The Grand Illusion

Did you miss Kelly Reichardt's THE MASTERMIND when it was at the multiplex? Perhaps you wanted to see it, but didn't want to go to a multiplex to do so. Were you hoping to catch it at an indie cinema? Or do you simply just want to see it again? No matter the circumstance, we've got you covered!

The latest work from one of our favorite filmmakers is set in a sedate corner of Massachusetts circa 1970, where an unemployed carpenter turned amateur art thief (Josh O'Connor) plans his first big heist. When things go haywire, his life unravels.

Named one of the ten best movies of 2025 by Manohla Dargis of The New York Times and Alison Willmore of Vulture.

“Like so much of Reichardt’s output, The Mastermind feels modest when you’re watching it and downright brilliant once it’s had some time to settle in your mind.” Alison Willmore, Vulture

“This is O’Connor at his finest yet, and The Mastermind is the slinkiest, most satisfying piece of ‘mood cinema’ you’re likely to have seen for a long while.” Nick Howells, London Evening Standard

Director Ted Kotcheff’s action thriller masterpiece FIRST BLOOD (1982) is the one that started it all. Frequently overshadowed by the more cartoonish franchise sequels that followed, FIRST BLOOD emerges in this beautiful new 4K restoration as an expert class in the craft of genre filmmaking and a dramatic meditation on post-wartime veteran PTSD.

Sylvester Stallone plays John J. Rambo, bringing to life the character created by The Brotherhood of the Rose novelist David Morrell, the last of an elite special forces unit that served in Vietnam, who enters the small Pacific Northwest town of Hope where he is quickly targeted for harrasment by local law enforcement. Gorgeously shot by legendary cinematographer Andrew Laszlow (THE WARRIORS, SOUTHERN COMFORT, STREETS OF FIRE) and tautly edited by Joan Chapman, FIRST BLOOD is the most fun you will ever have watching an entire town blown to shit and the very timely subject of the National Guard being deployed against a U.S. citizen (spoiler: it does not go well for the National Guard)

Co-presented with Wyrd War, a Portland-based record label and guerrilla action group, specializing in the advancement and celebration of strange and wonderful film, music, and art. Above synopsis courtesy of Dennis Dread of Wyrd War.

“Stallone brought intense physicality, obviously, but also hangdog vulnerability to a character who takes revenge on a cruel, unfeeling establishment and utters some of the most iconic lines in shoot’em’up history.” Kevin Maher, The Times (UK)

Washington premiere! With an uncanny resemblance to the icon himself, Charles Graves chases his dream of becoming a professional Deaf Santa Claus. Filmmakers chronicle Charles and his family as he attends Santa school and enlists the support of others in an attempt to better provide for his loved ones.

Directed by Ben Shelton and Anthony Mowl, the film offers unique perspectives on navigating Deaf and hearing worlds in a story about family, fatherhood, and creating new traditions.

Please note: This screening is presented with open captions.

“An uplifting look at passion and representation … Like its bubbly and lovable protagonist, this film is sure to put a smile on its audiences’ faces.” Abe Friedtanzer, Awards Buzz

“…the stuff that Christmas magic is made of.” Jennie Kermode, Eye for Film

Premiere screening! Two maladapted young women, both part of the same online gore enthusiast community, formulate a plan to meet in person with the intent that one will kill the other, film the killing, and sell the cameras that “watched” online to an unsuspecting customer in the hopes of spurring on a “new era of death.”

Presented with Scarecrow Video. Tickets are $10 for all for this screening, no discounts.

Part 17: The past dictates the future.

Part 18: What is your name?

Join Scarecrow and the Grand Illusion for our December members screening! Free for members, $10 at the door for non-members.

In this sci-fi cult classic, Zac Hobson, a mid-level scientist working on a global energy project, wakes up to a nightmare. After his project malfunctions, Zac discovers that he may be the last man on Earth. As he searches empty cities for other survivors, Zac’s mental state begins to deteriorate—culminating in the film’s iconic and hotly debated ending.

Members: follow the ticketing link and sign in to your account to claim a ticket for you and a guest. Not a Grand Illusion member? Become one here. 

“strong and refreshing…” Variety

“a tour-de-force sci-fi story…” AllMovie

“Quite simply the best science-fiction film of the 80s.” LA Daily News

Our 55th consecutive engagement of Frank Capra's holiday classic! We are still without a new home, so please join us for screenings at Northwest Film Forum. Pay-what-you-can and no one turned away for lack of funds at the Dec. 23 screening.

“It’s a great — really great — film, so densely well made that to watch any three minutes is to realize how paltry the vast majority of movies are by comparison.” Richard T. Jameson

“The epiphany of movie sentiment and a transcendent experience.” Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Three rad and witchy 80s teen girls botch their anti-Christmas candle ritual in the woods, awakening a long-dormant bloodthirsty elf. The Elf kicks off his murderous rampage by stomping on over to the local mall to kill Santa. Coincidentally, our three ladies are having an after-hours sexy sleepover party that night… The bloodbath continues! We can only hope this bonkers piece of only-available-on-VHS Christmas carnage becomes part of your holiday traditions, as it has become one of ours.

“In addition to the wacky plot, this one has lots of profanity, lots of bad taste, lots of bad acting, lots of quotable terrible dialogue, lots of hideous 80s hair and clothes, a little gore and even some nudity…It’s all pretty awful, yet entertaining nonetheless.”

NEVER RELEASED ON DVD! ONLY $5! ONLY ON VHS!