Well, it certainly feels like a month for the records, as we've had a lot of rain with some very infrequent sun breaks. Not that I mind the cloudy weather, but I feel so waterlogged that I think the next unexpected rainstorm might lead to me flowing down the storm drain.
The bus stops without shelters might
get messier than usual.
But the Weekly Update is here to provide Pacific Northwest Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy fans with events that will keep your mind off the endless rain. You'll find details on screenings of Colossal, Robocop, The Transfiguration and the Double Feature Horror Film Event, presented by Skullface Astronaut.
Also below are details on the B-Movie Bingo screening of Escape from L.A., the DVD release signing event for Hunting Grounds, a Twin Peaks Dance Party and the opening night of The Empire Strips Back: A Sci-Fi Burlesque Adventure.
But the big news in the Portland area is The Overlook Film Festival, taking place this weekend at Timberline Lodge. You'll find a lot of information below, but here's a few new items I have to share.
First up is a live radio play from Tales From Beyond the Pale. Presented by Glass Eye Pix, the production will feature performers culled from festival guest. It takes place on Saturday, April 29, at 4 pm, so be sure to buy your tickets to this event.
The Dead Right Horror Trivia game, hosted by Ryan Turek (Blumhouse Productions) and Sam Zimmerman (Shudder) is offering pre-registration to the general public. Test your horror knowledge in eight trivia rounds in the Cascade Dining Room on Friday, April 28, at 8 pm.
Of course, films are a big part of this event, and here's a few of note. Lake Bodom, the tale of a group of teens at a campsite attempting to solve the murders that took place in 1960 (oh, that won't end well) screens on Thursday, April 27, at 10:15 pm and Saturday, April 29, at 10;30 pm. Director Taneli Mustonen will be in attendance.
Still Born, concerning a mother who loses one of her twins during childbirth, and suspects a sinister force has plans for the other, screens on Saturday, April 29, at 1:20 pm and Sunday, April 30, at 1:10 pm. Director Brandon Christensen will be in attendance.
Passes for the event are still available. For more details, including a full list of events, visit the Overlook Film Festival website.
Remember, it's easy and cheap to have your event listed on The Shadow Over Portland. All you have to do is email me at shadowoverportland@live.com and I'll post it on the site. And don't expect a bill, as listing your event is FREE!
And, should you attend any of the events listed here, let the organizers know you read about it at The Shadow Over Portland!!
Ongoing
The Void, a Lovecraftian horror tale, has been held over at the Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA). The show now runs until April 27. Visit the Grand Illusion Cinema website for showtimes.
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Celebrate the 15th anniversary of Donnie Darko at Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Ave in Portland, OR). The film has been held over until April 27. Showtimes are now listed at the Cinema 21 website.
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Colossal, starring Anne Hathaway, who finds herself in control of a kaiju attacking South Korea, opens tonight at Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Ave in Portland, OR). The film is scheduled to run through Thursday, May 4. Showtimes are now listed on the Cinema 21 website.
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The surprise horror hit, Get Out, continues to play at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) and the St. Johns Twin Cinema (8704 N Lombard St in Portland, OR). Showtimes at both theaters vary, so visit The Hollywood Theatre website or the St. Johns Twin Cinema website for more details.
UPDATE: Get Out ends its run at The Hollywood Theatre on Thursday, April 27, but has been held over at the St. Johns Twin Cinema until Thursday, May 4 (note: the film might end early, depending on the early release of Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2).
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Colossal, starring Anne Hathaway as a woman who finds herself in control of a kaiju attacking South Korea, continues at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) through Thursday, May 4. For showtimes and a link to advance ticket sales, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.
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Terry Gilliam's dystopian masterpiece, Brazil, plays through April 27 at The Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR). Showtimes are 3:50 and 9:30 pm. For more details, visit The Academy Theater website.
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Also at Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Ave in Portland, OR) is David Lynch: The Art of Life, a journey through his early life and career, guided by Lynch himself. This film plays through Thursday, May 4. Showtimes are listed on the Cinema 21 website.
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The Lovecraftian horror film, The Void, opens tonight at the Darkside Cinema (215 SW 4th St in Corvallis, OR) through Thursday, April 27. For more details and showtimes, visit the Darkside Cinema website. No word on if the film has been held over yet.
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The vampire drama The Transfiguration is playing at the Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA) from Friday, April 28 to Thursday, May 4. For a list of showtimes, visit the Grand Illusion Cinema website.
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McMenamins Mission Theater and Pub (1624 NW Glisan in Portland, OR) screens the classic What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? plays on Wednesday, April 26 at 8:30 pm, Friday, April 28 at 5:15 pm and Saturday, April 29, at 1:30 pm. Considered the first in the "psycho-biddy" subgenre, this black comedy played off the feud between stars Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, as their hatred towards each other oozed into the production. Their mutual animosity is the basis for the current TV show Feud. For more details, and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Mission Theater website.
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The ghost story Personal Shopper plays at the Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE in Olympia, WA) through Thursday, April 27. Showtimes vary, so visit the Olympia Film Society website for more details.
Haunted Attractions
Please visit the Haunted Attractions page for details on trap rooms and ghost tours in the Pacific Northwest, as well as an advance date for an October haunted attraction.
Open Film Submission
April, 2017
Wednesday, April 26
Re-Imagined Radio returns to The Kiggins Theatre (1011 Main St in Vancouver, WA) with City of Weird. Performed live by the Willamette Radio Workshop, this is a series of otherworldly tales (published in City of Weird from Forest Avenue Press) performed as short radio dramas, and the stories are set in the Pacific Northwest. The performance is tonight only, starting at 7 pm (doors open at 6 pm). $5 donations will be accepted at the door. For more details, visit The Kiggins Theatre website.
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Just so you know, today is Alien Day (named after LV-426, the planet from Alien and Aliens). A global live streaming event, featuring cast memebers from the upcoming Alien: Covenant, at the Alien Universe website.
UPDATE: The film that started it all, Alien, will screen today at select Regal Theaters across the country. Head to the Regal Cinema website to find a theater near you!
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Weird Wednesday is bringing a classic to The Joy Cinema and Pub (11959 SW Pacific Highway in Tigard, OR) tonight with a screening of 1927's Metropolis. I doubt I need to say much more about Fritz Lang's dystopian sci fi masterpiece. Admission is FREE, but you must be 21 or older to attend. Be sure to do your part in helping The Joy keeping Wednesdays weird by stopping at the concession stand before the movie. Outside food or drinks are not allowed into the theater. For additional details on the film, visit The Joy Cinema website.
Thursday, April 27
The Overlook Film Festival, a four day celebration at horror's most iconic hotel, starts today at Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood, OR. Events include a selection of world genre cinema, midnight shows, family programming, a short film lineup, musical performances, an original production of a live radio
radio play, panels, live podcasts, and a lot more.
UPDATE: The festival schedule has been released. You can visit The Overlook Film Festival website for the complete lineup, but here's a few of the events.
--- Roger Corman will be in attendance to accept the Overlook Film Festival's Master of Horror Award!
--- A closing night Secret Screening and Party.
--- All Access badge holder Exclusive Events, including Blackout, an experience for adults over 18 to walk through ALONE, The Chalet, an immersive theatrical experience for an audience of one, and much more.
--- Events for all badge holders include an Immersive Horror Game to play during the festival. Featuring planted actors, hidden clues, puzzles and twists, players can engage at their own comfort and level of interest. Details of the game's story will be revealed once the festival begins. Visit the Special Events Link for details on these and other events.
--- Movies and short films from around the world. Visit the Overview Link for a list of scheduled events and a description of the films playing.
Festival passes and room packages are still available at the Tickets and Passes link.
Friday, April 28
Catch a 4k transfer of the original Robocop at Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA) through Monday, May 1. This should look amazing on the big screen, so don't miss it. For more details, and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Central Cinema website.
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Robocop will also screen at at The Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR) through Thursday, May 4. Showtimes are daily at 4:35 and 9:40 pm. For more details, visit The Academy Theater website.
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The 2016 vampire film, The Transfiguration, opens at The Kiggins Theatre (1011 Main St in Vancouver, WA) tonight. The debut feature from writer/director Michael O'Shea, this film was an official selection at the Cannes Film Festival. The film plays through Tuesday, May 2. For a list of showtimes, visit The Kiggins Theatre website.
Saturday, April 29
Head to the Capital Taproom (150 High St SE in Salem, OR) as Skullface Astronaut presents a Double Feature Horror Film Event tonight at 6:30 pm. Local indie filmmaker Joe Sherlock will be present to talk about the films before each screening and be available if you want to talk with him about low budget filmmaking, or even get involved in one of his upcoming projects. The films at the screening will be Drifter, a nice little slasher-style film with a twist, and the horror anthology Beyond the Wall of Fear. For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.
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David Lynch's weird fairy tale, Mulholland Drive, MAY play tonight at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR). The winner of this month's This Is Your Theater
vote, the film will play if 100 advance tickets are purchased before
the screening, set for 7:30 pm. For more details, and a link to advance
ticket sales, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.
Sunday, April 30
Wyrd War invites you to celebrate Walpurgisnacht (Witches Night in European folklore) with a screening of Eyes of Fire, in GLORIOUS 35mm, at 7 pm at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR). This film has not been release on DVD, so don't miss your chance to catch it on the big screen! For additional details, and a link to advance ticket sales (strongly recommended), visit the Facebook Event Page.
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Paranormal Pub: The Orbs Phenomenon takes place tonight at McMenamins Mission Theater (1824 NW Glisan St in Portland, OR) at 7 pm. Nancy Myers, orb medium, photographer and author, discusses the orbs appearing in so many digital photographs. For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.
May, 2017
Monday, May 1
Jason William Lee's The Evil in Us, screens tonight at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) tonight at 9 pm. Six friends decide to party in the woods, not knowing their cocaine is laced with a virus that induces fits of psychotic rage. As final girls are wont to do, one abstains and spends the night avoiding her now-homicidal friends. Writer/director Lee, producer Dalj Brar, editor Michael Gyori and actors Debs Howard and Marina Pasqua will be in attendance to introduce the film and participate in a post-screening Q and A. For more details, including a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.
Tuesday, May 2
Snake Plissken heads to The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) tonight for a round of B-Movie Bingo! Too bad the movie is Escape from L.A., the lesser (and often ignored) Carpenter/Russell collaborations. But playing Bingo, with a board full of 80s action troupes, should liven thing up. It all starts at 7:30 pm. For more details, and a link to advance ticket sales, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.
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Scarecrow Video (5030 Roosevelt Way NE in Seattle, WA) is hosting a Hunting Grounds DVD Release Signing tonight from 7 to 9 pm. Cast and crew from the film, formerly called Valley of the Sasquatch) will be present to sight DVDs and talk with fans. For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.
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The Horror Brew's Pub Quiz, Portland's only horror trivia night, takes place this evening at Home, A Bar (719 SE Morrison St in Portland, OR). Get a team together and test your horror wits to win one of two gift certificates to Home, A Bar. Or cross your tentacles and hope to win a great raffle prize. The fun starts at 7:30 pm, and you can find more details at the Facebook Event Page.
Friday, May 5
Crypticon Seattle takes place this weekend at it's new grave, the Doubletree Hotel (18740 International Blvd in Seattle, WA). Details are still coming in, but the first guest announcement has been released! Guests include George Romero (Night of the Living Dead, and do I need to mention any more?), Pinhead himself, Doug Bradley, Jill Schoelen (The Stepfather, Popcorn), Thom Mathews (Friday the 13th Part 6: Jason Lives, The Return of the Living Dead) and John Amplas (Martin, Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead, Creepshow), Mark Steger (Stranger Things, American Horror Story, The Last Witch Hunter, Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse), Miguel A. Nunez Jr. (Return of the Living Dead, Friday the 13th: A New Beginning, Leprechaun 4: In Space), Suzanne Snyder (Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Return of the Living Dead II, Night of the Creeps), Judith O'Dea and Russ Streiner, Barbara and Jonny from the original Night of the Living Dead, Gaylen Ross, Scott Reiniger and Ken Foree from the original Dawn of the Dead, Judie Aronson (Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter), author Matt Shaw and FX makeup artist Ron Wooley.
Keep checking back here, or at the Crypticon Seattle Facebook Page, or the official website, for more details as the event draws near.
UPDATE: Crypticon just announced that scheduled guest Bonnie Aarons will be unable to attend this year.
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The Fixin' To (8218 N Lombard St in Portland, OR) brings the Twin Peaks Dance Party to St Johns tonight at 8:30 pm. Celebrate the return of Twin Peaks with an evening of dancing, drag and burlesque performances, Lynchian music, a costume contest and much more. The event is hosted by Black Lodge Burlesque and their performances are terrific, especially with a slice of pie and some damn fine coffee. Of course, you'll find other libations to help you celebrate, so dress up as your favorite Twin Peaks character and remember, the owls are not what they seem! Tickets are $10, and you must be 21 or older to attend. For more details, and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.
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Vancouver BC's "nerdlesque" troupe, the Geekenders, return to the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) with The Empire Strips Back: A Sci-Fi Burlesque Adventure tonight at 8 pm. It's a two-act reboot of a sci fi classic, with all your favorite characters on stage and, well, performing. This is a show for those 18 or older only. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door (door open an hour before showtime). For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Rio Theatre website.
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Luc Besson's sci fi classic, The Fifth Element, screens at 11:55 pm tonight at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC). Don't miss the chance to see this on the big screen! Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door (doors open at 11:30 pm). For more details, including a link for advance ticket sales, visit the Rio Theatre website.
Saturday, May 6
The Olympia Film Society presents a Kids Club screening of Spirited Away today at 11 am at the Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE in Olympia, WA) . Admission is free for kids 12 and under. For more details, visit the Olympia Film Society website.
Sunday, May 7
Blood Diner, which started as a sequel to H. G. Lewis' cult classic Blood Feast, screens today at the Paris Theatre (6 SW 3rd Ave in Portland, OR). The film starts at noon, and is followed by an afterparty. For more details, and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.
UPDATE: Tickets have gone on sale. Director Jackie Kong will be present for a Q and A, and the event will include an Afterparty. Tickets are $16.
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The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) presents a screening of The Descent, with director Neil Marshall in attendance. The film follows a group of women exploring a cave in North Carolina. As you might guess, things go very, very wrong. Seriously, this is a masterpiece and should be seen on the big screen. Marshall with introduce the film and discuss it after the screening. Tickets are $12 in advance, $14 at the door (doors open at 6 pm). Minors are welcome in the balcony, but note the film is rated 18A. You must be 19 or older for bar service (bring your ID) and main floor seating. For more details, and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.
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The Caravan of Creeps, a collective of circus freakshow performers known as The Squidling Brothers, is headed to Dante's (350 W Burnside St in Portland, OR). at 8 pm. Tickets are $15, and doors open at 7 pm. For more details, including a list of performers, visit the Facebook Event Page.
