Happy New Year, Pacific Northwest Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Fans!

It's the start of a new year, and I hope you all have a wonderful 2018 in store.  And if you're hoping for some great Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy events, I have good news for you!

Trust me, kiddies.

It's going to be a SCREAM!

Just take a look at this edition of the Weekly Update, for lots of great movies, cons and stage events to help you get the New Year started right.  The Secret Saturday Matinee series starts at the Grand Illusion Cinema in Seattle, WA, while the Spaghetti Fest starts at the Clinton Street Theater in Portland, OR.  You'll also find details on the Walker Stalker Convention in Portland, OR, lots of genre themed burlesque performances and, of course, a lot of great movies, all coming in the next two weeks!

But if you want to start planning out the rest of 2018, check out the Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Calendar for the latest news on great festivals, conventions and bazaars coming to the Pacific Northwest!!

If you are hosting an event in the Pacific Northwest this year, you can advertise it on The Shadow Over Portland for FREE!  Just email me at shadowoverportland@live.com with the details and promotional artwork and I'll post it on the site.

And please keep spreading the word.  If you attend any of the events listed on the site, let the organizers know you read about it at The Shadow Over Portland!

Ongoing

Well, it's December and that means Die Hard will be screening in local theaters across the Pacific Northwest.  But this year, the Funhouse Lounge (2432 SE 11th Ave in Portland, OR) is going a bit further by presenting Die Hard: The Parody Musical Fridays and Saturdays at 7 pm through December 30 (with Thursday shows starting on December 21).  Oh yes, it's the movie adapted for the stage, with 15 original songs!  Yippee-Ki-Yay, MF!!!  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

UPDATE: Another two days have been added to the run of Die Hard: The Parody Musical.  Tickets are on sale for Friday and Saturday, January 5 and 6, and you'll want to purchase them early, as the show has sold out most of its run.

--------------

Guillermo del Toro's The Shape of Water continues to show at Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Ave in Portland, OR).  Visit the Cinema 21 website for more details. 

The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) will also continue showing The Shape of Water.  For showtimes and advance ticket sales, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.

The Salem Cinema (1127 Broadway St NE, #170, in Salem, OR) begins showing The Shape of Water on Thursday, December 21.  For showtimes, visit the Salem Cinema website.

The Shape of Water continues at the Darkside Cinema (215 SW 4th St in Corvallis, OR), at least through Thursday, January 4.  Visit the Darkside Cinema website for more details and to see if it continues after that.

The St Johns Twin Cinema and Pub (8704 N Lombard St in Portland, OR) is now showing The Shape of Water.  For more details, visit the St Johns Twin Cinema website.

January, 2018
Wednesday, January 3

The Rio Theatre (1600 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) will screen Blade Runner: The Final Cut and the recent sequel, Blade Runner 2049, starting at 6:15 pm tonight.  You can buy tickets for just one film, or pay a little extra and see both!  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

-----------------

Episode One of The X-Files: Season 11 screens at the McMenamins Mission Theater and Pub (1624 NW Glisan in Portland, OR) tonight at 8 pm.  Doors open at 7:30 pm  For more details, visit the Mission Theater website.

---------------

Weird Wednesday at The Joy Cinema and Pub (11959 SW Pacific Highway in Tigard, OR) starts the New Year with another edition of Monster Roulette.  Once again, an unlucky audience member will pick the film shown, which will feature a monster.  You won't know if the film will be good, or something truly awful, but you'll find out at 9:15 pm.  Be sure to support The Joy's efforts to keep Wednesdays WEIRD by stopping at the concession stand before the show for some tasty treats and beverages.  Remember, monsters of all types get upset with patrons bringing outside food and drink into the theater!  For more details, visit The Joy Cinema website.

Friday, January 5

The Spaghetti Fest at the Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) screens Lucio Fulci's Lizard in a Woman's Skin tonight at 10 pm.  Due to the film's sexual content and scenes of violence, you must be 18 or older to attend.  For more details on the screening and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

----------------

The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) kicks off the Friday Late Night Movie series with the Jim Henson classic Labyrinth tonight at 11:15 pm.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Rio Theatre website.

Saturday, January 6

The Kiggins Theatre (1011 Main St in Vancouver, WA) will screen Bride of Frankenstein today for FREE!  Hosted by Vancouver Toy Junkies, the theater will open at 10 am for a mini vintage toy show, with the movie starting at noon.  For more details, visit the Kiggins Theatre website or the Facebook Event Page.

--------------

The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) will screen all three extended cuts films in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings Trilogy, starting at noon.  Come in costume, or wear something comfy, as it's going to be a long day!  For more details and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

UPDATE: Advance tickets are SOLD OUT.  A few tickets will be available at the door.   If you want to make sure to see these films, check out the repeat showing on January 21 below.

------------

Spaghetti Fest continues at the Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) with a screening of The Fantastic Argoman (AKA Argoman the Fantastic Superman), a 60s mix of Eurospy thriller and superhero adventure.  For more details and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

------------------

The Sprocket Society presents Saturday Secret Matinees! starting today at the Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA) at 2 pm.  The series will screen a weekly cliffhanger episode of Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe, and a classic (but secret) feature, all in GLORIOUS 16mm!  This week's feature theme is Alien Invasion!, a sci fi classic from the 50s!  Series passes will be available at the door.  For more details, visit the Grand Illusion Cinema website.

Sunday, January 7

The Spaghetti Fest at the Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) presents the Gothic-style giallo Night of the Scorpion (AKA La Casa De Las Muertas Viventes/ The House of the Living Dead) tonight at 8:30 pm.  For more details and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Monday, January 8

It sounds like the title of a GREAT movie, but Vincent Price vs. the White Eagle is EVEN BETTER!  The White Eagle Hotel and Bar (836 N Russell St in Portland, OR) will screen TWO classic William Castle films starring Vincent Price, House on Haunted Hill and The Tingler!!  It all starts at 7 pm and admission is FREE.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

---------------

The Resistance Series at the Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) presents Terry Gilliam's 12 Monkeys tonight at 7 pm.  Admission is $5 and proceeds go to the Alzheimer's Association Oregon Chapter.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.
Tuesday, January 9

Burlynomicon returns to the Lovecraft Bar (421 SE Grand Ave in Portland, OR) tonight at 9 pm.  Admission is $15 at the door and you must be 21 or older to attend.  For more details and a list of performers, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Wednesday, January 10

Episode Two of The X-Files: Season 11 screens at the McMenamins Mission Theater and Pub (1624 NW Glisan in Portland, OR) tonight at 8 pm.  Doors open at 7:30 pm  For more details, visit the Mission Theater website.

Friday, January 12

The Friday Late Night Movie at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) is the remake of It, one of the best horror films of 2017 and one you don't want to miss watching on the big screen.  Showtime is 11:30 pm.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Saturday, January 13

The Heroes and Villains Fan Fest and Walker Stalker returns to the Oregon Convention Center (777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd in Portland, OR) this Saturday and Sunday.  At this time, Stephen Amell (Arrow) is scheduled to attend, with Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun and Jeffrey Dean Morgan heading to the Walker Stalker side.  Check back at the Heroes and Villains Facebook Event Page and Walker Stalker Facebook Event Page closer to the date for details on events and guests, and links to advance ticket sales.


UPDATE: Jon Bernthal (Shane from The Walking Dead and star of The Punisher) is scheduled to attend on Saturday only.

---------------

The final film in the Spaghetti Fest at the Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) is Horror Rises from the Tomb, starring Paul Naschy.  The show starts at 8:30 pm.  For more details and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

------------------

The Sprocket Society presents Saturday Secret Matinees! at the Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA) at 2 pm.  The series will screen a weekly cliffhanger episode of Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe, and a classic (but secret) feature, all in GLORIOUS 16mm!  This week's feature theme is Alien Invasion!, a sci fi classic from the 50s!  Series passes will be available at the door.  For more details, visit the Grand Illusion Cinema website.

Sunday, January 14

The Poe Show 2018 comes to the Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) this evening from 8 to 11 pm.  Celebrate all things Poe on his birthday!  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

-----------------

Shriek: A Women of Horror Film Class takes a look at the latest cinematic incarnation of It at 6:30 pm tonight at the Naked City Brewery and Taphouse (8564 Greenwood Ave N in Seattle, WA).  Admission to the class is $10 and you must be 21 or older to attend.  For more details and advance tickets, visit the Facebook Event Page.

--------------

Head to The Analog-Theater and Cafe (720 SE Hawthorne Blvd in Portland, OR) tonight at 7:30 pm to celebrate the 5th Annual Burlesque Nightmare Before Christmas Show!  The show features burlesque, drag and comedy homages to the work of director Tim Burton.  Tickets are $15 for this 21 and older show.  For more details, including a list of performers, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Poltergeist (2015)

To paraphrase Dr. Ian Malcolm from Jurassic Park, too many filmmakers are so preoccupied with whether or not they could remake a film that they don't stop to think if they should.  The Ghost House Pictures remake of Poltergeist is a perfect example.  Sure, the original is over 30 years old and the urge to start a new franchise with "brand" recognition must be tempting.  But the end results show that no one involved in the production bothered to wonder whether remaking such a classic was a good idea.  Much like a park loaded with dinosaurs, this production showed the hubris of filmmakers attempting to revive something from the past. 

The story starts out the same as the Hooper/Spielberg original.  The Burke family moves into a new home, only this time, the father, Eric (Sam Rockwell) is unemployed.  The mother, Amy (Rosemarie DeWitt) is a writer (at least so we are told, but we never see her in front of a computer), and Eric doesn't want her to find a job and give up working on, I don't know, the Great American Novel or something. 

As expected, the house is the center of some supernatural activity and the youngest daughter, Madison (Kennedi Clements) is pulled into the spirit realm.  Her brother Griffin (Kyle Catlett) feels guilty for abandoning her just before the ghosts get her, and the oldest daughter Kendra (Saxon Sharbino) does very little other than react to the ghostly events and introduce us to Carrigan Burke (Jared Harris) a YouTube ghost hunter brought in by a paranormal research team to find Madison and help the spirits find the light.

And, as expected, mayhem ensues.

Well, maybe not real mayhem, 

but we've got lots of puzzled looks and lackluster effects.

The story isn't deep, but to be fair, neither was the original.  As expected, this version hits all the expected notes, including a scary clown doll, a evil tree and a closet portal to the spirit world.  It's mentioned the housing development is located on a graveyard that was moved, someone mentions an ancient Indian burial ground, and we get ghosts communicating with Madison via a big screen television.

But the script runs into problems almost immediately.  How the family can buy a new home without an income and maxed out credit cards is hard to fathom, even if you go with shady mortgage practices employed in recent decades.  I'm certain this plot point was an attempt to update the characters and make them more relatable to modern audiences, but any theme of Eric's financial despair and powerlessness as a provider are dropped early one.

Additionally, the script spends very little time developing the family before the haunting starts.  Unlike the Freelings in the Hooper/Spielberg version, the Burkes just seem like dull stereotypes used to move the story to the action scenes.  And we don't get any interactions with their neighbors, a major part of the original's first act.  Sure, the couple does attend an awkward dinner party as part of Eric's attempt to find employment, but it seems the Burkes are the only family living on the block.  Even at the conclusion, the neighborhood is surprisingly deserted while the home is torn apart.  While the isolation set up by their financial situation could bring the characters to life, David Lindsay-Abaire's script doesn't seem interested in moving any further than the next effects scene.

Yet even those moments fall flat.  The first film was an amazing roller coaster ride, full of practical effects that hold up today.  But here, the CGI effects look painfully cheap, even by television standards.  The tree attacking Griffin is more funny than scary and the scary clown doll, so effective in the original, isn't given enough of a build up to make it effective.  And though the film brings us into the spirit realm, it's about as eerie as a Resident Evil game on the PS2.

Oh, come on!

We're SCARY!!

Right?

Adding to the problem with the effects are the lack of quiet moments of the supernatural activities.  Sure, the Hooper/Spielberg film is full of scary moments, but the filmmakers also include scenes that are quiet and full of wonder.  These breaks, missing from the remake, allow the audience a moment to relax while builds expectations on what is coming later.

The remake has no time to develop tension, instead trying to hammer the audience into being scared.  In the original, the creepy clown doll is introduced in a way that unnerves the audience, before the figure dials up the evil past eleven in the climax.  In the remake, it attacks early on with no payoff, no character moment of attacking one's fears.  Maybe the filmmakers felt the scary clown cliche is overplayed, but I suspect waiting a bit before it attacks would have worked better by playing on audience expectations.

No need for any build up, I'm a scary clown doll!!

What, why is everyone yawning?

Okay, time to address the CGI issue.  I have no problem with horror films using such effects.  If done right, it can bring amazing creatures to life and create settings that are truly otherworldly.  But in this case, the filmmakers relied too much on computer artists to deliver thrilling effects on a very limited budget.

Again, it goes back to the characters.  In the original, we got to know, and like, the Freelings before the ghostly happenings.  In the remake, the family and ghost investigators are little more than pawns to be maneuvered into a position that the scary moments can happen.  But if a script treats its characters with such apathy, so will the audience and that will lessen any sense of tension or dread, regardless of the antagonist.

It's always a tall order when one tries to remake a beloved film.  But I suspect had the filmmakers spent more time thinking if they should, they might have realized what made the original Poltergeist so special and possibly spent a bit more time on a script that would do justice to the story.  Or decided it wasn't worth trying and abandoned the remake.  Either way, the audience would be the winner.

Next time, listen to Malcolm.

He knows what he's talking about.