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Englewood Cinema

Englewood Cinema Celebrates First Year Under New Ownership

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Cory & Alyssa Floyd are celebrating their first anniversary of owning and operating the Englewood Cinema.  They were living in Tennessee, and Cory had always dreamed of owning a movie theater.  He was researching theaters, saw the Englewood location was for sale on a Monday night, called the owner on Tuesday and came to Dayton and bought the theater on Sunday.  Alyssa shared that they bought a house in Dayton on the drive back to to Tennessee and put their house up for sale at the same time.

They officially took over on Oct 4, 2021.  They are celebrating this weekend by hosting the 27th year of Horrorama:

 

We asked them what they have learned about running the theater in the last year. Alyssa shared that she’s learned to be cautious of the popcorn popper, having burned herself a lot.

She also shared that working with your best friend and husband is sometimes complicated, but there’s no one else she’d want to spend time with.

Cory shares that the community has been incredibly supportive of their efforts and that he loves how some of the moments he’s been able to share with their customers. He tells of a recent man who explained he’d seen his first movie at the theater as a youngster and he’d brought his young son to experience his first movie there as well. Alyssa loves how all the small businesses in their strip center stick together sharing how  one weekend while showing Batman their popcorn machine broke down, and because she couldn’t leave the theater, her neighbor Brent from Home Sweet Home went out and bought them a popcorn maker.

The Floyds said things have been going well, and the theater which was originally a second run theater, but Covid has made the studio’s more willing to work with the independent theater’s and now, for the first time ever, Englewood Cinema is showing first run films. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will be opening there in November.  However when they get these first run movies, they have to commit to showing them exclusively for 2 or 3 weeks.

As owners, Alyssa and Cory work at the theater a lot.  This weekend they anticipate 16-18 hour days, but both say they love the business and it’s their baby, so their are willing to work for what they call their dream, but it often means naps on the futon in the projector booth. Their long work days don’t leave them a lot of time to explore the Dayton region, but they’ve found some favorite restaurants like Stoney’s Munchie Bar and Cafe Terra Mediterranean Cuisine.
They told me they’d found the 937 event guide and have used it to help explore arts and craft fairs and look forward to visiting the Ohio RenFest next weekend.

Of course I had to ask them about their favorite movies, Cory’s is The Cameraman (Buster Keaton) and Halloween (John Carpenter).  “Halloween I love and it was the first movie we got to play here at the cinema when we took over,” says Cory. Alyssa’s is Easy Livning- a 1937 black and white screwball comedy, but they both agree that Whiplash is another favorite.  They even screened it for their guests after the 2017 wedding.  The Floyd’s look forward to many more years together operating the theater and also hope to have more time to explore their  Dayton region.

Englewood Cinema

320 National Road #21
Englewood, Ohio 45322

(937) 998-8188

HORRORAMA 2014 Re-Haunts Englewood Cinema October 24th!

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Horrorama2014_UPDATEMore legal than a fake purge and less appetizing than zombies on AMC, it’s that time of year for the 18th Annual Horrorama Movie Festival. Making more returns then Jason, Freddy and Michael the ‘Horror’ returns to the Englewood Cinemas at 320 W. National Road, Englewood, Ohio by Kmart on Friday Oct. 24th. Doors open and the pre-show festivities at 6:00 PM, and the flicks kick off around 7:00 PM.  Tickets are $10 in advance (at GameSwap Kettering and Englewood Cinema) or $12 day of show.

Turning 18 this year (it’s old enough to drink blood but not other potent liquids), Horrorama has presented horror films and audience participation activities on the last Friday before Halloween each year. Fans are once again welcomed, encouraged and demanded with a sneer to wear costumes, yell at the screen and scream, holler and howl at will. Please no biting, sacrifices, monster attacks, conjuring’s, mauling’s or ‘turns’ in the theater or lobby. This year’s show returns with four great horror films, tons of trailers from distant yesteryear-current day, short films, some by local directors, and contests! Scream for me Horrorama!

This year’s event is hosted by Dayton’s own horror show and radio host A Ghastlee Ghoul.   Terrifying Tales of the Macabre’s Baron Von Porkchop will also present a short film during the event.

The evening’s first frightful flick starts with Peter Cushing returning as Baron Frankenstein in Hammer’s classic Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell. His brain came from a genius. His body came from a killer. His soul came from hell! Your blood will run cold when the monster rises. The second feature is from that hellraisen’ Clive Barker’s little seen sleeper Rawhead Rex. Watch out, he’s pure evil, pure power, pure terror. Someone has awakened him….he lives again to feed again.

The third film is the Italian zombie flick by Bruno Mattei, Hell of the Living Dead and is known as one of the worst zombie films ever made. In other words, you’ll love it! When the creeping dead devour the living flesh, get ready… it’s gonna be one hell of a night. The last film for the evening’s insomniacs and those too scared to sleep is H.P. Lovecraft’s The Bride of Re-Animator, a direct sequel to the cult classic Re-Animator starring Halloween 4’s Kathleen Kinmont and good ole Dr. West. The creator of the original cult classic injects new life into body parts other films cannot reach… it’s a scream! Date. Mate. Re-animate.

For the last 17 years, Horrorama has raised thousands of dollars for charity. This year Horrorama will benefit the All Creatures Great and Small Emergency Pet Food Bank.

Horrorama is not just a passive movie watching event, every year Horrorama features a kids and adult costume contest as well as other contests such as a “zombie walking” and “screaming” contest. More information can be found on Facebook at Horrorama 2014 and Horrorama Dayton or call the Englewood Cinema at 937-836-0805.

 

Englewood Cinema Hosts Horrorama 2012

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Friday October 26th the 16th annual Halloween themed all night movie bash Horrorama played the Englewood Cinema showing five cinema slashers from new brain smashing movies dedicated to 50’s era horror, to early 80’s comic book capers, mid 80’s gory reanimation, late 80’s campy horrifying hair metal and a local, well-made historical true crime shockumentary based on the most infamous ‘family’ of the late 60’s. Since 1997 Horrorama has been a premiere event showcasing the newest in local film, best horror movies of any given era and just plain messed up, underground, weird, cult stuff you’ll never see on any other big screen again… ever.  Event hosts Andrew Copp, Matt Brassfield and Richard Martin once again brought the goods for another year of all night screaming and movie mayhem. The genesis of the event stemmed from Copp and Martin’s appreciation, fascination and admiration of Shock Theater talking to Mr. Hobart about creating a live action version encompassing all the great elements and entertaining moments that made the show a local favorite phenomenon. Splattertude’s imposing painted up bassist A. Ghastlee Ghoul also co-hosted for a while.

Along with the beloved Dr. Creep the night also honored the memory of national entertainer Dow Thomas and local News Anchor Carl Day who appeared in the night’s last feature. This year marks the end of an era sadly due to the universal conversion to digital prints. Friday night was the last time 35mm prints were shown on the Englewood screen. Three of the five flicks Re-Animator, Trick or Treat, and The Manson Family were the last films to grace the long run format and were a fitting swansong. The evening began with one of two digital prints Atomic Brain Invasion and Creepshow.

The kids costume contest opened the show with the young’ens playing a female joker, Carl from The Walking Dead, the devil and a Zombie. However after saying his name three times Beetlejuice won followed by the female joker and the young ‘walker’ killer.

‘Coming attractions’ from yesteryear included Creature of the Walking Dead, The Last Chase starring Burgess Meredith, there was Magic (way before there was Dead Silence), the crowd pleaser Stunt Rock (featuring music giants Sorcery), Blood Bath and  the family friendly G rated Legend of Boggy Creek.

The night’s crème de la cinema began with the fun 50‘s throwback Atomic Brain Invasion. A bunch of big brained aliens land in New England looking to kidnap Elvis and take him back to their leader. Hilarity ensues as the aliens give chase, but the homo-sapiens are cleverer than the creatures thought picking them off with shovels and shotguns and foiling their invasion/kidnapping progress with doors that won’t open. The gang consists of the pretty girl, smart but nerdy main lead, the coon skin cap wearing scared funny guy and the origami loving jock who eventually befriends the nerdy dude to help save the day. A booze guzzling shotgun wielding hillbilly with an invading past joins the fight for survival with a cast of other zany characters from the era. There’s a big Back to the Future feel and the movie gives a unique chance to see what would have happened if Crispin Glover had played Biff.

The adult costume contest featured Doctors, Harley Quinn, Medusa, Saint Mary, Ursula, Werewolf’s, Mermaids and Sherlock Holmes amongst other ghouls and goblins. After much applause the top three were chosen. Top honors and prizes went to the guy for wearing a creative idea, literally, as 50 Shades of Grey followed by the woman who would turn him into stone for beating her and the Movie Damsel who would stand silent and watch.

Before the creepshow began we watched previews for The Undertaker and His Pals (it’s not a wrestling movie), the freakish Giant Gila Monster, the black and white flash version of arguably the scariest movie ever made The Exorcist, Eyes of Hell and the fun 80’s demonic romp Night of The Demons.

Inspired by the 1950’s E.C. comics George Romero and Stephen King bring five tales of terror to the big screen in the early 80’s horror anthology Creepshow. Fathers Day’s about a poor old guy that just wants his cane, cake and to eat it too. The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill has Stephen King feeling a little green after a meteor falls from the sky slowly turning him into vegetation. Something To Tide You Over features a young Ted Danson and a rare bad guy performance from comical Leslie Nielsen. Adrienne Barbeau plays a nagging drunk who walks into the wrong stairwell in The Crate. They’re Creeping Up On You, has lots and lots of cockroaches, nuff said. Apparently several patrons bugged out and took an early break on this one.

The scream contest was next. Each contestant caused cupped ears and ringing drums. The winner received some special Dr. Creep artwork. The strong lunged Beth won and earned the admiration and appreciation of the crowd when she stopped.

1985’s gory dark humored tale of post mortem morticious resurrection Re-Animator was next. Based on an H.P. Lovecraft story, a very young Jeffrey Combs plays doctor with dead things, bringing animals and humans back to life with a few CC’s of neon ‘glow stick’ green goo. It was a starring vehicle for Combs reprising the role in two other films. The movies theme is dark and serious playing like a medical drama despite carrying off incredible black humor, gore and a complete lack of professional ethics. Though the decapitated body milling around from the heads POV makes a great pan shot.

Coming attractions for movies made in the late 80’s and earlier included Black Roses, Rituals aka The Creeper, Devils Express, Ms. 45 (possible inspiration for The Brave One), Mardi Gras Massacre and Night Warning.

For those of us that grew up in the 80’s and loved PMRC inspired movies about devil driven evil heavy metal bands like the previewed Black Roses, Rock n Roll Nightmare and Rocktober Blood know that 1986’s campy horror hair metal classic Trick or Treat is a definite cherished cult classic gem. A definite period piece capturing the cassette/Walkman/vinyl era with backward messaged accuracy. Skippy from Family Ties plays a mulleted metalhead,… well….kinda, sorta, who’s a diehard fan/worshipper of the fiendish shock rocker Sammi Kerr who died in a hotel room fire. The films also famous for Gene Simmons playing a Howlin Wolf type radio DJ and Ozzy Osbourne making two cameo’s type cast as a TV evangelist. Poor Eddie’s the target of some mean abuse and ridicule from the dumb jocks until he starts communicating with the deceased Kerr by playing a demo backwards acting on the messages given by the charred singer. Eddie starts getting revenge and Kerr gains his trust and enough current to come back through a bedroom PA system wreaking havoc on high school kids and has the bizarre cinematic distinction of electrocuting Ozzy through a TV. Kerr’s spirit travels through electricity, a similar theme used in 1989’s Shocker, using radios, Walkman’s and iPods (kidding) to make an entrance.

2003’s The Manson Family directed by Jim Van Bebber and filmed in Ohio includes Andrew Copp and other local actor’s is probably the closest on screen account of what the Manson Family was actually like. The film took several years to make. There’s PLENTY of blood, sex and gore, many family member interview scenes are embellished recreations of the original 1973 Robert Hendrickson documentary. It’s also the only Manson documentary besides Hendrickson’s 2007 follow up Inside the Manson Gang to feature actual family footage. Van Bebber’s version makes you feel like your tripping as your eyes are held hostage with acid like images, trippy rapid fire film cuts and some not so easy to watch but probably accurate blood orgy scenes. The murder scenes are extremely violent and brutal but as horrendous and savage as they are to watch any viewer familiar with the facts of the case would appreciate the accuracy used displaying just how violent, vicious and cold blooded the blunt force trauma and maniacal delivery of these crimes were. Carl Day makes a few appearances before some ‘modern day’ Manson followers break into the studio and take care of business. Mike King the producer and cinematographer lent his personal print for the showing.

A special thanks to everyone that came out this year. Horrorama looks forward to seeing everyone again next October.

REVIEW: Consumption Of The Heart/The Collective Volume IV Play Englewood Cinema

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Friday night September 28th local director Andrew Copp premiered the only Dayton theatrical showing of his new film Consumption Of The Heart. A 10 minute short that will be included in Jason Hoover’s upcoming collection of zombie themed films in The Collective Volume V premiering at the November Days of the Dead convention in Chicago. Filmed in two days Consumption is a living dead love story about a couple’s relationship on a downward spiral and how it’s changed when both undergo weird, mysterious physical changes which may or may not be caused by an outside epidemic.

Fans, viewers, local and regional filmmakers all watched taking part in a unique Q&A. Several pondered whether the broadcasted situation was the cause and if the resulting changes made a bad relationship better and drew the couple closer together in emotion and love till the bitter end or if it made a bad relationship worse with both deciding that even with the most dire of circumstances happening it was still better than going on as they were. Slyly, Mr. Copp wouldn’t reveal his true intent or message so we’ll just leave that to the viewer to decide.

Consumption takes a unique spin on the living dead genre and asks are they more dead or dying on the inside or out though the ‘consumption’ works on many levels. The music early in the film portrays the feelings of despair, physical neglect and being unwanted. Brandi Bishop does a great job of turning the situation to her advantage for better or worse taking charge and taking what she wants reawakening their passion and desire.  It could be considered the closest thing to a dark Harlequin novel that a blood splattered claustrophobic cannibalistic romance drama of the living dead can get. Mr. Copp seems to want certain questions to linger without answers and sometimes one’s own interpretation/enjoyment of the film ‘is’ the best answer.

Next up Jason Hoovers The Collective Volume IV: Emotions. This installment in the ongoing series features 10 short films 10 minutes long each showcasing a different emotion. Hoover never uses finished movies, he tells eager filmmakers what he wants and then they go out, produce and return with product. The collective covers a vast emotional gamut filmed in several cinematic styles each with its own creativity, story and delivery evoking a different response from the viewer.

3 O’Clock Productions shares the Regret of a genetic scientist who’s experiments take a violent and beastly turn for the worse in this unique crime/drama update of a classic horror tale. Liberty or Death Productions gets us all loose and filled with Lust when a female ghost hunter decades later visits the house of The Wedding Night Tragedy. She sets up equipment and starts to document and explore but slowly and surely becomes seduced by its spirited charms. Freakwolf Productions makes us Fear the dark and feel slightly awkward watching a not so subtle and creepy psychiatrist advice his patent on how to cure her fear. It’s all about taking baby steps my dear.

Dustin Mills Productions asks for Trust as the doomed main character scarfs down the most deadly Italian pie since Nightmare on Elm Street 4’s Soul Pizza. No worries though, ‘help’ is on the way. Over Analyzed Productions feels Envy with a blast of seedy street drama as Sara is jealous of her hot to trot working girl roommate Kate AKA Desire. After Kate goes out on call Sara takes a shot at customer service at the wrong time and ends up in the dubious clutches of the Crowe brothers but never fear Desire returns and an action tag team is born.

Winged Dolphin Productions tells the story of a sadists Schadenfreude. A somewhat bizarre take on Greek Mythology told with a deadly dose of dental dream analysis and sedative’s. Cinephreak Pictures is the Rage as we’re quickly reunited with the Hook Squad as Sara becomes Envy in this funny and action packed bullet flyin, jive talkin grindhouse thrilla.Seems Mama Crowe’s mighty peeved off about the demise of one of the brother’s so she sends out Brutus and his evil diabolical henchmen brethren to the warehouse to dispose of our heroic sassy gorgeous girl-power. It’s a beastly, juiced up, blood bath showdown for sure as Desire and Envy with new found help from a dice throwing killa pimp combat Mama’s sleazy spawn.  The chainsaw carrying, hockey mask wearing, HGH taking family’s pride and joy and the other hygiene challenged brother are ready to kill and mame. Not everybody’s comin home for dinner tonight.

Spiral Filmworks is in Denial as we learn about the most gruesome untold crime story of the early 90’s, the ‘true’ story of Martha ‘Grammy’ Louise Kemper the town church organist and nice old lady….. or so they thought. Told by narration we revisit the town,locations, sites and the house itself Six Degrees of Helter Skelter style while the gruesome, horrific, unspeakable discoveries and facts come to light about the truly sadistic, evil freak she was. Rivaling Gein, Dahmer and HH Holmes for over 6 decades Kemper amassed a staggering list of victims and a macabre museum of souvenirs. The film finishes with her trial, conviction and sentencing. Red Panic Button Films shows Hate a new face with a story of a destructive street punk loser that basically could care less about anything with a particular dislike for junkyard drivers side truck doors. He’s offered help and salvation mid way through but burns it in another act of rebellious pointless defiance. This one doesn’t have a pretty ending.

Last but certainly not least JABB Pictures causes us Grief by showing us the slow minute by minute, second by second basement torture of a guy who’s past has finally caught up with him and his poor completely innocent and unaware girlfriend. This short may be the biggest strain on the eyes making the viewer time conscious, appealing to fans of faux stuff films similar to August Underground. However this scene of circular torture may be the most impressive of the group considering the entire short is one continuous pan shot with no edits or re-takes. So all the yelling, screaming, dialogue and taunting had to continue for the full ten minutes and it was only shot once.

Hoover formed Jabb Pictures in 2008 teaching himself camera work, editing, producing and directing. His first film ‘Spike’ debuted in 2009 at HorrorHound weekend in Cincinnati and was chosen as an official selection at Fright Night Film Fest in Louisville Kentucky.  His second film ‘Polly’ debuted at HorrorHound March 2010. Receiving four out of five stars from several horror movie websites. With momentum on his side in March 2011 he started the Collective series hailed as the most unique short film collection of the independent scene. His first feature film is slated for an early 2013 release.

Consumption of the Heart/Collective Vol 4: Emotion Premiere at Englewood Cinema

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On Friday September 28 Englewood Cinema will showcase eleven big independent film experiences. Englewood is known for its yearly show of support to local filmmakers including Horrorama and featuring films that could be considered ‘slightly’ off the mainstream radar and older vintage classics that otherwise would never see the big screen again.

First up is local independent visionary, artist and Horrorama host Andrew Copp’s short Consumption of the Heart which will appear in the upcoming Collective Volume 5 collection. Mr. Copp is known for his deep, dark and diabolical approach to the camera creating graphic, surrealistic, unforgettable images, scenery and themes turning the most perverse/twisted idea’s into macabre beauty. His 1998 visually disturbing and brutal gore-splashed tale of self torture and blood lust The Mutilation Man ranks as an exercise in stamina for the eyes. 2009’s Quiet Nights of Blood and Pain is a psychological drama dealing with the post emotional/mental effects of heavy combat and the violence of the mind. In 2010 he turned his interest from exploring inner torture to the outer epidermis in the Tattoo Documentary Ink & Flesh featuring Dayton artist Chad Wells. Mr. Copp’s boldest and most controversial vision to date is the upcoming nightmarish, surreal tale of obsessive vengeance for a lost love taking a man’s mind, heart and soul to the brink of utter madness in Church Of The Eyes. Friday nights excursion into the drifting apart emotions and anatomical decay/physical deterioration a couple willingly experiences to rekindle the lost flame is a ‘consuming’ if not physically grotesque show of their true love and devotion to each other. The film is unrated but contains adult themes and graphic content and will be the ONLY Dayton screening.

Next up is Indie filmmaker Jason Hoover and Jabb Pictures fourth volume is a series of ten 10 minute short films by different teams each about a different emotion. Volume three was exclusively directed by women relating to the theme ‘ten minutes to live’. Volume four carries with it a wide variety of celluloid inspiration and degeneration. Featured film Bryan Wolfords Myctophobia is about a woman’s crippling Fear of the dark while David Ross’  black and white Greek import Flash of The Wire explores SCHADENFREUDE, Pleasure in the suffering of others. Two entries by Jason Hoover, Frankie-a take on Grief and the urban mockumentary 101 Taylor Street discusses Denial. There’s a saying about not drinking the Koolaid, well Dustin Mills’ Epidemic about Trust warns us to stay away from the pizza too.  James Mannan covers Lust and ghost hunting in Death Do Us Part. Jim Dougherty’s films Regret about genetic lycanthropy in Contrition, series staple 14 year old Dakota Meyer shows Hate in Luke 1:17. The collection ends with a double dose of grind-house humor about the worlds oldest professional with Happy Hooker Bang Bang, David Paul Bonnell tells the sordid tale of the Envy a girl has for her ‘working’ roommate while its street walking counterpart Jakob Bilinski’s Bloody Hooker Bang Bang: A love Story is all the Rage.

Several of the evening’s filmmakers will be there to sign copies and talk to fans. Friday night September 28th 11:00 pm $5 at the door 320 West National Rd, Englewood Ohio 45322. For more info go to www.facebook.com/pages/Independent-Shadow-Cinema/214329891916690, coppfilms.weebly.com,366weirdmovies.com and jabbpictures.com.