In 2009, Circle Cinema programmers Joshua Blevins Peck and David Nofire had an idea for a different kind of mini-film festival dubbed "Slumber Party." For the discount price of $20, adventurous horror film lovers (possessed of stamina) could lock themselves in the cool, dark confines of the Circle and enjoy an epic, all-nighter of eclectically shocking and creepy selections picked especially for fans. The catch? Most of the films were kept a secret.

"Last year our 'known' movie was the (at the time brand new) film print of the director's cut of Evil Dead and we did four 'surprise' movies," said the Circle's midnight movie programmer Joshua Blevins Peck. "So people had no clue."

To their delight both events quickly sold out despite the mystery and the dauntingly scheduled slate of films that ticket-buyers bought into. "(The last movie for 2010) was Alligator," Peck said. "We make the fifth movie kind of a no-brainer where you don't have to think very much because everyone's so tired. It starts around 6am"

Forget that Alligator was penned by screenwriting legend John Sayles and directed by Lewis Teague (Navy SEALS!). If Peck and Nofire ever institute the joked-about policy of pranking people who fall asleep during the night, even drowsy film anthropologists will be grateful for the coffee that comes with Slumber Party's half-priced concessions. The cream in their cup? Those that stay till dawn (and awake) get a $5 refund.

Now in its third year the challenge is the same, but Peck and Nofire decided to do something fresh for 2011. Slumber Party 3: Payback is going for all-out revenge -- literally.

"This year, since we did two horror ones ... we decided let's change it up a little bit." Peck said of the new theme. "Before we even did Slumber Party 2 we said we should do one of revenge movies. One of the obvious ones was Rolling Thunder (the under seen, Paul Schrader-penned, classic starring Tommy Lee Jones and William Devane), so we got a film print of that."

But if the name Charles Bronson also sprang to mind you won't be disappointed. Death Wish 3 has you covered. And if you're staggeringly weird enough to think of Linda Blair "as a tough, high school girl gang leader and Aquanet fiend" in 1984's Savage Streets, then you're likely to be goddamn delighted.

Beginning at 10pm on Saturday, July 30th and running through 8am that Sunday, the Slumber Party 3: Payback event offers a roster of five films, two secret, buffered by some vintage trailers culled by Nofire, with "revenge" in their titles. Expect some less-than-obvious choices in all their celluloid glory.

In keeping with the serving temperature of vengeance, free popsicles will be available all night and Mod's Coffee and Crepes will be serving complimentary gelato after Rolling Thunder. For those that make it through to morning, bagels from Old School Bagels will be on hand. Stay alert for other freebies throughout the night.

Additionally, the event's gorgeous poster by Tulsa artist Denny Schmickle will be available for purchase on 18x24 screen prints.

Slumber Party 3: Payback begins at 10pm, Saturday, July 30 at the Circle Cinema. Tickets are still available and still $20 --with a $5 refund for those with true grit (no pun intended). Ticketing information can be found at www.circlecinema.com/tickets or call 918-585-3504.

And don't forget your pillow.