A Blob of Horror –
14th annual Blobfest in Phoenixville, PA
Fear not!
Start them off with the 1958 classic “The Blob” featuring Steve McQueen in his debut leading role. The absence of blood and violence makes it suitable for children, even young ones (rated PG in Australia). One of the scarier scenes (by 1950s standards) is when the first human encountering the Blob decides to poke it with a stick. And then it, well, blobs.
Unfortunately I can’t asses for certain how appropriate the movie is for preschoolers, after about 25 minutes my then-5-year old walked out of the room on account of being bored to death. So he missed the accumulating dread in later scenes, where the blob, well, blobs some more as energetically and menacingly as a giant blob of translucent, pink, inert silicone can possibly manage.
So if you want to make sure your children savor every last second of this piece of horror movie history, catch a viewing at the Phoenixville Colonial Theater July 12-14 during the Blobfest. You and your fledgling horror aficionado are even allowed to run out of the theater screaming. In fact, you are expected to. That’s right, the Friday evening performance ends with a re-enactment of a scene filmed right here on location, at Phoenixville’s Colonial Theater.
Just think about how awesome it will be to finally do what you were thinking about a thousand times while watching “The Phantom Menace” for the first (and last) time. But hurry, the tickets for theFriday night Theater Run Out go on sale May 31 and last year were sold out by early June.
Besides a viewing of “The Blob” and other Horror classics, the Phoenixville Blobfest also offers other events around horror, sci-fi , and art. Planned are a family-oriented stage show, a Shorty AmateurFilm Contest, a costume contests, tin foil hat contest, merchant façade contest and street vendors of Horror and Sci-fi collectibles, memorabilia and movies.
The shops and restaurants in the 3-block Phoenixville downtown area surrounding the Colonial often have special happenings as well, such as comic book swaps or life music. I will keep you updated on this year’s plans once we get more info closer to the event. So save the date!
Geek factor: 5 out of 5
Fun factor: 4 out of 5
Thanks Geeks.20, that was very informative. If I lived closer I might indeed check it out as my kids are quite fond of all things blobby/gooey. (I come from a land down under). Unfortunately it wouldn't be my kids who died of boredom. Unless of course you forget to mention that Zachary Quinto is actually in the movie. I realized this movie was made in 1958, so probably not. Which means my lucky kids get to see Star Wars yet again.
ReplyDelete