Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Yep, it's that day when the beer is green, bagpipes are blasting, and, yeah, lots of folks are trying to be "Irish" by drinking themselves into a vomit-induced stupor. 

But if that's not your idea of a good time, Pacific Northwest Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Fans, I have the perfect answer for you in this edition of the Weekly Update, with great things happening tonight and through the entire week.  

But today is pretty packed, with naughty Muppets at the Rio Theatre in Vancouver, BC, the Museum of Pop Culture opening their Laika film exhibit in Seattle, WA, dinosaurs taking over Salem, OR, giant ants at the Joy Cinema in Tigard, killer cars at the Blue Mouse Theatre in Tacoma, WA, Leprechaun sightings in Portland, OR, and Vancouver, BC, and SO MUCH MORE!

"Turning beer green is my thing."

No green beer was involved in this edition of the update.

I'm caught up on the Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Calendar, at least for now.  I've added some cool movies, such as The Heroic Trio at the Capitol Theater in Olympia, WA and the Seattle premiere of Death is With Me at the SIFF Egyptian in Seattle, WA.  Check it out, but keep coming back for more great things happening around the Pacific Northwest. 

Well, that's what I have for now.  Everyone have a safe St. Patrick's Day, and I'll be back next Friday with more news about the great things happening under The Shadow Over Portland!

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

Happening This Week 

Live Attractions 

 

The Museum of Pop Culture (325 5th Ave N in Seattle, WA) has Jim Henson puppets and set pieces from the 2019 Netflix series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance on display now.  You can read about the display, and the work the museum put into displaying the artifacts, at the link.

 

 

The Marvel Universe of Super Heroes makes a stop at OMSI (1945 SE Water Ave in Portland, OR) through April 9, 2023.  Marvel (see what I did there) at the hundred of artifacts, from original comic book pages, interactive displays, life-size statues of Marvel heroes, costumes and props from films and TV programs, and MUCH MORE.  Excelsior! 

Back in Theaters

The Studio Ghibli Film Festival opens on Friday, March 3, at the OMSI Empirical Theater (1945 SE Water Ave in Portland, OR).  The festival runs through Sunday, April 2, and features subtitled and dubbed versions of some GREAT films.  With over 30 days of films, I'm not listing them all.  I've got enough gray hairs.  Just visit the link for the schedule and to buy tickets.

Jordan Peele's Oscar winning horror film Get Out is playing at The Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA; scheduled through Thursday, March 23).

CineMagic (2021 SE Hawthorne Blvd in Portland, OR) will screen the "first" trilogy in the Star Wars series, The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith, through Wednesday, March 22.

Travel the multiverse again as Everything Everywhere All at Once is playing at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, March 23), The Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA; scheduled through Thursday, March 23), the Broadway Metro (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR; scheduled through Thursday, March 23), the Darkside Cinema (215 SW 4th St in Corvallis, OR; scheduled through Thursday, March 23), and the Salem Cinema (1127 Broadway NE in Salem, OR; scheduled through Thursday, March 23).  

And after it's Oscar wins, the film returns to the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) on Sunday, March 19, at 9:30 pm, and the Kiggins Theatre (1011 Main St in Vancouver, WA) from Saturday, March 18, to Monday, March 20.  And it opens on Friday, March 17, at McMenamins Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, March 23), and returns to the St Johns Twin Cinema (8704 N Lombard St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Wednesday, March 22) and the Yelm Cinemas (201 Prairie Park St SE in Yelm, WA; scheduled through Thursday, March 23).  It also is playing at the Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St in Bellingham, WA) on Friday, March 17, at 9:35 pm and the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre (508 S Main St in Moscow, ID) Saturday, March 18, at 7 pm.

First Run Features  

Oh Cthulhu, there's another one?  How many idiot have to try and top the previous Ghostface?  It's not like it worked well for the other posers. Oh, it's different because its Ghostface takes Manhattan.  Scream VI opens tonight at the Broadway Metro (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR; scheduled through Thursday, March 23), the Sandy Cinema (16605 Champion Way in Sandy, OR; scheduled through Wednesday, March 23), the Yelm Cinemas (201 Prairie Park St SE in Yelm, WA; scheduled through Thursday, March 23), the Tracyton Movie House (1520 NE Riddell Rd in Bremerton, WA; scheduled through Wednesday, March 22), the Ark Lodge Cinemas (4816 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Sunday, March 19), Studio One Theaters (3945 SE Powell Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Wednesday, March 22), the Laurelhurst Theater (2735 E Burnside St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, March 23) and the Darkside Cinema (215 SW 4th St in Corvallis, OR; scheduled through Thursday, March 23).

If you haven't seen the trailer online, yes, this is a real movie and it looks INSANE IN THE BEST WAYS!  Cocaine Bear is playing at the Laurelhurst Theater (2735 E Burnside St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, March 23), Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, March 23), Studio One Theaters (3945 SE Powell Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Wednesday, March 22), the Broadway Metro (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR; scheduled through Thursday, March 23), the Sandy Cinema (16605 Champion Way in Sandy, OR; scheduled through Wednesday, March 22),  Living Room Theaters (341 SW 10th Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, March 23), the Tracyton Movie House (1520 NE Riddell Rd in Bremerton, WA; scheduled through Wednesday, March 22), the Darkside Cinema (215 SW 4th St in Corvallis, OR; scheduled through Thursday, March 23), the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, March 23), and the Granada 3 Theatre (1311 Adams Ave in La Grande, OR; scheduled through Thursday, March 23).

You can read my review of the movie here.

  

Film Festival Submission Information 

 

The Portland Horror Film Festival is accepting submissions of short and feature length, independently produced horror films through March 28.  Visit the link for more details.

The Northwest Flying Saucer Film Festival is accepting UFO/Alien themed short films, documentaries, animation or music videos for the festival, which takes place on September 22 at McFiler's Chehalis Theater (558 N Market Blvd in Chehalis, WA). Submissions are accepted on FilmFreeway through July 15.

The Crypticon Seattle Film Festival is now open for submissions.  The Late Deadline is April 4, 2023.  Visit the link for all the details.

March, 2023

Friday, March 17

 

The Geekenders raise the curtain on The Muppet Burlesque Show at 8 pm tonight at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC).  Doors open at 7 pm, but it's suggest you buy advance tickets.

Hidden Worlds: The Films of LAIKA opens today at the Museum of Pop Culture (located in the Seattle Center; 325 5th Ave N in Seattle, WA).  The exhibit features never-before-seen artifacts from the Laika production studios, immersive set displays, character interactive and a sneak peek at the studio's next feature, Wildwood.  The exhibit will be open through Summer 2024.

Jurassic Quest, the largest and most realistic dinosaur exhibit, roars into the Pacific Northwest at the Oregon State Fair and Expoision Center (2330 17the St NE in Salem, OR) through Sunday, March 19.  Follow the event on Facebook for the latest details.

Tonight's Midnight Move at the Joy Cinema (11959 SW Pacific Highway in Tigard, OR) is the 50s big bug classic Them!  This movie looks AMAZING on the big screen.  

You'll find out who made when Friday Night Frights brings the craptastic Stephen King film Maximum Overdrive to the Blue Mouse Theatre (2611 N Proctor St in Tacoma, WA) tonight at 10 pm.

Wyrd War celebrates St. Patrick's Day at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) with a screening of the crap-tastic Leprechaun 4: In Space, with director Brian Trenchard-Smith in attendance.  Oh, there's also a treasure hunt that starts at 7:30 pm, with the film starting at 8 pm.  Brian Trenchard-Smith will be signing his book Adventures in the B-Movie Trade before the film, and will be present after the film for a discussion about his career with Wyrd War's Dennis Dread.

More St. Patrick's Day shenanigans take place at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) with a screening of the original Leprechaun, with Warwick Davis and Jennifer Aniston, tonight at 11:30 pm.

Weird Elephant at The Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA) will bring the animated sci fi classic Ghost in the Shell back to the big screen tonight and tomorrow night at 10 pm.

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On plays at the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre (508 S Main St in Moscow, ID) tonight at 7 pm.

The 7th St Theatre (313 7th St in Hoquiam, WA) will show Monty Python and The Holy Grail tonight and tomorrow at 7:30 pm. 

Saturday, March 18

The Sprocket Society presents Saturday Secret Matinees 2023 every Saturday through March 25 at 1 pm, in GLORIOUS 16mm,at The Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA).  Each Saturday starts with a new episode from the classic serial King of the Rocket Men, followed by a secret film.  The clue for today and next week's film is Space Epics in Cinemascope.  

The Beacon (4405 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA) will screen Frank Henenlotter's horror/comedy take on drug abuse, Brain Damage, tonight at 9 pm.

The classic 1990 monster movie Tremors, starring Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward, will be at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) tonight at 7 pm, and tomorrow night at 9:30 pm.

Okay, I have to include this one, as the plot sounds so WEIRD.  Tonight at 9:30 pm, The Grand Illusion (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA) will screen Hamburger Dad, about a father who wakes up on day as a hamburger.  Shot in Seattle 20 years ago, the screening will be introduced by Scott Miller of Strange Tapes Zine, and include a Q and A with directors Kevin Clarke and Wil Long, and star Christopher Miller after the film.

Monday, March 20

Brandon Cronenberg's latest film, Infinity Pool (starring Mia Goth and Alexander Skarsgård), has a final screening at 9:30 pm tonight at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC).

Tuesday, March 21

CMNYK brings Jerry Warren's Z-grade "classic" Teenage Zombies, starring Don Sullivan (The Giant Gila Monster, The Monster of Piedras Blancas) to the Darkside Cinema (215 SW 4th St in Corvallis, OR) tonight at 7 pm.  Preshow starts at 6:15 pm.

Wednesday, March 22

Hail to the King, baby!  Okay, it's from a different movie, but it fits the Reel Oddities screening of Don Coscarelli's Bubba Ho-Tep, starring Bruce Campbell as Elvis in a Texas nursing home battling a soul sucking Egyptian mummy.  The film also includes Ossie Davis as a "dyed" JFK, Reggie Bannister as a health care worker, and is a terrific commentary on growing old in the US.  This movie is AMAZING, and shouldn't be missed on the big screen.  It's showing at the Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE in Olympia, WA) tonight at 7 pm.  Damn, Campbell should have been given an Oscar nomination for his performance.  DON'T MISS IT! 

Fathom Events brings Godzilla: Tokyo SOS to theaters nationwide tonight only.  Click on the link to find a theater near you.

Thursday, March 23

Varsity Cheerleader Werewolves LIVE From Outer Space, a cabaret-style production featuring sexy cheerleaders, rebellious youth, evil aliens, 80s music, cabaret dance numbers and puppets, opens tonight at The Chapel Theatre (4107 SE Harrison St in Milwaukie, OR).  The production runs through Saturday, April 8.  I was sold on this by the title alone, but then I read about the puppets!

The Make Believe Seattle Film Festival takes place through Sunday, March 26, at venues around Capitol Hill in Seattle, WA.  Click on the link above to find a list of films and locations, and to purchase tickets or passes.

The Beacon (4405 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA) presents a screening of the Arnold Schwarzenegger cheesy sci fi film The Running Man tonight at 7:30 pm.  The screening is sponsored by the Radio vs. the Martians podcast as a benefit for the Pacific Northwest Starbucks Workers United labor union.  100% of admissions will be donated to their relief fund.

 

Friday, March 24

 

The Oregon Ghost Conference takes place this weekend at the Seaside Civic and Convention Center (415 First Ave in Seaside, OR).  The event is currently seeking speakers, instructors, vendors and sponsors.  You can follow the event on Facebook.  

The sci fi drama Linoleum, about a failing science show host building a rocket, opens tonight at the SIFF Film Center (305 Harrison St in Seattle, WA). Showtimes TBA.

Saturday, March 25

Frankenstein's Comicbook Swap Unearthed! happens today at Lloyd Center Mall (1405 Lloyd Center in Portland, OR) in the old H and M location, upper and lower level, southwest of the ice rink.  The location is across from All American Magic Shop, Hot Topic and Zoomies.  $5 gets you early bird admission at 11 am, with $1 general admission starting at noon.  The swap is open until 6 pm.

"Got any money?  Wanna date?"  Those immortal lines will be echoing through the aisle of The Beacon (4405 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA), as they present Frank Henenlotter's Frankenhooker, starring Patty Mullen as the titular creature, tonight at 10 pm.

The 2020 restoration of the animated sci fi classic Akira is at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) tonight at 10:30 pm.

The Grand Illusion (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA) will screen the martial arts/horror film Brotherhood of the Wolf through Wednesday, March 29.

Fathom Events brings Studio Ghibli's My Neighbor Totoro to theaters nationwide in both subtitled and dubbed versions through Wednesday, March 29.  Click on the link to find a theater near you.

The Kiggins Theatre (1011 Main St in Vancouver, WA) will show The Rocky Horror Picture Show, with a shadow cast by The Denton Delinquents, tonight at 10 pm.  Preshow starts at 9 pm.

Sunday, March 26

The Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St in Bellingham, WA) is showing the final Gillman movie, The Creature Walks Among Us today at 1:45 pm.