The Movie Nerd Report: A good week for Northeast Ohio horror fans

There’s good reason for horror fans to celebrate this week! Here is your #movienerdreport!

Tonight, at 8 p.m., in Public Square there will be a free outdoor screening of Ivan Reitman’s comedy classic “Ghostbusters.” There will be themed food trucks, a pop-up bar and interactive activities. Make sure to bring your own chair or a blanket! 

One of my favorite film events of the year takes place this Saturday in the 12 Hours of Terror movie marathon! This annual tradition, which is celebrating its 15^th anniversary, moves to the Cedar Lee Theatre (2163 Lee Rd, Cleveland Heights 44118) for the first time. Do you have the stamina to last all 12 hours? This year’s line-up features Sam Raimi’s original “The Evil Dead,”  “Cabin Fever,”  “The Tingler,”  “Frankenhooker,” “The Wizard of Gore.” And “Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II.” Plus there will be a secret screening, which could be something new, a classic horror film, or something out of left field! Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door!

Tickets and film information can be found here: https://www.clevelandcinemas.com/movies/1000010389-12-hours-of-terror/

Several new films open widely this weekend including “Street Fighter!” This latest adaptation of the video game series (there was a previously made film in 1994 with Jean Claude Van Damme) tells the story of estranged fighters Ryu and Ken Masters who get thrown back into combat when they are recruited for the World Warrior Tournament. The film was directed by Kitao Sakurai, who grew up in Cleveland! The film stars Noah Centino, Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoa’I, Cody Rhodes, Eric Andrè and Jason Momoa. 

This next one just seems … wild. “Whalefall” stars Austin Abrams (most recently featured in last month’s “Resident Evil”) as a man who dives off California’s Central Coast in search of his recently deceased father’s remains, only to be swallowed by a massive sperm whale. He only has one hour of oxygen and needs to escape the belly of the whale. This film also stars Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Shue. 

Also opening is the latest adaptation of Jane Austin’s “Sense and Sensibility.” The film follows the lives, heartbreaks and romances of the Dashwood sisters, after the death of their father leaves them in financial distress. Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esme Creed-Miles star as the aforementioned sisters. 

The film generating the most buzz this weekend is “You Can See Everything.” This is the documentary directed by Lance Oppenheim (who has another movie in theaters right now, “Primetime”) and stars Nathan Fielder (HBO’s “The Rehearsal”). The film follows notorious Silicon Valley founder Elizabeth Holmes, 34 days before she is sent to prison. The trailer made waves over the Internet, but I’m still eagerly awaiting watching it because I feel the trailer merely scratches the surface. Reviews of this documentary are almost universally good. 

At Cinemark Valley View (6001 Canal Rd, Valley View 44125) and Regal Crocker Park (30147 Detroit Rd, Westlake 44145) they will be showing Ken Russell’s “The Devils.” The 1971 film, which is rated NC-17 and at times was banned in several countries, has been restored to the version that Ken Russell always intended. It takes place in 17^th century France and follows a priest who is accused of witchcraft. 

Over at the Cleveland Cinematheque (11610 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland 44106):

Thursday at 6:45 p.m.. and Friday at 8:50 p.m. they will present “A Sad and Beautiful World” which tells the story of two individuals who are born one minute apart in the same hospital and how their lives intertwine over three decades. It was Lebanon’s submission for the Academy’s International Oscar. 

At 9 p.m. they will present a 4K restoration of the film “Begotten.” It is an avant-guard, almost silent re-imagining of primal creation myths. The film took four years to shoot and has a unique aesthetic!

Friday at 6:45 p.m. they will show Alex Gibney’s documentary “Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie.” The film details author Salman Rushdie’s survival and recovery following a brutal 2022 assassination attempt against him. 

Saturday at 4 p.m. they will present the documentary “Remake.” It is a deeply personal film that explores grief, fatherhood and the impact of a lifetime of self-documentary filmmaking. It was inspired by the director’s loss of his 20-year-old son. 

Saturday at 6:15 p.m. and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. the cult musical series continues with a rare screening of the 1967 film “Privilege.” It tells the story of a famous popstar, Steven Shorter, who is used as a tool by the state to divert people from political activity and keep the population in check.

Saturday at 8:30 p.m., in partnership with the Cleveland Jewish Film Festival, they will present the film “Where To?” It follows the relationship between Hassan, a 55-year-old Palestinian Uber driver, and Amir, a 25-year-old Israeli tourist, as they cross paths during late-night taxi rides through Berlin. 

Sunday at 2 p.m. the Sundays with Shearer series continues with a special showing of her 1939 film “The Women.” On hand at the screening will be actress Illeana Douglas who will give a post-screening discussion. Douglas has written a new book about the film titled “Jungle Read: The Making of MGM’s The Women.” She will be on hand for a book signing after the screening! 

Sunday at 5 p.m. they will present the documentary “Timestamp.” The film was shot over a year-plus time span, from April 2023 through June 2024, and follows the students and teachers as they navigate the constant threat of Russian invasion. 

More information about the films and tickets can be found at: https://cinematheque.cia.edu/

Over at The Nightlight (30 N High Street, Akron 44308): 

They will be opening a few films, including “Atonement,” which is about a troubled U.S. Marine haunted by combat guilt who attempts to seek forgiveness and reconciliation years after a tragic incident in the Iraq War. Boyd Holbrook and Kenneth Branagh star. 

They also will be presenting Anna Biller’s “The Love Witch” in honor of its 10^th anniversary. It tells the story of a modern-day witch who uses spells and magic to get a man to fall in love with her, with deadly consequences. 

They also will be presenting Michael Mann’s masterful “Manhunter” which is celebrating its 40^th anniversary, as well as a new director’s cut. It follows FBI profiler Will Graham as he is pulled back into service by his former boss to track a brutal serial killer. 

The new film “Chronovisor” will also play. The movie tells the story of a reclusive academic who collides with the story of a clandestine technology that can photograph the past. 

They also will be showing a few screenings of the 1997 film “Office Killer.” Which is about a mousy office worker who accidentally kills one of her coworkers, then proceeds to bump off a few others. It stars Carol Kane, Molly Ringwald and Jeanne Tripplehorn. 

They and a few other theaters will also be showing Hayao Miyazaki’s “Spirited Away” for its 25^th anniversary. The winner for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, this one is a visual feast!

More information on films and tickets can be found at: https://nightlightcinema.com/

At The Capitol Theatre (1390 W.65^th St, Cleveland 44102):

They will be opening the film “California Schemin’” which is the directorial debut of actor James McAvoy. It tells the true story of Silibil N’ Brains, a rap duo from Dundee, who for three years pretended to be American in order to be taken seriously by the recording industry. 

Tuesday evening they will present the new film “Concessions,” which seems like a movie right after the Movie Nerd’s heart. The synopsis reads: As the Royal Alamo Cinema closes its doors for good, jaded staff, eccentric patrons and an unhinged manager stumble through one last night at the movies. The director Mas Bouzidi, will be on hand for a Q&A! 

More film information and tickets are available at: https://capitoltheatrecleveland.com/

At the Canton Palace Theatre (605 Market Ave N. Canton 44702):

They continue their Horror series on Friday at 7:30 p.m. with William Friedkin’s classic “The Exorcist” and on Saturday also at 7:30 p.m., they will also show 1922’s “Nosferatu” which will have an original accompaniment at the historic Kilgen Organ by Jay Spencer. 

More information about the movies and tickets can be found at: https://cantonpalacetheatre.org/

So there you have it, another jam packed week! Until next time, we’ll see you at the movies!