Local movie events include scary Mondays at the drive-in and a Tallgrass fundraiser
As if this year hasn’t been scary enough, Wichita Big Screen initiative and the Starlite Drive-in are about to make it even scarier — but in a good way.
Scary Movie Mondays kicks off Monday, Sept. 14, at the drive-in at 3900 S. Hydraulic, which will show classic horror double and triple features every Monday through Oct. 19. Admission will be $7 for a single person or $14 a car load. The program is sponsored by Dominion Halloween, CD Tradepost, 96.1 KMUW, Fast Print, World Studios ICT and the Starlite Drive-in.
Showtimes will vary, but most films will start around 8 p.m. Check https://starlitefun.com for details.
Here’s the line-up:
Monday, Sept. 14: “The Shining” (1980), Stanley Kubrick’s absolutely terrifying take on Stephen King’s classic novel about an alcoholic writer (a typically tattered Jack Nicholson) who becomes possessed by evil ghosts while overseeing a remote resort hotel during a winter shutdown. (Shutdown? Like that could happen! Oh, wait...). That will be paired with “Doctor Sleep” (2019), King’s sequel that follows a now-grown Danny Torrence (Ewan McGregor) as he still struggles with personal (and very literal) demons. Redrum anyone?
Monday, Sept. 21: “Creepshow” (1982), an anthology with five tales inspired by horror comic books from the 1950s, which features a rare acting appearance by Stephen King (rare for a reason, maybe). That’s paired with “Dawn of the Dead” (1978), George A. Romero’s original zombie classic, and “Day of the Dead” (1985), which follows military officers and scientists who seek shelter from zombies in an underground bunker in one of Romero’s many sequels. Many.
Monday, Sept. 28: It’s Monster Monday with “King Kong” (1976), which re-introduced the world to the giant ape and a young Jessica Lange, “Godzilla vs. Megalon” (1973), where he battles a giant water monster, because, he can, and “Battle Beyond the Stars” (1980), about a young farmer who sets out to recruit mercenaries to defend his peaceful planet. The first 250 kids or fans will get a free 11-by-17 inch Kong commemorative festival poster at the ticket gate.
Monday, Oct. 5: “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984), the original film introducing the garish Freddy Krueger, who I still think is dressed like a deranged Muppet, “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987), the third outing in the franchise (obviously, duh), and “Galaxy of Terror” (1981), about a rescue space ship crew that meets up with horrors projected by their own imaginations. Whoa, I can think of some pretty scary stuff. Like hot dogs with no chili or cheese.
Monday, Oct. 12: “Friday the 13th: A New Beginning” (1985), uh-huh, this came after that prematurely titled “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter.” Which is nicely paired with “Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives” (1986), of course he does, and “Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood” (1988). Sigh.
Monday, Oct. 19: “The Evil Dead” (1981), Sam Raimi’s wonderfully campy original that introduced us to Bruce Campbell’s goofily heroic character Ash, and “Evil Dead 2” (1987), the equally fun sequel. They’re paired with “The Beyond” (1981), about a woman who inherits a hotel that was built over an entrance to Hell. That real estate market literally kills.
For more information go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/wichitabigscreen.
Tall orders
The Tallgrass Film Association is presenting “TALLshorts: A Fundraiser” on Saturday, Sept. 12.
It’s a virtual film festival that will present a curated program of short films online, followed by online Q&A sessions with filmmakers.The films will be paired with food and wine presented by Jennifer Ray of the Monarch, Don Wright of Old Mill Tasty Shop and Joumana Toubia of Two Olives.
Each $70 purchased “ticket” to the event comes with a VIP box featuring wine and the ingredients needed to follow video instructions to make appetizers with guidance from the chefs. The boxes must be picked up either on Friday, Sept. 11, from noon to 5 p.m. or Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wichita Art Museum, 1400 Museum Blvd., or Two Olives, 2949 N. Rock Road, Suite 120. You can pay an additional $25 to have your box hand-delivered to your home.
You can purchase tickets at https://www.goelevent.com/Tallgrass/e/TALLshortsAFundraiser.
And see a lineup of the films at https://tallgrassfilm.org/tallshorts-fundraiser-films-announced.