Anti-consumerism November: Halloween III

Now, for a long time, this was considered by many to be the worst in the Halloween series. But if you're going to evaluate this installment fairly, you kind of have to remove it from the series entirely. This movie's charm lies in it's anti-consumerism subtext, the simplistic beauty of the baddie’s master plan, the confusing complexity of his motives, and the fact that it stars Tom Atkins.

The bad guy's plan is to sell halloween masks to million of kids and to use a television special as a switch that activates said masks, sacrificing the wearer in pretty gruesome ways. Why do they need to make a mass sacrifice? Mmmm, something to do with witch craft, Celtic traditions, and stone henge. But never fear, Tom Atkins is there to save the day.

Atkins plays a doctor, and that is a fact I always forget. There's really isn't a reason for him to be a doctor, except that he's in the hospital while the first victim divulges some key dialogue. After that, Atkins could just as well have been investigating that patient's death as a homicide detective. But that weird detail adds to the “charm” of this off-the-wall character. (And actually, he's only investigating the man's death because he thinks the man's daughter is hot, so it doesn't really matter what his profession is...)

But all these quirks don't change that this is a movie we love. It's not an amazing movie or ground breaking by any means, it's just a good example of an underdog movie grabbing your attention and telling a fun story.

Tim Kelly's interview with Tom Atkins at Theaters MOA. 

Halloween III with Tom Atkins.

I am beyond excited for tomorrow. Not only do I get to see one of my favorite Halloween movies on the big screen but I get to do it in the presence of a true badass and MVP* of Horror for the Holidays this year, TOM ATKINS!! 

Ive never actually been able to see Halloween 3 in a theater before. Ive never even heard of anyone screening it around here, since most people seem to hate it. I on the other hand have always thought it got a bad wrap.

You throw together some H. P. Lovecraft/old world witchcraft and mix it with 80's telecommunications technology. Then add some commentary on consumerism and advertising. Put it together with fantastic cinematography by Dean Cundey, a great synth score by John Carpenter and Alan Howarth, and of course my favorite beer drinking leading man Tom Atkins. Im not sure whats not to like.

Get down to the Starbar in the Theaters starting at 6:30 to snag one of 50 limited edition posters I made for the event and if your there real early you will also get one of these sweet Halloween 3 button packs.

7:30 start time with a really great vintage trailer pack, Halloween 3 and then followed by a Q&A with Tom Atkins.

All for $5. At Theatres at Mall of America.

* We played My Bloody Valentine 3D, Night of the Creeps and Halloween 3 this year all starring Tom Atkins!

Night of the Creeps Tonight!

Tonight! 2 fantastic movies for $5. Night of the Creeps and a super secret mystery movie!

As usual get there early and grab a free button pack from us in the star bar (while they last).

Fred Dekker and Tom Atkins fans rejoice!

Night of the Creeps will be playing this Thursday September 25th at Theatres at Mall of America. It could almost be counted as another overlooked zombie film, if you relaxed your definition of zombie films to include reanimation for the purpose of incubating space slugs... This movie was a hit with critics and horror fans alike, and you'd think that would mean it was a rousing success, except the studios dropped the ball when it came to promotion and it ultimately bombed. Though a gem in the acting crown of Tom Atkins, the same fate fell upon Fred Dekker's follow up movie Monster Squad, sadly grinding his career to a halt before it even took off.

Speaking of Tom Atkins, Theaters ofMOA are screening Halloween III on October 23rd (that's eight moredays 'till Halloween if anyone's counting...) For us these two screenings eliminate two of our favorite movies to carve pumpkins to, but we're alright with bucking that tradition for watching them with a room full of people just as excited to watch these movies!  

As always the movies are $5 and start at 7:30. Night of the Creeps also has a free super secret mystery movie that follows, so its 2 movies for $5!