Saturday, August 31, 2019

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)



Okay, I'm going to say it.  Horror films CAN be rated PG-13 and still be effective.  Sure, the rating limits the use of gory effects, but if the atmosphere is right and the story is strong enough, the movie will work.  And Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark does work.  It's creepy, dark and very entertaining.  And it's a great gateway film for young horror fans.

Just a quick word of warning.  Don't go in expecting a Guillermo del Toro film.  While his name is attached to the film, it's not his movie.  He produced the film, and does share a story credit with two others, but as with 2010's Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, he found a director who shares his sensibilities in André Øvredal (Trollhunter, The Autopsy of Jane Doe), who delivers a creepy, dark tale dealing about facing one's fears.  At least, that's the sense I got from the conclusion, but it doesn't really work.  More on that later.


Although facing this damn thing is going to be hard for anyone,
even a horror fan.

The film takes place on Halloween night in a small Pennsylvania town in 1968.  Amateur horror writer Stella (Zoe Margaret Colletti) and her friends Auggie (Gabriel Rush) and Chuck (Austin Zajur)  incur the wrath of local bully Tommy (Austin Abrams).  But his plans against the group are thwarted by Ramon (Micheal Garza), who just drove into town.

The four head to a local haunted house, which is a GREAT idea on Halloween night.  Of course, they find a book of scary stories owned by Sarah Bellows, the family daughter who's been removed from all the family photos.  Tommy follows them and locks them in the room along with his girlfriend, Chuck's sister Ruth (Natalie Ganzhorn).  Some unseen presence released them and the group leaves, with the freaking book!  For being a horror writer, Stella seems to have missed the point that one never leaves a haunted location with ANYTHING.

Dammit, Stella, you should know better.
Don't EVER take something out of a haunted house!
It NEVER ends well!!

Later that night, Stella discovers a new story being written in Sarah's book, with Tommy as the main character.  And soon, Tommy is attacked by a scarecrow and is reported missing the next day.  Stella and Ramon head to Tommy's home, only to find his clothes on a new scarecrow in the cornfield.


Okay, I get it.  Scarecrows in a dark cornfield are scary, but probably not to someone living on a corn farm.
Unless the scarecrow looks like it was made by Ed Gein.

And, as expected, mayhem ensues as new stories are written by Sarah, and Stella's friends become targets.

Okay, I have to confess that I have not read the books this movie is based upon.  Published in the 80s, I was already devouring the glut of adult horror books flooding the market and wasn't aware these books existed.  But I am aware of the controversies these books continue to generate, as author Alvin Schwartz didn't shy away from some violent content, and the illustrations by Stephen Gammell are pretty horrific.  But not reading the source material won't hamper your enjoyment of these dark tales.

However, it does bring up one small problem.  As the stories appear in Sarah's book, the film cuts to the mayhem occurring to the character written into the tale.  For those who haven't read Schwartz's books, we get no history of the creature, why they exists, and why a particular character is being hunted by it.  As many of the stories in the books are based on folklore tales and urban legends, the monsters probably exist to impart a moral to the reader.  But the film moves too fast in introducing the creatures to their victims, without explaining why the attack is happening to a character.

Okay, I know I'm being attacked by a very scary creature.
But I just have to ask, why me?  And why this big, doughy thing?

The young cast does a good job, though we don't get enough time with them before things go crazy to develop their characters in any way.  Øvredal isn't afraid to keep things in the shadow, which is quite effective.  But I suspect it was also used to ensure the film received a PG-13 rating, as some scenes might have crossed into R rated territory if not hidden in shadows.

And, thankfully, the film isn't over-reliant on jump scares.  Sure, like all horror films, it has a few, but once they appear on the screen, the creatures tend to stay out in the open, rather than lurking in the shadows waiting to leap out of the darkness.  And it's nice to see some characters react to the monsters in a very human fashion.  Seriously, who among us, if we were armed, wouldn't unload a pistol into a dismembered, living human head?  Sure, the results aren't as effective as the character would hope, but it's a very human reaction and a nice touch.

As Jack Burton would say,
you never know until you try!

In fact, the most horrific moment of the film isn't visual.  As Stella tries to stop her friends from being attacked by the monsters written into the book, she finds a recording of Sarah's electroshock therapy performed by her brother to keep her from telling the truth about the Bellow's mill, which is poisoning the town.  It's basically a torture scene and the audio is powerful, more terrifying than the monsters Sarah now creates.  And without any visual cues, the audience is allowed to imagine the scene, which ends up being more horrific than any filmed depiction of the procedure.

Okay, I said earlier that the film is about facing one's fears, and the ending does deal with it somewhat.  Ramon is shown facing his fear, which is portrayed in the monster he faces earlier.  But Stella's friends simply meet with terrifying monsters that have no connection with their limited character development.  And, as one character recovers from their ordeal without showing any sign that they faced their obvious fear, the conclusion to Ramon's story is lessened.  Rather than being a morality tale, which is common with most folktales, the stories/attacks are simply little more than an excuse to bring the book's monsters to life, and the film's conclusion suffers from it.

Okay, it's an obvious fear for teens to have that a massive zit will pop up at the worst time possible.
Too bad it's the 60s, or she might have been able to faced that fear on YouTube.

Of course, the film ends on a somewhat happy note, which, as expected, sets up a sequel.  I don't know how the filmmakers could pull that off, as the story with Sarah has reached its conclusion.  But I'd be happy to see More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark show up at my local cinema at some point.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark will please fans who read the books when they were young, as the monsters on the screen are good representations of Gammell's illustrations.  And for adults who missed out on the books, the film will make you want to check out Schwartz's work to see what you missed.  As for the kids, it's a perfect gateway film for budding horror fans, terrifying without being overly gory.  You just might want to abandon the suggesting in the title and leave a light on for the younger ones.

And maybe for a few hours afterwards.
Just saying.





Friday, August 30, 2019

I've found a few things I missed, so it's time for a Special Report!


Well, I try to catch everything before sending out the Weekly Update, but sometimes things fly under my radar.

Kind of like The Giant Claw.
I just didn't see it until it was right on top of me.

Seriously, I got details on two of these films yesterday, and found the other while I was working on the Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Calendar this morning.  I'm sure some of you might be interested in them, so it's time for a Special Report!

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First up, The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) is screening the new horror/comedy Ready or Not through Thursday, September 5.  For more details, including showtimes and advance ticket sales, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.

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Across the Columbia River in Washington, The Nightingale, the latest film from writer/director Jennifer Kent (The Babadook) plays through Thursday, September 5, at the Kiggins Theatre (1011 Main St in Vancouver, WA).  This tale of a woman's quest for vengeance in 1825 Australia caused some controversy when it premiered at The Sydney Film Festival for its extreme depictions of rape and murder, with some 30 people walking out of the screening.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit The Kiggins Theatre website

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Last but not least, the Darkside Cinema (215 SE 4th St in Corvallis, OR)  presents the Sci Fi Extravaganza #30Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla, tonight at 7pm.  Doors open at 6 pm for an hour of cartoons, newsreels, trailers and MORE!  Admission is $5, which can be used as credit towards food purchases.   And be advised, heckling is encouraged.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, and I'll be back on Wednesday with a new Weekly Update!

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

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

The Halloween Calendar of Events page is NOW OPEN!


If you look at the bar underneath the title of the site, you'll notice the Halloween Calendar of Events page for 2019 is now open.  Okay, it only contains one listing for now, but you know Halloween events are like leaves on a tree in autumn.  Once one falls, a pile of them are following behind.

I just started raking and all the leaves fell from the tree at once.
Damn, I hate fall gardening chores!

It also means THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR is just a little over a month away!!  While the page might not be too full right now, expect a lot of posting concerning corn mazes, haunted mazes, haunted houses and Halloween attractions.  Also, the events in each section will be listed by location, so it should be easy to find something happening near you.

Of course, you'll still find the listings for movies, conventions, stage events and MORE at the Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Calendar.  The rest of the year is filling up with events, and more are coming, so keep checking back for all the details.

But for now, take a look at this edition of the Weekly Update.  It's a bit heavy on the movies this week, but expect that situation to change as October approaches.

If you'd like to see your event listed on the site, just email me at shadowoverportland@live.com with all the details and your promotional artwork, and I'll do the rest.  Not only is it easy to do, but FREE as well!

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

Now Showing 

The Summer Repertory Series at the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR) ends with the first, and possibly, best summer movie made, Steven Spielberg's Jaws, presented in GLORIOUS 35mm.  Or head to Camelot (or not, it's a rather silly place) with Monty Python and the Holy Grail.  Both movies play through Thursday, August 29.  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.

Buy Tickets Now

Oh no, there goes The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR), go go Godzillathon!  It's a weekend full of Kaiju goodness as the theater brings Destroy All MonstersGodzilla vs. MegalonGodzilla vs. Mechagodzilla and Godzilla on Monster Island to the big screen from Friday, August 30 to Sunday, September 1, all in GLORIOUS 35mm!  Tickets go on sale to the general public at noon on Thursday, August 8.  For more details, including showtimes, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.

Looking for Monsters

The Beneath is gearing up for its second year under the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, OR, and is looking for volunteers to play monsters!  If you're interested, visit The Beneath website and click on the Monsters Needed button.

Film Festival Submissions

The 11th Annual GuignolFest: 3-Day Horror Movie Contest is signing up teams now!  For more details, visit the Facebook Page or the GuignolFest website.

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The PNW Film Festival 2019 is now accepting submissions for short (up to 30 minutes) sci-fi/fantasy/action/horror films for the two day festival starting on Monday, October 21.  Submission deadline is Saturday, October 5.  For all the details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Fundraiser

The Kickstarter campaign for the 2019 H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival and Cthulhucon is now live and runs through 9 pm PST on Sunday, September 8.  Check out the Kickstarter Page for the rewards.  Even if you can't attend the festival, you can still pick up some cool clothes and other great items.

As with any fundraiser listed on the site, it is one I supported.

August, 2019

Wednesday, August 28

Re-Run Theater at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) presents the action filled two-part episode The Living Legend from the original Battlestar Galactica tonight at 7:30 pm.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.

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Weird Wednesday at The Joy Cinema and Pub (11959 SW Pacific Highway in Tigard, OR) brings back the Luchador mayhem with Santo y Blue Demon contra Los Monstruos.  Yep, just about every monster you can think of will be taking on our masked heroes!  The film will be presented in Spanish with English subtitles.  Showtime is 9:15 pm and admission is FREE, but you must be 18 or older to attend.  And don't forget to visit the concession stand before the film for some tasty treats and beverages!  For more details, visit The Joy Cinema website.

Thursday, August 29

Get Your Geek On: Three Year Anniversary takes place at 9:30 pm tonight at Crush Bar (1400 SE Morrison St in Portland, OR).  This variety show has featured bellydance, drag, burlesque, circus, singing and comedic acts in the past, with characters from comics and movie to literature and video games.  To find out what's in store this time, you'll have to show up and see.  Doors open at 9 pm.  For more details, including advance ticket sales and a list of performers, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Friday, August 30

Godzillathon begins its rampage at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) with a screening of Destroy All Monsters in GLORIOUS 35mm tonight at 7 pm.  For more details, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.

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VHS Uber Alles brings the cheesy sounding Attack of the Beast Creatures at 9 pm tonight at the Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA) in GLORIOUS VHS!  The film deals with shipwreck survivors fighting some very tiny, extremely vicious beast creatures (whatever those are).  Admission is just $2.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

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The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) will screen the director's cut of Midsommar tonight, tomorrow and Sunday night at 9:30 pm.  For more details and advance tickets, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.

Saturday, August 31

Godzillathon continues stomping through The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) with a screening of Godzilla vs Megalon in GLORIOUS 35mm today at 2 pm.  For more details, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.

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Godzillathon continues stomping through The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) with a screening of Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla in GLORIOUS 35mm tonight at 7 pm.  For more details, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.

September, 2019

Sunday, September 1

The Northwest Film Center presents the scariest movie ever released by Disney, Return to Oz, at 7 pm tonight at the Portland Art Museum Whitsell Auditorium (1219 SW Park Ave in Portland, OR) in GLORIOUS 35mm!  Dorothy, back in Kansas, is about to undergo electroshock therapy because of her belief in the world of Oz.  She manages to escape to Oz, only to find it threatened by another evil force.  Featuring some fairly scary stop-motion (created by Will Vinton Studios) and a queen with a collection of various disembodied heads, it's not the cute musical from the 30s.  For more details and advance tickets, visit the NWFC website.

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Godzillathon continues stomping through The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) with a second screening of Destroy All Monsters in GLORIOUS 35mm today at 2 pm.  For more details, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.

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Godzillathon ends its rampage at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) with a screening of Godzilla on Monster Island in GLORIOUS 35mm tonight at 7 pm.  For more details, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.

Wednesday, September 4

The #OregonMade Film Series at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) presents Kevin Costner's Razzie winning post-apocalyptic film The Postman in GLORIOUS 35mm tonight at 7 pm.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.

Thursday, September 5

Time to go back to school with (in my humble opinion) one of the most under appreciated 80s horror films ever, as Queer Horror brings Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II to The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) in GLORIOUS 35mm!  As always, Portland's premiere drag clown, Carla Rossi, will host the show, and the opening prom themed pre-show.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.

Friday, September 6

Tigers are not Afraid, a horror fairy tale set against the backdrop of Mexico's drug wars, opens tonight at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR).  The film is currently schedule to run until Thursday, September 12.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.

Saturday, September 7

The Artists Repertory Theatre's Stage Meets Screen series, in conjunction with their new production of George Orwell's 1984, brings the dystopia masterpiece Brazil to The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) in GLORIOUS 35mm!  And you can bring your movie ticket to the Artists Repertory Theatre box office for a discount on their production of 1984.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.

Sunday, September 8

The Hollywood Theatre presents Beast Wishes, a film tribute to Sci Fi/Horror movie memorabilia legends Bob and Kathy Burns, tonight at 7 pm.  The event is hosted by Portland film curator Greg Hamilton, and includes Oscar-winning FX artist Chris Walas (The FlyGremlins) and director Frank Dietz.  For more details and advance ticket sales, visit The Hollywood Theatre website.