IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!!!!

Happy October First, everyone!  Okay, I'm a bit early with that greeting, but I'm also late with the Weekly Update.  Last week's 6 day work week just flattened me, and I didn't have the energy, or mental stamina, to get the update out.  I hate to say it, but I might be getting too old for that sh*t.

Yeah, that's me laying back thinking I have it all under control, 

until the crushing fatigue lands on me.

Anyway, I had to get this update out, as I've found some great events happening in the Pacific Northwest that will thrill Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Fans.  I'm sure I missed a few, but I'm going to try and get caught up next weekend.  So you need to keep checking the Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Calendar, which at this time, includes lots of great Halloween offerings, including films, some in GLORIOUS 35mm, at the Hollywood Theatre in Portland, OR, the All Monster Attack series at the Grand Illusion Cinema in Seattle, WA, and some awesome offerings at the Clinton Street Theater in Portland, OR.  And that's just the start, as I'll be working the keyboard to keep you up to date on ALL the great things happening this month.

Well, that's what I have for now.  Stay safe everyone, and I'll be back next weekend with more great Halloween event happening under The Shadow Over Portland.

Live Attractions 

The cats are out!  Laika Studios commemorates the 15th anniversary of their film Coraline with Coraline's Curious Cat Trail, with 30 six-foot-tall cat sculptures placed throughout downtown Portland.  The cats are hand-painted by local artist and will eventually be auctioned off, with proceeds going to OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital.  The link gets you to the KGW article, which didn't include dates when published.  Here's a link to a recent story from KOIN.

Film Festival and Stage Performance Submission Information 

The Eugene Film Society's 9th Annual 72-Hour Horror Film Competition is open to teams, which must register by 7:59 pm on Thursday, October 17.  You must check in at the Art House (492 E 13th Ave in Eugene, OR) between 4 and 8 pm, to be given the mandated line of dialogue and prop to appear in your 3-minute horror film.  From then, you have until 8 pm on Sunday, October 20, to deliver your finished film.  All eligible films will be screened at the Art House the week of October 25 to 31, and audience members will vote for their favorites.  Visit the link for more details. 

The 16th Annual Guignolfest 72 Hour Horror Film Contest is taking applications for 2024 now.  You can also watch the trailer on YouTube, and follow the event on Facebook.

The Seattle 48 Hour Horror Film Project has 13 spaces left (as of Thursday, September 19).  Regular team admission runs through Friday, October 11 (the day of the kickoff).  Visit the link for more details. 

October, 2024

Happening Now

The Bella Organic Farm Corn Maze (16205 NW Gillihan Rd in Portland, OR) opens today dedicated to Teacher Appreciation.  ALL SCHOLL STAFF members will get free admission if they present their school ID).  The maze is open through Thursday, October 31.

The Ghost with the Most is back!  Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is playing at the Empirical Theater at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (1945 SE Water Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Monday, September 30), the Liberty Theatre (315 NE 4th Ave in Camas, WA; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), the St Johns Twin Cinema (8704 N Lombard St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), The Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), the Kelso Theater Pub (214 S Pacific Ave in Kelso, WA; scheduled through Wednesday, October 2), the Laurelhurst Theater (2735 E Burnside St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Wednesday, October 2), Studio One (3945 SE Powell Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), the Yelm Cinema (201 Prairie Park St SE in Yelm, WA; scheduled through Wednesday, October 9), the Sandy Cinema (16605 Champion Way in Sandy, OR; scheduled through Wednesday, October 2), the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), Metro Cinemas (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR; scheduled through Wednesday, October 2), and the following McMenamins theaters: the Bagdad Theater (3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Wednesday, October 2),  and the Grand Lodge (3505 Pacific Ave in Forest Grove, OR; scheduled through Monday, September 30).

The film is also playing at the Living Room Theaters (341 SW 10th Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), the Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St in Bellingham, WA; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), the Ark Lodge Cinemas (4816 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA; scheduled from Friday, October 4, through Sunday, October 6), and the Tracyton Movie House (1520 NE Riddell Rd in Bremerton, WA; scheduled through Wednesday, October 2).

The Fear PDX Haunted House (12219 NE Glisan St in Portland, OR) is open, and plans to deliver the scars through Friday, November 1.  Visit the link for more details and advance ticket sales.  You can also follow them on Facebook. 

The psychological horror film Speak No Evil is playing at Studio One (3945 SE Powell Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3).

The Substance, starring Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid, is playing at Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), the Laurelhurst Theater (2735 E Burnside St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday October 3), the Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), the Metro Cinemas (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), the Sandy Cinema (16605 Champion Way in Sandy, OR; scheduled through Wednesday, October 2), the Living Room Theaters (341 SW 10th Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), the Ark Lodge Cinemas (4816 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA; scheduled from Friday, October 4, through Sunday, October 6), Studio One (3945 SE Powell Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), the Darkside Cinema (215 SW 4th St in Corvallis, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), the Kiggins Theatre (1011 Main St in Vancouver, WA: scheduled through Monday, September 30), and SIFF Cinema Uptown (511 Queen Anne Ave N in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Thursday, October 3).

The sci fi film Omni Loop, starring Mary-Louise Parker as a quantum physicist in a time loop, with a black hole growing in her chest (YIKES!) is playing at the Salem Cinema (1127 Broadway St NE in Salem, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3).

Alexandre Aja's latest film Never Let Go, starring Halle Berry, is playing at the Yelm Cinemas (201 Prairie Park St SE in Yelm, WA; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), and the Sandy Cinema (16605 Champion Way in Sandy, OR; scheduled through Wednesday, October 2).

Fathom Events brings Studio Ghibli's Howl's Moving Castle back to theaters nationwide through Thursday, October 3.  Visit the link to find a theater near you, and to find which screenings are subtitled and which are dubbed.

Frighthouse Station (626 E 25th St in Tacoma, WA) is open for the Halloween season tonight.  The attraction is open through Saturday, November 2.  You can follow the attraction of Facebook.

Killer Burlesque: A Horror Parody promises to reinvent horror movies with a burlesque twist.  This 21 and older show is on stage at the Alberta Abbey (126 NE Alberta St in Portland, OR) through Sunday, October 27.

The action/horror film Azrael, starring Samara Weaving (Mayhem, Ready or Not), is playing at the Kiggins Theatre (1011 Main St in Vancouver, WA: scheduled through Tuesday, October 1), the Art House (492 E 13th Ave in Eugene, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), and the Sandy Cinema (16605 Champion Way in Sandy, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3).

The South Korean horror film Sleep is playing at the Salem Cinema (1127 Broadway St NE in Salem, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3).

A 4K restoration of Tobe Hooper's horror classic The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is playing at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3).

Dario Argento's The Bird with the Crystal Plumage is playing at the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3).

CineMagic (2021 SE Hawthorne Blvd in Portland, OR) is teaming up with Gift Bar for one week to expand snacking options, and they sponsored fills that pair nicely with cheese sauce, including Tucker and Dale vs. Evil, Vampire's Kiss, and Event Horizon (not sure that last one is as cheesy as they think, but to each their own).  The series runs through Thursday, October 3.

The World's End is coming to Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Wednesday, October 2).

The animated feature The Wild Robot is playing at the Liberty Theatre (315 NE 4th Ave in Camas, WA; scheduled through Thursday, October 10), and the Metro Cinemas (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), the Granada 3 Theatre (1311 Adams Ave in La Grand, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), and the Joy Cinema (11959 SW Pacific Highway in Tigard, OR; schedule TBA), the Laurelhurst Theater (2735 E Burnside St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), the Sandy Cinema (16605 Champion Way in Sandy, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), the Ark Lodge Cinemas (4816 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA; scheduled from Friday, October 4, through Sunday, October 6), the North Bend Theatre (125 Bendigo Blvd N in North Bend, WA; scheduled through Sunday, October 6), SIFF Cinema Uptown (511 Queen Anne Ave N in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), and the Yelm Cinemas (201 Prairie Park St SE in Yelm, WA; scheduled through Wednesday, October 9), the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), Studio One (3945 SE Powell Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), the Living Room Theaters (341 SW 10th Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3), the Tracyton Movie House (1520 NE Riddell Rd in Bremerton, WA; scheduled through Wednesday, October 2), the Ark Lodge Cinemas (4816 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Sunday, October 6), the North Bend Theatre (125 Bendigo Blvd N in North Bend, WA; scheduled through Sunday, October 6), and the following McMenamins theaters: Anderson School (18607 Bothell Way NE in Bothell, WA: scheduled through Wednesday, October 9),  Old St Francis (700 NW bond St in Bend, OR; scheduled from Friday, September 27, through Thursday, October 3), and the St Johns (8203 N Ivanhoe St in Portland, OR; scheduled from Thursday, September 26, through Wednesday, October 9).

A 4K remastered version of Stanley Kubrick's The Shining is playing at SIFF Cinema Downtown (2100 4th Ave in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Wednesday, October 2).

The Bella Organic Farm Haunted Corn Maze  (16205 NW Gillihan Rd in Portland, OR) is now open every Friday and Saturday in October (except for Halloween night; that's a bit of a bummer).  

Fright Factory Haunted House (2000 Collins Rd in Buckley, WA) opens tonight and will deliver the scares through Friday, November 1.  You can also follow the attraction on Facebook.

Hundreds of Beavers invade the SIFF Cinema Egyptian (805 E Pine St in Seattle, WA) through Tuesday, October 1.

The 1987 vampire film The Lost Boys is playing at the Tracyton Movie House (1520 NE Riddell Rd in Bremerton, WA) today and on Wednesday, October 2.

Tuesday, October 1

The Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) kicks off THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR with the 1962 classic Carnival of Souls tonight at 7 pm.

The 1974 horror classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre kicks off THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR at the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3).

The film is also playing at the St Johns Twin Cinema (8704 N Lombard St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 3).

Antonia Bird's cannibal classic Ravenous kicks off THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR at the Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Thursday, October 3).

The CMNYK Sci-fi Extravaganza brings Eegah to the Darkside Cinema (215 SW 4th St in Corvallis, OR) tonight at 7 pm.  Pre-show starts at 6:15 pm and, be aware, heckling is encouraged.

Peter Weir's ecological horror film The Last Wave is playing at The Beacon (4405 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA) tonight at 7:30 pm.

Wednesday, October 2

The Olympia Film Society's Reel Oddities series brings Carnival of Souls to the Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE in Olympia, WA) every Wednesday in October (with the exception of October 9).

The Whiteside Theatre (361 SW Madison Ave in Corvallis, OR) is showing Disney Halloween classic Hocus Pocus at 7 pm tonight.

If you're into sparkling vampires, Twilight is playing at the Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St in Bellingham, WA) tonight at 8 pm.

SIFF Cinema Uptown (511 Queen Anne Ave N in Seattle, WA) will screen Practical Magic, starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, tonight at 6 pm.

The horror classic Eyes Without a Face is playing at the SIFF Cinema Egyptian (805 E Pine St in Seattle, WA: scheduled through Sunday, October 13).

The Garland Theater (924 W Garland Ave in Spokane, WA) is showing Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince today at 6 pm.

Thursday, October 3

The third annual Stage Fright Festival, the world's only queer Horror theatre festival, takes place through Sunday, October 13, at the Chapel Theatre (4107 SE Harrison St in Milwaukie, OR).  

The Hollywood Babylon series at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) presents the 1932 pre-code horror classic Island of Lost Souls tonight at 7:30 pm.

Friday, October 4

The H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival and CthulhuCon takes place through Sunday, October 6, at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR).  At least I assume so, unless cosmic madness has warp reality.  More details to come.  You can follow the event of Facebook.

Nile Nightmares Haunted House (6601 244th St SW in Mountlake Terrace, WA) opens tonight for the Halloween season.  The attraction runs through Saturday, November 2.  You can follow the event on Facebook.

Stalker Farms Haunted Attractions (8705 Marsh Rd in Snohomish, WA) opens tonight for the Halloween season.  The attraction is open through Saturday, November 2.  You can follow the event on Facebook.

Metalesquefest takes place tonight at the Star Theater (13 NW 6th Ave in Portland, OR) and tomorrow night at Dante's (350 W Burnside St in Portland, OR).  Stay tuned for more details!

Foolish Mortals: A Haunted Mansion Burlesque Cabaret takes place tonight, tomorrow and Sunday at the Alberta Rose Theatre (3000 NE Alberta St in Portland, OR).  Doors open at 7 pm, show starts at 8 pm.

Myers House NC invites you to watch The Goonies at the Lower Columbia Bowling Alley (a location in the film), tour the Goonies house, and more.  Visit the link for details. 

UPDATE: This event is SOLD OUT.

Villains and Vixens: Musical Cabaret (Volume 7) takes place through Sunday, October 13, at the Samaritan Odd Fellows Lodge (10282 SE Main St in Milwaukie, OR.  Expect new villains, new songs and new treats!

All Monsters Attack! continues with a screening of Abruptio, a surrealistic thriller/horror film performed by lifelike puppets with a cast including James Marsters, Robert Englund, Jordan Peele and Sid Haig, at the Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Sunday, October 13).

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors is playing at the Tracyton Movie House (1520 NE Riddell Rd in Bremerton, WA) tonight at 9 pm.

All Monsters Attack! continues with a screening of Ted V. Mikels' The Corpse Grinders, in GLORIOUS 16mm, at the Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA) tonight at 9:30 pm.

The Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) will screen Dario Argento's classic Suspiria tonight at 7 pm.

If you've got any money and want a date, head to the Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) for a screening of Frank Henenlotter's cult classic Frankenhooker tonight at 10 pm.

George Romero's zombie classic Night of the Living Dead is playing at the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 10).

The 1991 film The Addams Family is playing at the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 10).

David Cronenberg's The Brood is playing at the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, October 10), and The Beacon (4405 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Wednesday, October 9).

Tobe Hooper's 1974 horror classic, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, is playing at CineMagic (2021 SE Hawthorne Blvd in Portland, OR) on Friday, Saturday and Tuesday, October 4, 5, and 8.

The film is also playing at SIFF Cinema Egyptian (805 E Pine St in Seattle, WA: scheduled through Wednesday, October 16).

The 1981 slasher Don't Go in the Woods (placed on the Video Nasty list in the UK in the 80s) is playing at The Beacon (4405 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA) tonight at 9:30 pm.

Saturday, October 5

The Portland Oddities and Curiosities Expo 2024 takes place today and tomorrow at the Oregon Convention Center (777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd in Portland, OR).

All Monsters Attack! continues with a screening of F. W. Murnau's Nosferatu, with Silents Synced pairing the film with music from Radiohead, at the Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA) today at 1:30 pm.

The Garland Theater (924 W Garland Ave in Spokane, WA) is showing the animated feature Monster House today at 2 pm.

The Garland Theater (924 W Garland Ave in Spokane, WA) is showing the American remake of The Ring today at 5 pm.

The Garland Theater (924 W Garland Ave in Spokane, WA) is showing The Return of the Living Dead, with special guest Thom Mathews in attendance, tonight at 8 pm.

Jose Ramon Larraz's 1974 Vampyers is playing at The Beacon (4405 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA) tonight at 7 pm, and Wednesday, October 9, at 8:30 pm.

The Tomorrow Theater (3530 SE Division St in Portland, OR) is presenting a 25th anniversary screening of the 1999 classic The Mummy tonight at 7 pm.

Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds is playing tonight at 7:30 pm, and tomorrow at 2 pm, at the 7th St Theatre (313 7th St in Hoquiam, WA).

All Monsters Attack! continues with Little Monsters at the Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Sunday, October 6).

All Monsters Attack! continues with a screening of Thundercrack!, an underground kinky art adult horror film (no one under 18 will be admitted), at the Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Sunday, October 13)

Sunday, October 6

The Olympia Film Society's Kids Club brings Laika's ParaNorman to the Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE in Olympia, WA) every Sunday this month (with the exception of October 20).  Kids 12 and under are admitted FREE.

Myers House NC invites you to watch The Shining at the Timberline Lodge in Government Camp, OR, (used as the exterior of the Overlook).  You can also stay overnight and partake in other activities.  Visit the link for details. 

UPDATE: This event is SOLD OUT.

The Psychotronic Halloween Special, presented in GLORIOUS 16mm, comes to the Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) today at 3 pm.

The remake of 13 Ghosts is playing at the Tracyton Movie House (1520 NE Riddell Rd in Bremerton, WA) tonight and on Wednesday, October 9.

The Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) will show Lars Von Trier's Antichrist tonight at 7 pm.

The Tomorrow Theater (3530 SE Division St in Portland, OR) is showing the family horror classic The Monster Squad today at 4 pm.

The Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) is screening the horror/comedy Nightbitch, starring Amy Adams, tonight at 6:15 pm (part of the VIFF).

The macabre screwball comedy Arsenic and Old Lace, starring Cary Grant, is playing at The Beacon (4405 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA) today at 2 pm, and Tuesday, October 8, at 4:30 pm.

The werewolf (there, wolf) horror film Bad Moon is playing at SIFF Cinema Egyptian (805 E Pine St in Seattle, WA) tonight at 7:45 pm, and on Sunday, October 20, at 5:45 pm.

The Swedish horror film Border is playing at the SIFF Cinema Egyptian (805 E Pine St in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Saturday, October 19).

Monday, October 7

The handmade stop-motion fairy tale for adults, Blood Tea and Red String, is playing at the Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) tonight at 7 pm.  Writer/director Christiane Cegavske will be in attendance.

The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) presents Final Girls Berlin Film Festival: Best of the 2024 Shorts tonight at 7 pm.

"Welcome..  To Fright Night."  In GLORIOUS 35mm!  The classic 1985 vampire film is playing at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) tonight at 7:30 pm.

Tuesday, October 8

The Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) will screen Mirror Mirror, about a high school goth with a haunted mirror that grants her supernatural powers, tonight at 7 pm.

All Monsters Attack! continues with a screening of the director's cut of David Cronenberg's Videodrome at the Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA) tonight at 7:30 pm.

The Kung Fu Theater series at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) gets into the Halloween spirit with a screening of Seven Brothers meet Dracula (AKA The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires), starring Peter Cushing, in GLORIOUS 35mm tonight at 7:30 pm.