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September 13, 2017 The Skanner Page 7 Arts & Entertainment FILM REVIEW: Kids Hunt Killer Clown in Creepy Adaptation of ‘It’ By Kam Williams For The Skanner News W ritten by master of suspense Stephen King, “It” was the bestselling book in the U.S. during 1986. The riv- eting pageturner was set in de- ceptively serene Derry, Maine, where a sadistic clown living underground in the sewers disrupted the peace of the pic- turesque city by preying pri- marily on children. In 1990, King’s 1,184-page opus was turned into an Em- my-winning miniseries star- ring Tim Curry in the title role of It, better known as Penny- wise. Now, the novel has been fairly-faithfully adapted to the big screen with Bill Skarsgard playing the demonic harle- quin. As the fi lm unfolds in the fall of 1988, we fi nd 11-year-old Bill Denbrough (Jaeden Lieberher) busy building a small sailboat for his little brother, George (Jackson Robert Scott). One can’t help but notice a pair of observing eyes glowing omi- nously from a darkened cor- ner of the spacious basement. Then, during a heavy down- pour, a grateful George launch- “ ...A macabre masterpiece that will con- tinue to haunt you long aft er you leave the theater es his new toy in the freshet fl owing along the gutter in front of his house. The “S.S. George” fl oats to the corner of the block where it is promptly swallowed by the sewer. And when the unsuspect- ing kid peers down the storm drain to retrieve it, he is greet- ed by an ingratiating stranger who playfully introduces him- self as Pennywise, the Dancing Clown. Aft er being promised a balloon, popcorn and the re- turn of his boat, George lets his guard down long enough to be dragged into the sewer, leaving behind only a blood- stained street. Fast-forward to the last day of the school year. Still-griev- ing Bill is now the leader of the Losers Club, a motley crew of social outcasts who decide to spend their summer vacation solving George’s mysterious disappearance. Of course, they have no idea they’re up against a formidable foe in the elusive, shape-shift ing Pennywise. Instead of apprehending the perpetrator, the body count merely continues to rise as other names are added to the Missing Persons list. Eerie atmospherics, a talented en- semble of adolescent actors and the creepiest clown since The “Losers Club” in ‘It’ Heath Ledger’s Joker combine to create a macabre master- piece that will continue to haunt you long aft er you leave the theater. I can’t pass a sewer anymore without half-expecting Penny- wise’s frightening face to ap- pear! Excellent Rated R for violence, profanity and bloody images Running time: 135 minutes Production Studio: New Line Cinema Distributor: Warner Brothers Pictures To see a trailer for It, visit: TheSkanner.com. F R E E M OV I E S C R E E N I N G wake of vanport Digital narratives and storytelling from fl ood survivors and residents FRIDAY, SEPT. 29, 2017 • 1 PM KENNEDY SCHOOL THEATER 5736 N.E. 33rd Ave., Portland, OR Free to the public. Limited seating. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Together, this touching collection of truly heartfelt remembrances paint a poignant portrait of a short-lived, idyllic oasis —Movie Critic Kam Williams REGISTER ONLINE AT https://wake-of-vanport.eventbrite.com PHOTO: Survivors gather on high ground to watch the destruction of Vanport. May 30, 1948. Photo by Allen deLay (1915-2005) ©Thomas Robinson ESSAY CONTEST 2 WINNERS CHOSEN What are the Lessons You’ve Learned from Vanport? Submit an essay telling us, in your own words, what you have learned about the lost city of Vanport and the fl ood that destroyed it T WO $1,00 WIN 0 NERS Essays must be no more than 700 words and will be judged by The Skanner editorial staff . Two winners will be chosen. $1,000 will be given to the writer of each winning essay at “The Wake of Vanport” event on September 29, 2017 at The Kennedy School Theater beginning at 1:00 p.m. Participants must be present at the event to win. Submit essays by email to frontdesk@theskanner.com. Include your full name, email and phone number with your entry. Deadline to submit entries is September 20, 2017. One entry per person. Contest is open to all ages. SPONSORED BY: The Skanner Foundation • North Portland Multimedia Training Center (NPMTC) Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission • Portland Community Media The Regional Arts and Culture Council • The Oregon Historical Society The National Endowment for the Arts: Art Works • The Hollywood Theatre