Creepy, campy film events round out October and Halloween in Wichita
Several cool alternative film events and screenings in Wichita are set to round out October. Here’s a look: (Titles, dates and times are subject to change)
EMILY BONAVIA TALLGRASS FILM CENTER
120 E. First St. (Unit 113) tallgrassfilm.org/tallgrass-film-center/
“Arsenic and Old Lace” (1944) — Mortimer Brewster, a newspaper drama critic, playwright, and author known for his diatribes against marriage, suddenly falls in love and gets married, but when he makes a quick trip home to tell his two maiden aunts, he discovers his aunts’ hobby — killing lonely old men and burying them in the cellar. Hey, everyone needs a hobby! 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20. Tickets are $12 plus taxes and fees.
“Videodrome” (1983) — The president of a trashy TV channel is desperate for new programming to attract viewers. When he happens upon “Videodrome,” a TV show dedicated to gratuitous torture and punishment, he sees a potential hit and broadcasts the show on his channel. However, after his girlfriend auditions for the show and never returns, he discovers that the graphic violence may not be as fake as he thought. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. Tickets are $12 plus taxes and fees.
Madame Mae’s Horror Frights presents “The Crow” (1994) — A man (Brandon Lee, in his final performance) brutally murdered comes back to life as an undead avenger of his and his fiancee’s murder. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27.
ORPHEUM THEATRE
200 N. Broadway, wichitaorpheum.com
“The Seeds” (2023) — The Orpheum presents a special premiere of this locally-made film, directed by Troy Lamont. The story follows a man named Tobias who embarks on a quest to find his soulmate, Marley. When their paths finally cross, their love story takes a dark and ominous twist. Marley’s enigmatic past becomes the harbinger of inexplicable accidents that threaten to unravel Tobias’ life in ways he could never have imagined. Must be age 13 or older to attend. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. Tickets are $35.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975) — Do the time warp again with two screenings of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” a campy, funny, twisted salute to sci-fi, horror, B-movies and rock music, all rolled into one decadent morsel. The musical mayhem begins when rain-soaked Brad and Janet take refuge in the castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a mad scientist from outer space who is about to unveil his greatest creation — and have a bit of fun with his reluctant guests. Tim Curry, Barry Bostwick, Susan Sarandon and rocker Meat Loaf star in the most popular cult classic of all time. An 8 p.m. screening on Oct. 27, is open to all ages. A midnight screening is open to ages 21 and older. $10 general admission for both showings. A “participation kit” is $5. Costumes are encouraged, but not required. Parental discretion is advised; under 17 must be accompanied by an adult.
REGAL CINEMAS
Check website for ticket info.
“Back to the Future” (1985) — Seventeen-year-old high school student Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, and Wednesday, Oct. 25, at AMC Northrock 14, 3151 N. Penstemon St. and Regal Warren West, 9150 W. 21st St., 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, and Wednesday, Oct. 25, at Regal Warren East, 11611 E. 13th St.
“The Birds” (1963) — Special screenings celebrate the 60th anniversary of Alfred Hitchcock’s eerie classic, which follows a wealthy San Francisco socialite who pursues a potential boyfriend to a small Northern California town that slowly takes a turn for the bizarre when birds of all kinds suddenly begin to attack people. 1 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, and 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23, Regal Warren East and West.
“Dawn of the Dead” (1978) — George A. Romero’s zombie classic returns to theaters for its 45th anniversary, following two Philadelphia SWAT team members, a traffic reporter and his TV executive girlfriend as they seek refuge in a secluded shopping mall. 6:30 and 9:40 p.m. Oct. 27 and 28 and 5 and 8:10 p.m. Oct. 29-31.
Reach Rod Pocowatchit at rodrick@rawdzilla.com .
