Frightnights

By Dennis Harvey

Dunno ‘bout you, but I have come to prefer my Halloween thrills served cold, on celluloid — dealing with a buncha drunken costumed jerks on the street lost its luster some time ago. As usual, local cinemas have stepped up to service that seasonal urge for gore and grotesquerie. Herewith a partial survey of the scary unreelings available on S.F. screens — and a list of recommended rent-ables if you’re really hellbent on staying in whilst goblins, ghoulies, and over-excited inebriates are roaming about.

Evil Dead 2
The best movie ever made — well it’s at least damn close — is a genius 1987 amplification of the already genius 1983 no-budget original, with director Sam Raimi and star Bruce Campbell topping themselves. “Evil Dead 3” wasn’t so hot, and I care not-a-lot about Raimi’s belated mainstream breatkthrough Spider-Man flicks. But this is the caviar — or guilt-free Cheetos, take yer pick — of crass genre features. It is hilarious enough to be recommended even to the normally horror-phobic. (10/31 at the Red Vic, 11/3-4 midnights at the Clay)

Neighborhood Watch
All advance indicators shout “ick!” for this reportedly stomach-churning new independent U.S. feature from writer-director Graeme Whitfler. A young couple (Jack Huston, Pell James) move in next door to an inquisitive bachelor (Nick Searcy) who peeps on, poisons, and imprisons those he thinks morally lacking. Be prepared to hurl, as the protagonists themselves apparently often do. Also: On Halloween itself at 7:30 pm the PFA hosts “Experiments in Terror,” a wonderful-sounding program of lurid vintage and recent shorts curated by local maker Noel Lawrence. (10/29, Pacific Film Archive)

Laitala’s Halloween Spooktacular
Expect 16mm Grand Guignol aplenty as Kerry Laitala curates a lysergic dose of trippy terrorizing treats from the experimental to “The Addams Family” to the retro-educational horror (i.e. vintage driver’s-ed cautionary tale “The Day I Died”). Plus a promised climactic reel from 1965’s jaw-dropping “Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster,” live happenings, and spookily warmed wine. (Sat. Oct. 28, Artists’ Television Access)

The Monster Squad
More cutely comedic than frightening, this 1987 kiddie horror film (directed by S.F. native Fred Dekker) is now a nostalgic fave for grown children of the Reagan Era. Stars Andre Gower, Ryan Lambert and Ashley Bank will appear at these special revival screenings. Dracula, Wolfman, the Mummy and the Frankenstein Monster will not — unless you choose to dress as such. (10/27-28 at Clay Theatre, midnight)

Saw III
The loutish series continues, no doubt inventing gross new ways that dull characters are forced to kill themselves by a resentful cancer patient. This one includes some genre cult actors (including thus-far series survivors Shawnee Smith and Dina Meyer), and is directed by Darren Lynn Bousman of “Saw II” and “The Butterfly Effect.” I’m sure it will be richly rewarding. Other mainstream-y scare flix possibly holding over at a theatre near you include “Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning,” “The Grudge 2” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas 3-D.” Current evidence confirms the widespread suspicion that Hollywood cannot count to four. (Opening 10/27 at area theatres)

Lady in the Water
There has been nothing scarier onscreen in 2006 to date than M. Night Shyamalan’s fully exposed ego. It’s the real star of this insipid fantasy-suspense drama about a kinda mermaid (Dallas Bryce Howard) who needs an apartment-building supe (Paul Giamatti) to rescue her from CGI effects. Did I mention writer-director-producer M. Night himself portrays a resident whose brilliant writings will (according to mer-girl) only be appreciated in the future, when they’ll help change the world for the better? The Red Vic sells excellent coffee (in ceramic cups!) and popcorn (optional yeast!). You should resist all temptation to throw either at the screen. (10/29-30 at the Red Vic)

Rock and Roll Horror Show
From the producers of Another Hole in the Head and SF Indiefest comes this evening of mixed film and live excess. The film part (8 pm) is subterranean 1986 classic “Street Trash,” an incredibly, vigorously tasteless and gory tale of pitched passions amongst Nam vets, winos, cops and unfortunate bystanders in a Brooklyn wrecking yard. The live part is post-flick performances by bands Sik Luv, Wire Graffiti, Charm School Dropouts and Madelia. (Fri/27, Rickshaw Stop)

10.26.2006