouse Film Festival screening that feel-good classic, Silent Night, Deadly Night, in GLORIOUS 35mm!  Presented tonight only at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd) in Portland, OR, this is the night a pseudo Santa went crazy and extracted horrible punishment on those deemed NAUGHTY.  Which includes most of the cast of this film.  It's a sleazy holiday classic NOT TO BE MISSED on the big screen.  The show starts at 7:30 pm and you'll find more details, as well as link for advance ticket sales (for $8 and a modest processing fee), at The Hollywood Theatre website.

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Up in Vancouver, BC, you can attend the Madhaus Tim Burton Theme Ball at the Hindenburg (23 W Cordova).  Featuring world class burlesque, a freak show and fire performance, and MORE, this event is expected to sell out fast.  Visit the Facebook Event Page for more details and a link to advance ticket sales.

Sunday, December 20

Okay, Horror Fans, let me know if you've heard this one before.  A group teens is being stalked and murdered by a guy in a mask.  This time, it's a welder's mask.  Well, it might sound familiar, but you might want to check out The Welder today at 2 pm at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd) in Portland, OR, as this slasher flick is written and directed by 14 year old Benjamin Deeth!  Oh, and he's in the movie as well.  Not much to go on, but it could be the start of a horror filmmaker's career, so head to The Hollywood Theatre website for more details and advance ticket sales.

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And, if you're not ready to call it a day after that, head to Dante's (350 W. Burnside) in Portland, OR, as Miss Kennedy's Theater of Burlesque presents A Very Kubrick Christmas.  I expect at least one performance will be based on The Shining (it would fit into the Horror-Day season), but as for the rest of Kubrick's films, well, you have to go see for yourself.  You can find more details, a list of performers, and a link to advance ticket sales, at the Facebook Event Page.  You must be 21 or older to attend.

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Or, should you want something a bit less heady, head to The Analog Cafe (720 NE Hawthorne) in Portland, OR, for A Burlesque Nightmare Before Christmas.  A tribute to all things Tim Burton, expect some performances based on A Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands and more.  Additional details, and a link to advance ticket sales, can be found at the Facebook Event Page.  You must be 21 or older to attend.

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YIPPEE-Ki-Yay, Mother....  Yes, another theater is screening the perfect Christmas movie, Die Hard, in Portland.  The McMenamins Mission Theater (1624 NW Glisan) will show this holiday classic, as nothing is more heart warming than a man reuniting with his family by SHOOTING FAUX TERRORISTS IN THE FACE!  The film screens tonight at 8 pm, and 5:30 and 8:30 pm on Monday, December 21.  For more information, visit the Mission Theater website.

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Should you need something more heartwarming, but with a bit of a nasty edge to it, head to the St Johns Booksellers (8622 N. Lombard St) in Portland, OR, for Storytime with the Grinch.  Dr. Seuss's classic tale with be read by guest A. C. Adair, then you're invited to sing to the Christmas Ships at Cathedral Park.  The reading starts at 5 pm, and you can find more information at the Facebook Event Page.

Wednesday, December 23

"Hooray for Santie Claus!" and the The Joy Cinema (11959 SW Pacific Highway) in Tigard, OR, for screening Santa Claus Verse The Martians as part of this week's Weird Wednesday offering.  Admission is free (you must be 21 or older to attend), and you won't have Joel and the 'bots to help you through this one.  But you'll be surrounded by like minded fans, and you can spend some extra cash as the snack bar before the event.  Oh, and The Joy serves BEER, which will make this camp classic much more fun.  The show starts at 9:20 pm and you'll find more details at The Joy Cinema and Pub website later in the week.

Thursday, December 24

Nope, no poster for this one.  

As if you hadn't guessed it by the time you've read my entry!

Okay, I know it's a Secret Screening tonight at The Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St) in Portland, OR.  But I'm including this one as the Facebook Post (which I can't find right now) says the film has a much higher budget than the usual Secret Screening movies.  And you want to avoid water, even in the event of thirst.  Um, I wonder what the movie is?  I'm not giving the title away, and you won't find any mention of that cryptic clue at The Clinton Street Theater website.  The film starts at midnight, so Santa will know you're awake.  Just not at home, so that's good.  But, as the screening is a fundraiser for the Portland Fire and Rescue Toy and Joy Makers (donations are suggested at $5 or a new toy for admission), he'll probably be extra nice to you.  Unless you just walk in for the show, then expect a post movie visit from Krampus.

Saturday, December 26

Oh, Renton Horror Fans, Santa is dropping a great Christmas gift into your toxic filled stocking.  Tonight at The Renton Civic Theater (507 S 3rd St) in Renton, WA, you can catch Toxic Avenger The Musical at 6 pm.  Okay, you have to buy tickets, which you might think negates the whole idea of a Christmas present.  But come on, the musical version of Toxie on stage should be enough make you spend some of your holiday budget on this one. And it might erase the pain of a family holiday visit.  You never know.  Visit the Toxic Avenger The Musical website for more details.
Sunday, December 27

If you're in the mood to end the month with a bit of spicy fun, head to The Analog Cafe (720 NE Hawthorne) in Portland, OR, for A Burlesque Nightmare Before Christmas.  A tribute to all things Tim Burton, expect some performances based on A Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands and more.  Additional details, and a link to advance ticket sales, can be found at the Facebook Event Page.  You must be 21 or older to attend.

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Well, that's what I have for now.  Check back next week for any New Years Eve updates.  Or, if you want to plan out things into 2016, check out the Horror Calendar, updated with guests at Northwest Cons, as well as screenings of great movies into October.  Yes, The Shadow Over Portland does it's best to keep Northwest Horror Fans informed of the spooky offerings in the area!

If you have an event you'd like listed, email me at shadowoverportland@live.com and I'll include it, if I think Northwest Horror Fans would want to hear about it.  And I do post information about sci-fi and fantasy offerings, so please, let me know about your event and I'll be willing to include it if my readers would be interested.

And, as always, should you attend any of the events I've listed, let the organizers know you read about it at The Shadow Over Portland.  

Sint (2010)

Released as Saint Nick in the United States, Sint is a Dutch horror film based on the legend of Sinterklass (Santa Claus to us), but with a dark, sinister twist.  Considered by some to be a horror comedy, the film isn’t as funny as one might expect, but more a straight up horror without the redeeming ending some might expect from a Christmas Horror Film. 

 The film opens on December fifth, 1492, the night of a full moon.  A band of pirates, lead by a religious figure upon horseback, terrorize a coastal town in Holland.  You should get the hint early on that this “holy” man is evil, as he sports an upside down cross on his mitre (headband).

 Though the locals leave offerings in wooden shoes outside their homes, the pirates infiltrate some homes through the chimneys, slaughtering the adults and bundling up the children in sacks to be taken to their ship anchored in the harbor. 

Well, the townspeople have had enough and burn the ship, along with everyone onboard.  But, as expected, no evil person leaves the mortal coil without cursing those who caused his death, which brings us to December fifth, 1968, and another full moon.

Sure, the ship is on fire, I'm burning to death....

But I'm still going to curse you!  If I could breath without my lungs igniting...

Goert, a farmboy, is sent by his father to check the livestock by his father.  While in the barn, his parents are murdered, and he witnesses his siblings bundled in sacks and taken away by shadowy figures.  And he sees a man riding a horse, dressed in a bishop’s robe, atop the roof. 

Yeah, that's never a good sign.

Now we move to modern day Amsterdam, with another December fifth falling upon a full moon.  Goert is now a police detective, who continues to be haunted by his family’s death and has submitted a report on what to expect, and how to deal with, the return of Sinterklass .  His superior, however, tell Goert to take time off and not return until January.

The film then shifts to a local high school, where Sinterklass  gifts are being exchanged.  And it’s obviously not a high school here in the States, as most of the gifts are sexual aids.  In fact, the teacher wearily admits that this class has surpassed last year’s dildo gift giving, to a round of applause by the students.  Yep, not your typical US sex ed class.   

And Sinterklass isn't happy with that bit of information.  

Frank, one of the students, receives something less festive as his Sinterklass gift, a breakup notice from his girlfriend, Sophie.  It appears Sophie found out Frank was cheating on her and, while walking home with two other students, Sophie asks her friend Lisa if she was the one Frank was seeing.

Lisa denies it, but that turns out to be a lie.  Frank meets her in her backyard, a rather gutsy move as Sophie lives next door, and revels that he knew Sophie was cheating on him before he and Lisa were intimate.  But he kept seeing Sophie as she’s a hottie.   Frank then attempts to get a bit of holiday cheer from Lisa, suggesting they meet up later in the evening.  But Lisa balks at his suggestion, as she is not sure were their relationship will lead, and Frank leave in a huff. 

Okay, you can call Frank an asshole at this point, as I did, but remember, he’s in high school and most guys are assholes at that time in their lives.  Frank does call Lisa later to apologize, while he’s getting ready to play Sinterklass at an event.

Lisa calls Sophie later, only to hear Sophie murdered by Sinterklass’ henchmen.  Lisa finds the body, and Sophie’s younger brother missing, and calls the cops.  Frank, in the meantime, is lost with his friends (both dressed as Black Pete) and runs afoul of Sinterklass and his undead henchmen.  Frank manages to escape, only to be stopped by the police and accused of his friend’s murders, as well as Sophie’s murder and the disappearance of her brother. 

While being driven to prison, the officers transporting Frank see Sinterklass riding his horse across the rooftops of Amsterdam.  While attempting to shoot the new suspect, the officers are killed and Frank is left to fend for himself against the evil spirit of Christmas.

Yeah, shooting at this guy from a moving car.

What is this, an 80's action film?

And that doesn’t go too well.  But before Sinterklass kills Frank, Goert intervenes and soon, the two team up to end the curse of Sinterklass forever.  

This is a fun little Horriday film, with some great moments of practical and CGI effects (seriously, some of the deaths are very well done), but it helps to have a bit of history behind the legend of Sinterklass.  And here at The Shadow Over Portland, I did the research so you can read the rest of the review and just enjoy the film, without spending time on the Internet learning about the legend of Sinterklass and how it ties into this film.

Sinterklass is based on St. Nicholas (the Bishop of Myra, who Frank mentions later in the film), a Greek bishop who was also the basis for the US Santa Claus, as well as other versions of the gift-giving saint.  He arrives on December fifth by boat from Spain, along with his helper, Black Pete (Zwarte Piet).  Traditionally considered a Moor, Black Pete aids Sinterklass in rewarding good children with gifts, while spanking bad children with a switch.  If a child is especially naughty, they would be stuffed into a sack and taken back to Spain. 

The reason Sinterklass is assumed to come from Spain is his gifting of Mandarin oranges, mentioned in a Dutch poem.  As for taking naughty children to Spain, and the origin of Black Pete, the Moors controlled modern Spain in 711, and often pirates from the region would raid coastal towns in Europe, abducting people to be sold as slaves.  This caused people to abandon many coastal towns, and continued into the 19^th Century. 

Writer/director Dick Maas (The Lift, Amsterdamned) takes this history and wraps it into a nice, dark Christmas tale.  His Sinterklass is based on a fictitious rogue bishop, Niklas, his Black Petes have dark skin due to the burns suffered on the ship in 1492 (unlike the current, more PC idea that the blackened faces are due to the soot for chimneys).  And the Bishop of Myra is a distraction created by the Church, attempting to hide the true origins of Sinterklass.  Maas takes a few liberties with the story, but manages to weave historical fact into his fictional tale, to a point where knowing the legend makes watching the movie even more fun.

But, if you're only interested in the gore, this scene, in the opening minutes,

should be enough to whet your appetite.

And Maas knows his horror films.  The scene where Sophie, Lisa and a third friend are walking home from school gave me a serious Halloween vibe.  The film contains other homages, but I’ll leave those for you to discover.  These moments don’t feel cheap or tacked on (well, one does, but it's still effective), but more a director giving a wink and nod to the films that inspired him. 

That’s not to say Sint doesn’t have a few faults, all of which occur in the final act.  Maas gives us the old ticking bomb, where the countdown doesn’t match up to the action in the film cliché, which could have worked had Maas injected a sly sense of humor into the moment.  And though it seems he tried, the scene just doesn’t work. 

And how the ghost ship is dispatched would seem out of place in even a Roger Moore Bond flick.  Yep, it’s that impractical and, to add on insult, it’s hinted earlier that children are alive in the hull of the ship, yet no one attempts to rescue them.  Sure, destroying Sinterklass's ship might be for the greater good, but still comes off as rather cold hearted.

But, thankfully, the film avoids the clichés of modern horror films.  Frank doesn't have a last minute, I must rescue my girlfriend scene, and the government conspiracy concerning Sinterklass is left unexposed.  Sure, the ending suggests a sequel, as expected, but the film takes its time developing the characters rather than delivering a set of cut out, standard Horror clichés.  Spending more time with on the people involved in the tale, rather than the killer and his bloody spree, makes the film more interesting and the gruesome moments a bit more intense. 

Really, I'm sure she'll be just fine.

Also, it’s interesting that Maas ran afoul of parents, much like Silent Night, Deadly Night did, regarding its poster.  Showing a mutilated and malevolent looking Sinterklass. Nicam (the Dutch film and TV classification board) received dozens of complaints that the film’s poster could frighten to younger children, leading to a request that the poster be removed from theaters and other public places.  Maas successfully defended the poster, claiming that parents who allowed their children to believe in Sinterklass could also explain the poster was not the “real” person.  Had that happening in the US, one has to wonder if Silent Night, Deadly Night might have faded into obscurity, rather than become the Horriday classic it is now, as well as spawn four sequels.     

  

Sint is a rarity in modern Horrorday cinema.  A Christmas horror tale with no redeeming message at the end, plenty of blood and guts and, well, a high school class gifting dildos to each other is a combination you won't find in an American horror film anytime soon, let alone one with an evil Santa. 

Northwest Horror Fans, here's what I have for the month of December, including lots of screenings, a few haunted attractions, and a couple more Die Hard screenings!

So, Northwest Horror Fans, you thought December might be a bit bland for your taste.  Oh, I have news for you.  We have Geek Craft Fairs, Haunted Attractions, lots of holiday horror classics, some tempting burlesque performances.  Oh, and a few screenings of that perfect holiday classic, Die Hard!  Check out the latest update from The Shadow Over Portland!!


Friday, December 11

If you're looking something to give you a Holiday FRIGHT, head to The Laurelhurst Theater and Pub (2735 E Burnside St) in Portland, OR, for a screening of Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale.  Evil, naked Santas, a horned demon incased in ice and a few reindeer farmers trying to make a buck off this discovery makes for a Holiday Horror film that is probably not for all ages.  Still, it's a great story and one worth catching on the big screen.  Showtimes are at 9:40 pm.  Visit the Laurelhurst Theater website for more details.

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One of the greatest splatstick films ever, Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn, screens tonight at 9 pm at The Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE) in Olympia, WA.  Presented as part of the Olympic Film Society Fright Club series, this is the perfect film to see in a theater with like minded fans.  Tickets are $9, $6 for OFS members.  Doors open at 8:30 pm, with the show starting at 9 pm.  Tickets (if available) can be purchased a half hour before the show, and the Mezzanine Lounge will be open to those 21 or older (and yes, ID is required).  For more details, visit the link.

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The House of Shadows is open tonight and tomorrow at 1776 NW Fairview Dr in Gresham, OR, at 7 pm.  Doors open at 6:30 pm for this full contact haunted attraction, with only those over 13 years of age admitted.  It's you and your friends, armed only with a glow stick, against the terrors in the shadows!  Tickets are $20.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page and follow the links.

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Yippee-Ki-Yay, Mother...  Oh, you know the rest.  And we have our first confirmed Die Hard screening in Portland!  The Kennedy School (3756 NE 33rd Ave), will be screening this holiday classic through Dec. 17th at 10:20 pm, with a noon screening on Saturday, December 12.  For more details, visit the Kennedy School McMenamins website.  

Saturday, December 12

Sure, anyone can get their picture taken with Santa, but Michael Grey Photography is hosting Photos with Krampus, the holiday demon, from 3 to 6 pm at World Class Athletics (6332 SE 82nd Ave, Suite B) in Portland, OR.  This should make for the PERFECT Christmas photo card for all Northwest Horror Fans!  Photos start at $7.  Check out the Facebook Event Page for more details.

Sunday, December 13

PDX Browncoats presents the 6th annual Geek the Halls craft fair starting at 9 am at the Double Tree Hotel (1000 NE Multnomah St) in Portland, OR.  Sure, it's a Sci Fi group hosting the event, but I'm sure Horror Fans might find some great gift ideas for fellowHorror Lovers (or themselves!).  Visit the Facebook Event Page for more details.

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If you're in the mood for something a bit spicy, head to The Analog Cafe (720 NE Hawthorne) in Portland, OR, for A Burlesque Nightmare Before Christmas.  A tribute to all things Tim Burton, expect some performances based on A Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands and more.  Additional details, and a link to advance ticket sales, can be found at the Facebook Event Page.  You must be 21 or older to attend.  

Wednesday, December 16

You'll find no better way to celebrate Christmas than with a chilling ghost story.  And Re-Imagined Radio is presenting the classic Christmas ghost tale, Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol, at The Kiggins Theatre (1011 Main St) in Vancouver, WA.  Adopted from the Christmas Eve 1939 Campbell Playhouse radio dramatization, narrated by Orson Welles and featuring Lionel Barrymore as Scrooge, this performance is free, but donations to the Vancouver Food Bank are encouraged.   Pre-show entertainment is provided by the Hough Elementary Glee Choir at 6 pm, with the radio show starting at 7 pm.  So don't be a Scrooge, bring some cash for the food bank and watch a great radio play performed live.  It might help keep the Christmas spirits from visiting you on December 24!  Visit The Kiggins Theatre website for more details.

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Or, should you be looking for something a bit more WEEEEEIRD, head the The Joy Cinema and Pub (11959 SW Pacific Highway) in Tigard, OR, for The Night Evelyn Came Out from the Grave, tonight's Weird Wednesday offering.  The story of a wealthy aristocrat released from an asylum, only to kill red headed hookers and strippers to get back at his dead, possibly unfaithful wife, this film takes a turn into the bizarre, as double crosses ensue.  Oh, yes, this one is WEEEEEIRD!!!  The show starts at 9:15 pm and admission is free (you must be 21 or older to attend). so be sure to spend a bit more at the snack bar!  Visit The Joy Cinema website for more details.  

Thursday, December 17

The holiday season can be a bit overwhelming for most, so maybe you need a little Shock Treatment!  Queer Horror presents a screening of the sequel to The Rocky Horror Picture Show in GLORIOUS 35mm at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd) in Portland. OR, tonight at 7 pm.  Hosted by Portland's premiere drag clown, Carla Rossi, this should be a lot of fun.  Check out the Facebook Event Page, or The Hollywood Theatre website, for more details and advance ticket sales.

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If you're looking for some family friendly holiday fright, head to the EMP Museum (325 5th Ave N) in Seattle, WA, for a screening of Joe Dante's Christmas classic, Gremlins at the Sky Church.  Doors open at 6:30 pm, the film starts at 7:30 pm and tickets are only $12 ($9 for EMP members and kids 5 to 17).  Sure, it might SOUND like a lot for just a movie, but your ticket also buys you admission to the EMP's Can't Look Away: The Lure of Horror Film.  And while the small museum is a treat for any horror fan (seriously, I've been there and it's AWESOME), tonight the Gizmo puppet (yes, the ORIGINAL puppet) from the film will be introduced as a display!  Oh, and there will be trivia, prizes and more!  For more details, visit the EMP Museum website, or the Can't Look Away website. 

By the way, the EMP states that, due to the nature of some of the displays in Can't Look Away, the tour is rated PG-13.  Also, Gremlins was one of two movies that motivated the MPAA to create the PG-13 rating.  Just saying...

Friday, December 18

Christopher Walken intends to end the war between Heaven and Hell, and only more cowbells, ur, a young girl and a former priest can stop him.  Projekt Records and Movies in the Dark, in conjunction with The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd) in Portland, OR, present a 35mm screening of The Prophecy tonight at 9:30 pm.  Advance tickets are available for $8 at The Hollywood Theatre website.

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Or, perhaps, you want something a bit more in tune with the frosty month.  In that case, head up to The Blue Mouse Theater (2611 N. Proctor St) in Tacoma, WA, for the Friday Night Frights screening of John Carpenter's The Thing.  Yes, the chilling classic will be shown on the big screen at 10 pm tonight, and, as always, there will be vendors and PRIZES!  The doors open at 9:30 pm and admission is only $5!!  Check out the Facebook Event Page for more details.

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The Wes Craven classic, A Nightmare on Elm Street, screens tonight at 9 pm at The Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE) in Olympia, WA.  Presented as part of the Olympic Film Society Fright Club series, this is one film I shouldn't have to explain why you need to see it on the big screen.  Tickets are $9, $6 for OFS members.  Doors open at 8:30 pm, with the show starting at 9 pm.  Tickets (if available) can be purchased a half hour before the show, and the Mezzanine Lounge will be open to those 21 or older (and yes, ID is required).  For more details, visit the link.

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Of course, we all wonder what would happen should a porn director with five bucks be inspired by Star Wars and Blade Runner (thanks to Bleeding Skull for that summery).  The result is Droid, presented by VHS Uber Alles (with special thanks to Scarecrow Video) at the Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St) in Seattle, WA.  And seriously, with such a summery, you can't afford to miss this screening.  Tickets are just $2, and you can find more details at the Facebook Event Page.

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The Fear PDX Haunted House (5413 N Columbia Blvd) in Portland, OR, presents The Fear PDX-Mas, five haunted attractions with one admission price, from 7 to 11 pm tonight and tomorrow (December 19).  Visit Elf Block Nine, The House of Krampus, A Zombie Christmas Story, Rudolph's Revenge and MORE!  Tickets to the five attractions are only $20 (VIP Fast Passes are $35).  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Fear PDX website.  

Saturday, December 19

"Hooray for Santie Claus!" and the EMP Museum (325 5th Ave N) in Seattle, WA, for screening Santa Claus Conquers The Martians again this holiday season.  The film screens at 11 am, 12:30 and 2 pm at the JBL Theater.  That's right, BACK TO BACK SCREENINGS, and you don't have Joel and the 'bots to help you through it (I pity the projectionist).  Admission is free, and you'll find more details at the event webpage or the EMP website.

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Oh yes, Portland Horror Fans, you knew it was coming.  It wouldn't be the Horror-day season without The Grindhouse Film Festival screening that feel-good classic, Silent Night, Deadly Night, in GLORIOUS 35mm!  Presented tonight only at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd) in Portland, OR, this is the night a pseudo Santa went crazy and extracted horrible punishment on those deemed NAUGHTY.  Which includes most of the cast of this film.  It's a sleazy holiday classic NOT TO BE MISSED on the big screen.  The show starts at 7:30 pm and you'll find more details, as well as link for advance ticket sales (for $8 and a modest processing fee), at The Hollywood Theatre website.

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Up in Vancouver, BC, you can attend the Madhaus Tim Burton Theme Ball at the Hindenburg (23 W Cordova).  Featuring world class burlesque, a freak show and fire performance, and MORE, this event is expected to sell out fast.  Visit the Facebook Event Page for more details and a link to advance ticket sales.

Sunday, December 20

Okay, Horror Fans, let me know if you've heard this one before.  A group teens is being stalked and murdered by a guy in a mask.  This time, it's a welder's mask.  Well, it might sound familiar, but you might want to check out The Welder today at 2 pm at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd) in Portland, OR, as this slasher flick is written and directed by 14 year old Benjamin Deeth Hammond!  Oh, and he's in the movie as well.  Not much to go on, but it could be the start of a horror filmmaker's career, so head to The Hollywood Theatre website for more details and advance ticket sales.

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And, if you're not ready to call it a day after that, head to Dante's (350 W. Burnside) in Portland, OR, as Miss Kennedy's Theater of Burlesque presents A Very Kubrick Christmas.  I expect at least one performance will be based on The Shining (it would fit into the Horror-Day season), but as for the rest of Kubrick's films, well, you have to go see for yourself.  You can find more details, a list of performers, and a link to advance ticket sales, at the Facebook Event Page.  You must be 21 or older to attend.

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Or, should you want something a bit less heady, head to The Analog Cafe (720 NE Hawthorne) in Portland, OR, for A Burlesque Nightmare Before Christmas.  A tribute to all things Tim Burton, expect some performances based on A Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands and more.  Additional details, and a link to advance ticket sales, can be found at the Facebook Event Page.  You must be 21 or older to attend.

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YIPPEE-Ki-Yay, Mother....  Yes, another theater is screening the perfect Christmas movie, Die Hard, in Portland.  The McMenamins Mission Theater will show this holiday classic, as nothing is more heart warming than a man reuniting with his family by SHOOTING FAUX TERRORISTS IN THE FACE, at 8 pm tonight, and 5:30 and 8:30 on Monday, December 21.  For more information, visit the Mission Theater website.  

Saturday, December 26

Oh, Renton Horror Fans, Santa is dropping a great Christmas gift into your toxic filled stocking.  Tonight at The Renton Civic Theater (507 S 3rd St) in Renton, WA, you can catch Toxic Avenger The Musical at 6 pm.  Okay, you have to buy tickets, which you might think negates the whole idea of a Christmas present.  But come on, the musical version of Toxie on stage should be enough make you spend some of your holiday budget on this one. And it might erase the pain of a family holiday visit.  You never know.  Visit the Toxic Avenger The Musical website for more details.

Sunday, December 27

If you're in the mood to end the month with a bit of spicy fun, head to The Analog Cafe (720 NE Hawthorne) in Portland, OR, for A Burlesque Nightmare Before Christmas.  A tribute to all things Tim Burton, expect some performances based on A Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands and more.  Additional details, and a link to advance ticket sales, can be found at the Facebook Event Page.  You must be 21 or older to attend.

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Well, that's all I have for now, Horror Fans.  If I missed anything, send me an email at shadowoverportland@live.com and I'll update my post and feature your event on future updates.  Remember, The Shadow Over Portland also covers a range of Sci Fi and Fantasy events, so be sure to sent me news on events in your area!

And remember, if you attend any of these events, let the organizers know you read about it at The Shadow Over Portland!!