The Shadow Over Portland: Happy, well, everything happening this week!

Yeah, a lot of things are being celebrated this week. Mardi gras, Ash Wednesday, and Valentine's Day. Too much to add to a headline, so what ever you are celebrating, I hope you have a great time. And if you're not celebrating anything, have a great week!

Just be careful of those candy boxes. You never know what flavor you might encounter.

This edition of the Weekly Update has plenty of ways for Pacific Northwest Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Fans to enjoy the coming week, even though most of the events pretty much focus on Valentine's Day. Seriously, no one is screening one of the original Evil Dead movies for Ash Wednesday? Seems like a natural to me. Well, maybe next year.

I'm a bit behind on the Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Calendar, at least as far as future events are concerned. I hope to remedy that situation this weekend, but I'm making no promises. I'll be celebrating another rotation around the sun, so updating the site will take a backseat. Still, keep checking back, as I always have plenty of great event to share.

Well, that's what I have for now. Have a great week, stay safe, and I'll be back next week with another update from The Shadow Over Portland!

Happening This Week

Live Attractions

Hoquiam High School Drama presents the musical The Addams Family at the 7th St Theatre (313 7th St in Hoquiam, WA) on February 8, 9, and 10, at 7:30 pm, with 1:30 pm performances on Saturday and Sunday, February 10 and 11.

Hidden Worlds: The Films of LAIKA is open 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.

Back in Theaters

The Hammer classic The Brides of Dracula, starring Peter Cushing, is playing at the Joy Cinema (11959 SW Pacific Highway in Portland, OR; showing at 9 pm through Wednesday, February 14).

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is playing at the Kiggins Theatre (1011 Main St in Vancouver, WA; scheduled through Sunday, February 11).

CineMagic (2021 SE Hawthorne Blvd in Portland, OR) is showing Star Wars: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi and Rogue One through Thursday, February 15. Visit the link for dates and showtimes.

The extended version of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and The Hobbit trilogy is playing at the SIFF Cinema Uptown (511 Queen Anne Ave N in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Wednesday, February 14). Visit the link for days and showtimes of each film.

The Empirical Theater at OMSI (1945 SE Water Ave in Portland, OR) will host the 2024 Studio Ghibli Film Festival through Sunday, February 25. You'll find all the details, including the schedule, at the link.

The Sprocket Society brings back The Saturday Secret Matinee to The Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA) running through Saturday, March 30. Every show starts with an episode of the serial Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars, followed by a secret classic feature, all in GLORIOUS 16mm. And yes, you can purchase a series pass. Check the link for hints of the features to be shown.

First Run Features

The horror rom/com Lisa Frankenstein opens tonight at the Metro Cinemas (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR; scheduled through Thursday, February 15), the Yelm Cinema (201 Prairie Park St SE in Yelm, WA; scheduled through Thursday, February 15), the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, February 15), the Laurelhurst Theater (2735 E Burnside St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, Thursday, February 15), the Living Room Theaters (341 SW 10th Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, February15), Studio One (3945 SE Powell Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, February 15), the Sandy Cinema (16605 Champion Way in Sandy, OR), the Tracyton Movie House (1520 NE Riddell Rd in Bremerton, WA; scheduled through Wednesday, February 14), the Ark Lodge Cinema (4816 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Wednesday, February 14), and the Salem Cinema (1127 Broadway St NE in Salem, OR; scheduled through Thursday, February 15).

Poor Things, based on Alasdair Gray's novel about a young woman who is resurrected after her suicide to embark on an odyssey of self-discovery and sexual liberation, is playing at Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, February 15), the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, February 15), the Metro Cinemas (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR; scheduled through Thursday, February 15), the Laurelhurst Theater (2735 E Burnside St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, Thursday, February 15), the Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St in Bellingham, WA; scheduled through Thursday, February 15), the Living Room Theaters (341 SW 10th Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, February 15), Studio One (3945 SE Powell Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, February 15), the SIFF Cinema Uptown (511 Queen Anne Ave N in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Thursday, February 15), the Darkside Cinema (215 SW 4th St in Corvallis, OR; scheduled through Thursday, February 15), the St Johns Twin Cinema (8704 N Lombard in Portland, OR; scheduled through Tuesday, February 13), the Salem Cinema (1127 Broadway St NE in Salem, OR; scheduled through Thursday, February 15), the Ark Lodge Cinema (4816 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Sunday, February 11), the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, February 15), McMenamins Bagdad Theater (3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Tuesday, February 13), the Tracyton Movie House (1520 NE Riddell Rd in Bremerton, WA; scheduled through Tuesday, February 13), and the Blue Mouse Theatre (2611 N Proctor in Tacoma, WA) scheduled through Monday, February 12).

The subtitled version of Hayao Miyazaki's latest animated feature, The Boy and the Heron, is playing at the Granada 3 Theatre (1311 Adams Ave in La Grande, OR; scheduled through Tuesday, February 13).

Please check the links to find out if the dubbed or subtitled version is playing at the theater near you.

Film Festival Submission Information

The 16th Annual Guignolfest 72 Hour Horror Film Contest is taking applications for 2024 now. Visit the link for details.

The Northwest Flying Saucer Film Festival returns to McFiler's Chehalis Theater (558 N Market Blvd in Chehalis, WA) this September, and will begin accepting submissions of UFO themed shorts, documentaries, animations or music videos from Northwest filmmakers on January 1. Deadline is August 18, 2024.

The BoneBat Comedy of Horrors Film Fest 2024, taking place on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at the SIFF Cinema Egyptian (805 E Pine St in Seattle, WA) is now accepting submissions through Friday, March 1. Visit the link for details.

February, 2024

Friday, February 9

Cinema of Horrors presents Hearts of Horror-Valentine's Haunted House (1301 Grade St in Kelso, WA; located next to Fiesta Bonita at Three Rivers Mall) tonight and tomorrow night starting at 7 pm. Advance tickets are required, and are limited to the first 1,000 people.

Retro with XO presents Shock Show, a celebration of horror classics from the 1970s to 2001 with a cast of Portland drag talent, at 8 pm tonight at the Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR). Doors open at 7 pm. This is a 21 and older event.

Mel Brooks' Star Wars spoof Spaceballs is playing tonight and tomorrow at CineMagic (2021 SE Hawthorne Blvd in Portland, OR).

Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Ave in Portland, OR) will screen a subtitled 4K restoration of the anime Paprika tonight and tomorrow night at 9:30 pm.

The 1984 sci fi/rom com Electric Dreams, about a love triangle between a man, a woman and his computer (yikes, that sounds timely now) will play at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) tonight at 7:30 pm.

Got some money? Wanna date? Head to the Rio Theatre (1600 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) for a screening of Frank Henenlotter's cult classic Frankenhooker tonight at 11:15 pm.

Saturday, February 10

The Roller Barn (98 NE Barron Dr in Oak Harbor, WA) presents Scream Your Heart Out!, a Valentines weekend haunted house experience. The event is tonight only from 6 to 10 pm, so buy your tickets soon!

The legendary Pam Grier will be at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) today for screening of 1974's Foxy Brown at 3 and 7 pm. Tickets go on sale to members at noon on Thursday, January 11, and any remaining tickets go on sale to the general public at noon on Friday, January 12.

UPDATE: The 7 pm screening is SOLD OUT.

The gender-swapping sword-and-sorcery feature She is Conann is playing at The Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Tuesday, February 20).

The Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA) presents The Show Has Already Started: Short Films by Bertrand Manioc (director of She is Conann) tonight only at 6:30 pm.

Sunday, February 11

Market for the Strange: Strange Lovers, a bazaar with some added attractions, takes place from 11 am to 6 pm at the Salem Convention Center (200 Commercial St SE in Salem, OR). This is an all ages event.

Camp Napalm brings David Cronenberg's cult classic Shivers to the Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA) tonight at 7 pm. Prepare for an evening of sexual madness and body horror hosted by a couple of rock 'n' roll drag queens!

Satoshi Kon's sci fi thriller Paprika is playing tonight at the Sandy Cinema (16605 Champion Way in Sandy, OR).

Animayhem brings the dubbed version of Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust to the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) tonight at 7 pm.

The Rocket Sci-Fi Matinee series at the Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St in Bellingham, WA) will show the Danish-American giant monster movie Reptilicus today at 1:45 pm.

The romantic fantasy classic The Princess Bride is playing at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) today at 1 pm.

HEY YOU GUYS! The OFS Kids Club is showing The Goonies at 1 pm today and on Sunday, February 18, at the Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE in Olympia, WA). Kids 12 and under are admitted FREE!

Tuesday, February 13

Burlynomicon-A Darkly Decadent Burlesque Revue invites you to a Valentine's Eve soiree at The Coffin Club (421 SE Grand Ave in Portland, OR) tonight at 8 pm. Doors open at 7 pm, and there is a two drink minimum. Obviously, this is a 21 and older event.

The Portland Horror Trivia Massacre takes place at 7:30 pm tonight at Home, A Bar (719 SE Morrison St in Portland, OR). Gather your team, test your knowledge and maybe win some prizes.

Wednesday, February 14

The Whiteside Theatre (361 SW Madison Ave in Corvallis, OR) will show Twilight tonight at 7 pm.

Thursday, February 15

Portland visual artist Eatcho and musician Pink Buddha bring a live score to the anime classic Ghost in the Shell at 7 pm tonight at the Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR).

The 1981 (at least I think so, as the site is using the cover for the Blu-Ray edition) slasher holiday classic My Bloody Valentine is playing at the North Bend Theatre (125 Bendigo Blvd N in North Bend, WA; scheduled through Sunday, February 18).

Jordan Peele's Oscar winning Get Out is playing at the Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St in Bellingham, WA) tonight at 8 pm.

The new series Horror and Indigeneity, an exploration of how Indigenous Peoples have been depicted in horror cinema (good, bad and horrible), continues at 7:30 pm tonight at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) with The Manitou, shown in GLORIOUS 35mm. The series is programmed and introduced by Dr. Kali Simmons, Assistant Professor of Indigenous Nations Studies at Portland State University.

Friday, February 16

Friday Night Frights brings Bride of Chucky to the Blue Mouse Theatre (2603 N Proctor St in Tacoma, WA) tonight at 10 pm.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors , with a pre-film dream themed DJ set and introduction by Violet Hex, is playing at 7 pm tonight at the Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR). Doors open, with the DJ set starting at 6 pm.

PAM CUT Tomorrow Theater (3530 SE Division St in Portland, OR) offers you a Blind Date Night with Tarot Readings tonight starting at 6 pm. Get a free tarot reading from Margaret Malone, check out the rules and instructions for the evening, then settle in for a "mystery film." Oh hell, it's The Love Witch. Look at the photos on the site, it's pretty obvious. Unless we're being mislead. Regardless, sounds pretty fun for a Valentine's Day celebration.

The horror film Ganja and Hess, starring Duane Jones (Night of the Living Dead) and Marlene Clark (The Beast Must Die), is playing at Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Tuesday, February 20).

Weird Elephant at The Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA) will screen the uncut, 4K restoration of 1981's My Bloody Valentine tonight and tomorrow night at 10 pm.

Saturday, February 17

FanExpo Vancouver takes place through Monday, February 19, at the Vancouver Convention Centre (1055 Canada Pl in Vancouver, BC). Visit the link for a list of guests.

The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) will show The Wizard of Oz today at 3 pm. All proceeds from the screening will go to the Elbow Room and the organization's work supporting intellectually and developmentally disabled artists.

Sunday, February 18