Boston Revival Screenings Oct. 21-Oct. 27
Welcome back to This Week in Revival. Theaters will be haunted with Halloween and horror screenings all this week – and if you ask us, the programming is frighteningly good. Skip here for our highlights.
Monday Oct. 21
“North by Northwest” (1959) dir. Alfred Hitchcock – Somerville Theatre • 4:00, 7:30
70mm projection
Advertising man Roger Thornhill is mistaken for a spy, triggering a deadly cross-country chase. Tickets.
“The Fall” (2006) dir. Tarsem Singh – Alamo Drafthouse • 4:00, 6:45, 9:45
Digital projection
In 1920s Los Angeles, a bedridden patient in a hospital captivates a young girl with a fantastic tale of heroes, myths and villains on a desert island. Tickets.
“Galaxy of Terror” (1981) dir. Bruce D. Clark – The Brattle Theatre • 5:00, 9:15
Digital projection
As a lone spaceship proceeds on its long voyage across space, the crew are surprised to encounter a strange pyramid form. Surprise turns to horror as one by one, they discover that their darkest nightmares are all starting to become real. The pyramid has to be behind it all somehow, but how can they save themselves from its influence? Tickets.
“The Brood” (1979) dir. David Cronenberg – Alamo Drafthouse • 7:00
Digital projection
A man tries to uncover an unconventional psychologist’s therapy techniques on his institutionalized wife, while a series of brutal attacks committed by a brood of mutant children coincides with the husband’s investigation. Tickets.
“The Tingler” (1959) dir. William Castle – Coolidge Corner Theatre • 7:00
Digital projection – Presented in Percepto!*
A pathologist experiments with a deaf-mute woman who is unable to scream to prove that humans die of fright due to an organism he names The Tingler that lives within each person on the spinal cord and is suppressed only when people scream when scared. Tickets.
*Percepto is an in-theatre gimmick from William Castle, where certain seats will buzz, or tingle, during “The Tingler” to immerse the audience in the experience.
“Battle Beyond the Stars” (1980) dir. Jimmy T. Murakami – The Brattle Theatre • 7:00
Digital projection
A young farmer assembles a band of diverse mercenaries to defend his peaceful planet from an evil tyrant. Tickets.
“Falamos De Rio De Onor” (1974) dir. António Campos – Harvard Film Archive • 7:00
Digital projection – With special guest Gente de Praia da Vieira
A borderland village of Trás-os-Montes, 27 km away from Bragança, Rio de Onor preserved – due to its isolated location – the old communitarian practices, of farmers and shepherds, that define it as an important and unmistakable center of this region. Tickets
Tuesday Oct. 22
“The Fall” (2006) dir. Tarsem Singh – Alamo Drafthouse • 3:15, 9:45
Digital projection
In 1920s Los Angeles, a bedridden patient in a hospital captivates a young girl with a fantastic tale of heroes, myths, and villains on a desert island. Tickets.
“Coraline” (2009) dir. Henry Selick – Alamo Drafthouse • 6:15
Digital projection
Wandering her rambling old house in her boring new town, 11-year-old Coraline discovers a hidden door to a strangely idealized version of her life. In order to stay in the fantasy, she must make a frighteningly real sacrifice. Tickets.
“North by Northwest” (1959) dir. Alfred Hitchcock – Somerville Theatre • 7:30
70mm projection
Advertising man Roger Thornhill is mistaken for a spy, triggering a deadly cross-country chase. Tickets.
“Stripped to Kill” (1987) dir. Katt Shea – The Brattle Theatre • 8:00
Digital projection
A Los Angeles policewoman’s partner has her pose as a stripper to lure a killer of strippers. Tickets.
“A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors” (1987) dir. Chuck Russell – Alamo Drafthouse • 9:00
Digital projection
During a hallucinatory incident, Kristen Parker has her wrists slashed by dream-stalking monster, Freddy Krueger. Her mother, mistaking the wounds for a suicide attempt, sends her to a psychiatric ward, where she joins a group of similarly troubled teens. Tickets.
Wednesday Oct. 23
“A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors” (1987) dir. Chuck Russell – Alamo Drafthouse • 7:00
Digital projection
During a hallucinatory incident, Kristen Parker has her wrists slashed by dream-stalking monster, Freddy Krueger. Her mother, mistaking the wounds for a suicide attempt, sends her to a psychiatric ward, where she joins a group of similarly troubled teens. Tickets.
“North by Northwest” (1959) dir. Alfred Hitchcock – Somerville Theatre • 7:30
70mm projection
Advertising man Roger Thornhill is mistaken for a spy, triggering a deadly cross-country chase. Tickets.
“The Purge: Election Year” (2016) dir. James DeMonaco – West Newton Cinema • 7:30
Digital projection
Two years after choosing not to kill the man who killed his son, former police sergeant Leo Barnes has become head of security for Senator Charlene Roan, the front runner in the next Presidential election due to her vow to eliminate the Purge. On the night of what should be the final Purge, a betrayal from within the government forces Barnes and Roan out onto the street where they must fight to survive the night. Tickets.
“The Slumber Party Massacre” (1982) dir. Amy Holden Jones – The Brattle Theatre • 8:00
Digital projection
Trish invites her high school basketball teammates over for a night they’ll never forget — or survive — when an unexpected guest crashes the party: an escaped psychopath with a portable power drill. Tickets.
“Slumber Party Massacre II” (1987) dir. Deborah Brock – The Brattle Theatre • 9:45
Digital projection
Courtney is tormented by dreams of the infamous Driller Killer returning to wreak havoc… only to find that the murderous monster is reincarnated as an evil rocker. Tickets.
“Longlegs” (2024) dir. Oz Perkins {pre-taped Q&A with Oz Perkins, first look feature of The Monkey} – Alamo Drafthouse • 10:00
Digital projection
In pursuit of a serial killer, an FBI agent uncovers a series of occult clues that she must solve to end his terrifying killing spree. Tickets.
Thursday Oct. 24
“Frankenstein” (1931) dir. James Whale – Capitol Theatre • 7:00
Digital projection
Tampering with life and death, Henry Frankenstein pieces together salvaged body parts to bring a human monster to life; the mad scientist’s dreams are shattered by his creation’s violent rage as the monster awakens to a world in which he is unwelcome. Tickets.
“Eyes Without a Face” (1960) dir. Georges Franju – Coolidge Corner Theatre • 7:00
35mm projection
Dr. Génessier is riddled with guilt after an accident that he caused disfigures the face of his daughter, the once beautiful Christiane, who outsiders believe is dead. Dr. Génessier, along with accomplice and laboratory assistant Louise, kidnaps young women and brings them to the Génessier mansion. After rendering his victims unconscious, Dr. Génessier removes their faces and attempts to graft them on to Christiane’s. Tickets.
“Nosferatu” (1922) dir. F.W. Murnau – West Newton Cinema • 7:00
Digital projection
The mysterious Count Orlok summons Thomas Hutter to his remote Transylvanian castle in the mountains. The eerie Orlok seeks to buy a house near Hutter and his wife, Ellen. After Orlok reveals his vampire nature, Hutter struggles to escape the castle, knowing that Ellen is in grave danger. Meanwhile Orlok’s servant, Knock, prepares for his master to arrive at his new home. Tickets.
“Bride of Frankenstein” (1935) dir. James Whale – Capitol Theatre • 8:25
Digital projection
Dr. Frankenstein and his monster both turn out to be alive, not killed as previously believed. Dr. Frankenstein wants to get out of the evil experiment business, but when a mad scientist, Dr. Pretorius, kidnaps his wife, Dr. Frankenstein agrees to help him create a new creature. Tickets.
“Death Race 2000” (1975) dir. Paul Bartel – The Brattle Theatre • 8:30
35mm projection
In a boorish future, the government sponsors a popular, but bloody, cross-country race in which points are scored by mowing down pedestrians. Five teams, each comprised of a male and female, compete using cars equipped with deadly weapons. Frankenstein, the mysterious returning champion, has become America’s hero, but this time he has a passenger from the underground resistance. Tickets.
“Longlegs” (2024) dir. Oz Perkins {pre-taped Q&A with Oz Perkins, first look feature of The Monkey} – Alamo Drafthouse • 10:00
Digital projection
In pursuit of a serial killer, an FBI agent uncovers a series of occult clues that she must solve to end his terrifying killing spree. Tickets.
Friday Oct. 25
“Bride of Frankenstein” (1935) dir. James Whale – The Brattle Theatre • 3:30
35mm projection
Dr. Frankenstein and his monster both turn out to be alive, not killed as previously believed. Dr. Frankenstein wants to get out of the evil experiment business, but when a mad scientist, Dr. Pretorius, kidnaps his wife, Dr. Frankenstein agrees to help him create a new creature. Tickets.
“Longlegs” (2024) dir. Oz Perkins {pre-taped Q&A with Oz Perkins, first look feature of The Monkey} – Alamo Drafthouse • 6:30
Digital projection
In pursuit of a serial killer, an FBI agent uncovers a series of occult clues that she must solve to end his terrifying killing spree. Tickets.
“Trás-os-Montes” (1976) dir. Margarida Cordeiro, António Reis – Harvard Film Archive • 7:00
Digital projection
The first feature in António Reis and Margarida Cordeiro’s trilogy is a journey through this almost mythical region of north-east Portugal, a tapestry of micro-narratives where past, present and future become intertwined. Tickets.
“Brandos Costumes” (1975) dir. Alberto Seixas Santos – Harvard Film Archive • 9:15
35mm projection
A portrait of the everyday life of a typical middle-class family in parallel with the fall of the “Estado Novo”, the 48-year dictatorship led by Salazar. The daughters’ conflicts and frustrations with their parents, their grandmother and their maid find an obvious echo in the country’s collective events. The Carnation Revolution is about to explode. Tickets.
“Frankenhooker” (1990) dir. Frank Henenlotter – Coolidge Corner Theatre • 11:59
Digital projection
A medical school dropout loses his fiancée in a tragic lawnmower incident and decides to bring her back to life. Unfortunately, he was only able to save her head, so he goes to the red light district in the city and lures prostitutes into a hotel room so he can collect body parts to reassemble her. Tickets.
“The Tomb of Ligeia” (1964) dir. Roger Corman – Coolidge Corner Theatre • 11:59
35mm projection
Verden Fell is shattered after the death of his lovely wife. But, after an unexpected encounter with Lady Rowena Trevanion, Fell soon finds himself married again. Nevertheless, his late wife’s spirit seems to hang over the dilapidated abbey that Fell shares with his new bride. Lady Rowena senses that something is amiss and, when she investigates, makes a horrifying discovery — learning that Fell’s dead wife is closer than she ever imagined possible. Tickets.
Saturday Oct. 26
“Monster House” (2006) dir. Gil Kenan – Coolidge Corner Theatre • 10:30
Digital projection
Monsters under the bed are scary enough, but what happens when an entire house is out to get you? Three teens aim to find out when they go up against a decrepit neighboring home and unlock its frightening secrets. Tickets.
“Le Doulos” (1962) dir. Jean-Pierre Melville – Harvard Film Archive • 7:00
35mm projection
Enigmatic gangster Silien may or may not be responsible for informing on Faugel, who was just released from prison and is already involved in what should be a simple heist. By the end of this brutal, twisting, and multilayered policier, who will be left to trust? Tickets.
“Trick or Treat” (1986) {Presented as a Double Feature with a Mystery Film} dir. Charles Martin Smith – Somerville Theatre • 7:30
35mm projection
Eddie Weinbauer, a metalhead teen who is bullied at school, looks to his heavy metal superstar idol, Sammi Curr, for guidance. When Curr is killed in a hotel fire, Eddie becomes the recipient of the only copy of Curr’s unreleased album, which, when played backwards, brings Sammi back to life. As Halloween approaches, Eddie begins to realize that this isn’t only rock ‘n roll…it’s life and death. Tickets.
“Max and the Junkmen” (1971) dir. Claude Sautet – Harvard Film Archive • 9:15
35mm projection
A detective decides to go undercover and set up a group of robbers, but he may be getting too caught up in the task at hand. Tickets.
“Longlegs” (2024) dir. Oz Perkins {pre-taped Q&A with Oz Perkins, first look feature of The Monkey} – Alamo Drafthouse • 10:15
Digital projection
In pursuit of a serial killer, an FBI agent uncovers a series of occult clues that she must solve to end his terrifying killing spree. Tickets.
23rd Annual Halloween Horror Marathon {Multiple Films} – Coolidge Corner Theatre • 11:30
35mm projection
The Halloween Horror Marathon is back from the lab and ready to throw the switch on 12 hours of terror! Join us for a night of weird experiments and horrifying hypotheses—all in 35mm! Films include “The Invisible Man” (1933), “The Fly“(1986), and 5 other mystery films. Tickets.
“Nosferatu” (1922) dir. F.W. Murnau – Somerville Theatre • 11:59
Digital projection – Synced with Radiohead’s Kid A and Amnesiac
The mysterious Count Orlok summons Thomas Hutter to his remote Transylvanian castle in the mountains. The eerie Orlok seeks to buy a house near Hutter and his wife, Ellen. After Orlok reveals his vampire nature, Hutter struggles to escape the castle, knowing that Ellen is in grave danger. Meanwhile Orlok’s servant, Knock, prepares for his master to arrive at his new home. Tickets.
Sunday Oct. 27
“Elbow” (2024) {Director and Author in Person} dir. Aslı Özarslan – Coolidge Corner Theatre • 11:00
Digital projection
Hazal is 17 and lives in Berlin. Her biggest wish: to be given a chance. For her 18th birthday she wants to escape the everyday grind and party with her friends, but when a fatal incident changes everything, Hazal is forced to flee. Tickets.
“Creature from the Black Lagoon” (1954) dir. Jack Arnold – Alamo Drafthouse • 1:00
Digital projection
Remnants of a mysterious animal have come to light in a remote jungle, and a group of scientists intends to determine if the find is an anomaly or evidence of an undiscovered beast. To accomplish their goal, the scientists must brave the most perilous pieces of land South America has to offer, but the terrain is nothing compared to the danger posed by an otherworldly being that endangers their work and their lives. Tickets.
“Paranorman” (2012) dir. Chris Butler, Sam Fell – West Newton Cinema • 1:00
Digital projection
In the town of Blithe Hollow, Norman Babcock can speak to the dead, but no one other than his eccentric new friend believes his ability is real. One day, Norman’s eccentric uncle tells him of a ritual he must perform to protect the town from a curse cast by a witch centuries ago. Tickets.
“The Bat” (1926) {Live Score by Jeff Rapsis} dir. Roland West – Somerville Theatre • 2:00
Digital projection
A masked criminal who dresses like a giant bat terrorizes the guests at an old house rented by a mystery writer. Tickets.
“Army of Shadows” (1969) dir. Jean-Pierre Melville – Harvard Film Archive • 3:00
35mm projection
Betrayed by an informant, Philippe Gerbier finds himself trapped in a torturous Nazi prison camp. Though Gerbier escapes to rejoin the Resistance in occupied Marseilles, France, and exacts his revenge on the informant, he must continue a quiet, seemingly endless battle against the Nazis in an atmosphere of tension, paranoia and distrust. Tickets.
“The Craft” (1996) dir. Andrew Fleming – Alamo Drafthouse • 3:30
Digital projection
After transferring to a Los Angeles high school, Sarah finds that her telekinetic gift appeals to a group of three wannabe witches, who happen to be seeking a fourth member for their rituals. Tickets.
“Longlegs” (2024) dir. Oz Perkins {pre-taped Q&A with Oz Perkins, first look feature of The Monkey} – Alamo Drafthouse • 10:15
Digital projection
In pursuit of a serial killer, an FBI agent uncovers a series of occult clues that she must solve to end his terrifying killing spree. Tickets.
“Basket Case” (1982) {Double Feature with The Gate} dir. Frank Henenlotter – Somerville Theatre • 7:00
Digital projection
A young man carrying a big basket that contains his deformed Siamese-twin brother seeks vengeance on the doctors who separated them against their will. Tickets.
“Rosemary’s Baby” (1968) dir. Roman Polanski – Coolidge Corner Theatre • 7:00
35mm projection
A young couple, Rosemary and Guy, moves into an infamous New York apartment building, known by frightening legends and mysterious events, with the purpose of starting a family. Tickets.
“The Vows” (1973) dir. António de Macedo – Harvard Film Archive • 7:00
35mm projection
The gritty lives of Portuguese villagers are shown in this action drama which shows the interaction between a married couple who have taken an unusual vow of celibacy and a gang of gypsies who are terrorizing their village. The film highlights many ancient religious traditions still current in these regions, as the villagers, devout Catholics, support the gypsy con-men by buying religious relics from them. Tickets.
“The Gate” (1987) {Double Feature with Basket Case} dir. Tibor Takács – Somerville Theatre • 8:30
Digital projection
Three young children accidentally release a horde of nasty, pint-sized demons from a hole in a suburban backyard. What follows is a classic battle between good and evil as the three kids struggle to overcome a nightmarish hell that is literally taking over the Earth. Tickets.
The Independent’s Highlights
Monday: “The Tingler” (1959) dir. William Castle – Coolidge Corner Theatre
With yet another one of William Castle’s gimmicky passes at audience immersion, this film is an experience that you can truly only have in theaters. The Coolidge is also likely one of the only theaters with an electrician team willing to make it happen.
Tuesday: “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors” (1987) dir. Chuck Russell – Alamo Drafthouse
While the original Nightmare focuses on the terror in one’s self and is represented by the gruesome Freddy Krueger, Nightmare 2 and 3 are a departure from their groundbreaking predecessor, taking a look at realistic internal terror – being a closeted homosexual. Freddy Krueger is also there!
Wednesday: “The Slumber Party Massacre” (1982) dir. Amy Holden Jones
The art of the B-movie slasher that finds its campiness in its 5-buck-budget ingenuity is long gone. Relive the glory days with this underrated ‘80s romp!
Thursday: “Eyes Without a Face” (1960) dir. Georges Franju
The inventive and progressive film techniques of Franju’s expertise, combined with a patient and eerie screenplay and underscored by Alida Valli’s infinitely haunting eyes makes this a timeless classic that will linger with you.
Friday: “Bride of Frankenstein” (1935) dir. James Whale
One of the first heroines in cinematic history with imagery that has influenced horror iconography for decades to come. More than that, who can resist a good monster flick?
Saturday: “Max and the Junkmen” (1971) dir. Claude Sautet – Harvard Film Archive
A film so intrinsically ‘70s, you can’t help but fall into the feverishly auric sensual espionage of it all – and it’s on 35mm!
Sunday: “The Bat” (1926) {Live Score by Jeff Rapsis} dir. Roland West – Somerville Theatre
Reminiscent of the long-gone silent film “talkie” days, you can see this frightful flick accompanied with a live score – one of the first ever facets of movie-going.
This Week’s Highlight: “North by Northwest” (1959) dir. Alfred Hitchcock – Somerville Theatre
With three 70mm screenings this week, “North by Northwest” dominates our highlights list for being presented on the best format from one of the most undeniably influential directors in history. Though not particularly Halloween-y, any time of year is a good time to be enthralled in this pressuring thriller, in all its grandiosity.
All loglines for the listed films are sourced from Letterboxd or IMDb.
Regions: Boston