Happy Summer Solstice, Pacific Northwest Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Fans!

The Summer Solstice occurs in the Pacific Northwest at 8:54 am on Friday, and one way to celebrate is with a bonfire, believed to help power the sun for the rest of the growing season, and to chase away demons.

Just remember to follow basic fire safety guidelines.

And it's probably best just to skip the human sacrifice part.

However you plan to spend the longest day of the year in this hemisphere, you might want to spend some time checking out this edition of the Weekly Update, which is full of great movies, cons, stage events and MORE coming to the Pacific Northwest this week.

And you'll want to take a look at the Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Calendar for even more terrific things to do.  I've got all the details on the Summer Repertory Series at the Academy Theater in Portland, OR.  Running through August, the series is full of great genre films, ranging from family friendly animated features to a 3D blood soaked slasher flick.  I've also included the genre films being presented by the Northwest Film Center, also in Portland, OR.  You'll also find details on films at the Rio Theatre in Vancouver, BC, the Grand Cinema in Tacoma, WA, and so MUCH MORE!!  Of course, I'm always finding more to add to the calendar, so keep checking back!

If you want your event listed on site, just email me at shadowoverportland@live.com with the information and promotional artwork, and I'll do the rest.  And remember, having your event posted on the site is FREE!

From Ashland, OR, to Vancouver, BC, The Shadow Over Portland has you covered!

Now Showing

The Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR) is offering the best way to beat the heat right now, sitting in a dark, air conditioned theater watching John Carpenter's chilling sci fi/horror classic The Thing.  The show runs through Thursday, June 20.  For more details, including showtimes, visit the Academy Theater website.

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Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Ave in Portland, OR) will screen the star studded zombie movie The Dead Don't Die through Thursday, June 27.  For announcements about showtimes, and advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page or the Cinema 21 website.

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Torchsong Theater Company presents The Ripper: Gothic Rock Musical opening tonight at the Peninsula Lodge #128, IOOF (4834 N Lombard St in Portland, OR).  Based on the poems of Geoffrey Charles Pate, this take on the the tale of The Ripper promises to be much, much stranger than the story you know.  The production contains strong language, violence and mild sexual content, and is recommended for ages 16 and older.  The show runs through Sunday, June 23.  For more details, including showtimes and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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The musical Wicked comes to the Paramount Theatre (911 Pine St in Seattle, WA) tonight.  The production runs through July 7.  For more details and a link to ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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Godzilla: King of the Monsters is now playing at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR).  The film is currently scheduled to run through Thursday, June 20.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.

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The Broadway Rose Theatre Company (12850 SW Grant Ave in Tigard, OR) presents the Tony Award-winning Into The Woods through Sunday, June 30.  For more details, including showtimes and advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Fundraiser News

Horrific 5: A Night of Horror Themed Belly Dance has launched a Indiegogo fundraiser for their January 2020 performance in Tacoma, WA.  The show features local Pacific Northwest talent, as well as a featured dancer from "lands afar."  Every act represents a horror film as an epic dance story.  If you live in the area, you can pick up general admission or VIP tickets, or add on a shirt or hoodie for a bit more.  But if you are unable to attend the event, you can pick up a t-shirt, a tank top, or a hoodie to wear anywhere.  The fundraiser runs through August 8, 2019.  Check out the Indiegogo link for a list of perks and how you can support an amazing local horror themed event.  And you'll find details about the event by scrolling down the Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Calendar page.

Any fundraising event I post on the site, I fully support and have contributed to.

June, 2019

Friday, June 21

Frightmare on Main Street presents the horror comedy Tucker and Dale vs. Evil at 9:30 pm at the Kiggins Theatre (1011 Main St in Vancouver, WA).  After the film, the members of local podcast The Horror Aisle will discuss the film.  For more details and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Kiggins Theatre website.

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The Olympia Film Society presents a screening of Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke at 6:30 pm tonight at the Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE in Olympia, WA).  Guest programmer, comedian and musician Mary Kobayash will introduce the film.  For more details and a link, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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Projekt Record's Movies in the Dark series presents the vampire film Only Lovers Left Alive at 9:30 pm tonight at the Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR).  Tickets are $5 to $10 sliding scale, $8 in advance.  Doors open at 9 pm.  For more details and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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Friday Night Frights presents Wes Craven's terrifying The Hills Have Eyes at 10 pm tonight at the Blue Mouse Theatre (2611 N Proctor St in Tacoma, WA).  Admission is $6.  And, as always, expect all kinds of awesome prizes.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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As part of the Summer Repertory Series, The Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR) will screen the classic action film Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the animated classic The Last Unicorn, through Thursday, June 27.  Please note, this is not a double feature and if you want to catch both, you'll need two separate tickets.  For more details, including showtimes, visit the Academy Theater website.

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The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) will screen Jim Jarmusch's star-studded zombie comedy The Dead Don't Die through Thursday, June 27.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.

Saturday, June 22

GeekCraft Expo PDX 2019 takes place this weekend at the Oregon Convention Center (777 ME Martin Luther King Jr Blvd in Portland, OR).  Doors open at 10 am both days, and you can browse the aisles of made by local nerd hands merchandise.  The event is FREE (though preregistration is needed) and family friendly.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) presents the 1923 classic The Hunchback of Notre Dame, starring Lon Chaney, today at 2 pm.  Expect a live score accompaniment from the Columbia River Theatre Organ Society.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.

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Headbangers Ball with Sign of the Beast Burlesque takes place at 9 pm tonight at The Fixin' To (8218 N Lombard St in Portland, OR).  Expect the heavy metal prom you've always wanted, with sinful burlesque to boot.  Dress in your finest leather and lace for a chance to be crowned royalty.  The event is a fundraiser for the fourth annual Metalesque Fest, so bring cash for raffle tickets and merchandise!  Tickets are $10 at the door.   For more details, including a list of performers, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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Weird Elephant at The Grand Cinema (606 S Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA) presents the cult classic The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension tonight at 11 pm.  For more details and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) will screen the dystopian anime classic Akira tonight at 11 pm.  For more details and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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The Egyptian Theatre (229 S Broadway in Coos Bay, OR) is screening Star Wars: A New Hope at 4 and 7:30 pm today and Saturday, June 29.  This is a VERY rare chance to catch this classic film on the big screen, so don't miss out!  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Tuesday, June 25

They are going to EAT YOU!  The Grindhouse Film Festival series at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) presents Lucio Fulci's Zombie tonight at 7:30 pm in GLORIOUS 35mm!  Don't miss your chance to see this classic in all it's gory glory on the big screen!!  For more details and advance ticket sales (highly recommended), visit The Hollywood Theatre website.

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The Funhouse Lounge (2432 SE 11th Ave in Portland, OR) will screen Bite Me, a subversive romantic comedy about a vampire and the IRS agent auditing her, tonight at 7 pm.  Writer and star Naomi McDougall Jones will be present for a Q and A after the film, which will be followed by A Joyful Vampire Ball at 9 pm.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit the PurplePass website.

Friday, June 28

The Ace Comic Con Seattle 2019 takes place this weekend at WaMu Theater (800 Occidental Ave S in Seattle, WA).  Currently scheduled to appear are Marvel Cinematic Universe actors Don Cheadle, Josh Brolin, Zoe Saldana and Lee Pace.  For more details, including other guests, events and tickets, visit the Ace Comic Con website, or check out the Facebook Event Page.

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Once again, The Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR) is screening a couple of classics this week as part of the Summer Repertory Series.  You can catch Jim Henson's dark fantasy, The Dark Crystal, or the Universal classic Creature from the Black Lagoon through Wednesday, July 3.  Oh, and Creature will be screening in GLORIOUS 35mm AND 3D!  Please note, this is not a double feature and if you want to catch both, you'll need two separate tickets.  For more details, including showtimes, visit the Academy Theater website.

Saturday, June 29

Pacific Northwest Indie Horror Filmmaker Joe Sherlock presents the Portland Premiere of his latest anthology film, Dark Zone Thirteen at 7:30 pm tonight at the Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR).  The film features Jackey Neyman Jones (Manos The Hands of Fate), along with some of Sherlock's regular actors and, as expected, blood and more blood.  For more details and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) celebrates the 40th anniversary of Stanley  Kubrick's The Shining with a 4K remaster screening tonight at 9:30 pm.  For more details and a link to advance ticket sales, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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The Olympia Film Society celebrates the 15th anniversary of Howl's Moving Castle.  This is the last in a series of screenings, and starts at 11 am today at the Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE in Olympia, WA).  Admission for kids 12 and under is FREE!  And no, it doesn't count if you consider yourself a kid at heart!!  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

The Dead Don't Die (2019)

Fans of indie filmmaker Jim Jarmusch might have some fun with his latest film, the zombie comedy The Dead Don't Die.  It's full of quirky characters, droll humor and, to be honest, some funny lines that had me laughing.  But don't go in expecting another Shaun of the Dead, as the film meanders for most of its run time, and the ensemble cast don't really have enough to sink their teeth into.  They might be having fun, but it doesn't translate to the screen.

The film opens outside the small town of Centerville, as Chief Cliff Robertson (Bill Murray) and Officer Ronnie Peterson (Adam Driver) confront Hermit Bob (Tom Waits) about his possible involvement with some missing chickens from Farmer Frank (Steve Buscemi).  Driving back to town, the two discover radio issues, phones and watches shutting down, and the sun not setting, even through its 8 pm.

 Hi, I'm Hermit Bob, and I'll be providing some insight for this movie.

Hope you weren't expecting someone else,

'cause I'm all you've got.

The cause of all the problems is the result of polar fraking, which has changed the axis of the Earth.  Aside from changing the time of sunset and setting up electrical interference that disables phones and watches, and causes domestic animals, from dogs and cats to cows and chickens, to start freaking out and running into the woods.

Everyone in the town is talking about the event and listening to conflicting points of view on the radio, but no one seems too concerned, which derails the movie a bit.  These people are in the middle of a massive planetary change, which occurred almost overnight, and their reaction is to simply shrug their shoulders.  Okay, maybe some people might act that way, but the film really needed a few other characters freaking the hell out. 

Hey, the reporter just said the end is nigh.

I feel I'm taking the news pretty well. 

Guess the Prozac is working better than I thought.

That night, a pair of zombies (one played by Iggy Pop) arise from their plots in the local cemetery and gnaw on the diner waitress Fern and overnight cleaner Lily.  Of course, everyone who sees the carnage comments that it looks like the work of a wild animal.  Or a pack of them.  Yeah, that line is repeated several times in five minutes, as if each delivery was comic gold, but repetition doesn't make it any funnier.

Anyway, given the strange behavior of the local animals, the theory seems plausible, but Ronnie floats the idea that zombies attacked the pair the previous night.  Checking out the cemetery, Cliff and Ronnie find the two empty graves, and still don't act too worried.  Or surprised.  Or even curious.  Seriously, something must be in the water causing the apathetic condition in most of the town's citizens, as no one seems too concerned about any damn thing.  It's enough to make you wish the zombies would show up and finally bite everyone in the town on the ass.

Hey, the dead are coming back to life.  

Shouldn't we act a bit more concerned, 
or, I don't know, maybe freaking out?

As for the zombies, I guess these ones during the first attack are allergic to sunlight, as they simply vanish for a while and we are introduced to more quirky characters, including sword welding undertaker Zelda Winston (Tilda Swinton), officer Mindy (Chloë  Sevigny), who appears to be the only one having some emotional outburst, a trio of 20-somethings stopping in town for the night, and a few others. 

But finally, night falls, the graveyard empties and zombie mayhem ensues.  Along with even more quirky dialog and weird happenings.

Finally, the zombies are here.  Any more apathetic, quirky interactions

and I was ready to choke on my popcorn.

I have to confess, I'm not a fan of the droll, quirky humor that seems to be a staple of independent films today.  That's not to say I can't enjoy such films, but it was obvious that everyone else in the audience found more humor in the movie than I.  Or it could be they were grasping for anything to laugh at, as the film drags at several points. 

Ronnie pulling up in his smart car got the biggest laugh

from the audience in the entire movie.
And I'm not sure why that was the funniest part.

And no, I didn't go into the film expecting extended moments of zombie mayhem like more recent zombie comedies.  As the trailer made evident, the appeal of the film was built around the cast, who do their best with the material.  That's not to say the film doesn't have a few nice moments of zombie action.  But Jarmusch's script doesn't deliver the beats that makes a zombie film work, whether it's a comedy or more serious in tone.

Unless you're treading in Italian gut-muncher territory, a zombie film has to say something about society, either through the characters or the zombies (preferably both).  And Jarmusch injects some interesting directions the film might have taken throughout the film.  In fact, at one point early on, I thought he might have intended the film to be a critique on the process of movie making.  That moment came during a fourth wall breaking scene concerning the song The Dead Don't Die by Emmy winning country singer Sturgill Simpson.  And using the zombies to comment on audience and studio expectations could have been a lot of fun.

But the script drops this, and every other potential direction for the film to take, to focus on the underdeveloped characters populating the town.  It's a shame, as the approach just wasn't enough to create a interesting film.

As I said above, the cast delivers what they can with the material.  I just wished the script had more meat on its bones for them to gnaw on, giving them some moments to deliver a more human response to the events unfolding around them.  Instead, only officer Morrison is allowed to freak out at the incoming zombie attack and the horrible acts everyone must do in order to stay alive.  And the film has ample opportunity to give the cast something a bit more dramatic, and interesting, to play off of, rather than just walk through the zombie apocalypse as if it was just another day.

That said, I'd have watched an entire movie filled with

Tilda Swinton whacking zombies with her sword.  

That would have been AWESOME!

I didn't expect The Dead Don't Die to be a rollicking zombie comedy.  But I was hoping for the cast to get a bit more to chew on.  It's a beautiful looking film, but you might find the delicious meal promised by the trailer to be rather pale once it's served.

This is Sturgill Simposn.  Check out his song, The Dead Don't Die.

It deserves to be in a better zombie movie than this one.