Friday, January 21, 2022

The days are getting longer under The Shadow Over Portland

I noticed a couple posts earlier in the week, celebrating that sunset now occurs after 5 pm.  Yes, the days are getting longer and pretty soon flowers will be blooming, birds will be chirping and vampires are going to be cooped up until after 9 pm.

 

Wait, that means the sunrise will be getting earlier now!  Damn it!!

We still have some gloomy, rainy days ahead, the ones that make you want to stay in your PJs with a hot drink and a good book.  Or maybe you'd like to head out for a movie.  Well, this edition of the Weekly Update is for you, as it's ALL MOVIES.  Not that it started that way, but the stage event and convention happening this week have been cancelled by the virus that just won't go away.

And though we have no idea how long the pandemic will continue, I'll still be updating the Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Calendar with details on the film festivals, cons and more coming to the Pacific Northwest this year.  Keep checking back for updates, and use the links provided to make sure the event is still taking place.  I suspect we'll see a few more cancellations in the next few months.

At least the longer days ahead will be warmer, allowing for outdoor events like the rooftop screenings that happened last summer.  And, just maybe, the warmer weather will end the pandemic for good this time.  Hey, I can dream.

 Until next week, stay safe, keep wearing your mask, and let's make Halloween happen this year!!

 If you'd like to support the site, please visit my Ko-fi page.

Playing This Week   
 
You have even more reasons to go mad at the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR) as they bring Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior back to the big screen through Thursday, January 27.
 
The Potter-verse continues to play at the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR) as Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire plays through Thursday, January 27.
 
The Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA) will screen both dubbed and subtitled versions of the Japanese animated sci fi/fantasy film Belle, while the Liberty Theatre (315 NE 4th Ave in Camas, WA) will show only the dubbed version this week.

The Cat Returns to the Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA), in English dubbed and subtitled versions, through Wednesday, January 26.  I don't know if The Cat was ever at Central Cinema, just couldn't resist the joke. 
 
You'll find even more Cats at the Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA), with screenings of the universally panned musical in Hecklevision, through Wednesday, January 26. 
 
The Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR) and McMenamins Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd Ave in Portland, OR) will screen the Disney animated film Encanto through Thursday, January 27.

Get ready to Scream as the fifth film in the franchise continues this week at the St Johns Twin Cinema (8704 N Lombard St in Portland, OR), Studio One Theaters (3945 SE Powell Blvd 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), McMenamins Grand Lodge (3505 Pacific Ave in Forest Grove, OR) and McMenamins Power Station Theater at Edgefield (2126 SW Halsey St in Troutdale, OR), the Granada 3 Theatre (1311 Adams Ave in La Grande, 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 Broadway Metro (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR).
 
Guillermo del Toro's latest film, Nightmare Alley, continues this week at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR), the Salem Cinema (1127 Broadway NE in Salem, OR) and the Broadway Metro (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR).

Marvel Studio's Eternals will play at McMenamins Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd Ave in Portland, OR) through Thursday, January 27.
 
The Broadway Metro (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR) and the Academy Theatre (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR) will continue to show the new version of Dune through Thursday, January 27.
 
Sure, you'll have no problem watching Spider-Man: No Way Home at some big corporate multiplex.  But why not support local and independent theaters, as the film continues this week at St Johns Twin Cinema (8704 N Lombard St in Portland, OR), Studio One Theaters (3945 SE Powell Blvd in Portland, OR), The Cameo Theatre (304 E 1st St in Newberg, OR), the Darkside Cinema (215 SW 4th St in Corvallis, OR), the Laurelhurst Theater and Pub (2735 East Burnside St in Portland, OR) and CineMagic (2021 SE Hawthorne Blvd in Portland, OR).
 
The Liberty Theatre (315 NE 4th Ave in Camas, WA) will screen Ghostbusters: Afterlife through Thursday, January 27.
 
Woah!  The Matrix: Resurrections continues at Studio One Theaters (3945 SE Powell Blvd in Portland, OR) through Thursday, January 27, and will be at The Blue Mouse Theatre (2611 N Proctor St in Tacoma, WA) from Friday, January 21, to Sunday, January 23.
 
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 21
 
The Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA) will screen David Lynch's Eraserhead tonight and tomorrow at 10 pm, in celebration of the film's 45th anniversary.
 
Friday Night Frights invites you for a ride on the Terror Train, starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Ben Johnson and David Copperfield as "The Magician."  Boarding time is 10 pm at The Blue Mouse Theatre (2611 N Proctor St in Tacoma, WA).  ALL ABOARD!
 

The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) will screen John Carpenter's sci fi/horror classic The Thing tonight at 8:20 pm and on Monday, January 24, at 8:45 pm.
 
The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) will show the Jennifer Lopez "psychological" thriller (seriously, it's a horror film; am I right?) The Cell tonight at 11 pm.
 
John Carpenter and Dan O'Bannon's Dark Star will play at 7:30 pm at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR). 
 
Darmarth's Video Valhalla presents a double feature, Satanic Attraction and Blood Cult, at 9 pm tonight at Cryptatropa Bar (421 4th Ave E in Olympia, WA).
 
Fan Expo Portland has been CANCELLED due to Covid-19 concerns.  The convention is planning to return on Friday, February 17, 2023.
 
Saturday, January 22

The Whiteside Theatre (361 SW Madison Ave in Corvallis, OR) screens the Studio Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro today at 3 pm.

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.
 
UPDATE: Passes are sold out.  A few individual tickets will be available each week. 
 
VHS Uber Alles Jan. 22 kicks off the New Year with a Cynthia Rothrock secret feature at 9:30 pm at the Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA).  The feature will be presented in GLORIOUS VHS!!

The Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) will presents a "Be It Yourself" screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show tonight.  Doors open at 11 pm.  
 
The Kiggins Theatre (1011 Main St in Vancouver, WA) will also present the film with the Denton Delinquents doing the Time Warp across the stage. 

Sunday, January 23

The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) will screen an English dubbed version of the anime classic Princess Mononoke today at 1 pm and Saturday, January 29, at 1 pm.
 
Tuesday, January 25
 
I've never heard of the film Don't Panic, but having read the synopsis on The Beacon (4405 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA) website, all I know is I HAVE TO SEE THIS!  Written and directed by Mexican horror filmmaker Ruben Galindo Jr, this rip-off of A Nightmare on Elm Street, with the evil dream killer summoned by a Ouija board (!), features effects by 80s legend Screaming Mad George!!  It sounds utterly crap-tastic!!!  Check out this big chunk of 80s cheese tonight at 7:30 pm!
 
Shogun Assassin, the American version of the first two Lone Wolf and Cub films, will screen in GLORIOUS 35mm at 7:30 pm tonight at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR).  This presentation from the Grindhouse Film Festival series might seem a bit outside this site's normal interests, but you just have to see the fountains of blood on the big screen, and start seeing how this influenced films from Big Trouble in Little China to Kill Bill
 
Wednesday, January 26
 
The Re-Run Theatre series at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) will screen two episodes from the re-imagined Battlestar Galactic series, 33 and Flesh and Bone starting at 7:30 pm.  You should frackin' be there!
 
Get your ass to Mars tonight as The Whiteside Theatre (361 SW Madison Ave in Corvallis, OR) screens the original Total Recall at 7 pm. 
 
Friday, January 28
 
The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) will screen Nightmare Alley: Vision in Darkness and Light, a black-and-white version of Guillermo del Toro's latest film, in GLORIOUS 35mm, today through Sunday, January 30.
 
The Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA) presents the Bill Murray time loop comedy Groundhog Day through Wednesday, February 2. 
 
The Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA) will screen a 4K restoration of Alfred Hitchcock's classic North by Northwest through Thursday, February 3.  It might not be horror, sci fi, or fantasy, but it's a GREAT film.
 
Saturday, January 29
 
The Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St in Bellingham, WA) opens the series It's Alive! with the 1931 classic Frankenstein today at noon.
 
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. 

UPDATE: Passes are sold out.  A few individual tickets will be available each week.
 
The Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) will show The Rocky Horror Picture Show tonight, with the Clinton Street Cabaret.  Doors open at 11 pm.