"Stay gold, Ponyboy." The Rio Theatre's SUMMER MOVIE BATTLE: 80'S vs. Y2K finally gets going for Team 80's, and they're coming in strong with a story and film that's a part of every Gen X'ers DNA, THE OUTSIDERS. In 1983, director Francis Ford Coppola struck a powerful chord with his adaptation of S.E. Hinton's classic coming-of-age story featuring young talents who would go on to become major stars. Two decades later, he revisited the epic with an added 22 minutes of footage that includes a beginning and ending more true to the book and a rousing rock 'n' roll soundtrack -- THE OUTSIDERS: THE COMPLETE NOVEL. Early 1960s. Tulsa, Oklahoma. The city is divided between teenagers who have grown up with wealth and privilege and the rough-edged "greasers" from the wrong side of the tracks. The greasers yearn for the life they see on the other side of town, but the rich kids want to keep them in their places. Then, one greaser dares cross the line to talk, and to dream of more, with a girl from across the tracks . . . an action that can only lead to conflict on a hot, steamy night. Featuring C. Thomas Howell, Ralph Macchio, Emilio Estevez, Tom Cruise, Rob Lowe, Diane Lane and Patrick Swayze, among others. "One of the most overtly aesthetic, art-for-art's-sake films in Hollywood's history, a faux-naf Pre-Raphaelite mural in which angels with dirty faces but immaculately pure hearts burn with a hard, gemlike flame before being snuffed out in their prime." (Sight & Sound) "'The Outsiders' captured, as if in amber, the ongoing fight at the heart of the adolescent experience – knowing that the way things stand is wrong, but being unclear how to fix it, and frustrated with older adults for continuing on, obliviously." (Rolling Stone Magazine) Saturday, September 27 Doors 1:15 pm | Movie 1:45 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. THE OUTSIDERS: THE COMPLETE NOVEL (Francis Ford Coppola, 1983 / PG / 127 minutes) A teen gang in rural Oklahoma, the Greasers are perpetually at odds with the Socials, a rival group. When Greasers Ponyboy and Johnny get into a brawl that ends in the death of a Social member, the boys are forced to go into hiding. Soon Ponyboy and Johnny, along with the intense Dallas and their other Greaser buddies, must contend with the consequences of their violent lives. While some Greasers try to achieve redemption, others meet tragic ends. [more]

Stage legend. Social media sensation (@BroadwayBarbaraOfficial). Subtly understated international entertainment titan. Broadway Barbara is thrilled to be making her Canadian debut at the Rio Theatre following a string of raucous, sold-out performances in Palm Springs, New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Australia!This definitive Broadway Barbara experience is packed to the gills with songs, stories, and even a Fosse dance move or two. You won’t believe your eyes (or ears) as Barbara over-shares her way through a whirlwind tour of her life and career, with ribald show biz tales and comedic interpretations of classic Broadway tunes. "A dash of Liza with a Z, a splash of Patti LuPone, and a drive that comes from knowing that there’s no one who compares, Broadway Barbara is bitingly funny, cutting to the heart of the quirks of Broadway and musical theatre." (Glam Adelaide) "The show gifted us moments where Judy-Garland-esque gravitas could rub against wackiness worthy of Lucille Ball." (Australian Arts Review) "Barbara, is original and laugh-out-loud funny. I honestly can’t remember the last time I laughed that hard." (Theatre Pizzazz NYC) Saturday, July 27 Doors 6:30 pm | Event 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. Balcony (General Admission) $35+ s/c | $40 at the door Main Floor (Assigned Seating) $45+ s/c | $50 at the door Group Tickets (Minimum 4) $38 | Online Only! VIP (Rows A-D centre section, meet and greet, signed headshot) $65+ s/c | $70 at the door Broadway Barbara Live! is conceived and performed by Leah Sprecher and is written and directed by Leah Sprecher and Brad Stevens. [more]

Dearly beloved We are gathered here today To get through this thing called "life" AC Electric word, life It means forever and that's a mighty long time But I'm here to tell you There's something else The afterworld... Join us at the Rio Theatre on Saturday, July 27 for a very special screening of The Purple One's cinematic and musical triumph, PURPLE RAIN, on the 40th Anniversary of its release (July 27, 1984). Gorgeously remastered and restored in 2024, the indelible, Oscar-winning rock musical for which Prince  - and we're turning the volume up, children. (Get ready to go crazy with the beautiful ones in the Rio Theatre audience - 80's-inspired attire is very welcome, and oh-so-very encouraged. Also: You best be wearing purple, people!) Based loosely on his own life story, Prince's film debut in PURPLE RAIN cast him as "The Kid," the talented but troubled musician in Minneapolis struggling to make it big with his band, The Revolution. The film was a box office hit, and possessed a fantastic soundtrack (including Oscar-winner 'When Doves Cry') that forever altered the course of his career. Many fans and critics consider the music of PURPLE RAIN signature work, spawning numerous hit singles that would dominate airwaves for years to come. "'Purple Rain' became a generational manifesto, while providing the largest megaphone yet for one of the greatest geniuses in pop music." (NPR) Saturday, July 27 PURPLE RAIN Doors 10:00 pm | Movie 10:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. PURPLE RAIN (Albert Magnoli, 1984 / 111 mins / 18A) | A talented young musician in Minneapolis, tormented by an abusive, bold father and a mother who is never satisfied, must contend with a rival singer, a darling romance, and his own dissatisfied bandmates - while his own star (and baby, he is one) begins to rise. [more]

There is no better way to appreciate the magic of Studio Ghibli than on the big screen! Movie-lovers of all ages adore animated classics from Japan’s famed Studio Ghibli, and Hayao Miyazaki‘s NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND, based on the director's own epic science fantasy fairytale adventure manga (1982-1994), is one of our most requested titles. Released in 1984, the film is often considered to mark the "beginning" of Studio Ghibli, as it was one of their first films to really reach a wide audience and has since become one of the highest ranked animated films ever made. Taking place in a post-apocalyptic world in the far future, the film tells the story of Nausicaä (Sumi Shimamoto), the young princess of the Valley of the Wind. She becomes embroiled in a struggle with Tolmekia, a kingdom that tries to use an ancient weapon to eradicate a jungle of mutant giant insects, and attempts to stop the Tolmekians from enraging these creatures. Also featuring the voices of Goro Naya, Yoji Matsuda, Yoshiko Sakakibara and Iemasa Kayumi. "It's not only an amazing piece of animation, but an incredible work of science-fiction as well." (Cinematical) "When mammoth dandelions puff out spores, the sight is as seductive as it is lethal." (The New Yorker) "Nausicaä is in some ways a grim and serious film, but it mixes a sweet optimism into its horror-filled lessons." (The AV Club) Sunday, August 28 Doors 2:00 pm | Movie 2:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND "Kaze no Tani no Naushika" (Hayao Miyazaki, 1984 / 117 mins / PG / In Japanese with English subs) Nausicaä, a gentle young princess, has an empathetic bond with the giant mutated insects that evolved in the wake of the destruction of the ecosystem. Traveling by cumbersome flying ship, on the backs of giant birds, and perched atop her beloved glider, Nausicaä and her allies must negotiate peace between kingdoms battling over the last of the world's precious natural resources. [more]

"Downhill" is the title of Brazilian comedian Fabio Rabin’s seventh solo stand-up comedy show, which explores a man's desperate attempts to win back his wife after some wavering... It includes international trips, a meeting with the actors from BACK THE THE FUTURE, and even a deep-sea search for a whale! Will all these efforts lead to his wife's forgiveness? The show also delves into the experiences of a man in his forties, where tastes change, and new priorities emerge, along with pains, hair loss, wrinkles, decaying nails, and flatulence. All of this is examined through the comedic lens of someone who prefers to take life lightly, with optimism and positivity. As Fabio Rabin himself says, “From then on, it’s just Downhill…” Please note: This show is performed in Portuguese. Sunday, July 28 Doors 6:00 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. Balcony (General Admission) Tickets $30+ s/c  | $35 at the door (Early Bird Pricing - save $5! - until June 13) Main Floor (Assigned Seating) Tickets $40+ s/c | $45 at the door (Early Bird Pricing - save $5! - until June $13) VIP Seating (Rows A-D, centre section) Tickets $50 + s/c | $55 at the door “Ladeira abaixo” é o nome do sétimo show solo de Comédia Stand up de Fábio Rabin. Esse show de comédia fala sobre as desesperadas tentativas de um homem para reconquistar sua esposa, após alguns vacilos… Viagens internacionais, um encontro com os atores do “De Volta Pro Futuro”! E até mesmo, a busca em alto mar por uma baleia! Será que tudo isso trará o perdão de sua esposa? O show também conta sobre os quarenta anos na vida de um homem, onde alguns gostos mudam, prioridades novas aparecem, além de dores, pelos, rugas, unhas podres, flatulências… e tudo isso é esmiuçado pelo olhar clínico de um comediante que prefere levar a vida, em todas as fases, de forma mais leve, sendo otimista e positivo. Inclusive, eu mesmo pedi uma aspas dele: “Daí pra frente é só Ladeira Abaixo…” [more]

"Romeo, oh Romeo... Get out of my face!" Who knew that William Shakespeare's playful comedy "The Taming of the Shrew" would adapt itself so perfectly into 90's teen comedy gold in 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU? The modern re-telling set in a suburban Seattle (like, so 90s!) high school has emerged as a cult-classic in the 25 years since its release, thanks in no small part to memorably sweet and funny standout performances from some future A-listers, including Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Julia Stiles. Kat Stratford (Stiles) is beautiful, smart and quite abrasive to most of her fellow teens, meaning that she doesn't attract many boys. Unfortunately for her younger sister, Bianca, house rules say that she can't date until Kat has a boyfriend, so strings are pulled to set the dour damsel up for a romance. Soon Kat crosses paths with handsome new arrival Patrick Verona (Ledger). Kat may let her guard down enough to fall for the effortlessly charming Patrick. With Larisa Oleynik, Larry Miller, David Krumholtz. "'10 Things I Hate About You' has become a cult classic in the past 25 years because it nailed the universal truth about stereotypes: there’s always more to them than what’s seen on the surface." (The Screen) "With an energy level that can only be described as infectious, it takes almost every dated teen-flick cliche (sensitive rebels, preening jocks, distracted adults, etc.) and makes them fresh and funny." (Film Frenzy) Monday, July 29 Doors 6:15 pm | Movie 6:45 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU (Gil Junger, 1999 / 97 mins / PG) A high-school boy, Cameron, cannot date Bianca until her anti-social older sister, Kat, has a boyfriend. So, Cameron pays a mysterious boy, Patrick, to charm Kat. [more]

You better lose yourself in the music, the moment You own it, you better never let it go You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow This opportunity comes once in a lifetime... Rap icon Eminem's feature film acting debut had him taking home Oscar gold (Best Original Song, Lose Yourself) and some serious box office green in director Curtis Hanson's (L.A. CONFIDENTIAL) thrilling, unconventional and fresh take on the underdog's-gonna-triumph drama, 8 MILE. The setting is Detroit, 1995: The 'Motor City' is divided by 8 Mile, a road that splits the town in half along racial lines. A young white rapper, Jimmy "B-Rabbit" Smith Jr., summons strength within himself to cross over these arbitrary boundaries to fulfill his dream of success - as a rapper in the world of hip hop music. Can he do it - or is he going to choke...? Featuring an all-star supporting cast of heavy-hitters including Kim Basinger, Brittany Murphy, Mekhi Phifer, Taryn Manning, and Michael Shannon. "In 8 MILE, his film debut as aspiring rapper Jimmy Smith Jr., Eminem is on fire. It's too soon to tell if he can really act. But Eminem holds the camera by natural right. His screen presence is electric. His sulk — hooded eyes that suddenly spark with danger — has an intensity to rival James Dean's. And he reads lines with an offbeat freshness that makes his talk and his rap sound interchangeable... Just as it should be." (Rolling Stone) "Since his ascension to pop-culture royalty, Eminem has transformed the messy emotions of his life into musical black comedy. In 8 Mile, that life becomes an equally riveting drama." (AV Club) #MusicMonday, July 29 Doors 8:30 pm | Movie 9:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. Advance tickets HERE 8 MILE (Curtis Hanson, 2002 / 110 mins / 18A) The people of Detroit know 8 Mile as the city limit, a border, a boundary. It is also a psychological dividing line that separates Jimmy Smith Jr. (Eminem) from where and who he wants to be. A provocative fictional examination of a critical week in Jimmy's life. [more]

"Standing up to bullies is my kinda thing." Join us at the Rio Theatre for an evening with actress and political activist Stormy Daniels, who will be gracing the stage for another night of eye-opening conversation, insight, and incredible anecdotes. Ms. Daniels first appeared at the venue in 2019 to promote her book, "Full Disclosure," and we are delighted to welcome her back in 2024 to introduce the acclaimed new documentary, STORMY. Sarah Gibson's film offers a compelling portrait of its subject as she navigates being a mother, artist, and advocate working hard to reinvent herself following the political and legal firestorm with former President Donald Trump. Following the screening, Stormy will be settling in for some conversation and a candid talk-back with the audience. This is a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with the woman at the centre of it all. "It’s a successful attempt to strip away the political issues and present its subject as a flesh-and-blood human being, someone with feelings, anxieties, and a great deal of courage." (RogerEbert.com) "Fortuitously timed, providing an insider’s view of this most tabloid-y of political tales and the woman at the center of it all." (The Daily Beast) Tuesday, July 30 Doors 6:30 pm | Event 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. Early Bird Tickets $40+ s/c (Until July 15) Tickets $50 advance+ s/c VIP Tickets (Rows 1-5, centre section and Photo Opp) $60+ s/c STORMY (Sarah Gibson, 2023 / 109 mins / NR) From reporters to lawyers to politicians, many have attempted to define Stormy Daniels. Stormy tells the unvarnished truth about an unlikely American icon -- this time, in her own words. [more]

"Anytime" is a non-narrative, immersive film that reveals the incredible athleticism and collective consciousness of the world's best freeride mountain bikers. Dropped into vibrant environments from the Chilean Andes to the Swiss Alps, weaving through the deserts and forests of North America, the film follows fifteen men and women from around the globe as they attempt to define the frontiers of their sport. Experiential cinematography and groundbreaking action seamlessly intertwine with intimate moments of fear, fun, and fate, posing questions that every mountain biker can understand. Why chase after such heavy consequences? What waits beyond that next peak? Where are we headed next? Just like the sport it seeks to capture, "Anytime" is not constrained by any definitive answers, except for one: Today we ride - anywhere...Anytime! Shimano presents a Red Bull Media House and Anthill Films co-production, featuring:Patricia Druwen, Lucy Van Eesteren, Vinny Armstrong, Harriet Burbidge-Smith, BrageVestavik, Kade Edwards, Brett Rheeder, Thomas Genon, Hannah Bergmann, RobinGoomes, Vaea Verbeeck, Cami Nogueira, Emil Johansson, Carson Storch, & CaseyBrown. Created in association with Maxxis, Arosa Lenzerheide Bike Kingdom & Evoc. There will be a brief Q & A period immediately following the film with a member of the senior production team. Wednesday, July 31 Doors 6:30 pm | Intro & Film 6:45 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. Main floor assigned $20 + s/c | $25 at the door ANYTIME (Darcy Wittenburg, Darren McCullough, Colin Jones | 2024 | 60 min | PG) Anytime follows the collective ambitions of fifteen of the world’s best male and female freeride mountain bikers across forests, deserts, cities and high-alpine peaks, as they attempt to define the frontiers of their sport. [more]

"There is no spoon." Join us at the Rio Theatre for a much-needed, big screen re-visitation of the Wachowski's landmark 1999 blockbuster, THE MATRIX - one of the most influential, martial-arts fueled, futuristic cyber-punk sci-fi fantasies ever made. Set in 1999, Keanu Reeves stars as Thomas A. Anderson (hacker alias: "Neo"), a man living two lives; he spends his days working in a cubicle manning a computer, and at night he does a little hacking on the side. (Although, he may also really be a pawn in a giant virtual-reality game controlled by twenty-second-century programmers...) Neo believes that Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), an elusive figure considered to be the most dangerous man alive, can answer his burning question -- "What is the Matrix?" Neo is contacted by Trinity, a beautiful stranger who leads him into an underworld where he meets Morpheus. They fight a brutal battle for their lives against a cadre of viciously intelligent secret agents. It is a truth that could cost Neo something more precious than his life. Also starring Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, and Joe Pantoliano. "'The Matrix' soars." (Rolling Stone Magazine) "The deliciously inventive Wachowskis have delivered the syntax for a new kind of movie: technically mind-blowing, style merged perfectly with content and just so damn cool." (Empire Magazine) "A technologically stunning movie that furthers the genre and features crowd-pleasing performances to go with the frequent scenes of gunplay and violence." (Hollywood Reporter) "Where other films are done in by the freedom offered by computer effects, 'The Matrix' integrates them beautifully." (AV Club) Wednesday, July 31 Doors 9:00 pm | Movie 9:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. THE MATRIX (The Wachowskis, 1999 / 136 minutes / 14A) What is the Matrix? Have you ever had a dream that you were so sure was real? What if you couldn't awaken? How would you know the difference between dream and reality? When a beautiful stranger leads computer hacker Neo to a forbidding underworld, he discovers the shocking truth--the life he knows is the elaborate deception of an evil cyber-intelligence. Neo joins legendary and dangerous rebel warrior Morpheus in the battle to destroy the illusion enslaving humanity. Now, every move, every second, every thought becomes a fight to stay alive--to escape The Matrix. [more]

Told through interviews with its fans, founders, and former cast and crew, the documentary MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING: THE LEGEND OF SPECTRAL THEATRE from local actor, writer, and director Simon C. Hussey, aims to pull back the curtain on how one group of maverick theatre artists found a family of kindred spirits; equally unrelenting in their Quixotic quest to create, "theatre for people that don't like theatre." Defying the expectations of their local theatre community and eschewed by critics, Spectral managed to achieve success of a kind that is as ephemeral as the theatre experience itself. While on one level it’s a personal story about friendships, family, and the cost of remaining committed to one's art, on another level it's a story that addresses what's at risk when innovators and artists on the fringe are not given the same opportunities as mainstream organizations and the ultimate impact that has on the diversity of artistic expression. As much a celebration of the now-defunct Spectral Theatre, this documentary is a testament to the independent spirit, and as such features an amazing soundtrack of Canadian indie bands like The Bad Beats, Speedbuggy, Mystery Machine, Jungle, Curious George, The Gentlemen of Horror, Kandy Roar, The Awkward Stage, Motorama, and many, many, more. Thursday, August 1 Doors 5:00 pm | Film 6:15 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING: THE LEGEND OF SPECTRAL THEATRE (Simon C. Hussey, 2024 / 119 mins / NR) Chronicling the heydays of Spectral Theatre Society, an independent theatre company from Vancouver, BC, Canada that defied convention and broke all the rules in their quixotic quest to produce theatre for people that don't like theatre. [more]

In this new supernatural spectacle from CAVEAT’s Damian McCarthy, a blind medium uncovers the truth behind her sister's death with the help of a frightening wooden mannequin. When Dani is brutally murdered at the remote country house that she and her husband Ted are renovating, everyone suspects a patient from the local mental health institution, where Ted is a doctor. However, soon after the tragic killing, the suspect is found dead. A year later, Dani’s blind twin sister Darcy, a self-proclaimed psychic and collector of cursed items, pays an unexpected visit to Ted and his new girlfriend, Yana. Convinced that there was more to her sister's murder than people know, Darcy has brought with her the most dangerous items from her cursed collection to help her exact revenge. "A ferociously entertaining, beautifully orchestrated thrill ride that’s exactly the kind of horror movie you want to watch with a crowd." (AV Club) "It’s a feature debut that portends big things for the up-and-coming filmmaker." (The Daily Beast) "One of the best horror movies of the year." (Slashfilm) Thursday, August 1 Doors 9:00 pm | Movie 9:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. ODDITY (Damian Mc Carthy, 2024 / 98 mins / NR) Uncovering the truth behind sister's death with the help of wooden mannequin. [more]

For Pride this year The Rio Theatre is rolling out the rainbow carpet to welcome not just Vancouver Pride, but nationwide Canada Pride 2024! And whom better to be our honorable ambassador to the world and fellow Gaynadians than our very own Gayest of the Gays, Queerest of the Queers, Dandy! Celebrate Vancouver & Canada Pride at the most anticipated cabaret of the year! Runner up in Georgia Straight's BEST OF VANCOUVER 2023 and host of the year 2024, DANDY (tiktok star @dandyandfriends) curates a cabinet of charismatic, Queer, cabaret creators in Dandy's BIG GAY CABARET. Live singing, dance, death defying circus feats, drag, burlesque and some fun surprises. You might not be gay when you sit down, but research shows that attending this show will make you 69% gayer!. HUZZAH! If you don't come to this show, you are homophobic! So get your tickets now, Darling. Friday, August 2 Doors 7:15 pm | Show 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. Early Bird tickets available until July 12! Main Floor Assigned $30 + s/c | $35 at the door VIP - First 4 rows $40 + s/c | $45 at the door **VIP ticket holders also get an interactive prop bag to be used during the show!** The 'We Are Family' 4 Pack $25 a ticket + s/c (Available online only) But wait, there's more! Not in the mood to trapse downtown, wait in a 2 hour queue, overpay on cover and drinks to spend 15 minutes in a club before you have to do it all over again at the after hours? Then don't. Let's keep this BIG GAY FRIDAY going with a FRIDAY LATE NIGHT screening of that cult and queer classic: THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW! Upgrade your ticket for just $10 and get a reserved seat PLUS a goody bag filled with props to use during the film. During checkout you'll have the option to upgrade your ticket with the BIG GAY FRIDAY - Rocky Horror Upgrade Pass The Rio Theatre lobby and bar will be open between shows and serving up Pride inspired cocktails, mocktails and your favorite gay anthems. Don't forget to pick up a Rio Theatre Pride Edition T-shirt, check out the merch booth and pose, vogue, pose at our pride photo backdrop. Don't forget to tag us in your pics @riotheatre Featuring, in no queer-ticular order: Vita Devour Jackal Jordy Matheson Faetality Peter Packer Manly Nipkiss Melrose Twist Malandro Scarlette Rosé Jalebia Majora Daniel Kelly About your Host: Dandy (he/him) is the award-winning host made popular on TikTok for his viral videos promoting queer joy! Winner of Host of the Year 2024 for Vancouver International Burlesque Festival and awarded runner up in the Georgia Straight’s BEST OF VANCOUVER for his show Drag Attack! - you can catch him regularly on stage in his shows at the iconic Rio Theatre in Vancouver, or touring regularly this year between LA and New York City. His upcoming series Dandyland, which highlights businesses, organizations, and artists in the lower-mainland's LGBT Community, will be premiering Summer 2024 on Optik TV. @dandyandfriends [more]

Let’s do the Time Warp… Again! This cult-classic rock movie musical has been giving absolute pleasure to adoring audiences "spaced out on sensations like they’re under sedation" for over four decades, and there's absolutely no better time to see and experience this pop-culture landmark than the the way it is meant to be seen – on the big screen, in the dark, and with a raucous Rio Theatre audience who are just as into it as you are. Whether you’re a Virgin or a veteran, you’ll have a blast! Even better? This PRIDE WEEKEND event will be hosted by our friend Dandy, who will be on-hand to guide the Virgins (and veterans!) through all the do's-and-don'ts of this monumentally experiential cinematic phenomenon. As always, costumes and audience participation are highly encouraged! (In other words: Prizes! Here's your chance to go all out and let your freak flag fly, people.) The ticket price includes a fun prop bag, too. Your own props are also, of course,  very welcome, but please – whatever you do – DO NOT BRING RICE! Friday, August 2 Doors 10:30 pm | Movie 11:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. LATE NIGHT DATE NIGHT! Tickets for this show are 2-for-1 entry, so bring a friend, date, or space alien and be a hero! THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (Jim Sharman, 1975 | (100 mins, PG) | A newly engaged couple (Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick) have a breakdown in an isolated area and must pay a call to the bizarre residence of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry). [more]

Five decades after its release, Roman Polanski's epic landmark CHINATOWN still manages to exemplify the film noir tradition, standing as a true Hollywood screen classic. In one of his most memorable performances, Jack Nicholson stars as private eye Jake Gittes, living off the murky moral climate of sunbaked, pre-war Southern California. Hired by a mysterious, beautiful socialite (with more than a few secrets of her own) to investigate her husband's extra-marital affair, Gittes is swept into a maelstrom of double dealings and deadly deceits, uncovering a web of personal and political scandals that come crashing together for one, unforgettable night in... Chinatown. As a determined Gittes delves deeper into the fray, he soon realizes that even the City of Angels has a dark side. Featuring Faye Dunaway in an Oscar-nominated performance, film legend John Huston, and an Academy Award-winning script by Robert Towne, CHINATOWN captures a lost era in a masterfully woven movie that remains a timeless gem. "In its total recapturing of a past, in its plot, its vivid characterizations, its carefully calculated and accelerating pace, its whole demonstration of a medium mastered, Chinatown reminds you again that motion pictures are larger, not smaller than life." (Los Angeles Times) "An all together unexpected triumph, a rich, inventive murder mystery of deepening complexity and tantalizing twists that should gradually intrigue and finally captivate its audience." (New York Daily News) "If 'Chinatown' is the greatest of all American detective films -- and I think the case is a very strong one -- then that results from its remarkable confluence of ingredients." (Salon.com) Saturday, August 3 Doors 1:30 pm | Movie 2:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. CHINATOWN (Roman Polanski, 1974 / 130 mins / 18A) A private detective hired to expose an adulterer in 1930s Los Angeles finds himself caught up in a web of deceit, corruption, and murder. [more]

An intimate, revelatory, and heartfelt cabaret show starring living legend and cult film icon Mink Stole alongside San Francisco drag impresario, filmmaker Peaches Christ. Mink and Peaches have been close friends for over two decades, and they would like you to join them for an evening of storytelling, film clips and live song in a wildly entertaining and uncensored exposé that is as hilarious as it is revealing. If you're a fan of John Waters' films, Divine, drag history, or cult movies, you don't want to miss this one-of-a-kind event. Saturday, August 3 Doors 6:00 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. Main Floor (Assigned Seating) Tickets $50+ s/c | $55 at the door VIP Ticket Package $75+ s/c | $80 at the door (Includes a post-show meet and greet / photo with Mink & Peaches, priority seating in rows 1-5 centre section, and a signed commemorative poster) Mink Stole Mink Stole is best known for her work with filmmaker John Waters, with whom she has created the iconic characters of Connie Marble in Pink Flamingos, Taffy Davenport in Female Trouble, and Dottie Hinkle in Serial Mom, to name a few. Other film roles include Nancy, the mother of a lesbian, in But I’m A Cheerleader, and Evelyn the librarian in All About Evil, written and directed by Joshua Grannell, aka Peaches Christ. Mink was Peaches’ first live celebrity guest at the legendary Midnight Mass and they have performed together many times since, notably in Return to Grey Gardens, and their two-woman show, Idol Worship. With her Wonderful Band, Mink has released a CD, Do Re MiNK. Peaches Christ Peaches Christ is a filmmaker, event producer and cult leader living in San Francisco. She produces and hosts events in partnership with PolyArts Management for symphony orchestras and her holiday show annually plays London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall. Peaches is a filmmaker, the alter- ego of Joshua Grannell, writer and director of the feature film All About Evil. Joshua is the co-owner of the Into The Dark production company which produces immersive theater, including the popular Terror Vault show at the historic San Francisco Mint building. Peaches has appeared in many films and television shows during her career and co-hosts the cult movie podcast, Midnight Mass. [more]

Gorgeously remastered in 2017, PERFECT BLUE is the groundbreaking (and rarely screened) first film from the legendary director Satoshi Kon that follows the story of rising pop star Mima, who has quit singing to pursue a career as an actress and model - but her fans aren't ready to see her go. Encouraged by her managers, Mima takes on a recurring role on a popular TV show, when suddenly her handlers and collaborators begin turning up murdered. Harboring feelings of guilt and haunted by visions of her former self, Mima's reality and fantasy meld into a frenzied paranoia. As her stalker closes in, in person and online, the threat he poses is more real than even Mima knows... This iconic psychological thriller that has frequently been hailed as one of the most important animated films of all time, as it represents a major change from traditional anime subject matter, analysing the pop icon phenomenon, fame and its psychological impact on the performer. "Kon's film deliberately obfuscates, to hypnotic effect." (Total Film) Saturday, August 3 Doors 10:00 pm | Movie 10:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. PERFECT BLUE "Pafekuto buru" (Satoshi Kon, 1997 / 81 minutes /18 A / Japanese with English subtitles) Mima Kirigoe is a singer who leaves her trio to become an actress, a career move that angers her fans, who prefer to see her as the pop idol. Plagued by self-doubt and tormented by humiliating compromises, she begins to be stalked, in her waking and sleeping moments, by an alter ego who claims to be "the real Mima", until she collapses into madness as her coworkers are brutally slain around her. [more]

There is no better way to appreciate the magic of Studio Ghibli than on the big screen! Movie-lovers of all ages adore animated classics from Japan's famed Studio Ghibli, and Hayao Miyazaki's KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE (1989) is one of their most popular titles. The film follows the story of 13-year-old Kiki, who moves to a seaside town with her talking cat Jiji to spend a year alone, in accordance with her village's tradition for witches in training. After learning to control her broomstick, Kiki sets up a flying courier service and soon becomes a fixture in the community. But when the insecure young witch begins questioning herself and loses her magic abilities, she must overcome her self-doubt to get her powers back. Perfect for movie lovers of all ages, KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE is a heartwarming, gorgeously-rendered tale of a young witch discovering her place in the world. "A terrific alternative to the diabetic's nightmare that is most of Disney's output, Kiki's Delivery Service takes pride of place in Miyazaki's exceptional body of work." (Empire Magazine) "The film becomes a benign guided tour of femininity ... gently broaching universal coming-of-age issues such as independence, insecurity, and even - more boldly than any Western children's movie would contemplate - sexuality." (The Guardian) Sunday, August 4 Doors 12:00 pm | Movie 12:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. Kids pricing in effect! Tickets $6! KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE "Majo no Takkyūbin" (Hayao Miyazaki, 1989 / 103 mins / G / English dub) A young witch, on her mandatory year of independent life, finds fitting into a new community difficult while she supports herself by running an air courier service. [more]

Directed by visionary science-fiction animator René Laloux (FANTASTIC PLANET) and designed by the legendary Jean Giraud (a.k.a. Mœbius) THE TIME MASTERS is a visually fantastic foray into existentialist space adventure. After his parents are killed on the dangerous planet Perdide, young Piel (voiced by Frédéric Legros) survives by maintaining radio contact with Jaffar (Jean Valmont), a pilot transporting the exiled Prince Matton (Yves-Marie Maurin) and Princess Belle (Monique Thierry) from their former kingdom. Jaffar seeks the help of Silbad (Michel Elias), a cheerful old-timer who knows how to circumvent Perdide’s hazards, including brain-devouring insects and watery graves. Along the way, Jaffar and company encounter a pair of impish homunculi stowaways, identity-less angels controlled by an amorphous hive mind, and the Masters of Time, mysterious beings who can bend reality and perhaps reveal to the heroes their secret origins and destinies. Restored in 4K in 2023 at the initiative of CITE FILMS in collaboration with the Fondazione Cineteca di Bologna and with the support of the CNC Sunday, August 4 Doors 2:00 pm | Movie 2:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. THE TIME MASTERS (René Laloux, 1982 / 75 mins / NR / In French w/EST) On planet Perdide, an attack of giant hornets leaves Piel - a young boy - alone in a wrecked car with his dying father. A mayday message reaches their friend Jaffar, an adventurer travelling through space. On board Jaffar's shuttle are the renegade. [more]

Andrei Tarkovsky explained that in Russian the word “nostalghia” conveys “the love for your homeland and the melancholy that arises from being far away.” This debilitating form of homesickness is embodied in the film by Andrei, a Russian intellectual doing research in Italy. He becomes obsessed with the Botticelli-like beauty of his translator Eugenia, as well as with the apocalyptic ramblings of a self-destructive wanderer named Domenico. With Oleg Yankovsky, Domiziana Giordano, Erland Josephson. Written with frequent Michelangelo Antonioni collaborator Tonino Guerra (L’AVVENTURA) and newly restored in 4K from the original camera negative, NOSTALGHIA is a mystical and mysterious collision of East and West, shot with the tactile beauty that only Tarkovsky can provide. As J. Hoberman wrote, “Nostalghia is not so much a movie as a place to inhabit for two hours.” "Tarkovsky is for me the greatest, the one who invented a new language, true to the nature of film." (Ingmar Bergman) "Perhaps Tarkovsky's most opaque film, Nostalghia is nonetheless one of his most personal." (Slant Magazine) "Stick with it. There are shocking acts that rupture the stillness, and then there's one of cinema's great endings, a wrenching, rapturous scene that would set both of those poets into embarrassed rewrites." (The Village Voice) "A hauntingly beautiful film." (Empire Magazine) Sunday, August 4 Doors 4:00 pm | Movie 4:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. NOSTALGHIA (Andrei Tarkovsky, 1983 / 125 mins / NR / In Russian and Italian with English subtitles) A Russian poet and his interpreter travel to Italy researching the life of an 18th-century composer, and instead meet a ruminative madman who tells the poet how the world may be saved. [more]

In this new supernatural spectacle from CAVEAT’s Damian McCarthy, a blind medium uncovers the truth behind her sister's death with the help of a frightening wooden mannequin. When Dani is brutally murdered at the remote country house that she and her husband Ted are renovating, everyone suspects a patient from the local mental health institution, where Ted is a doctor. However, soon after the tragic killing, the suspect is found dead. A year later, Dani’s blind twin sister Darcy, a self-proclaimed psychic and collector of cursed items, pays an unexpected visit to Ted and his new girlfriend, Yana. Convinced that there was more to her sister's murder than people know, Darcy has brought with her the most dangerous items from her cursed collection to help her exact revenge. "A ferociously entertaining, beautifully orchestrated thrill ride that’s exactly the kind of horror movie you want to watch with a crowd." (AV Club) "It’s a feature debut that portends big things for the up-and-coming filmmaker." (The Daily Beast) "One of the best horror movies of the year." (Slashfilm) Sunday, August 4 Doors 6:45 pm | Movie 7:15 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. ODDITY (Damian Mc Carthy, 2024 / 98 mins / NR) Uncovering the truth behind sister's death with the help of wooden mannequin. [more]

"Wendy, I'm home!" Join us at the Rio Theatre as we raise a glass, dim the lights, and pay tribute to the late, great, Shelley Duvall with a screening of the performance she will undoubtedly be most widely remembered for, as the beleaguered wife and mother Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick's iconic work of cinematic horror, THE SHiNiNG. Ms. Duvall possessed a quietly resilient, natural tenderness that allowed her to shine as a dreamy, earthy muse in era-defining Robert Altman films including NASHVILLE and THREE WOMEN, and she will of course always claim a special cult-status in the hearts of 80s kids everywhere thanks to her sweet and utterly enchanting "Faerie Tale Theatre." It was her complete and utter ability to parlay truthful, earnest honesty that allowed for her astounding performance as one of cinema's most memorable "final girls" in THE SHiNiNG; for that, we will always be awestruck. Based on Stephen King's 1977 novel "The Shining," Stanley Kubrick's film is widely regarded as a work of true cinematic genius (although King himself, famously, does not). Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall star as a husband and wife (Jack and Wendy Torrance) who ditch the city for a gig as winter caretakers at an isolated hotel. While Jack hopes to get his creative juices flowing so that he can write a book, the family (which also includes their young son Danny) instead encounters an eerie and foreboding spiritual presence. Commence cinema's most nightmarishly creepy twins, a mesmerizing carpet, the memorable view from Room 237, a messy elevator, REDRUM, psychic visions, a Big Wheel that keeps on turnin', and a chaotic descent into a spiraling maze of violence. Also starring Danny Lloyd and Scatman Crothers. Of note: This particular edition of THE SHiNiNG was remastered in 2019 for the film's 40th Anniversary, using a new 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative at Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging. The color grading was done by Janet Wilson with supervision from Kubrick’s former personal assistant, Leon Vitali. Sunday, August 4 Doors 9:15 pm | Movie 9:45 pm *Please arrive on time. Start time subject to change. THE SHINING (Stanley Kubrick, 1980 / 144 mins / 14A) Jack Torrance becomes winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel in Colorado, hoping to cure his writer's block. He settles in along with his wife, Wendy, and his son, Danny (Danny Lloyd), who is plagued by psychic premonitions. As Jack's writing goes nowhere and Danny's visions become more disturbing, Jack discovers the hotel's dark secrets and begins to unravel into a homicidal maniac hell-bent on terrorizing his family. [more]

Directed by visionary science-fiction animator René Laloux (FANTASTIC PLANET) and designed by the legendary Jean Giraud (a.k.a. Mœbius) THE TIME MASTERS is a visually fantastic foray into existentialist space adventure. After his parents are killed on the dangerous planet Perdide, young Piel (voiced by Frédéric Legros) survives by maintaining radio contact with Jaffar (Jean Valmont), a pilot transporting the exiled Prince Matton (Yves-Marie Maurin) and Princess Belle (Monique Thierry) from their former kingdom. Jaffar seeks the help of Silbad (Michel Elias), a cheerful old-timer who knows how to circumvent Perdide’s hazards, including brain-devouring insects and watery graves. Along the way, Jaffar and company encounter a pair of impish homunculi stowaways, identity-less angels controlled by an amorphous hive mind, and the Masters of Time, mysterious beings who can bend reality and perhaps reveal to the heroes their secret origins and destinies. Restored in 4K in 2023 at the initiative of CITE FILMS in collaboration with the Fondazione Cineteca di Bologna and with the support of the CNC Monday, August 5 Doors 6:30 pm | Movie 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. THE TIME MASTERS (René Laloux, 1982 / 75 mins / NR / In French w/EST) On planet Perdide, an attack of giant hornets leaves Piel - a young boy - alone in a wrecked car with his dying father. A mayday message reaches their friend Jaffar, an adventurer travelling through space. On board Jaffar's shuttle are the renegade. [more]

"I carried a watermelon." Celebrate Andrea Warner's new book, "The Time of My Life," on Wednesday, August 7 with a special DIRTY DANCING screening and costume contest! Keep it Crayze for Swayze and stick around for a double bill screening with DONNIE DARKO. Have the time of your life and feel free to sing-along, we know you know the words! The special event also features a short, live recording of the 10th anniversary of the feminist pop culture podcast, Pop This!, co-hosted by Lisa Christiansen, Andrea Gin, and the author herself, with a special guest. In 'The Time of My Life,' celebrated music journalist Andrea Warner excavates the layers of Dirty Dancing, from its anachronistic, chart-topping soundtrack, to Baby and Johnny’s chemistry, to Bergstein’s political intentions, to the abortion subplot that is more relevant today than ever. The film’s remarkable longevity would never have been possible if it was just a throwaway summer fling story. It is precisely because of its themes — deeply feminist, sensitively written — that we, over 30 years later, are still holding our breath during that last, exhilarating lift. “Andrea Warner is a gift to pop culture commentary, and The Time of My Life is even more proof. Through her rich and thoughtful analysis, Warner reminds us that Dirty Dancing is more than a love story, it’s an absolute triumph, just like this book.” (Anne T. Donahue) “What Andrea Warner has achieved here is masterful: taking an iconic cultural touchstone and inviting readers into a timeless conversation on how it marked not only her own life, but also our collective hearts. The Time of My Life is heartbreaking and sweet, thoughtful and radical.” (Niko Stratis) Books will be available for sale via Iron Dog Books. Baby (Jennifer Grey) is one listless summer away from the Peace Corps. Hoping to enjoy her youth while it lasts, she's disappointed when her summer plans deposit her at a sleepy resort in the Catskills with her parents. Her luck turns around, however, when the resort's dance instructor, Johnny (Patrick Swayze), enlists Baby as his new partner, and the two fall in love. Baby's father forbids her from seeing Johnny, but she's determined to help him perform the last big dance of the summer. Also starring Jerry Orbach, Cynthia Rhodes, Kelly Bishop. "Endlessly quotable, strangely fascinating and immensely charming, there's a reason that this retains an evergreen appeal. And it takes a hard heart not to grin at the final, euphoric dance number." (Empire Magazine) Wednesday, August 7 Doors 6:00 pm | Event 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. Why not make it a Crazye for Swayze DOUBLE BILL with Donnie Darko at 9:30pm. Get tickets here: https://riotheatretickets.ca/events/31347-crayze-for-swayze-double-bill-dirty-dancing-and-donnie-darko DIRTY DANCING (Emile Ardolino / 1987 / 100 mins / PG) Expecting the usual tedium that accompanies a summer in the Catskills with her family, 17-year-old Frances 'Baby' Houseman is surprised to find herself stepping into the shoes of a professional hoofer – and unexpectedly falling in love. [more]

Celebrate ANDREA WARNER's new book, The Time of My Life, on Wednesday, August 7 with a special DIRTY DANCING screening and costume contest! Keep it Crayze for Swayze and stick around for a double bill screening with DONNIE DARKO. Have the time of your life and feel free to sing-along, we know you know the words! The special event also features a short, live recording of the 10th anniversary of the feminist pop culture podcast, Pop This!, co-hosted by Lisa Christiansen, Andrea Gin, and the author herself, with a special guest. In 'The Time of My Life,' celebrated music journalist Andrea Warner excavates the layers of Dirty Dancing, from its anachronistic, chart-topping soundtrack, to Baby and Johnny’s chemistry, to Bergstein’s political intentions, to the abortion subplot that is more relevant today than ever. The film’s remarkable longevity would never have been possible if it was just a throwaway summer fling story. It is precisely because of its themes — deeply feminist, sensitively written — that we, over 30 years later, are still holding our breath during that last, exhilarating lift. Books will be available for sale via Iron Dog Books. Wednesday, August 7 DIRTY DANCING Doors 6:00 pm | Event 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. Baby (Jennifer Grey) is one listless summer away from the Peace Corps. Hoping to enjoy her youth while it lasts, she's disappointed when her summer plans deposit her at a sleepy resort in the Catskills with her parents. Her luck turns around, however, when the resort's dance instructor, Johnny (Patrick Swayze), enlists Baby as his new partner, and the two fall in love. Baby's father forbids her from seeing Johnny, but she's determined to help him perform the last big dance of the summer. Also starring Jerry Orbach, Cynthia Rhodes, Kelly Bishop. DIRTY DANCING (Emile Ardolino / 1987 / 100 mins / PG) Expecting the usual tedium that accompanies a summer in the Catskills with her family, 17-year-old Frances 'Baby' Houseman is surprised to find herself stepping into the shoes of a professional hoofer – and unexpectedly falling in love. Brief Intermission. DONNIE DARKO Doors 9:15pm | Movie 9:30 pm *This film is screening as part of a double feature; the start time is approximate. Please arrive on time. In a funny, moving and distinctly mind-bending journey through suburban America, one extraordinary but disenchanted teenager is about to take Time's Arrow for a ride. After surviving a freak accident, Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal) begins to explore what it means to be alive, and in short order to be in love, he uncovers secrets of the universe that give him a tempting power to alter time and destiny. Also starring Jena Mallone, Mary McDonnell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Patrick Swayze, Drew Barrymore, Noah Wyle, Katharine Ross, and a giant bunny. DONNIE DARKO (Richard Kelly, 2001 / 113 mins / PG) Donnie Darko, an awkward teenager, befriends Frank, a figure in a bunny costume only he can see, who informs Donnie that the world will end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds. [more]

"Sometimes, I doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion." Before STRANGER THINGS combined science fiction, Spielbergian touches and ‘80s nostalgia to much acclaim, Richard Kelly set the high-water mark with his debut feature, DONNIE DARKO. Initially beset with distribution problems, it would slowly find its audience and emerge as, arguably, the first cult classic of the new millennium. In a funny, moving and distinctly mind-bending journey through suburban America, one extraordinary but disenchanted teenager is about to take Time's Arrow for a ride. After surviving a freak accident, Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal) begins to explore what it means to be alive, and in short order to be in love, he uncovers secrets of the universe that give him a tempting power to alter time and destiny. Also starring Jena Mallone, Mary McDonnell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Patrick Swayze Drew Barrymore, Noah Wyle, Katharine Ross, and a giant bunny. Restoration courtesy of Arrow Video and the American Genre Film Archive. “If revisiting an old movie is a bit like going back in time, that sense of disorientation is doubled in DONNIE DARKO. A haunted miasma of youthful alienation, suburban malaise, cosmic upheaval and 1980s pop-cultural infatuation, writer-director Richard Kelly’s captivatingly strange 2001 debut plays more than ever like its own suspended-in-time artifact.” (Justin Chang, L.A. Times) "A stunning technical accomplishment that virtually bursts with noise, ideas and references." (Salon.com) Wednesday, August 7 Movie 9:30 pm *This film is screening as part of a double feature; the start time is approximate. Please arrive on time. Why not make it a Crazye for Swayze DOUBLE BILL with Dirty Dancing at 6:30pm. Get tickets here: https://riotheatretickets.ca/events/31347-crayze-for-swayze-double-bill-dirty-dancing-and-donnie-darko DONNIE DARKO (Richard Kelly, 2001 / 113 mins / PG) Donnie Darko, an awkward teenager, befriends Frank, a figure in a bunny costume only he can see, who informs Donnie that the world will end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds. [more]

"Oh, hai Shark!" Join us at the Rio Theatre on Thursday, August 9 with host Greg Sestero - star of the pop-culture phenomenon THE ROOM and author of the best-selling memoir, THE DISASTER ARTIST - for a double billing of Tommy Wiseau's new film BIG SHARK, followed by THE ROOM.  Who better to explain Wiseau's latest opus (and the enigma himself!) than Greg Sestero? It's a night of movies, insight, conversation and laughs. (And... merch! There will be sweet, sweet merch.) Auteur Tommy Wiseau (whose 2003 pop-culture phenomenon THE ROOM ranks among the greatest cult-movie films of all time) finally returns to the cinematic landscape with another tasty morsel made especially for his legion of hungry movie-loving fans: BIG SHARK. For the uninitiated: A marvel of modern cinema, Tommy Wiseau's THE ROOM is so powerful that it will, literally, "tear you apart." (Or, maybe just your brain. And occasionally your eyeballs.) In the pantheon of you-gotta-see-it-to-believe-it, best-worst movies, it's quite possible that nothing tops THE ROOM. It's the CITIZEN KANE of bad movies! And truly, truly, the best (trust!) way to experience this "masterpiece" is in the dark, on the big screen, and with a packed audience of confused (and enthused) lovers of director Wiseau's bizarre cinematic oddity that has morphed into a pop-culture phenomenon. Having Sestero (who parlayed his portrayal of "Mark" in THE ROOM into an acclaimed best-seller that was ultimately adapted into the 2017 feature, THE DISASTER ARTIST) on-hand to answer audience questions and provide unique insight makes for a very, very memorable night. Thursday, August 8 BIG SHARK Doors 6:00 pm | Movie 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. THE ROOM Movie 9:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. BIG SHARK (Tommy Wiseau, 2023 / 104 mins / 18A) EXCLUSIVE FILM! Three firefighters: Georgie, Patrick, and Tim must save New Orleans from a gigantic shark, can New Orleans survive? THE ROOM (Tommy Wiseau / 2003 / 99 mins / 18A) Johnny is a successful banker with great respect for and dedication to the people in his life, especially his future wife Lisa. The happy-go-lucky guy sees his world being torn apart when his friends begin to betray him one-by-one. [more]

"Oh, hai Shark!" Join us at the Rio Theatre on Thursday, August 8 with host Greg Sestero - star of the pop-culture phenomenon THE ROOM and author of the best-selling memoir, THE DISASTER ARTIST - for a double billing of Tommy Wiseau's new film BIG SHARK, followed by THE ROOM.  Who better to explain Wiseau's latest opus (and the enigma himself!) than Greg Sestero? It's a night of movies, insight, conversation and laughs. (And... merch! There will be sweet, sweet merch.) Auteur Tommy Wiseau (whose 2003 pop-culture phenomenon THE ROOM ranks among the greatest cult-movie films of all time) finally returns to the cinematic landscape with another tasty morsel made especially for his legion of hungry movie-loving fans: BIG SHARK. For the uninitiated: A marvel of modern cinema, Tommy Wiseau's THE ROOM is so powerful that it will, literally, "tear you apart." (Or, maybe just your brain. And occasionally your eyeballs.) In the pantheon of you-gotta-see-it-to-believe-it, best-worst movies, it's quite possible that nothing tops THE ROOM. It's the CITIZEN KANE of bad movies! And truly, truly, the best (trust!) way to experience this "masterpiece" is in the dark, on the big screen, and with a packed audience of confused (and enthused) lovers of director Wiseau's bizarre cinematic oddity that has morphed into a pop-culture phenomenon. Having Sestero (who parlayed his portrayal of "Mark" in THE ROOM into an acclaimed best-seller that was ultimately adapted into the 2017 feature, THE DISASTER ARTIST) on-hand to answer audience questions and provide unique insight makes for a very, very memorable night. Thursday, August 8 THE ROOM Movie 9:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. Tickets $25 plus s/c | $30 at the door THE ROOM (Tommy Wiseau / 2003 / 99 mins / 18A) Johnny is a successful banker with great respect for and dedication to the people in his life, especially his future wife Lisa. The happy-go-lucky guy sees his world being torn apart when his friends begin to betray him one-by-one. [more]

Presented by EKAK Entertainment Comedian Abishek Kumar, one of Chennai’s most popular stand-up artistes, burst onto the scene with the now super-popular online alternative character, Mrs Janaki, was also recently seen in a cameo in Harish Kalyan-starrer Oh Manapenne! (2021). The theatre-artiste turned comic is also a regular on many OTT-based comedy shows including Comicstaan Semma Comedy Pa and LOL: Enga Siri Paappom, both on Amazon Prime Video. Ahead of his multi-city The Reel To Real Crowdwork Tour, we catch up with the Chennai paiyyan. Nirmal Pillai’s standup comedian style (while sitting) take on the story of milk in India, as part of his ‘Parotta Act’ series, caught the attention of many, propelling him to YouTube creator celebrity status. Friday, August 9 Doors 7:00 pm | Show 8:00 pm Please note: This show is performed in 80% English / 20% Tamil Balcony (General Admission) $39+ s/c | $43 at the door VIP (Main Floor, Rows A-C) $59+ s/c | $73 at the door Section 2 (Main Floor, Rows D-I) $49+ s/c | $53 at the door Section 3 (Main Floor, Rows J-O) $39+ s/c | $43 at the door [more]

The Rio Theatre's Friday Late Night Movie series continues on August 9 with a truly Olympic-level hit of American cheese - GYMKATA. Real-life American gymnast Kurt Thomas is perfectly cast as an American gymnast who travels to the suspiciously foreign-sounding land of "Parmistan" to compete in a certain deadly game that has not been won by anyone other than a native in more than 900 years. Somewhere along the way the CIA may, or may not, get involved. "This really happened in Hollywood in the 1980s, which gives you some idea of exactly how much cocaine was flowing through that place back then." (Flavorwire) Friday, August 9 Doors 11:00 pm | Movie 11:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. LATE NIGHT DATE NIGHT! Bring a friend or pal and get two-for-one entry! GYMKATA (Robert Crouse, 1985 / 89 mins / 14A) U.S. agents send a gymnastic martial artist to secure a missile-base site by the Caspian Sea. [more]

Negativland + SUE-C with a Special LIVE Double-Feature! WE CAN REALLY FEEL LIKE WE’RE HERE Legendary sound collage group Negativland and “real-time cinema” visual artist SUE-C collaborate to bring you their latest audio-visual performance about our minds, our realities, and the evolving forms of media and technology that orchestrate our perceptions as we head into our next election: WE CAN REALLY FEEL LIKE WE’RE HERE. We'll start the evening with a one-time-only screening of the amazing feature film STAND BY FOR FAILURE: A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT NEGATIVLAND, followed by a brief Q&A with the band. Following a brief intermission and stage reset, the audience will be treated to a dynamic live performance from Negativland in WE CAN REALLY FEEL LIKE WE’RE HERE, accompanied by SUE-C's unique and immersive visuals. Negativland performs with video designed and produced by SUE-C, who appears virtually. “An urgent show by Negativland and artist SUE-C calls time on a tech dystopia that is as malevolent as it is stupid… to meet the terrifying contemporary moment… as the world slides incrementally into meltdown.” (The Wire Magazine) "Declared heroic by their peers for refashioning culture into what the group considers to be more honest statements, Negativland suggests that refusing to be original, in the traditional sense, is the only way to make art that has any depth within commodity capitalism...” (New York Times) “Negativland have made a rewarding career out of being prodigious consumers of media who then digest it and recontextualize it, emphasizing mediated reality’s crazy-making absurdity and the infinite malleability of perception and ‘truth.’” (The Stranger) “Negativland are proud subverters of culture, causing trouble while having fun.” (NPR Tiny Desk Concert) Saturday, August 10 Doors 7:00 pm | Event 7:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. Early Bird Tickets just $35 + s/c (Until July 22) Tickets $45+ s/c | $55 at the door Discount pricing for groups of 4 -- Sold online only! About the Band Since 1980, the multimedia collective known as Negativland have been creating records, CDs, video, fine art, books, radio and live performance using appropriated sounds, images, objects, and text. Mixing original materials and original music with things taken from corporately owned mass culture and the world around them, Negativland re-arrange these found bits and pieces to make them say and suggest things that they never intended to. In doing this kind of cultural archaeology and "culture jamming" (a term they coined way back in 1984), Negativland have been sued twice for copyright infringement. Their art and media interventions pose both serious and silly questions about the nature of sound, media, technology, control, ownership, propaganda, power, and perception in the United States of America. Their work is now referenced and taught in many college courses in the US, has been written about and cited in over 150 books and legal journals, and they sometimes lecture about their work in the USA and in Europe. Sue Slagle (SUE-C) is an award-winning artist, engineer and educator whose work in “real time cinema” presents a new, imaginative perspective on live performance. Her evolution as a new media artist began in late-90s San Francisco where she was an influential member of the electronic music scene, owning the experimental record label Orthlorng Musork, organizing audio-visual cultural events and teaching the first creative coding classes in Max Software. Her performances blend cinema and technology into an organic, improvisational and immersive act, created from live cameras, light pads and video algorithms. She is currently a Video Designer at Meow Wolf. Connect! IG: @negativlandland facebook.com/Negativlandland Twitter: @negativlandland On Stand By For Failure: A Documentary About Negativland “If you want to be inspired by individuals who dare to bust down the doors of art’s gatekeepers, then Stand By For Failure is the way to go.” (Film Threat) “Few artists have logged as many hours on the battlefield of fair use, let alone questioned as persistently the associated legal constraints around intellectual property, as Negativland, whose sonic, visual and performance appropriations and parodies have challenged eyeballs, eardrums and moral standards alike since the late 1970s.” (The Wire) “Forty-plus years of Negativland metamedia, recontextualized into popular feature length documentary entertainment format by Ryan Worsley. You’ve seen and heard it all! But you’ve never seen and heard it like this!” (Boing Boing) [more]

When 93-year-old Thelma Post (June Squibb) gets duped by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson, she sets out on a treacherous quest across the city to reclaim what was taken from her. Inspired by a real-life experience of director Josh Margolin's own grandmother, THELMA puts a clever spin on movies like MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, shining the spotlight on an elderly grandmother as an unlikely action hero. With infectious humor, Margolin employs the familiar tropes of the action genre in hilarious, age-appropriate ways to tackle aging with agency - and marks Squibb’s first leading film role of her 70+ year career. With Fred Hechinger, Richard Roundtree, Parker Posey. "At 94, screen veteran June Squibb gets her first leading role and carries the movie with style." (Chicago Sun-Times) Sunday, August 11 Doors 3:30 pm | Movie 4:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. THELMA (Josh Margolin, 2024 / 97 mins / PG) When 93-year-old Thelma Post gets duped by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson, she sets out on a treacherous quest across the city to reclaim what was taken from her. [more]

When 93-year-old Thelma Post (June Squibb) gets duped by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson, she sets out on a treacherous quest across the city to reclaim what was taken from her. Inspired by a real-life experience of director Josh Margolin's own grandmother, THELMA puts a clever spin on movies like MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, shining the spotlight on an elderly grandmother as an unlikely action hero. With infectious humor, Margolin employs the familiar tropes of the action genre in hilarious, age-appropriate ways to tackle aging with agency - and marks Squibb’s first leading film role of her 70+ year career. With Fred Hechinger, Richard Roundtree, Parker Posey. "At 94, screen veteran June Squibb gets her first leading role and carries the movie with style." (Chicago Sun-Times) Monday, August 12 Doors6:00 pm | Movie 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. THELMA (Josh Margolin, 2024 / 97 mins / PG) When 93-year-old Thelma Post gets duped by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson, she sets out on a treacherous quest across the city to reclaim what was taken from her. [more]

With her first film in a decade, the fearless 75-year-old French auteur Catherine Breillat (FAT GIRL, THE LAST MISTRESS) proves she's as provocative as ever with her Cannes-stirring film, which drives down the dark road of uncontrollable passion. A remarkably nuanced, radiant Léa Drucker plays Anne, an attorney who has plateaued in her marriage to Pierre, a distracted businessman. His son, troubled seventeen-year-old, Theo, from a previous marriage, has recently returned to Pierre's ineffectual and despondent care. When Pierre leaves town for a business trip, Anne and Théo -- confined under the same roof for the first time -- find themselves in the throes of an unexpected and dangerously lustful affair, threatening the stability of the household. With Olivier Rabourdin, Samuel Kircher. Music by Kim Gordon heightens the erotic tension of LAST SUMMER, a film that boldly surveys power dynamics, female desire, and fulfillment. "“Last Summer” is a work of artfully sustained sexual suspense." (Chicago Tribune) "Catherine Breillat’s excellent psychological study cum sombre thriller zeroes in on the female predator. Perfectly foreboding." (What She Said) "A family drama as masterfully propulsive as a horror movie." (Vulture) "A story about a woman who — after entrancing and appalling you — emerges as both more monstrous and more human than you’re prepared for." (New York Times) Monday, August 12 Doors 8:30 pm | Movie 9:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. LAST SUMMER "L'Été dernier" (Catherine Breillat, 2023 / 104 mins / NR / French with English subtitles) Follows Anne, a brilliant lawyer who lives with her husband Pierre and their daughters. Anne gradually engages in a passionate relationship with Theo, Pierre's son from a previous marriage, putting her career and family life in danger. [more]

Join us at the Rio Theatre on Tuesday, August 13 as we tip our hat and raise a glass to cinematic icon Alfred Hitchcock - on his birthday! - with the new, 65th Anniversary restoration of one of his all-time greatest thrillers, NORTH BY NORTHWEST. At one point (jokingly) titled "The Man in Lincoln's Nose", the film represents something of a late-period departure for a filmmaker known primarily for horror; it's a tightly-wound, intensely thrilling, and often witty take on the cinematic trope of mistaken identity that is widely regarded as one of his best films. Cary Grant stars as Madison Avenue advertising man Roger Thornhill, who finds himself thrust into the world of spies when he is mistaken for a man by the name of George Kaplan. When foreign spy Philip Vandamm and his henchman Leonard try to eliminate him, Thornhill tries to make sense of the case, and is framed for murder instead. On the run from the police, he manages to board a train bound for Chicago, where he meets a beautiful blond (a memorable Eva Marie Saint) who helps him evade the authorities. His world is turned upside down yet again when he learns that even she isn't the innocent bystander he thought she was. Not all is as it seems however, leading to a dramatic climax at the top of Mt. Rushmore. Beyond what one would expect from the man famously dubbed, "The Master of Suspense," NORTH BY NORTHWEST is notable for being one of the director's only action films, and features several visually iconic sequences that have since become woven into the fabric of the genre. Also starring James Mason, Martin Landau. "Certifiable 'classic' territory, Hitchcock's glossiest entertainment is the closest the trickster ever came to an action movie." (Empire Magazine) Tuesday, August 13 Doors 5:45 pm | Movie 6:15 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. NORTH BY NORTHWEST (Alfred Hitchcock, 1959 / 136 mins / PG) A hapless New York advertising executive is mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies, and is pursued across the country while he looks for a way to survive. [more]

Hot. Reckless. Totally Insane. The Rio Theatre's deep dive into 80's-era cinematic gold continues with the the sk8r classic THRASHIN' on Wednesday, August 14. Corey (Josh Brolin) and his band of skater buddies sometimes make mischief, but they're more interested in girls and having fun on their boards than in getting into any real trouble. Notorious enemy crew the Daggers, led by Tommy Hook, get their kicks terrorizing the locals at Venice Beach. When Corey starts dating Tommy's kid sister, the Daggers are furious. The boys then take their beef to the "L.A. Massacre," a deadly skate race down a canyon road. With Robert Rusler, Tony Hawke, Pamela Gidley. Presented in partnership with our friends at Landyachtz and Jefferson's Barbershop - so turn up in your best 80's skate gear and maybe with trivial answers on your brain for a chance to win some killer prizes, swag, and who knows what else... Partial proceeds from this event will be donated to the Vancouver Skateboard Coalition. Wednesday, August 14 Doors 6:30 pm | Movie 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. THRASHIN' (David Winters, 1986 / 93 mins / NR) Two skateboarding gangs battle each other for supremacy, and a member of one gang falls in love with the sister of his rival. [more]

Shadowed by the torment of the murder of his entire family, the young, wary Caligula (Malcolm McDowell) eliminates his devious adoptive grandfather Tiberius (Peter O'Toole) and seizes control of the declining Roman Empire as it descends into a spiral of depravity, destruction and madness. A treatise on the corrupting influence of power, this extensive reconstruction of the notorious 1980 spectacle, CALIGULA: THE ULTIMATE CUT restores the complete performances of McDowell and iconic British actress Helen Mirren, as the promiscuous 'Caesonia', from an unprecedented amount of never before seen footage. This restoration is based on the original narrative as conceived by writer Gore Vidal, and had its world premiere at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. With John Gielgud, Teresa Ann Savoy. Showcasing the sumptuous costume designs of two-time Oscar winner Danilo Donati (Federico Fellini's CASSANOVA, ROMEO & JULIET), CALIGULA: THE ULTIMATE CUT features an entirely new score by Troy Sterling Nies as well as a new animated title sequence by graphic artist Dave McKean (Arkham Asylum, The Sandman). "This really feels like the film that was originally promised by Bob Guccione back in the late 70’s, when he referred to it as a “package of excellence”. Caligula is the transgressive erotic masterpiece it always could have been." (Cinapse) "A surprisingly spellbinding reimagining of one of cinema's most infamous disasters, "Caligula - The Ultimate Cut" is a stunning achievement." (Morbidly Beautiful) "Archivist Thomas Negovan has done the impossible. Using 96 hours of footage shot by Tinto Brass, Negovan reconstructed 'Caligula' into a historical epic about the titular power-crazed and debaucherous emperor who helped usher in the downfall of Rome. Importantly, this version of the film is still incredibly horny. Nudity abounds and there are plenty of orgy scenes, they just aren’t the sole focus of this version. Plus, this new cut of 'Caligula' lets audiences rediscover the award-worthy performances by McDowell as Caligula and Mirren as his wife Caesonia." (Dread Central) Friday, August 16 Doors 7:15 pm | Movie 7:45 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. CALIGULA: THE ULTIMATE CUT (Tinto Brass, 2023 / 179 / NR) Shadowed by the murder of his family, Caligula eliminates his devious adoptive grandfather and seizes control of the Roman Empire alongside his wife Caesonia before descending into a spiral of depravity, destruction, and madness. [more]

"More human than human is our motto." The Rio Theatre's Friday Late Night Movie series continues with more 80's-era goodness on August 16, with the game-changing 1982 sci-fi classic BLADE RUNNER. In 2007, director Ridley Scott released BLADE RUNNER: The Final Cut, the “definitive” edition (the work-print feature version), which has since been remastered for theatrical release. Catch it in all its director approved, futuretastic, digital sci-fi glory on the big screen - the way nature intended. Harrison Ford stars in this fascinating, dark vision of the near future as a policeman who tracks engineered humans--a Blade Runner. In the not-so-distant year 2019, ex-detective Rick Deckard (Ford) is called out of retirement to hunt four genetically engineered humans who have come to earth. Designed to do difficult, hazardous work, the manufactured humans are stronger, faster and smarter than non-engineered humans. They feel no pain or remorse; they are almost indistinguishable from other humans ... and they are killing people. Now Deckard must stop them before they kill again. Based on the novel, "Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick. Also starring Sean Young, Rutger Hauer, Edward James Olmos, Daryl Hannah. "A visually remarkable, achingly human sci-fi masterpiece." (Rotten Tomatoes) "This is perhaps the only science-fiction film that can be called transcendental." (Entertainment Weekly) "A masterpiece of dystopian science fiction on film." (Daily Telegraph) Friday, August 16 Doors 11:00 pm | Movie 11:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. Late Night Date Night! Bring a friend, pal, or your favourite replicant and get two-for-one entry! BLADE RUNNER (Ridley Scott, 1982 / 117 mins / 18A) | When ex-detective Rick Deckard is called out of retirement to track down and eliminate a team of humanoid androids that have escaped from an outer space mining colony and have taken refuge here on Earth. During his search for the fugitives, he discovers some disturbing secrets about the future plans of the androids' manufacturer, the Tyrell Corporation. [more]

Join us at the Rio Theatre on Tuesday, August 13 as we tip our hat and raise a glass to cinematic icon Alfred Hitchcock - on his birthday! - with the new, 65th Anniversary restoration of one of his all-time greatest thrillers, NORTH BY NORTHWEST. At one point (jokingly) titled "The Man in Lincoln's Nose", the film represents something of a late-period departure for a filmmaker known primarily for horror; it's a tightly-wound, intensely thrilling, and often witty take on the cinematic trope of mistaken identity that is widely regarded as one of his best films. Cary Grant stars as Madison Avenue advertising man Roger Thornhill, who finds himself thrust into the world of spies when he is mistaken for a man by the name of George Kaplan. When foreign spy Philip Vandamm and his henchman Leonard try to eliminate him, Thornhill tries to make sense of the case, and is framed for murder instead. On the run from the police, he manages to board a train bound for Chicago, where he meets a beautiful blond (a memorable Eva Marie Saint) who helps him evade the authorities. His world is turned upside down yet again when he learns that even she isn't the innocent bystander he thought she was. Not all is as it seems however, leading to a dramatic climax at the top of Mt. Rushmore. Beyond what one would expect from the man famously dubbed, "The Master of Suspense," NORTH BY NORTHWEST is notable for being one of the director's only action films, and features several visually iconic sequences that have since become woven into the fabric of the genre. Also starring James Mason, Martin Landau. "Certifiable 'classic' territory, Hitchcock's glossiest entertainment is the closest the trickster ever came to an action movie." (Empire Magazine) Saturday, August 17 Doors 12:30 pm | Movie 1:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. NORTH BY NORTHWEST (Alfred Hitchcock, 1959 / 136 mins / PG) A hapless New York advertising executive is mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies, and is pursued across the country while he looks for a way to survive. [more]

"I've written a letter to Daddy..." Beyond the actual onscreen chemistry (and legendary off screen fireworks) between icons Bette Davis and Joan Crawford in Robert Aldrich's WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? lies the film itself - a bona fide, highly creepy-campy, edge-of-your-set thriller about a former child star who torments her paraplegic sister in their decaying Hollywood mansion. Decades after its release in 1962, lurid tales of the epic "feud" between the two "aging" divas still provided enough Hollywood Babylon-esque mythological fuel to form the basis for the hit TV serial Feud, starring Susan Sarandon (Davis) and Jessica Lange (Crawford). "Jane Hudson (Bette Davis) is an aging child star left to care for her wheelchair-bound sister Blanche (Joan Crawford), also a former child actress. Stuck living together in a mansion in old Hollywood, Blanche plots to get even with Jane for the car crash that left her crippled years earlier. But Jane is desperate to keep Blanche imprisoned as she plans a new rise to fame, and tries to hide Blanche's existence from doctors, visitors and neighbors while she devises a way to get rid of her sister." "A lurid melodrama of hate, revenge and murder, a high-class horror film, in the Hitchcock vein, with virtuoso performances from Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, and moments both searing and poignant." (The Hollywood Reporter) "The ultimate camp-Gothic bitchfight. Vastly entertaining." (Daily Telegraph) Sunday, August 18 Doors 5:15 pm | Movie 5:45 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? (Robert Aldrich, 1962 / 135 mins / PG) Two aging film actresses live as virtual recluses in an old Hollywood mansion. Jane Hudson, a successful child star, cares for her crippled sister Blanche, whose career in later years eclipsed that of Jane. Now the two live together, their relationship affected by simmering subconscious thoughts of mutual envy, hate and revenge. [more]

Shadowed by the torment of the murder of his entire family, the young, wary Caligula (Malcolm McDowell) eliminates his devious adoptive grandfather Tiberius (Peter O'Toole) and seizes control of the declining Roman Empire as it descends into a spiral of depravity, destruction and madness. A treatise on the corrupting influence of power, this extensive reconstruction of the notorious 1980 spectacle, CALIGULA: THE ULTIMATE CUT restores the complete performances of McDowell and iconic British actress Helen Mirren, as the promiscuous 'Caesonia', from an unprecedented amount of never before seen footage. This restoration is based on the original narrative as conceived by writer Gore Vidal, and had its world premiere at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. With John Gielgud, Teresa Ann Savoy. Showcasing the sumptuous costume designs of two-time Oscar winner Danilo Donati (Federico Fellini's CASSANOVA, ROMEO & JULIET), CALIGULA: THE ULTIMATE CUT features an entirely new score by Troy Sterling Nies as well as a new animated title sequence by graphic artist Dave McKean (Arkham Asylum, The Sandman). "This really feels like the film that was originally promised by Bob Guccione back in the late 70’s, when he referred to it as a “package of excellence”. Caligula is the transgressive erotic masterpiece it always could have been." (Cinapse) "A surprisingly spellbinding reimagining of one of cinema's most infamous disasters, "Caligula - The Ultimate Cut" is a stunning achievement." (Morbidly Beautiful) "Archivist Thomas Negovan has done the impossible. Using 96 hours of footage shot by Tinto Brass, Negovan reconstructed 'Caligula' into a historical epic about the titular power-crazed and debaucherous emperor who helped usher in the downfall of Rome. Importantly, this version of the film is still incredibly horny. Nudity abounds and there are plenty of orgy scenes, they just aren’t the sole focus of this version. Plus, this new cut of 'Caligula' lets audiences rediscover the award-worthy performances by McDowell as Caligula and Mirren as his wife Caesonia." (Dread Central) Sunday, August 18 Doors 8:00 pm | Movie 8:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. CALIGULA: THE ULTIMATE CUT (Tinto Brass, 2023 / 179 / NR) Shadowed by the murder of his family, Caligula eliminates his devious adoptive grandfather and seizes control of the Roman Empire alongside his wife Caesonia before descending into a spiral of depravity, destruction, and madness. [more]

"If you want to be a wrestler, The Death Tour is a definite way to prove to yourself and to others that you have what it takes. The problem is, to get there, it's not easy." Each winter, when the lakes freeze over, a motley gang of professional wrestlers leaves Winnipeg on a one-of-a-kind wrestling trip through remote Indigenous communities of Northern Manitoba. Wrestling insiders call it the ‘Death Tour’ – both for the physical hardships endured on the road and the emotional toll it takes on those who experience it. Famous for its star-studded alumni, the trip offers wrestlers a rare taste of fame and a chance to see if they have what it takes to make it in professional wrestling.  This deeply personal documentary travels through Canada’s frozen North and into the wrestlers’ minds as they battle the elements, each other, and the impacts of our colonial past. The Death Tour has been taking place since the 1970s and has helped launch the careers of many wrestling greats. We were lucky to film the 50th year of the tour for the documentary and to partner with wrestling legend Chris Jericho as Executive Producer.  Working with Chris Jericho allowed us to connect with some of the biggest names in wrestling and to film an AEW match featuring one of the film’s main subjects. While there are plenty of fun wrestling scenes in the documentary, the heart of the film rests with its main subjects and the Indigenous communities they visit. The documentary is an intimate story of trauma, redemption, and passion. It is sure to inspire everyone who has been tempted to risk it all to live their dreams. There will be a short intro before the film followed by a brief post screening Q & A with members from the cast & crew. Wednesday, August 21 Doors 6:00 pm | Intro & Film 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. Main Floor Assigned $20 + s/c | All tickets $25 at the door THE DEATH TOUR (Stephan Peterson & Sonya Ballantyne | 2024 | 89 mins | Documentary | NR) The Death Tour is a feature documentary following professional wrestlers on “the hardest tour in indie wrestling”. For weeks, these wrestlers travel across frozen lakes to put on shows for Canada’s most remote Indigenous communities. Sleeping on floors and eating canned food, this trip will force each wrestler to draw from their checkered pasts if they dare dream of a future in wrestling. [more]

“Will the greatest illusion of all prove to be that an ancient cold-case murder has been hiding under our noses all this time?” Two-Time, World champion and fourth-generation magician, Shawn Farquhar, has been surrounded by cards for as long as he can remember, but it was after a trip to France that he wondered why the court cards look the way they do. Of particular interest was the King of Hearts, also known as the “Suicide King” because he appears to be stabbing himself in the head. Shawn believes there is a much more sinister story, that an actual medieval French king was assassinated at the hand of his own wife. Now Shawn is out to see if his theory’s true - will the greatest illusion of all prove to be that an ancient cold-case murder has been hiding under our noses all this time? Re-ignite your wonder and curiosity at The Rio Theatre this summer as we welcome the charismatic storyteller, award winning, world renowned, local Metro Vancouver Magician, Shawn Farquhar to our stage and screen. His new documentary, LOST IN THE SHUFFLE, explores the unique relationship between the art of magic and the possible origin story of your everyday pack of playing cards. For The Rio Theatre's first trick, we will summon the Master Magician, Shawn Farquhar to the stage prior to the film to tease, trick, and set the scene. But don't vanish from your seats once the film ends, as Director, Jon Ornoy will appear for a brief Q & A! Thursday, August 22 Doors 6:00 pm | Event 6:15 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. Main Floor Assigned $20 + s/c | $25 at the door Students & Seniors $17 + s/c | $25 at the door Kids 12 & under $15 + s/c | $25 at the door *All tickets $25 at the door. About Shawn Farquhar Shawn Farquhar has been entertaining audiences around the globe for over three decades on stage and through television shows like The X-Files and Highlander and motion pictures like The Fly II. Shawn’s creativity and mastery has been acknowledged with virtually every award that the field has to offer. FISM (The International Federation of Magic Societies), the world’s largest magic organization, has awarded him both Stage Magician and Sleight of Hand Magician of the Year, making him the only magician in history to win both world championships. In 2009, at the Olympics of Magic in Beijing, China Shawn was awarded the highest award in magic, the Grand Prix World Championship. Socials Official film site - LostInTheShuffle.film IG/FB - @lostintheshufflemovie X - @LITS_movie LOST IN THE SHUFFLE (Jon Ornoy | 2024 | 100 mins | Documentary) In the hands of a skilled magician, a simple, everyday deck of cards transforms into a vessel of wonder and (im)possibility, so it’s little surprise that for almost as long as there have been cards, there have been card tricks. Seen through the eyes of some of the world’s best sleight-of-hand artists, Lost in the Shuffle is a multi-faceted look at this remarkable 400-year relationship that’s seen these simple playthings provide an endless source of miraculous inspiration for magicians throughout time. [more]

Following two sold out performances at the Rio Theatre in January, The East Van Laugh RioT is pleased to welcome comedian Sammy Obeid back to the stage – with all-new material! – on Friday, August 16 and Saturday, August 17. Friday, August 23 Doors 6:00 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. Early Bird Tickets $40+ s/c (Until May 26) Balcony (General Admission) $38 + s/c | $43 at the door Main Floor (Assigned Seating) $45+ s/c | $50 at the door VIP Meet n’ Greet (Rows 2-6, centre section) $60+ s/c | $65 at the door VVIP Meet n’ Greet (Front Row, centre section) $70+ s/c | $75 at the door Group Ticket Pricing (Minimum 4 / Online only) $40+ s/c Lebanese-Palestinian American and born in Oakland California, Sammy Obeid double-majored in Business and Mathematics at UC Berkeley and then turned down a job at Google to be a comedian. Now the host of 100 Humans on Netflix, he’s also appeared on NBC’s Last Comic Standing and America’s Got Talent, as well as TBS’s Conan, and is best known for his world record of performing comedy 1,001 nights in a row, a story featured in both Time Magazine and The New York Times. Connect on Instagram @sammyobeid Connect on Facebook Connect on TikTok @sammyobeidthem Connect on X @sammyobeid [more]

In the year 2056 - the not so distant future - an epidemic of organ failures devastates the planet. Out of the tragedy, a savior emerges: GeneCo, a biotech company that offers organ transplants, for a price. Those who miss their payments are scheduled for repossession and hunted by villainous Repo Men. In a world where surgery addicts are hooked on painkilling drugs and murder is sanctioned by law, a sheltered young girl searches for the cure to her own rare disease as well as information about her family's mysterious history. After being sucked into the haunting world of GeneCo, she is unable to turn back, as all of her questions will be answered at the wildly anticipated spectacular event: The Genetic Opera. With Paul Sorvino, Anthony Head, Alex Vega, Sarah Brightman, Paris Hilton. "The lowbrow and highfalutin' collide in an orgy of upscale disembowelment as director Darren Lynn Bousman gives uneasy birth to the gore opera." (The Georgia Straight) Friday, August 23 Doors 10:30 pm | Movie 11:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. Late Night Date Night! Friday Late Night Movies are two-for-one-entry! REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA (Darren Lynn Bousman, 2009 / 98 mins / 18A) A worldwide epidemic encourages a biotech company to launch an organ-financing program similar in nature to a standard car loan. The repossession clause is a killer, however. [more]

Following two sold out performances at the Rio Theatre in January, The East Van Laugh RioT is pleased to welcome comedian Sammy Obeid back to the stage – with all-new material! – on Friday, August 16 and Saturday, August 17. Saturday, August 24 Doors 5:00 pm | Show 6:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. Early Bird Tickets $40+ s/c (Until May 26) Balcony (General Admission) $38 + s/c | $43 at the door Main Floor (Assigned Seating) $45+ s/c | $50 at the door VIP Meet n’ Greet (Rows 2-6, centre section) $60+ s/c | $65 at the door VVIP Meet n’ Greet (Front Row, centre section) $70+ s/c | $75 at the door Group Ticket Pricing (Minimum 4 / Online only) $40+ s/c Lebanese-Palestinian American and born in Oakland California, Sammy Obeid double-majored in Business and Mathematics at UC Berkeley and then turned down a job at Google to be a comedian. Now the host of 100 Humans on Netflix, he’s also appeared on NBC’s Last Comic Standing and America’s Got Talent, as well as TBS’s Conan, and is best known for his world record of performing comedy 1,001 nights in a row, a story featured in both Time Magazine and The New York Times. Connect on Instagram @sammyobeid Connect on Facebook Connect on TikTok @sammyobeidthem Connect on X @sammyobeid [more]

The live, smash hit epic comedy THE CRITICAL HIT SHOW returns to the Rio Theatre's stage for another night of improv comedy gold on Wednesday, August 29. Prepare yourself for more monsters, medieval mirth, merriment, and... snacks. Now in its 12th year, THE CRITICAL HIT SHOW is bone fide East Van staple. Some of the City's best comedic performers grace the stage in a night featuring intrepid players on a gallant quest for comedy glory (and more snacks!) in a hilariously epic adventure. Spanning over 100 live performances in both Canada and the United States, two years of “at-home” streaming, and frequent festival appearances, THE CRITICAL HIT SHOW is one of the longest running comedy shows around. #DNDLive is an improvised adventure that takes its inspiration from tabletop role-playing games, fantasy film and TV, and (most importantly) you! Whether you’re a longtime fan, you’ve been enjoying our live streamed shows, or you’re brand new to THE CRITICAL HIT SHOW - you’re going to have a great time. Wednesday, August 28 Doors 6:15 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Please arrive on time. Start time subject to change. THE ADVENTURERS Eric Fell as The Dungeon Master Ian Boothby as Benoit the Anointed, the Half-Elf Cleric Joanna Gaskell as Freya, the Elf Warlock Barbara Beall as Ingrid, the Halfling Fighter Ellen MacNevin as Belle Strummer, the Half-Elf Ranger Allen Morrison as Spitz Lube’n, the Human Wizard Shaun Stewart as Brask Hellbeard, the Dwarf Bard More monsters! More Magic! More Mayhem! More Off-Brand soda! [more]

After coming out as a trans woman, world-record-holding gamer, Narcissa Wright loses her massive fanbase. To win them back, she attempts to set a new world record in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, while live-streaming every minute of her mythic quest. Drawing from an archive of more than 3,000 hours of Narcissa’s livestreams, intimate verite, and 8-bit animation, BREAK THE GAME is a moving exploration of gamer culture, the realities of online harassment, and the mental health implications of living a digital life. Tribeca Film Festival, Special Jury Mention for Best New Documentary Director "Director Jane M. Wagner takes audiences on an emotionally arresting journey through Narcissa’s innermost thoughts and desires, showcasing the duality of a passionate, dedicated gamer. Witnessing Narcissa’s journey reveals not only so much about humanity’s longing for a community but the fine line between support and dependency. Drawing from an archive of more than 3,000 hours of Narcissa’s live streams, intimate verité, and 8-bit animation, Break the Game is a moving exploration of gamer culture, the realities of online harassment, and the mental health implications of a life lived online." (Tribeca Film Festival) "As gaming becomes a more and more prominent aspect of modern-day youth culture, documentaries like “Break the Game” offer the human side of an ever-growing ecosystem too often reduced to pixels and memes. Needless to say, Twitch stream are more than frivolous obsessions to the people who follow them, and this documentary is poised to add a critical perspective to that conversation." (IndieWire) Wednesday, September 4 Doors 6:00 pm | Event 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. BREAK THE GAME (Jane M. Wagner, 2023 / 80 mins / NR) After coming out as trans, world-record-holding gamer, Narcissa Wright loses her massive fanbase. To win them back, she sets out to break a new record in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and live-stream every minute of her quest. [more]

Join Cherry OnTop and a crew of mouth watering performers as they show you all they have to offer, from the shine and sparkle of classic burlesque to the dark, dirty, and dangerous edge of neo burlesque. Every performer has different sides to their soul...join us as we reveal just how gorgeously twisted our cast can be... Saturday, September 14 Doors 8:15 pm | Show 9:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. Early Bird Tickets $25+ s/c (Limited Number Available!) Tickets $35+ s/c | $40 at the door Starring: Audrey Love (NYC) Genesis Holly Graphic Valentina Veneno Cherry OnTop with Gia Sangria, Chelsea Hart and Maverick and House of Grind Hosted by: Miss Kiss [more]

Following the huge success of its 2023 Canadian national tour, Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic is RETURNING IN 2024 by popular demand! See the rock spectacular that everyone RAVED about, bringing their big sound, big screens, crazy lighting and outlandish costumes back for a night of non-stop rock anthems, including Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, We Are the Champions, Radio GaGa, I Want to Break Free, Somebody to Love, Don’t Stop Me Now, Another One Bites the Dust and so many more. Featuring Dominic Warren reprising his role as ‘Freddie Mercury’ and performing vocals, piano and guitar all LIVE ON STAGE and in original key. Don’t miss the REAL ROCK EXPERIENCE, direct from Australia! Thursday, September 19 Doors 7:15 pm | Show 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. EARLYBIRD (Until July 21) Main Floor Assigned $59 + s/c Main Floor Assigned $69 + s/c Children under 13 years $40 + s/c Group of 6 $54 + s/c per ticket About Dominic Warren Born on the Eastern Cape of South Africa in 1992, Dominic Warren has spent his young life gathering musical experiences most young South Africans only dream of, commencing his vocal training as Head Chorister at Drakensberg Boys Choir, before continuing his training at Kearsney College and joining the prestigious South African Youth Choir. This culminated in Warren’s acute sense of musicality and a voice so warm, clear and mesmerizing that it was once described as “annoyingly good”. Career highlights include sharing stages with Luciano Pavarotti, Joshua Bell and the Soweto String Quartet, performing for Bishop Desmond TuTu, Bono and Saul Kerzner and touring to every corner of the globe from China, Japan and Taiwan to Germany, USA, Australia and New Zealand.  As of 2018, Warren now puts his extraordinary voice to epic use, singing some of the hardest vocal parts ever written, in his starring role as Freddie Mercury in Showtime Australia’s long-running hit stage show Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic. [more]

The Rio Theatre is excited to welcome comedian Hassan Phills to the stage on Sunday, November 3. Sunday, November 3 Doors 6:30 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. Balcony (General Admission) Tickets $30+ s/c | $35 at the door Main Floor (Assigned Seating) Tickets $40+ s/c | $45 at the door Hassan Phills is a standout comedian celebrated for his knack for dissecting everyday life through humour. With a blend of sharp observations and a charismatic stage presence, Hassan's comedy delves into cultural nuances and personal mishaps, offering audiences a fresh perspective on the world around them. His engaging delivery and witty punchlines have quickly made him a favourite among comedy enthusiasts who appreciate humour in all aspects of life. Hassan's journey into comedy began with a keen interest in the subtleties of human interaction and the absurdities of daily routines. His unique ability to transform mundane experiences into hilarious anecdotes sets him apart in the comedy scene. Whether he’s reflecting on the quirks of cultural identity or sharing stories of personal blunders, Hassan’s performances are always relatable, insightful, and incredibly funny. [more]

The Rio Theatre is pleased to welcome comedian Gareth Reynolds back to our stage on Thursday, November 7. Thursday, November 7 Doors 6:00 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. Advance Tickets $35+ s/c | $40 at the door VIP Tickets (Rows 1-3, centre section) $45+ s/c Early Bird Tickets $30+ s/c (Limited number available until July 15) Tickets on sale June 10 @ 10:00 am GARETH REYNOLDS is an internationally touring stand-up comedian whose brilliantly clever quips perfectly offset Dave Anthony’s hilarious snark on their smash-hit podcast The Dollop, which garners over 5 Million downloads every month. Gareth has written on ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, FLAKED and HOOPS for Netflix, as well as YOU’RE THE WORST on FX and I’M SORRY for truTV. Previous to that he wrote on the Comedy Central sitcom IDIOTSITTER, took the lead on ABC show HAIL MARY, and has been seen on IFC’s MARON. His debut stand-up album “Riddled With Disease” released Dec. 6 2019 on Comedy Dynamics and reached #1 on Billboard that week. Originally hailing from the sweet streets of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Gareth moved to Los Angeles where he began producing and writing his own material, eventually making shows at Comedy Central, The Travel Channel, and MTV He also has a cat named Jose. Instagram @reynoldsgareth TikTok @reynoldsgareth X @reynoldsgareth [more]

Irish comedian David Nihill graces the Rio Theatre's stage on Saturday, November 30 with his new show, "Shelf Help." Saturday, November 30 Doors 6:00 pm | Event 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. Balcony Seating (General Admission) $27+ s/c | $32 at the door Main Floor (Assigned Admission) $37+ s/c | $42 at the door Tickets on sale March 28 @ 10:00 am Leaving Dublin, Ireland where he was born and raised until the age of 22, David got drunk on travel and never quite hit sobriety of it. He has lived and worked in twelve countries and visited over seventy. His shows draw on his wide travels, cultural observations, attempts at language study, (occasional) international drinking session(s) and being a mildly confused immigrant. David is the winner of the prestigious annual San Francisco Comedy Competition, (previous finalists include Robin Williams, Ellen DeGeneres and Dana Carvey) and runner-up in the Moth’s largest US Grandslam storytelling competition. Also a bestselling writer, David recorded his debut special for Dry Bar Comedy in 2019 and has been featured on TED.com, Sirius XM, Just For Laughs, The Irish Independent, Inc, NPR, and the Huffington Post among others. A festival favorite, David's videos have also gone viral many times over with over 400 million views and a social following of over 1.5 million people. [more]

The East Van Laugh RioT welcomes comedian Jeff Dye to the Rio Theatre's stage on Friday, December 6. Friday, December 6 Doors 6:00 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time. Balcony (General Admission) $35+ s/c | $40 at the door Main Floor (Assigned Seating) $35+ s/c | $40 at the door About Jeff Dye Jeff Dye is a nationally touring comedian, actor, and host. Jeff shot over 100 episodes of a new FOX game show called "Who the Bleep is that?" and is currently filming his new comedy special, "The Last Cowboy in LA." Jeff starred in NBC's comedy adventure series "Better Late Than Never" and can be seen on episodes of "I Can See Your Voice" and "The Masked Singer" on Fox. Dye has performed multiple times on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and has his own "Comedy Central Presents" special. In previous years, he has starred on numerous TV projects, including "Money from Strangers," "Girl Code," "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," NBC's "I Can Do That," "Better Late Than Never," "That bAwkward Game Show" and numerous others. Jeff's last 2 albums "Dumb is Gooder" and "Live from Madison" is playing on Sirius XM and both are top 10 albums on the Billboard Comedy Charts. Jeff is a recurring guest on "The Greg Gutfeld Show" where he has received praise for his raw unfiltered comedic viewpoint, bringing a new style of edge and honesty. Dye's passion is bringing love and positivity through laughter WHILE maintaining truth to everyone he encounters. Connect with Jeff: FACEBOOK: @JeffDye TWITTER: @JeffDye INSTAGRAM: @JeffDye YOUTUBE: Jeff Dye [more]

This Rio Theatre gift certificate is good for entry to any single regular film screening. [more]

This Rio Theatre gift certificate is good for entry for two people to any single, regular screening and includes two medium popcorn bags, two medium fountain beverages, and two small candies. [more]

This Rio Theatre gift certificate is good for entry to any single regular screening and includes one medium popcorn, one medium fountain beverage, and one small candy. [more]