Friday, March 1, 2024

The hell with wormsign, I've found more places showing Hundreds of Beavers!

You have no idea how long I worked at that headline so it wouldn't get tagged for being obscene.  And I'm still not sure it won't be at some point.  Hell, my review of The Devil's Rain got tagged months after I posted it.  But I have a point to make, so let's get to it.

We all know Dune 2 is playing everywhere, with theaters hoping to make up for the low box office takes for the first two months of the year (and if it helps local theaters, I'm all for it!).  But, giving you can't not find a theater showing it, I didn't bother listing it on the site.  However, I have beaversign the likes of which God has never seen.

Yep, Hundreds of Beavers is being screened at more venues, and I have a suggestion.  If it's playing at a theater near you, skip the crowded opening weekend for the latest blockbuster (hell, we all know we'll be seeing it soon), and check out this little indie feature instead.  If we support it, more local theaters might be willing to take a chance on screening other small indie films.  Money talks, and our dollars are our vote for more films like this.

It shouldn't take me beating you over the head with a chair to get that point across.    

Okay, enough preaching.  Let's get to the Weekly Update, which is full of great films and live events that will find Pacific Northwest Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Fans full of things to do during the coming week.

Oh, and the Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Calendar is up to date, at least for now, and has some great events for you to check out.  Take a look, as some of those events will sell out.  But be sure to check back later, as I'll be updating it weekly.

Well, that's all I have for now.  Stay safe, have a great week, and I'll be back next Friday with another Weekly Update from The Shadow Over Portland.

Happening This Week

Live Attractions 

The Emerald City Comic Con takes place through Sunday, March 3, at the Seattle Convention Center Summit Building (900 Pine St in Seattle, WA).  More details to come.  Follow the event on Facebook for the latest information.  Misha Collins (Supernatural, Charmed), Jim Beaver (Supernatural), and Jodie Whittaker (Dr. Who, Attack the Block) are scheduled to attend.  Visit the links above for dates and more info.

UPDATE: Chris Evans (Captain America), Mike Flanagan and Kate Siegel (The Fall of the House of Usher, The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass) are scheduled to attend.

James Hong (Big Trouble in Little China, Everything Everywhere all at Once) and Kathryn Newton (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Supernatural) have cancelled their appearances due to filming conflicts.  Visit the links above for dates and more info.

Night Flight's 2024 Sea of Dreams-An Underwater Circus opens tonight at the Alberta Rose Theatre (3000 NE Alberta St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Saturday, March 2).

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

SIFF Egyptian (805 E Pine St in Seattle, WA) is showing André Øvredal's Trollhunter in GLORIOUS 35mm through Tuesday, March 5.

Hayao Miyazaki's latest animated feature, The Boy and the Heron, is playing at McMenamin Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, March 7), and Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Wednesday, March 6).

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

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 British animated/live action horror film Stopmotion is playing at the Metro Cinemas (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR; scheduled through Thursday, March 7).

Okay, this sounds too weird not to include on the site.  Mike Chelsik and Ryland Brickson Cole Tews (Lake Michigan Monster) latest film, Hundreds of Beavers, about a drunken applejack salesman becoming a hero during a supernatural winter by trapping hundreds of beavers (take a look at the poster and imagine the Looney Tunes possibilities), is playing at the Kiggins Theatre (1011 Main St in Vancouver, WA; scheduled through Tuesday, March 5).  

It opens on Friday, March 15, at the Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Monday, March 18), and will play at 9:30 pm on Wednesday, March 6, at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC).

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, March 7), the Metro Cinemas (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR; scheduled through Thursday, March 7), the Laurelhurst Theater (2735 E Burnside St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Saturday, March 2), Studio One (3945 SE Powell Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Wednesday, March 7), the Living Room Theaters (341 SW 10th Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, March 7), the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, March 7), and the Salem Cinema (1127 Broadway St NE in Salem, OR) on Monday, March 4, and Saturday, March 9.

Film Festival Submission Information 
 
The H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival and CthulhuCon is accepting submissions for the 2024 festival in Portland, OR.  Visit the link above for all the details, as there are multiple deadlines (the final one is on August 1 for limited films).

The Crypticon Seattle Film Festival is taking submissions for horror films.  Visit the link for details.  Deadline for regular submissions is March 1.

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.

March, 2024

Friday, March 1

Cult of! brings the third Star Wars vs Star Trek Drag and Burlesque Show to the Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) tonight at 7 pm.  This is a 21 and older event.

The gory version of Tammy and the T-Rex is showing at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) tonight at 11:30 pm.

Hey you guys! The Goonies is playing at the Egyptian Theatre (229 S Broadway in Coos Bay, OR) tonight at 7:30 pm. and tomorrow at 2 pm.

Saturday, March 2

As part of the monthly Studio Ghibli series, the Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St in Bellingham, WA) will screen Spirited Away through Wednesday, March 6.

The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) will screen Claire Denis' erotic cannibal horror film Trouble Every Day tonight at 9:30 pm.

SIFF Egyptian (805 E Pine St in Seattle, WA) is showing Jennifer Kent's The Babadook tonight at on Wednesday, March 6.

The horror/comedy Tucker and Dale vs. Evil is playing at SIFF Egyptian (805 E Pine St in Seattle, WA) in GLORIOUS 35mm today at 3 pm, and on Monday, March 4, at 5 pm.

Sunday, March 3

FAM JAM at the PAM CUT Tomorrow Theater (3530 SE Division St in Portland, OR) is showing the animated fantasy Nimona today at 4 pm.  Oh, and there are FREE T-shirts!

The Creepy Critters Late Show, a horror and alternative drag show, invades Escape Bar and Grill (9004 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) tonight at 9:30 pm.  This is a 21 and older event.

Tuesday, March 5

The CMNYK SCIENCE FICTION EXTRAVAGANZA at the Darkside Cinema (215 SW 4th St in Corvallis, OR) is the Roger Corman horror/comedy Creature from the Haunted Sea.  Preshow starts at 6:15 pm, and the feature starts at 7 pm.

Wednesday, March 6

Alex Winter's 1993 cult classic Freaked will be screening at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) in GLORIOUS 35mm tonight at 7:30 pm.  David Daniels, who did the opening title animation, will be in attendance.

The Spanish-French animated sci fi tragicomedy Robot Dreams plays at 7:15 pm tonight at SIFF Cinema Uptown (511 Queen Anne Ave N in Seattle, WA), and at 6:30 pm at the Living Room Theaters (341 SW 10th Ave in Portland, OR).

Fathom Events brings Jim Henson's Labyrinth back to theaters nationwide tonight and Sunday, March 10.  Visit the link to find a theater near you.

Thursday, March 7

The latest Blumhouse horror film, Imaginary, opens tonight at the Yelm Cinemas (201 Prairie Park ST SE in Yelm, WA; scheduled through Thursday, March 14), and the Sandy Cinema (16605 Champion Way in Sandy, OR; scheduled through Thursday, March 14).

Friday, March 8

It might seem inconceivable, but Cary Elwes will be at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (1037 SW Broadway in Portland, OR) for a screening of The Princess Bride to share behind the scene stories about the classic fantasy tonight starting at 8 pm.

Neil Marshall's horror classic The Descent is playing at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) tonight at 11:30 pm.  

Weird Elephant at The Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA) is showing James Cameron's sci fi action classic Aliens, starring Sigourney Weaver, tonight and tomorrow night at 10 pm. 

Saturday, March 9

The Washington State Toy Show heads to the Clark County Event Center (17200 ME Delfel Rd in Ridgefield, WA) today at 10 am (general admission for $5).  Early Bird admission is $10, and gets you in at 9 am.  The event runs till 4 pm, and kids 12 and under are admitted FREE.  Be aware, the Event Center charges a fee to park in their lots.

Hey you guys!  The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) will screen The Goonies today at 3 pm, with all proceeds going to ALSO and their mission to promote the full inclusion of people experiencing disabilities.

The 1931 version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde , starring Fredric March, is playing at Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Ave in Portland, OR) today at 11 am.

Sunday, March 10

The Olympia Film Society Kids Club will screen the Jim Henson/Frank Oz fantasy The Dark Crystal at the Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE in Olympia, WA) at 1 pm today, and on Sunday, March 17, 23, and 31.  Kids 12 and under are admitted FREE.

Friday, February 23, 2024

Sorry if I missed some events, but it's been a really rough week.

I'm sure I missed some events this week, but this week at the day job was pretty rough.  Which, I hate to say, is becoming the norm right now.  Between that, and some personal issues, I'm been feeling a bit run down for the past few months.  Or, maybe a better term is, ran over.

 

Yeah, I'm telling you, the semi of life is a real bitch.

I'm taking steps to correct the issues I can, but it might take a while before I resolve anything.  Still, the Weekly Update is one of the things I enjoy working on, so I'll be continuing to get the latest edition out every Friday.  Just hope I didn't miss too much this week.

I'm still working on the Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Calendar, with a lot of March events I hope to have posted by the middle of next week.  Or at least I want to make a sizable dent in the backlog that's piled up on me.  Fingers and tentacles crossed!

Anyway, got to get back to the day job.  Take care, stay safe, and I'll be back next Friday with another Weekly Update from The Shadow Over Portland!

Happening This Week

Live Attractions 

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

Jordan Peele's NOPE is playing at Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Wednesday, February 28).

The cult classic Assault on Precinct 13, from one of Jordan Peele's favorite directors, John Carpenter, is playing at Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Wednesday, February 28).

The dystopian sci fi film Snowpiercer is playing at the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, February 29).

Hey you guys!  The Goonies is playing at Tracyton Movie House (1520 NE Riddell Rd in Bremerton, WA; scheduled through Wednesday, February 28).

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 British animated/live action horror film Stopmotion is playing at CineMagic (2021 SE Hawthorne Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, February 29), and the the Metro Cinemas (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR; scheduled through Thursday, February 29).

Okay, this sounds too weird not to include on the site.  Mike Chelsik and Ryland Brickson Cole Tews (Lake Michigan Monster) latest film, Hundreds of Beavers, opens on Saturday, February 24, at the Liberty Theatre (315 NE 4th Ave in Camas, WA; scheduled through Thursday, February 29).  What's the plot, you might ask.  Well, it's about a drunken applejack salesman becoming a hero during a supernatural winter by trapping hundreds of beavers.  Take a look at the poster and imagine the Looney Tunes possibilities.  Visit the link for dates and showtimes.

The horror rom/com Lisa Frankenstein opens tonight at the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, February 29), Studio One (3945 SE Powell Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Wednesday, February 28), the Tracyton Movie House (1520 NE Riddell Rd in Bremerton, WA; scheduled through Wednesday, February 28), and the Granada 3 Theatre (1311 Adams Ave in La Grande, OR; scheduled through Thursday, February 29).

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 29), the Metro Cinemas (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR; scheduled through Thursday, February 29), the Laurelhurst Theater (2735 E Burnside St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, Wednesday, February 28), Studio One (3945 SE Powell Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Wednesday, February 28), the Living Room Theaters (341 SW 10th Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, February 29), and the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, March 7).

Hayao Miyazaki's latest animated feature, The Boy and the Heron, is playing at Studio One (3945 SE Powell Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Wednesday, February 28) and the Joy Cinema (11959 SW Pacific Highway in Tigard, OR; scheduled TBA).

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 Crypticon Seattle Film Festival is taking submissions for horror films.  Visit the link for details.  Deadline for regular submissions is March 1.


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 23

Okay, this sounds too weird not to include on the site.  The Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) will screen Mike Chelsik and Ryland Brickson Cole Tews (Lake Michigan Monster) latest film, Hundreds of Beavers, tonight at 10 pm.  What's the plot, you might ask.  Well, it's about a drunken applejack salesman becoming a hero during a supernatural winter by trapping hundreds of beavers.  Take a look at the poster and imagine the Looney Tunes possibilities.

It's time for a double feature at SIFF Egyptian (805 E Pine St in Seattle, WA) with Tobe Hooper's Poltergeist and Jennifer Kent's The Babadook, starting at 6:30 pm tonight.  That's some awesome nightmare fuel for you!

Saturday, February 24

The Oregon Symphony will perform a live score to Jurassic Park at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (740 SW Salmon St in Portland, OR) tonight at 7:30 pm, and tomorrow at 2 and 7:30 pm.

The SIFF Film Center (167 Republican St in Seattle, WA) brings programmer Dan Doody for a scene-by-scene discussion of the vampire classic Let the Right One In today at 10 am.

Sunday, February 25

Charles Laughton's only directorial feature, the dark fairy tale The Night of the Hunter, will be shown in GLORIOUS 35mm at 6 pm tonight at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR).  Film historian Foster Hirsch will introduce the screening, and will be signing copies of his new book before and after the film. 

The Afrofuturist film Space is the Place is playing at SIFF Egyptian (805 E Pine St in Seattle, WA) tonight at 7 pm.

Monday, February 26

SIFF Egyptian (805 E Pine St in Seattle, WA) is showing André Øvredal's Trollhunter in GLORIOUS 35mm through Tuesday, March 5.

SIFF Egyptian (805 E Pine St in Seattle, WA) is showing the underrated horror classic Jennifer's Body tonight at 7 pm.  Just ignore the poster.  The film is better than that.

Tuesday, February 27

The Portland Horror Trivia Massacre takes place at Home, A Bar (719 SE Morrison St in Portland, OR) tonight at 7:30 pm.

Wednesday, February 28

The Whiteside Theatre (361 SW Madison Ave in Corvallis, OR) is showing Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom tonight at 7 pm.

The Moscow Film Society brings Andrei Tarkovsky's post apocalyptic film Stalker to the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre (508 S Main St in Moscow, ID) tonight at 6:30 pm.

Thursday, February 29

The Emerald City Comic Con takes place through Sunday, March 3, at the Seattle Convention Center Summit Building (900 Pine St in Seattle, WA).  More details to come.  Follow the event on Facebook for the latest information.  Misha Collins (Supernatural, Charmed), Jim Beaver (Supernatural), and Jodie Whittaker (Dr. Who, Attack the Block) are scheduled to attend.  Visit the links above for dates and more info.

UPDATE: Chris Evans (Captain America), Mike Flanagan and Kate Siegel (The Fall of the House of Usher, The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass) are scheduled to attend.

James Hong (Big Trouble in Little China, Everything Everywhere all at Once) and Kathryn Newton (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Supernatural) have cancelled their appearances due to filming conflicts.  Visit the links above for dates and more info.

Night Flight's 2024 Sea of Dreams-An Underwater Circus opens tonight at the Alberta Rose Theatre (3000 NE Alberta St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Saturday, March 2).

Dinosaur World Live stomps into the Admiral Theatre (515 Pacific Ave in Bremerton, WA) tonight at 7 pm.  Doors open at 5:30 pm.

The new series Horror and Indigeneity, an exploration of how Indigenous Peoples have been depicted in horror cinema (good, bad and horrible), concludes at 7:30 pm tonight at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) with 1979's Prophecy.  The series is programmed and introduced by Dr. Kali Simmons, Assistant Professor of Indigenous Nations Studies at Portland State University.

Jordan Peele's NOPE is playing at the Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St in Bellingham, WA) tonight at 8 pm, with an introduction by Pr. Felicia Cosey.

March, 2024

Friday, March 1

Cult of! brings the third Star Wars vs Star Trek Drag and Burlesque Show to the Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St in Portland, OR) tonight at 7 pm.  This is a 21 and older event.

The gory version of Tammy and the T-Rex is showing at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) tonight at 11:30 pm.

Saturday, March 2

As part of the monthly Studio Ghibli series, the Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St in Bellingham, WA) will screen Spirited Away through Wednesday, March 6.

The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) will screen Claire Denis' erotic cannibal horror film Trouble Every Day tonight at 9:30 pm.

SIFF Egyptian (805 E Pine St in Seattle, WA) is showing Jennifer Kent's The Babadook tonight at on Wednesday, March 6.

The horror/comedy Tucker and Dale vs. Evil is playing at SIFF Egyptian (805 E Pine St in Seattle, WA) today at 3 pm, and on Monday, March 4, at 5 pm.

Sunday, March 3

FAM JAM at the PAM CUT Tomorrow Theater (3530 SE Division St in Portland, OR) is showing the animated fantasy Nimona today at 4 pm.  Oh, and there are FREE T-shirts!