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Cult Cinema

R.A.D.’s Friday 13th Event Report

Grimmfest is Manchester’s home of horror and cult films is entering its seventh year. The festival has hosted many World, UK and Regional premieres and over the years the guest list has included Pollyanna McIntosh (The Woman), Steve Oram (Sightseers), Dominic Brunt (Before Dawn), Ross Noble (Stitches), James Moran and Alan Ford (Cockneys vs. Zombies). Over the past few months R.A.D. (Retro And Dangerous) Film Screenings, an extension of Grimmfest, has been hosting special screenings of cult classics that extend to include other genres.

Last Halloween they screened a genius double bill of Kenny Ortega‘s witching comedy Hocus Pocus and Tim Burton‘s gothically twisted hit Beetlejuice. Just before Christmas, R.A.D. Film Screenings held a special presentation of the Chevy Chase festive classic National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation before launching into Turbo Time with Jingle all the Way. I was invited along to represent Cinema Chords at R.A.D’s latest event, a double bill of two classic 1980 slasher films that have defined the horror genre, Sean S. Cunningham‘s Friday the 13th and Paul Lynch‘s high school horror Prom Night.

Friday 13th

The event was hosted by Gorilla, a trendy bar/restaurant/club complex found in the arches under the Oxford Road train station. The screenings were held in the darkened club area and and was supported by a large screen an incredible sound system which made the experience that much more enjoyable. There was a stall selling a cracking selection of DVD’s, Blu Rays and T-shirts which were all on sale at only £3.00 each. This said, my only gripe with the establishment is that the drink prices at Gorilla are incredibly steep. I paid £4.00 for a coke and beers started from the same price for bottles and cans.

Nonetheless, tickets for the event were priced at a reasonable £8.00 which is an incredible price considering those lucky enough to attend the packed screening were getting the opportunity to watch two amazing films on the big screen. I had a fantastic time and was impressed by the enthusiasm of the crowd and nothing beats watching both iconic slasher titles on the big screen. Personally, I give R.A.D. Film Screenings two massive thumbs up and will most certainly be attending more screenings as time goes on. I guess I’m even a bit jealous that the folks of Manchester have events like this right on their doorstep.

I would like to thank the event organiser Greg Walker and his team of volunteers for putting on a fantastic night. So if you would like to experience what it’s like to attend a R.A.D. Film Screening then you’re in luck as the team have some amazing screenings on their way. David Fincher‘s epic Fight Club will be shown Thursday 26th March at the Manchester Central Library. Following that on 2nd of April, Mary Harron‘s American Psycho will be shown and both screenings are only £5.00 each. Mark your diaries now.

FightClubFor more information about the screening of Fight Club click here.

American PsychoFor more information about the screening of American Psycho click here.

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