8 hours of 80’s horror will be brought to life on the big screen at Randwick Ritz on the spookiest day of the year – Friday the 13th.
The Graveyard Shift will be one terrifying night for movie-goers – but a field day for lovers of quintessential 80’s horror. The marathon, reversely inspired by Netflix’s successful 80’s thriller Stranger Things, will show two films in original 35mm and two in 2K digital from 7pm on October 13.
First up is Oscar-winning Katheryn Bigelow’s 1987 film Near Dark which catapulted the genre-diverse director into stardom. Following the story of Caleb Colton who turns into a vampire and joins a nomadic tribe of vampires traversing across the midwest, Near Dark is the perfect film to ease viewers into the horror marathon as it just borders on the genre. At 9pm, the twisted Re-animator directed by Stuart Gordon will leave viewers “screaming their head off” as they follow a medical student’s experiment to bring a decapitated professor back to life.
Jeffrey Combs plays dedicated medical student Herbert West in (1985) Re-Animator (Image: Supplied)
The Ritz will revisit the beginning of the Nightmare on Elm Street saga, devised so expertly by horror-extraordinaire Wes Craven. 1984’s A Nightmare on Elm Street will kick off at 11pm, bringing Freddy Krueger back to life in this classic slasher film. Completing eight hours of horror is Tobe Hooper and Steven Spielberg’s 1982 Poltergeist which follows the tale of a peaceful family disturbed by a series of unexplainable paranormal events. Poltergeist inspired two sequels, earned a remake in 2015 and inspired contemporary horror films such as The Conjuring, Paranormal Activity and Insidious which are inspired by unwelcome demonic forces.
Ritz is holding The Graveyard Shift after a run of successful screenings of cult classics such as The Fifth Element, Goodfellas, and Blade Runner as well as largely anticipated marathons celebrating Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings.
“After a somewhat disappointing year in the industry for theatrical new releases, we are trying to excite people about coming to the cinema again” says Randwick Ritz General Manager, Lachlan McLeod. “By creating an interesting slate of different events, screenings and special seasons, as well as concentrating on the best possible projection and sound presentation…we are hoping to remind people of the magic of coming to a big picture palace again by creating lifelong memories and experiences through film.”
The Graveyard Shift is rated R18+ and Ritz advises patrons it is not responsible for any aggressively terrifying nightmares you may experience.
Tickets for the 8-hour marathon start at $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Prepare to get spooked!
The Graveyard Shift – 80’s Horror Marathon
Where: Randwick Ritz Cinema, 45 St Pauls Street, Randwick
When: October 13, 7pm – late
More info here
Featured Image: Supplied
