October 'Nick's Pix": "The Craft"

This one-night-only screening is Wed, October 9th at the Lake Theater in Oak Park. Purchase tickets here!

My next Classic Cinemas 'Nick's Pix' film screening is The Craft, one of the best horror films of the 90s, and also a powerful and effective examination of the obstacles and challenges of being a teenage girl and overcoming insecurities, objectification, and the mental damage of adolescence in our culture.

The plot: After transferring to a Los Angeles high school, Sarah (Robin Tunney) finds that her telekinetic gift appeals to a group of three wannabe witches who are seeking a fourth member for their rituals. Bonnie (Neve Campbell), Rochelle (Rachel True), and Nancy (Fairuza Balk), like Sarah herself, all have troubled backgrounds, which, combined with their nascent powers, lead to dangerous consequences. When a minor spell causes a fellow student to lose her hair, the girls grow power-mad.

The very talented and versatile writer/director is Andrew Fleming, who has made smart horror films like this and the terrifying "Bad Dreams." He has also directed such varying movies as "Threesome," an excellent and woefully underrated film about college sexual awakening; "Dick," a hilarious, brilliant satire of teen movies and Watergate; and the uproarious farce about theater "Hamlet 2."

Fleming can do anything and do it well, but I still think "The Craft" is his finest work. Deep, scary, and insightful, it is perhaps the best film about witchcraft ever made, and it features some of the finest young actor performances of all time. The four girls are outstanding, especially Fairuza Balk, who created an iconic, unforgettable character with the dark, heartbreaking, haunting, and funny work she does here.

I love this movie and can't wait to share it with you all at The Lake Theater in Oak Park on Wednesday night.

I will introduce the film, we will watch it together, and afterward, I will share some stories of the making of the film, its place in horror history, where the cast is now, and more.

There will also be fun interactive trivia and great prizes, including an original zombie caricature by the talented Scott Beaderstadt, who will create the portrait for the lucky winner and have it ready by the end of the movie!

Scott Beaderstadt's zombie caricatures - a lucky winner will walk away with one of themselves that very night after the movie!

As a veteran host and moderator at the annual Flashback Weekend Horror Conventions, I have been lucky enough to meet and hang out with some of the cast members of "The Craft," and they are all really cool. On Wednesday, I will tell you some stories that I heard directly from Skeet Ulrich, Neve Campbell, Rachel True (one of the coolest celebrities we've ever had at Flashback), and more.

"The Craft!" (left to right): Skeet Ulrich, Neve Campbell, some idiot, Rachel True.

Me and Rachel True at Flashback Weekend. She is really one of the nicest celebrities we've ever had at the convention.

Me and Neve Campbell at Flashback Weekend a few years back. She could not have been cooler. Especially when I wouldn't stop talking about ""Party of Five."

Neve Campbell and Rachel True autographed this poster of "The Craft" that sits on my desk at home!

It is going to be a blast, so reserve your seats NOW. I will see you all on Wednesday night at The Lake Theater for a wicked night (you see what I did there? "wicked"? Funny, huh?) of witchcraft, terror, and enjoyment.

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