Sorry I'm behind again, but my witch doctor told me what to do.

What a man does for pay is of little significance.  What he is, as a sensitive instrument responsive to the world's beauty, is everything!

H. P. Lovecraft

And, sorry to say, I lost sight of that, Pacific Northwest Horror Fans.  I came back from my vacation away from my "real job" so rejuvenated and ready to go, I stopped taking the treatment that helps me weather the blows from my daily existence.

So I saw my witch doctor a few days ago and he told me what to do.  He said, "Oh-E-Oh-Ah-Ah, you know what you need, so start taking it!  IDIOT!!"

Okay, before anyone accuses me of making fun of people with depression, I will say I have it, and humor is becoming my response to it.  It's not a diagnosed ailment, but I have the classic symptoms and a few friends in the medical profession have suggested more pharmaceutical remedies to my problem.

But I consider my depression to be more situational, not chemical.  Let's just say my life went to crap in 2006, and I have yet to fully recover.  Things are much better, but sometimes I fall into the false hope that I don't need the witch doctor (AMA unproven) treatments to take the edge off and allow me to functioning outside of my daily life (You know, the one that pays the bills).

I keep trying to wean myself off the treatment, but without it, I continue to falling into an abyss that is hard to escape once it has swallowed me.  Hence, the low postings for the past two months.  I thought I was over it, I was wrong, and it took too long to figure out.

Sorry about that.

But, I'm back on my witch doctor treatment and I'm feeling pretty good.  And I don't plan on backing off on it for a while, so expect your weekly updates to start back up from The Shadow Over Portland.  Sorry for the long break, Northwest Horror Fans.  Not planning on letting it happen again.


Ongoing

Submissions are being accepted for the PDXtreme Fest, 3 days of horror, crime, gore and more at the the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark) in Portland, OR, December 2 through 4 this year.  You can find more details on how to enter your film at the Facebook Event Page.

------------

Mental Trap Escape Room Game invites you, and four to ten members, to escape a locked room in one hour.  And yes, it is timed.  Created by the devious minds behind 13th Door Haunted House, Glowing Greens Miniature Golf and Haunted Productions, this offers you the challenge to find the clues keeping you locked in the room and escape within an hour.  But, as the website suggests, it's not as easy as it sounds.  Located at 3855 SW Murray Blvd in Portland, OR, you can challenge your wits (and those of your team mates) to solve the puzzle before time expires.  I don't know what happens if you don't succeed, but that's part of the fun.  For more details, visit the link.

------------

Bleedingham, a Northwest Horror Short Film Festival, is now excepting submissions.  The chosen films will screen at the Pickford Film Cinema (1318 Bay St) in Bellingham, WA later this year.  More details can be found at the official website.

Buy it NOW!

Get ready for the most amazing Bug Hunt in GLORIOUS 70mm, as The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd) in Portland, OR, presents a screening of James Cameron's Aliens July 15 to 17.  Tickets are selling out fast, so visit the link as soon as you can for more details.

July, 2016

Friday, July 8

Okay, I keep including Jaws screenings on this site, even thought I consider it more an adventure film akin to The Naked Jungle (Charlton Heston verse a 2-mile-wide swarm of army ants in the South American jungle), but I will NOT deny the Spielberg classic has moments that are SCARY AS FREAKING HELL!  Central Cinema (1411 21 Ave in Seattle, WA) screens the film through Tuesday, July 12.  For more details and showtimes, visit the theater's official website.

------------

The Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 SE 50th St in Seattle, WA) is screening a new restoration of the UNCENSORED DIRECTOR"S CUT of Lucio Fulci's Cat in the Brain.  Fulci stars as a director driven insane by his movies.  And considering this film was released after his classics Zombie, City of the Living Dead, House by the Cemetery, The Beyond and The New York Ripper, as well as a few others, this might be the cinematic representation of a director coming to grips with the horrors he unleashed on the screen.  Or, just another AWESOME GOREFEST!  Check it out and decide for yourself!!  The film screens tonight and tomorrow at 9 pm.  Visit the theater's official website for more details.

------------

Oh man, OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, located at 1945 SE Water Ave in Portland, OR) opens it's 2016 Sci Fi Film Festival tonight and the roster is AMAZING.  From Forbidden Planet to Robocop, I'm pretty sure you'll find something interesting playing through July 15.  Just click to the OMSI Website, than scroll till you find the Sci Fi Film Festival link.

Saturday, July 9

FLASH!  AH-HAAA!!!!  The Olympia Film Society (205 5th Ave. SE in Olympia, WA) Sci-Fi Theater presents the 1980 camp classic, Flash Gordon, tonight at 9 pm.  Candy colored special effects, a (probably un-intentionally) silly script and a rocking soundtrack by Queen makes this a SERIOUSLY FUN FILM!  Don't miss it on the big screen!!!  For more details, visit the OFS official website.

Sunday, July 10

The Best of 2015 H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival DVD Release Party happens tonight at 8 pm at the Lovecraft Bar (421 SE Grand Ave in Portland, OR).  Copies of the DVD will be available, and you must be 21 or older to attend.  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Thursday, July 14

Though it's considered by some to be the worst movie ever made, I must strongly disagree and say Ed Wood's Plan 9 from Outer Space is an amazing film, one where the enthusiasm of the cast and crew overcome their overall filmmaking incompetence, leading to one of the most gloriously entertaining bad movies ever made.  I mean, you can't not listen to Dudley Manlove (oh yeah, that's his name) deliver the line, "You see?  You see?  Your stupid minds!  Stupid!!  Stupid!!!" and not realize he's giving it his all to make the delivery intense and exciting (Really, I've seen some BAD films and Manlove is an Oscar winner compared to some other performances).  See for yourself as the NW Film Center screens the film tonight at 7 pm at the Whitsell Auditorium (1219 SW Park Ave) in Portland, OR.  For more details, visit the NWFC official website.

Friday, July 15

Who is the real father of the adopted son of Robert and Katherine Thorn?  Could it be SATAN?!?!  As if you didn't already know.  Tonight, Friday Night Frights Tacoma presents a screening of the 1976 classic, The Omen, at the Blue Mouse Theatre (2611 N. Proctor St) in Tacoma, WA.  Possibly the first American film to feature overly creative death scenes, you don't want to miss a character's (not spoiling it here) decapitation on the big screen.  It will look AMAZING.  The show starts at 10 pm and admission is just $6.  You'll find more details at the Friday Night Frights Tacoma Facebook Page.

------------

Get ready for the most amazing Bug Hunt in GLORIOUS 70mm, as The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd) in Portland, OR, presents a screening of James Cameron's Aliens through July 17.  Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) awakens after a long cryogenic stasis, only to find no one believes her tale of Xenomorphs with acid based blood and nefarious intents, until the the terraformers on LV-426 stop sending radio messages.  Hitching a ride with some bad-ass Space Marine, she finds they are unable to deal with the threat.  Tickets are selling out fast, so visit the link as soon as you can for more details.

------------

If last nights screening of Plan 9 has you interested in more about the career of one of the worst directors ever, check out tonight's screening of Ed Wood.  Presented by the NW Film Center, this film is gives a rather fictionalized account of Wood's life, but star Johnny Depp and director Tim Burton are able to capture the enthusiasm Wood brought to many of his pictures.  And the film will be presented in GLORIOUS 35mm!!  The show starts at 7 pm at the Whitsell Auditorium (1219 SW Park Ave) in Portland, OR.  For more details, visit the NWFC official website.

------------

The Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 SE 50th St in Seattle, WA) is screening a new restoration of Lucio Fulci's Lizard in a Women's Skin.  One of his Giallo films, the story involves a frustrated wife finding her violent dreams becoming a reality.  Or are they?  Check it out and find out the answers for yourself!  The film screens tonight and tomorrow at 9 pm.  Visit the theater's official website for more details.

Saturday, July 16

Spend an evening with Rowdy Roddy Piper running out of bubble gum while kicking ass, as John Carpenter's They Live screens as part of The Olympia Film Society (206 5th Ave SE in Olympia, WA) Fright Club tonight at 9 pm.  For more details, visit the OFS official website.  And remember, the first rule of Fright Club is let all other Horror Fans know about Fright Club!!

------------

Well, that's what I have for now, but the Horror Calendar is continually updated, so keep check the link for more details on upcoming events.

Should you be hosting, or know of, an event that would interest my readers, email me at shadowoverportland@live.com and I'll include in on the Horror Calendar and future updates.  Remember, I cast a wide web, including sci fi/ fantasy films, as well as some action films.  And I do not charge for listing your event on the site.

And, as always, should you attend any of these events, mention to the organizers you read about it at The Shadow Over Portland!!

Well, I'm working to get caught up with the Horror Calendar, but I know I've missed a few events since I had to take time out and calm down my brain worms.  But no matter how hard I try, I keep feeling like Rick and the crew from The Walking Dead trying to outrun the cannibals in Terminus.  No matter where you go, you always miss something and are re-directed.

Wait, this looks familiar....

Oh, it's the end of last season without the zombie fence!

Anyway, check out the Horror Calendar and if I missed your event, PLEASE email me at shadowoverportland@live.com and I'll be sure to add it.  I know I usually end my post with this, but I'm SO behind, I need Northwest Horror Fans to help get me back up to speed.  So, even if you only know of an event, please email me.

Ongoing

Submissions are being accepted for the PDXtreme Fest, 3 days of horror, crime, gore and more at the the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark) in Portland, OR, December 2 through 4 this year.  You can find more details on how to enter your film at the Facebook Event Page.

------------

Mental Trap Escape Room Game invites you, and four to ten members, to escape a locked room in one hour.  And yes, it is timed.  Created by the devious minds behind 13th Door Haunted House, Glowing Greens Miniature Golf and Haunted Productions, this offers you the challenge to find the clues keeping you locked in the room and escape within an hour.  But, as the website suggests, it's not as easy as it sounds.  Located at 3855 SW Murray Blvd in Portland, OR, you can challenge your wits (and those of your team mates) to solve the puzzle before time expires.  I don't know what happens if you don't succeed, but that's part of the fun.  For more details, visit the link.

------------

Bleedingham, a Northwest Horror Short Film Festival, is now excepting submissions.  The chosen films will screen at the Pickford Film Cinema (1318 Bay St) in Bellingham, WA later this year.  More details can be found at the official website.

Buy It Now

Tickets for the screenings of 2001: A Space Odyssey and Aliens in MIND BLOWING 70mm at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd) in Portland, OR are on sale NOW!  You can find more details in the July 2016 section of this calendar, or just click on the link and scroll down to the screening information.

June, 2016

Friday, June 10

Expecting the inevitable reboot, The Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St) in Portland, OR, is screening Interview with the Vampire tonight at 9 pm.  We all know everything will be rebooted, eventually, so enjoy the original film on the big screen one last time.  The show starts at 9 pm, and you can get more details, as well as advance ticket sales, at the link.

Saturday, June 11

The GeekCraft Expo PDX invades the DoubleTree Hotel (1000 NE Multnomah St) in Portland, OR, this weekend.  Featuring hand crafted geek goods by local artisans, I'm sure a few trinkets will be available for Horror Fans.  Stop by and find something cool for your home or a gift for the non-Horror geek in your life.  The event starts at 11 am, and you'll find more details at the Facebook Event Page.

------------

You have one last chance to get some bloody meat pies, as The Portland Opera (at the Keller Auditorium) in Portland, OR, concludes their run of Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street tonight.  You can find more details at the link.

------------

Okay folks, if you have not seen the 1933 CLASSIC King Kong on the big screen, you have no excuse for missing a FREE SCREENING at The Kiggins Theatre (1011 Main St) in Vancouver, WA.  Sponsered by the Vancouver Toy Junkies (who will host a pop up toy show before the screening), this is DO NOT MISS opportunity.  The toy show starts at 9:30 am, and the film begins at 11 am.  Visit the link for more details.

Wednesday, June 15

Wow, the worms in my brain were really active, as I'm only adding this now.  Monqui and The Hollywood Theatre present John Carpenter; A Live Retrospective tonight at 8 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (  ) in Portland, OR.  Carpenter will perform a musical retrospective of his work, the non-soundtrack music Lost Themes, as well as new compositions, accompanied by his son Cody and godson Daniel Davies, as well as a full live band and stage production.  Buy tickets now at the link.

------------

Wow, Weird Wednesday at The Joy Cinema and Pub (11595 SW Pacific Highway) in Tigard, OR, just crossed into full blown INSANITY with tonight's screening of Voodoo Black Exorcist (Vudu Sangriento).  This 1974 Spanish film features a voodoo mummy wrecking havoc on an ocean liner.  Seriously, I couldn't make this up...  Well, I could, but I'd never get it filmed!  Check out the craziness for yourself tonight at 9:15 pm, and (as always) admission is FREE!  So be sure to spend a bit more at the snack bar for tasty treats and BEER!  Oh, you must be over 21 years of age or older to attend.  Visit the link later in the week for more details.

Friday, June 17

It's not every father willing to call up a demon to avenge the death of his son.  So bring your dad to the Blue Mouse Theatre (2611 N. Proctor St) in Tacoma, WA, tonight at 10 pm for a screening of Stan Winston's Pumpkinhead.  Talk with your father about Lance Henriksen's parenting skills (right, wrong; he's the one with the demon) this Father's Day weekend as you marvel at Stan Winston Studio's titular creation.  Admission is only $6.  You'll find more details at the Friday Night Frights Tacoma Facebook Page.

Saturday, June 18

Destiny City Freakycon 2 - A Mini Horror Convention happens today at Destiny City Comics (218 St Helens Ave) in Tacoma, WA, at noon.  Hosts of Friday Night Frights and Tacoma Ghost Tours will be present, as well as local game developers and MORE!  And admission is FREE!!!  Visit the Facebook Event Page for more details.

------------

George Reeves in Superman and the Mole Men.  I shouldn't have to say anything more, other than get to the Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St) in Bellingham, WA, for this screening of the original pilot for The Adventures of Superman series on the big screen today at noon.  Tickets are only $2, and you'll find more details, and advance ticket sales, at the link.

------------

Well, that's all I have for now.  But if you are hosting, or know of, an event that might interest readers of The Shadow Over Portland, email me at shadowoverportland@live.com and I'll add it to the Horror Calendar and my weekly updates.

And, should you attend any of the events listed above, let the organizers know you read about it at The Shadow Over Portland.  

I'm back, I'm sunburnt and ready to spread the Northwest Horror News!

Hey, Northwest Horror Fans, I'm BACK!

Sorry for my long absence, but daily life over the few weeks agitated the worms in my head that I needed some time off to calm them down before something really awful happened.

Oh, the last time it happened took a while to recover.

And a bit of plastic surgeru!

By the time I was ready to get back to writing, I was off on an expedition to the Black Lagoon (more on that next week), and when I returned, my day job was quite out of whack, thanks to changes beyond my control.  And my computer was crashing on a regular basis, making updating my blog even harder.

But now, things have normalized and I'm rested, overcoming my sunburnt scalp and ready to deliver the news Northwest Horror Fans are craving!  So let's get going for the events you've been craving!!!

Ongoing

Submissions are being accepted for the PDXtreme Fest, 3 days of horror, crime, gore and more at the the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark) in Portland, OR, December 2 through 4 this year.  You can find more details on how to enter your film at the Facebook Event Page.

------------

Mental Trap Escape Room Game invites you, and four to ten members, to escape a locked room in one hour.  And yes, it is timed.  Created by the devious minds behind 13th Door Haunted House, Glowing Greens Miniature Golf and Haunted Productions, this offers you the challenge to find the clues keeping you locked in the room and escape within an hour.  But, as the website suggests, it's not as easy as it sounds.  Located at 3855 SW Murray Blvd in Portland, OR, you can challenge your wits (and those of your team mates) to solve the puzzle before time expires.  I don't know what happens if you don't succeed, but that's part of the fun.  For more details, visit the link.

------------

Bleedingham, a Northwest Horror Short Film Festival, is now excepting submissions.  The chosen films will screen at the Pickford Film Cinema (1318 Bay St) in Bellingham, WA later this year.  More details can be found at the official website.

Buy It Now

Anyone in the mood for meat pies?  The Portland Opera (at the Keller Auditorium) in Portland, OR, are selling tickets for their production of Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, which opens on June 3.  You can find more details at the link.

June, 2016

Friday, June 3

Anyone in the mood for meat pies?  The Portland Opera (at the Keller Auditorium) in Portland, OR, opens their production of Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street tonight.  You can find more details at the link.

------------

Sign of the Beast Metalesque takes burlesque to the Ninth Circle of Hell tonight at the Panic Room (3100 NE Sandy Blvd) in Portland, OR.  The show starts at 8:30 pm, and I don't think I need to say anything more, other than expect an evening of tassel twirling, hula hooping and contortionist performing to metal favorites!  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

------------

The Rose City Book and Paper Fair happens this weekend at the DoubleTree Hotel (1000 NE Multnomah St) in Portland, OR.  I attended this event a couple years ago, and I can say Horror Fans will find lots of cool stuff for sale, but be prepared to spend a bit of money, as some of the books offered are expensive, but worth the cost (should you have the money).  For more details, visit the Facebook Event Page.  

Saturday, June 4

The Vampire's Masquerade Ball will be held tonight in Portland, OR.  Tickets are available at the door for $50.  For more details, visit the official website.


Saturday, June 11

The GeekCraft Expo PDX invades the DoubleTree Hotel (1000 NE Multnomah St) in Portland, OR, this weekend.  Featuring hand crafted geek goods by local artisans, I'm sure a few trinkets will be available for Horror Fans.  Stop by and find something cool for your home or a gift for the non-Horror geek in your life.  The event starts at 11 am, and you'll find more details at the Facebook Event Page.

Friday, June 17

It's not every father willing to call up a demon to avenge the death of his son.  So bring your dad to the Blue Mouse Theatre (2611 N. Proctor St) in Tacoma, WA, tonight at 10 pm for a screening of Stan Winston's Pumpkinhead.  Talk with your father about Lance Henriksen's parenting skills (right, wrong; he's the one with the demon) this Father's Day weekend as you marvel at Stan Winston Studio's titular creation.  Admission is only $6.  You'll find more details at the Friday Night Frights Tacoma Facebook Page.

Saturday, June 18

Destiny City Freakycon 2 - A Mini Horror Convention happens today at Destiny City Comics (218 St Helens Ave) in Tacoma, WA, at noon.  Hosts of Friday Night Frights and Tacoma Ghost Tours will be present, as well as local game developers and MORE!  And admission is FREE!!!  Visit the Facebook Event Page for more details.

------------

George Reeves in Superman and the Mole Men.  I shouldn't have to say anything more, other than get to the Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St) in Bellingham, WA, for this screening of the original pilot for The Adventures of Superman series on the big screen today at noon.  Tickets are only $2, and you'll find more details, and advance ticket sales, at the link.

------------

Well, that's what I have for now.  But be sure to check out the Horror Calendar, with details on The Hollywood Theatre upcoming events, the Friday Night Frights tribute to to Fathers Day, and much more.  

As always, should you have a genre event you wanted listed, email me at shadowoverportland@live.com, and I'll add it to the Horror Calendar, was well as my weekly updates.

And, should you attend any of the events I listed, make sure the organizers know you read about it at The Shadow Over Portland!

Time for another Horror Update from The Shadow Over Portland!

Yes, I know, I missed last week's update, but once again, the day job and life in general got in the way of me sitting in front of my computer and getting you all the horrific happenings in the Pacific Northwest.  Sorry, but have to keep a roof over my head, as even the sewer rates the C.H.U.D.s are paying here in Portland are getting too damn high.

Not that occupancy rates aren't down.

Even the C.H.U.D.s are moving to the suburbs.

But I've got the latest right now, with upcoming events you'll want to buy advance tickets for (Lifeforce in FREAKING 70mm!), as well as ongoing events, The Portland Opera's invitation for you to sample some tasty meat pies, and the return of Weird Wednesday to Tigard!  Here's your update of spooky happenings under The Shadow Over Portland!!

Ongoing

Submissions are being accepted for the PDXtreme Fest, 3 days of horror, crime, gore and more at the the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark) in Portland, OR, December 2 through 4 this year.  You can find more details on how to enter your film at the Facebook Event Page.

------------

Mental Trap Escape Room Game invites you, and four to ten members, to escape a locked room in one hour.  And yes, it is timed.  Created by the devious minds behind 13th Door Haunted House, Glowing Greens Miniature Golf and Haunted Productions, this offers you the challenge to find the clues keeping you locked in the room and escape within an hour.  But, as the website suggests, it's not as easy as it sounds.  Located at 3855 SW Murray Blvd in Portland, OR, you can challenge your wits (and those of your team mates) to solve the puzzle before time expires.  I don't know what happens if you don't succeed, but that's part of the fun.  For more details, visit the link.

------------

The Horror Darling of the Sundance Film Festival, The Witch, continues at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd) in Portland, OR.  I've heard mixed about it, but I plan to see it and suggest Portland Horror Fans take a look.  More details, and advance ticket sales, are available at the link.

------------

Bleedingham, a Northwest Horror Short Film Festival, is now excepting submissions.  The chosen films will screen at the Pickford Film Cinema (1318 Bay St) in Bellingham, WA later this year.  More details can be found at the official website.

------------

A brilliant, and brutal, attack on the conventions of modern horror films, Cabin in the Woods screens through April 14 at The Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St) in Portland, OR.  Sure, writers Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard (in his directorial debut) eviscerate modern horror troupes with this film, but it's with a loving wink and plenty of homages to previous horror classics.  It's clear they both love horror movies, but are just frustrated with the same old stuff showing up over and over again, and rightfully so.  I wish more horror films could be so critical of the genre, yet so much damn fun.  The show starts at 10:15 pm.  Visit the link for more details.

Buy It Now

Anyone in the mood for meat pies?  The Portland Opera (at the Keller Auditorium) in Portland, OR, are selling tickets for their production of Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, which opens on June 3.  You can find more details at the link.

------------

Wow, just WOW!  The Grindhouse Film Festival presents a screening at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NW Sandy Blvd) in Portland, OR, of Tobe Hooper's train wreck of a space vampire movie, Lifeforce, on the big screen on Saturday, April 23 at 9:45 pm.

IN 70mm!!!!

YES, 70mm!!!!!!!You know you don't want to miss this one, so check out the link for advance ticket sales (as you know it will sell out).

------------

Holy crap.  Holy Crap!  HOLY CRAP!!!!

Okay,  breath deep,  Calm myself.  

The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd) in Portland, OR, will be screening at GLORIOUS 35mm print of David Cronenberg's The Fly tonight at 7:30 pm.  AND...

Special effects artist Chris Walas, the man behind the creature effects, will be in attendance!  Oh, my ticket is PURCHASED!

You'll find more details, and advance ticket sales, at the link.  

April, 2016

Wednesday, April 13

Weird Wednesday returns to the Joy Cinema and Pub (11959 SW Pacific Highway) in Tigard, OR, with the poverty row thriller Voodoo Man.  Starring Bela Lugosi, John Carradine and George Zucco, the film deals with a mad doctor (can there be any other type of doctor in these films?) trying to resurrect his dead wife using the life essences of hapless young women.  It's the type of film you'd expect from director William "One Shot" Beaudine.  The show starts at 9:15 pm and admission is free!  That leaves you with extra cash to spend on snacks, pizza and beer at the concession stand!!  You must be 21 or older to attend.  Visit the Joy Cinema website for more details.

Thursday, April 14

Queer Horror returns to The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd) in Portland, OR, with a screening of Alexandre Aja's High Tension at 9:30 pm.  I know, if you've seen the film, the plot twist is rather unbelievable, but still, it's a high octane gorefest, and the plot twist is pretty nice (if you forgive the timeline issues).  And the film did herald the French Splatter Genre to follow, so it is the leader of the pack.  Given the subject matter, it's the perfect film to screen at Queer Horror, so check out the link for more details and advance ticket sales.

Friday, April 15

Celebrate Earth Day at the Blue Mouse Theatre (2611 N. Proctor St) in Tacoma, WA, with a screening of the horror/comedy classic (yeah, I said it) Slither.  Written and directed by James Gunn (who, like Peter Jackson, went on from a gloopy horror tale to blockbuster director), this alien-slugs-turning-humans-into-acid-spitting-zombies invasion tale is great gory fun, aided by a fabulous cast (Nathan Fillion, Elizabeth Banks and Michael Rooker) and some awesome horror movie homages throughout the film.  Catch it on the big screen tonight at 10 pm and admission is only $6!  For more details, visit the Friday Night Frights Facebook Page.

Saturday, April 16

Is The Man from Planet X a peaceful celestial visitor, or something more sinister?  Head to The Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St) in Bellingham, WA, today at noon and find out!  This Sci Fi classic starts at noon, and you'll find more details, and advance ticket sales, at the link.

------------

Holy crap.  Holy Crap!  HOLY CRAP!!!!

Okay,  breath deep,  Calm myself.  

The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd) in Portland, OR, will be screening at GLORIOUS 35mm print of David Cronenberg's The Fly tonight at 7:30 pm.  AND...

Special effects artist Chris Walas, the man behind the creature effects, will be in attendance!  Oh, my ticket is PURCHASED!

You'll find more details, and advance ticket sales, at the link.  

Friday, April 22

An adventurous girl finds an alternate reality of her frustrating home isn't a pleasant as she first thought in the stop action film Coraline, screening through April 28 at The Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St) in Portland, OR.  This is a wonderful dark fable from local Laika Entertainment, and should be seen on the big screen.  No showtimes have been announced at this time, so check back or visit the link later.

Saturday, April 23

Wow, just WOW!  The Grindhouse Film Festival presents a screening at The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NW Sandy Blvd) in Portland, OR, of Tobe Hooper's train wreck of a space vampire movie, Lifeforce, on the big screen tonight at 9:45 pm.

IN 70mm!!!!

YES, 70mm!!!!!!!You know you don't want to miss this one, so check out the link for advance ticket sales (as you know it will sell out).

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If you want to find out what Horrific Happenings are coming later in the year, be sure to check out the updated Horror Calendar.  I've got updates on the local cons, the latest from the Friday Night Frights Tacoma screenings and much more!  And I'll be adding more this weekend!!

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The Walking Dead pulled a bait-and-switch on its fans last night

For those unfamiliar with the term, bait-and-switch is a tactic used by retails (and other businesses) when they offer an amazing deal, but don't have the advertised product in stock.  Instead, the salesperson tries to sell you something else, usually with a greater profit margin for the company.

It appears such practices aren't illegal on television, as The Walking Dead pulled such a trick on fans last night, promising something in Season Six, only in an attempt to get you to buy into Season Seven.

Obviously, spoilers ahead!

Look, I've watched the show since the Season One, and I've sat through some great episodes, and some awful ones as well.  And I get the idea of a cliffhanger, a way to keep your interest up until the next season's premiere.  But Last Night on Earth, the episode that introduced next season's villain, Negan, was hyped as the episode where a major character dies.  Part of the hype came from Negan's introduction in the comic, where Glenn meets the business end of Lucille, but a lot of the cast and crew share the blame, saying how hard it was to read the script and/or film the scene.  Hell, even The Talking Dead got into the hype, with scheduled guest Norman Reedus (will there be a riot?) and a "special guest" (maybe not).  Adding to the excitement was the announcement that the season finale would be extended by 30 minutes.

I could not wait.

But the show felt padded.  Morgan finds Carol, she leaves him, he finds her again, as she's being tortured by one of the Saviors, and breaks his code of not killing people to save her.  And they met some dudes in armor riding horses, who seem very willing to help Carol recover from her wounds.  Nice setup for the next season.

"We're Knights of the Round Table

We dance when e're we're able."

But the main story is about Rick and his band trying to get Maggie back to Hilltop, as the community has an obstetrician and she might be in danger of having a miscarriage.  It's also the dullest part of the show, as the Saviors have set up roadblocks on every road the group tries to take.

Okay, so Negan and the Saviors have the same map, so they'd be able to plan out a way to foil Rick.  But they couldn't have known that Maggie was in need of medical attention and the group would be on the roads at that time.  So, the implication is that the roadblocks were in place, and manned, for whenever Rick and his crew needed to get to Hilltop.  Seems like a waste of resources on Negan's part.

Also, Rick and his group encounter five different roadblocks.  One would think after the second or third, someone in the RV would figure they were hosed and best try to make it back to Alexandria.  Sure, Maggie might lose her child, but should have been obvious to at least ONE OF THEM that the Saviors were in control of the situation.

Okay,  any time your enemy can construct a zombie roadblock,

you are outmatched.

The roadblocks take up a lot of the show's running time (that and a lot of commercials), and comes across as an attempt to pad out the episode, much like a bad B-movie (like Manos: The Hands of Fate) will add lots of driving scenes to stretch out the film's length.  I am just waiting for someone to take all the roadblock clips, speed them up, and replace the soundtrack with Yakety Sax.  It will be brilliant, and I'll post a link when I find it.

Rick finally decides that driving to Hilltop isn't an option and the group leaves the RV to head out on foot.  Eugene (my candidate for the survivor most likely to be caught by the bad guys) will continue driving and keep the Saviors distracted while the rest of them carry Maggie to Hilltop.  But, of course, Negan and the Saviors are psychic and know exactly where Rick and his party will attempt walking the Hilltop.  Sure, the Saviors may be using the same map as Rick to set up roadblocks, but knowing where our heroes will set off on foot is a bit of a stretch.

Regardless, Rick and company walk into a trap and are reunited with Glenn, Michonne, Daryl and Rosita, all of whom were captured last week.  Negan finally makes his appearance and, DAMN, does Jeffrey Dean Morgan nail it.  He's gleefully evil, strutting about in full control while telling Rick and his group they've entered "Pee Pee Pants City."  And, as they've killed more of his men than he's comfortable with loosing, someone is going to die.  He walks down the line of our humbled heroes, picks his victim and....

"Any of you ever play tee ball?"

We cut to his victim's point of view, as the first blow cause blood to flow down the camera lens.  A few more blows from Lucille, and Negan's commenting on his victim's stamina.  A final blow and the camera fades to black, followed by the credits.

Which should have started out with the word SUCKERS in bold print.

As I mentioned above, I get the idea of a cliffhanger ending to make the audience come back for the next season, but this ending is disrespectful to the show's fans.  I'm sure the producers figured this would be the bait to hook in fans for the next season, but it felt more like a big middle finger or, at the very least, a cheap marketing ploy.

"Y'all come back for Season Seven, ya hear?"

Aside from enduring six more months of theories about who died, the ending is just poor storytelling, in my opinion.  Opening Season Seven by revealing who died doesn't give viewers time to grieve, as the story has to move forward at that point.  The death would be reduced to the opening moment in a bigger tale, forcing the audience to focus on what happens between Rick's group and Negan's Saviors, rather than the impact of the character's death.

And, reveling Negan's victim in the last moments of the season finale might have been a better hook than the cliffhanger presented at the end of the show.  More viewers might carry over into Season Seven, just to see how the remaining survivors cope with the loss.  Instead, the show runs the risk of losing viewers angered by the show's build up to, and execution of, Negan's appearance and the cost inflicted on Rick and his crew.

Of course, that all depends on who is at the receiving end of Lucille, which brings up another point.  I doubt the show will kill off a fan favorite in the first episode of a new season.  Think about the ratings hit The Walking Dead would take if Daryl dies in the first few minutes.  Or Michonne, or Glenn, or Maggie.  The initial anger might drive people away, where killing such a character at the end of the season might give people time to cool off and come back for the next season, for the same reason I mentioned above.

One of these folks is not like the other,

if they die the show can go on...

But that last part is conjecture on my part.  All I know is I, like many other fans of The Walking Dead, felt cheated when the credits rolled last night.  Some might consider me complaining about a show that didn't play out the way I wanted, but I wouldn't be so angry if Glenn or Maggie, my two favorite characters, had died last night.  Instead, I'm upset with the show's cheap attempt to bait viewers into watching the current season finale, than try to sell them on watching the next season opener.  It was a blatant attempt to boost ratings and fans of the show deserve better than that.