Capone alerts fans of the SCREAM franchise (and horror in general) to Chicago's Flashback Weekend's lineup, including screenings of the restored PHANTASM!!!

Hey everyone. Capone in Chicago here.



Since 2002, I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of Chicago’s largest and longest-running horror convention, Flashback Weekend, which is happening again this coming weekend, August 5-7 at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare in Rosemont, with several special events (Q&As, drive-in and other screenings, costume contests, etc.) that make this year’s gathering really fun, especially if you’re a fan of the SCREAM film franchise. The full schedule of guests, Q&A, film screenings, and other special events can be found at Flashback Weekend's web site, but I wanted to single out a few key events and appearances.

For fans of the late Wes Craven’s SCREAM movies, actors Neve Campbell, Matthew Lillard, and Skeet Ulrich will be on hand for photos and autographs, as well as a very special 20th anniversary “Drive-In” showing of the 1996 original SCREAM on a giant outdoor screen on Saturday, August 6. The screening will include an extended pre-show discussion with Campbell, Lillard, and Ulrich.



The other big screening event at this year’s Flashback Weekend are two special advance screening of the eagerly awaited 4K digital restoration (supervised by J.J. Abrams) of writer-director Don Coscarelli’s 1979 PHANTASM, complete with remixed 5.1 stereo sound. Both screenings (which require a separate admission from the convention) will be introduced by Coscarelli himself, and each showing will include an extended trailer for PHANTASM V: RAVAGER. The screenings will take place at the Carmike Muvico Rosemont 18 on Friday, August 5 at 10pm, and Saturday, August 7 at 11pm; advance tickets can be purchased at www.carmike.com.

I actually caught this restored PHANTASM at its first public screening at Butt-Numb-a-Thon in December, where I had the pleasure of sitting right next to Coscarelli as he watched it for the first time with a crowd, and I can tell you the film looks and sounds incredible.

To close out the screenings at this year’s event, Chicago television legend Svengoolie (Rich Koz) will host the film ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN, one of my all-time favorite films. Svengoolie has built a two-hour stage show featuring audience participation for the showing on Sunday, August 6 at 2pm.

Other major events include a 20th anniversary reunion of THE CRAFT, featuring Neve Campbell, Rachel True, and Skeet Ulrich; a preview panel of ROB ZOMBIE’S 31, including Malcolm McDowell, Meg Foster, Judy Geeson, Pancho Moler, and David Ury; appearances by “Ash Vs. Evil Dead” stars Jill Marie Jones and Ted Raimi; and special effects make-up legend and KNB co-founder Robert Kurtzman.

Other fantastic guests include Julian Sands (WARLOCK 1 & 2); Andrew Divoff (THE WISHMASTER 1 & 2); Chris Durand (HALLOWEEN H20; SCREAM 2); Tom Morga (FRIDAY THE 13TH: A NEW BEGINNING; HALLOWEEN 4); Bob Elmore (TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2; Sharni Vinson (YOU’RE NEXT); Adrienne King (FRIDAY THE 13TH); Melanie Kinnaman (FRIDAY THE 13TH: A NEW BEGINNING); Kathleen Kinmont (HALLOWEEN 4; BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR); Judy Steel (FRIDAY THE 13TH, PART 2; APRIL FOOL’S DAY); Tiffany Helm (FRIDAY THE 13TH: A NEW BEGINNING); and, representing the works of George A. Romero: John Russo (NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD) and Eugene Clark (LAND OF THE DEAD).

There are so many events and guests, I can’t list them all here, but those are the highlights—a little something for everyone. Obviously, this wouldn’t be a horror convention with costumes, vendors, autograph opportunities, and some very cool photo sessions with some of the guests. Again, check out the Flashback Weekend website for all the details on guests, events, screenings, & schedules, and I hope to see everyone there.

-- Steve Prokopy
"Capone"
capone@aintitcool.com
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