Film Round-up: Halloween Scarefests on the Silver Screen

In the coming week, there will be screenings of a variety of horror films from over the decades—you choose how you want your spine tingled. And don’t forget to dress up.

By Maraithe Thomas

A pair of punks going wild in The Return of the Living Dead

The holiday most synonymous with film watching is upon us at last, and as per usual, New England’s movie theaters have packed an impressive array of silent films, live music, Norman Bates, Jack Nicholson, blood, gore, and guts into one brilliantly spine-tingling week. Of course you’ll want to watch some of your favorites while curled up at home where you can scream in private, but the lineup offered by many local theaters will make it hard to stay inside. Below is a full lineup of the best culled from the dredges of events calendar aggregators.

Top nods on this list go to the Coolidge Corner Theatre’s always-stellar, always-horrifying 12-hour Horror Movie Marathon, which starts with a double feature of Suspiria and Return of the Living Dead and is followed by five yet-unannounced features. (There’s a reason why this event is in its 11th year). There’s also a costume contest (obviously) and a promise for many spooky treats (this most likely includes the candy and film variety) scattered throughout the night.

If you’re looking for a slightly more savory experience, the Somerville Arts Armory is screening silent horror classic Nosferatu Friday night in what looks like a really unusual, special night with the original score played by a live quintet.

Throughout Hall-o-week, any independent theater would be remiss not to show something or other (even the mainstream theaters get into it!) so check listings for theaters in your area. Also, worth mentioning (or not) is that Paranormal Activity 3, The Thing, and Human Centipede 2 are all out on regular release right now and playing at most theaters. And don’t forget to dress up!

Don’t Forget to Dress Up

Tuesday, Oct. 25 – Double Feature: It’s Alive with It’s Alive Again. At the Somerville Theater, 55 Davis Square, 4 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 9:45 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 26 – Demons with Night of the Comet. At the Somerville Theater, 55 Davis Square, 4 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 9:45 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 27 – The Shining with Halloween. At the Somerville Theater, 55 Davis Square, 5 p.m., 7:45 p.m., 9:30 p.m.

All weekend – Ghostbusters 20th anniversary screening. At select AMC and Showcase Cinemas.

Thursday, Oct. 27 – (Free) screening of Night of the Living Dead in 16mm. At the Providence Community Library: Knight Community Library. 275 Elmwood Road, Providence R.I., 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 28 – An American Werewolf in London. At Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard Ave., Brookline, midnight.

Friday, Oct. 28 – Nosferatu with an original score played live by a quintet of musicians from Boston and Philadelphia. At Cafe at the Somerville Armory: Center for the Arts in Armory. 191 Highland Ave., 8 p.m. http://artsatthearmory.org/

Friday, Oct. 28 – Rocky Horror Picture Show. At Orpheum Theatre, 1 School St. Foxboro, MA, 11 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 28 through Monday, Oct. 31 – Psycho with Frankenstein. At the Somerville Theater, 55 Davis Square, 4 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m., 10 p.m.

Editor’s Note: My vote for the creepiest movie ever made: the 1927 silent THE UNKNOWN, directed by Tod Browning and starring Lon Chaney and Joan Crawford. A genuinely perverse movie about the power of love and amputation.

Saturday, Oct. 29 – Halloween Movie Marathon (Saturday at midnight) starting with Suspiria and Return of the Living Dead. Tickets $15 for the double feature only; $20 “for the whole stinkin’ night.”

Sunday, Oct. 30 – Phantom of the Opera silent movie with live music. At Shalin Lui Performance Center, 37 Main St. Rockport, MA, 7 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 30 – The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (noon), Nosferatu (1:45 p.m.), The Unknown (8 p.m.). At the Brattle. (The Brattle’s Oct. 31 screening of White Zombie with live score by Volcano Kings was postponed).

Posted in
Tagged: ,

Leave a Comment





Recent Posts