Light-rail construction, deteriorating inflatable rubber dams, and a vice mayor named Hut. Tempe can sometimes lean to the frightening side. Now Mill Avenue ratchets up the scare factor even more with the third annual International Horror & Sci-Fi Film Festival. This years bill of fare includes retro classics such as The Terminator and The Exorcist, as well as The Hidden, The Warriors, and the original 1978 Dawn of the Dead. Each of the classics comes with a celebrity in tow, including, in the case of The Exorcist, head-turner Linda Blair. Adding arthouse cred are indie and underground films such as the corporate vampire comedy Netherbeast Incorporated and the time-travel opus 11 Minutes Ago, sort of a creeped-out Groundhog Day. Several horror and sci-fi films will vie for competition honors, and award-winning short films will pop up throughout the three-day fest. Additionally, parties are scheduled each night, including a costume ball on Saturday that should bring out more freaks than you can rattle a light saber at.
Fri., Oct. 19; Sat., Oct. 20; Sun., Oct. 21, 2007