Comic and collectable toy shop Astro-Zombies in Nob Hill is hosting an awesome “Nightmare After Christmas” event this Saturday, Jan. 9. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., cult actor Sid Haig will be at the store meeting his fans and signing autographs. You can buy photos, figures and DVDs at the store and get them signed for free. If you bring your own stuff, there is a small fee. Recent cult film converts will recognize Haig from his work on Rob Zombie’s films—appearing as the creepy killer Captain Spaulding in House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil’s Rejects and doing some fine cameo work in the Halloween remake. Quentin Tarantino is also a fan, having cast Haig in both Jackie Brown and Kill Bill: Vol. 2 . Longtime watchers of the weird have seen him in dozens of TV shows (including a fun run as the villainous Dragos on “Jason of Star Command”) and a string of memorable ’70s exploitation flicks with director Jack Hill ( Spider Baby, The Big Doll House, The Big Bird Cage, Coffy, Foxy Brown ). Astro-Zombies promises this is just the first of many special in-store appearances slated for 2010. Astro-Zombies is located at 3100 Central SE.
Reel World: Cinema From Spain Cinema From Spain
The National Hispanic Cultural Center and Instituto Cervantes are starting up another multiweek selection of free film screenings. The second annual Óperas Primeras film series kicks off this Thursday, Jan. 7, and runs every Thursday through Feb. 18. The series is intended to highlight first works by fresh young directors in the Latin world—most of which have not been widely distributed. The first film to be spotlighted is Pilar Ruiz Gutiérrez’ 2004 film Los Nombres de Alicia . The film follows a mysterious English teacher who bewitches the members of a quiet provincial household. On Jan. 14, it’s the Spanish/Cuban immigrant drama Agua con Sal . On Jan. 21, it’s the romantic drama Amor en Defensa Propia . All films are in Spanish with English subtitles. For a complete listing, log on to albuquerque.cervantes.es. All screenings take place in the NHCC’s Bank of America Theater (1701 Fourth Street SW).
