Okay, to be honest, I didn't think everything would be better once we tossed the calendars for 2021 into the recycle bin. But I did expect things to move forward, not backslide. Yet, we've already had a major film (Sony's Morbius) have it's release pushed back from later this month to April. And this morning, my email contained an announcement concerning the cancellation of FAN EXPO Portland, which was scheduled to start on January 21.
I know it's too early to say if this will continue, but it's hard not to feel a bit depressed. We don't know enough about the omicron variant to know how long it will pose a threat to people and the health care system. Though some say cases should start decreasing in March, it's not like those same experts weren't wrong about how long COVID would be around last year. And, of course, another variant spring up. It's easy to feel we're just on a merry-go-round, ending up in the same spot over and over again.
And you don't get off the ride until this guy launches you through the roof.
I guess we're all stuck waiting to see what happens next, with little we can do to affect the outcome. But let's do what we can, like wear a mask, observe social distancing whenever possible, and get the shot.
As for this edition of the Weekly Update, I've got all the up-to-date information on the movies, toy swaps and stage events happening in the Pacific Northwest over the next week. Be sure to use the link to up-to-date information concerning COVID precautions, and to buy advance tickets whenever possible.
Be sure to visit the Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Calendar for all the details of what is (and isn't) happening during the rest of this year.
If you like the site and want to support it, please visit my Ko-fi page.
Stay healthy and I'll be back next week!
Playing This Week
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Guillermo del Toro's latest film, Nightmare Alley, continues at the Broadway Metro (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR), Salem Cinema (1127 Broadway NE in Salem, OR), Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Ave in Portland, OR) and the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) through Thursday, January 13. It is playing at The Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA) through Thursday, January 6, with a 2 pm matinee on Sunday, January 9.
The Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA) will screen See for Me,
a Canadian thriller about a blind woman house sitting a secluded
mansion when thieves seeking a safe haven invade the house. She is
forced to rely on an app called "See For Me," where a volunteer, who is
an army veteran, helps her survive by seeing on her behalf. It sounds
brilliant and, at 93 minutes, won't outstay it's welcome. Showtimes are
Friday, January 7, at 7:30 pm, Sunday, January 9, at 4 pm, and Tuesday,
January 11, at 7:30 pm.
The Academy Theatre (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR) will show the sci fi disaster Waterworld through Thursday, January 13.
The Academy Theatre (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR) continues the Potter-verse run with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets through Thursday, January 13.
The Central Cinema
(1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA) is showing the dark fantasy Labyrinth through Wednesday, January 12.
The film also plays at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) at 10:30 pm tonight and on Monday, January 10, at 6:15 pm.
The Central Cinema
(1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA) is showing dark sci fi/fantasy film The City of Lost Children through Wednesday, January 12.
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Sure, you'll have no problem watching Spider-Man: No Way Home at some big corperate multiplex. But why not support local and independent theaters like the Granada 3 Theatre (1311 Adams Ave in La Grande, OR), St Johns Twin Cinema (8704 N Lombard St in Portland, OR), the Darkside Cinema (215 SW 4th St in Corvallis, OR), the Laurelhurst Theater and Pub (2735 East Burnside St in Portland, OR), The Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA), the Joy Cinema and Pub (11959 SW Pacific Highway in Tigard, OR), the Kelso Theater Pub (214 S Pacific Ave in Kelso, WA), and the Cameo Theatre (304 E 1st St in Newberg, OR). The film is running at these theaters until Thursday, January 13.
The film closes at the Blue Mouse Theatre (2611 N Proctor St in Tacoma, WA) on Thursday, January 6.
The film is also showing at the following McMenamins locations: the McMenamins Anderson School (18607 Bothell Way NE in Bothell, WA), McMenamins Bagdad (3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd in Portland, OR), McMenamins Old St. Francis Theater (700 NW Bond St in Bend, OR), and McMenamins Power Station Theater at Edgefield (2126 SW Halsey St in Troutdale, OR) through Wednesday, January 12. The film is also playing at McMenamins Grand Lodge (3505 Pacific Ave in Forest Grove, OR) from Friday to Sunday, January 7 to 9.
Woah! The Matrix: Resurrections continues at the Laurelhurst Theater and Pub (2735 East Burnside St in Portland, OR) through Thursday, January 13. It opens at McMenamins St Johns (8203 N Ivanhoe St in Portland, OR) through Thursday, January 13, and closes at the Granada 3 Theatre (1311 Adams Ave in La Grande, OR) on Thursday, January 6.
The Crypticon Seattle Horror Film Festival
is taking submissions until March 8, 2022. Northwest filmmakers can
contact the con for a submissions waiver to avoid the fee. Visit the
link for all the details.
January, 2022
Friday, January 7
The Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) will screen David Cronenberg's The Brood tonight at 10 pm.
Saturday, January 8
Saturday Secret Matinees return to the Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA) with Daredevils of the Red Circle,
featuring Charles Middleton (Ming the Merciless) as the villain in this
1939 serial, with a new chapter shown each week in GLORIOUS 16mm! Of
course, what's a serial without a feature, and each week, the episode
will be paired with a secret feature film. Bi-weekly themes will
provide clues, but you have to show up to find out what's being shown!
The fun starts at 1 pm.
McMenamins Kennedy School
(5736 NE 33rd Ave in Portland, OR) will show the entire The Lord of the
Rings today starting at 11 am. Admission to each film is FREE with a
canned food donation.
The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) will show the post-apocalyptic black comedy Delicatessen tonight at 9:40 pm. Bon appetit!
The January Trade Night takers place from 5 to 7 pm at Rogue Toys Portland (10414 SE 82nd Ave in Happy Valley, OR).
Sunday, January 9
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The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) will show Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey tonight at 4:45 pm.
Also at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) tonight is the David Bowie sci fi film The Man Who Fell to Earth at 8 pm.
Thursday, January 13
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The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) presents a final screening of the 2020 restoration of Akira tonight at 9:30 pm.
Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA) will screen The Hunger, hosted by Princess Charming and Mae Flowers, tonight at 8 pm.
Get ready to Scream as the fifth film in the franchise opens tonight at the St Johns Twin Cinema (8704 N Lombard St in Portland, OR), the McMenamins Anderson School (18607 Bothell Way NE in Bothell, WA), McMenamins Bagdad (3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd in Portland, OR), McMenamins Old St. Francis Theater (700 NW Bond St in Bend, OR) and McMenamins Power Station Theater at Edgefield (2126 SW Halsey St in Troutdale, OR).
Friday, January 14
It's 2022, and you knew some theater would get around to showing the 70s sci fi film Soylent Green. Catch it at 10:30 pm at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC). And watch what you order at the snack bar.
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The Central Cinema
(1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA) will show the fantasy classic Kiki's Delivery Service, in both English dubbed and subtitled versions, through Tuesday, January 18.
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Less family friendly, but still a classic, the Central Cinema
(1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA) will show John Carpenter's The Thing through Tuesday, January 18.
Saturday, January 15
Horrific: A Night of Horror Themed Dance is back from the dead at Alma Mater's Fawcett Hall
(1322 South Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA) tonight at 8 pm (yes, the time
has changed). Advance tickets are recommended. You must be 21 or older
to attend.
Watch your favorite cartoon characters come to life as the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) brings Cartoon Cabaret to the stage tonight at 9 pm. Advance tickets are recommended.