The annual Cinepocalypse event returns to the Music Box Theatre in Chicago from June 13-20 (check out this year’s lineup), and there’s one screening this year we cannot wait for.

Back in 1994, one year after the release of Jurassic Park, a movie called Tammy and the T-Rex came along, the sort of so-bad-it’s-good gem that has become something of a cult classic over the years. The version of the film we’ve all seen is rated PG-13, but as it turns out, an R rated “gore cut” has just been found after all these years… and it’s screening at Cinepocalypse!

Yes, the newly-unearthed 35mm print will be screening for the *very first time* at the event.

In the Stewart Raffill-directed Tammy and the T-Rex, starring Denise Richards as Tammy and an animatronic dinosaur as, well, the T-Rex, “An evil scientist implants the brain of Michael, a murdered high school student, into a Tyrannosaurus. He escapes, wreaks vengeance on his high school tormentors and is reunited with his sweetheart Tammy.”

The late Paul Walker also starred in the sci-fi/comedy! Check out this brand new promo created for the event with more event news below.

AIRHEADS!

It’s all been building up to this! Twenty-five years after Chazz, Rex, & Pip shred our minds and held us hostage with squirt guns, The Lone Rangers are back on the big screen in AIRHEADS—screening from a rare 35mm print, possibly for the first time since its initial 1994 release! Brendan Fraser—effortlessly sporting luscious metalhead locks to end them all—Steve Buscemi and Adam Sandler are three lovable buffoons on a mission to get their band’s demo played on the radio at any cost.

This spoof of heavy-metal culture (fitting seamlessly into our most metal year yet!) that also respects the vitality and pent-up passion behind it features a powerhouse supporting cast from the likes of Chris Farley, Chicago’s own Joe Mantegna, Michael McKean, Ernie Hudson, David Arquette, Judd Nelson, and so many more.

“AIRHEADS has always been a favorite of mine and was the most fun movie to make… ever!” says director Michael Lehmann (Heathers), who will proudly be there for our Closing Night screening. “Can’t wait to see all three Lone Rangers and Lemmy rock the big screen again. Turn it up!”

Print courtesy of the Phil Blankenship collection at the Academy Film Archive

JOE BOB BRIGGS!

John Bloom, best known as his alter ego, “Joe Bob Briggs”, is a nationally syndicated “drive-in movie critic” whose wisecracking take on B-movies was featured on two long-running late-night television shows, first on The Movie Channel and then on TNT. That tradition continues with his latest series, The Last Drive-In, currently featured on AMC’s Shudder streaming platform.

We’re beyond thrilled to bring Briggs to CFF for a rare Chicago appearance on June 18th to host a very special event, HOW REDNECKS SAVED HOLLYWOOD – a fast-and-furious two hours with America’s drive-in movie critic where he dives into the history of rednecks in America, as told through the classics of both grindhouse and mainstream movies.

Festival badges and individual tickets are available now at cinepocalypsegenrefest.com