What we’re about
It's like book club, but for Movies!
Want to talk about movies with other movie nerds? Saw a great movie you gotta tell others about?
The Portland Movie Club meets regularly to talk about a movie we all watched, recommend great movies to each other, and decide on what to watch for the next discussion. We're open to all fans of film.
Membership is free, just join us for a beer or two and hang out!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- First Roles: "Dune" with Kyle McLaughlinLucky Labrador Brew Pub, Portland, OR
Join Portland Movie Club members Kyle and Victoria for the First Roles group discussion! This group focuses on the initial on-screen appearances of celebrated Hollywood icons. For this meeting, we will be discussing David Lynch's 1984 science-fiction cult classic "Dune," featuring Kyle McLaughlin in his initial on-screen film role as Paul Atreides.
Here's how it works:
- We'll meet at Lucky Lab at 5pm (map)--note the time change! There will be a Portland Movie Club sign at our table.
- Grab some food and drinks and we'll spend some time discussing this masterpiece with us (NOTE: Just like a book club, we watch the movie before we meet, streaming links below).
Movie Spotlight: "Dune"
David Lynch's "Dune" is a 1984 science fiction film based on Frank Herbert's novel of the same name. The story is set in the distant future and revolves around Paul Atreides, a young nobleman whose family accepts the stewardship of the desert planet Arrakis. Arrakis is the only source of a valuable substance known as "spice," which is essential for space travel and grants psychic abilities.As the Atreides family navigates political intrigue and betrayal, Paul discovers his unique destiny intertwined with the future of Arrakis and its inhabitants, the Fremen. The film delves into themes of power, prophecy, and survival in an unforgiving desert landscape.
David Lynch's "Dune" is known for its complex narrative, elaborate set designs, and unique visual style, making it a distinctive entry in the sci-fi genre.
"Dune" is available to be screened on Amazon Prine, AppleTV, and Max.
"Dune" is also playing at Cinema 21 on March 28th & March 29th.
Resources:
- Letterboxd
- IMDB
- Does the Dog Die
- On Discord? Join the Portland Movie Club!
Not open - Let's Go To the Movies: "Sinners"Needs location
Location still TBD
The only movie currently on theaters' schedules for Friday, May 2nd is the next MCU film "Thunderbolts." For those not interested in catching the next Marvel film, the Portland Movie Club is going to do some counter-programming and go watch the new Ryan Coogler-directed vampire film "Sinners" starring Michael B. Jordan. (Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes!)
RSVP if you'd like to meet up with others to go see "Sinners." And keep your eye on this event for updated theater & showtime, which will probably be posted by the end of this week!
- Giallo Spotlight: "The Fifth Cord"Needs location
Join Movie Club Member Kyle C. for the next movie in his giallo series.
Here's how it works:- We will be meeting at Dot's Cafe, 2521 SE Clinton St., on Sunday, May 4 from 4=6pm
- Grab some food and drinks and we'll spend some time discussing this masterpiece. (NOTE: Just like a book club, we watch the movie before we meet, streaming links below).
Movie Spotlight:
The Fifth Cord (1971) is a stylish Italian giallo thriller that follows a hard-edged journalist-turned-detective investigating a series of brutal murders. As he delves deeper into the case, he finds himself entangled in a web of deceit, danger, and paranoia, with each new discovery pushing him closer to both the truth and his own unraveling.Set against a moody, noir-like backdrop, the film masterfully blends suspenseful cinematography, psychological tension, and an atmospheric score to create a gripping mystery. The protagonist’s personal struggles add an extra layer of complexity, making his pursuit of justice as much about redemption as resolution.
Tips:
- Haven't seen the movie in a while? You're in for a treat - try to watch the movie sometime before we meet (Streaming Options). Just like a book club we don't watch the movie at our meetup, just discuss it. You don't have to watch the movie to join us, but it'll be more fun if you can
- I usually take a few notes while I watch to keep from forgetting the most interesting stuff. If you think of some interesting discussion topics while you watch, bring 'em with you!
- We'll decide on our next giallo movie to watch! Come with suggestions.
Are you not that familiar with the giallo genre? Read the Wikipedia entry to learn more. Is there a giallo you'd like to propose the group watch and discuss next? Here's a comprehensive list of Italian giallos along with films influenced by the genre. Maybe there's a film you've heard about but needed an excuse to see--come join us for discussion & make a suggestion!
Coming to the group for the first time, but interested in movies previously watched & discussed? Here's a list of all previous giallos watched and discussed by the group (with group rating)!
On Discord? Join the Portland Movie Club!
- Political Films Meet-Up: HARLAN COUNTY USALucky Labrador Brew Pub, Portland, OR
Political Films Meet-Up: HARLAN COUNTY USA
Let’s talk about movies! Join movie club member Clay V. for the next film in our Political Films series with "HARLAN COUNTY USA" (1976). Cited by many as one of the greatest American documentary films, winning the Academy Award for Best Documentary, it covers the 1973 strike by as many as 180 coal miners and their spouses against the Eastover Coal Company's Brookside Mine and Prep Plant.
Here's how The Portland Movie Club Meet-Ups work:
- Just like a book club, we watch the movie before we meet.
- We'll meet at Lucky Lab at 4pm (map) on the scheduled day & date. We'll typically have a sign at our table(s) but at least we'll try to be obvious and identifiable.
- Grab some food and drinks and spend some time socializing and discussing this movie with us.
Directed and produced by filmmaker Barbara Kopple, a former VISTA volunteer, who had worked on other documentaries and had earned a reputation as an advocate of workers' rights. She had originally planned on chronicling the Kenzie Miners for Democracy and their attempt to unseat the head of the UMWA. But the concurrent strike in Harlan County provided her with the opportunity to assist the miners in organizing and offered a more vital subject for her in-the-works documentary.
She ultimately spent four years completing the film, living with the families of the miners and following them to picket in front of the Stock Exchange in New York City, filming interviews with people affected by black lung disease, depicting the dire conditions they worked and lived in, and capturing on film the miners being shot at while striking.
Viewing Options for “Harlan County USA”
Streaming options are currently reported to include Amazon Prime, Max, The Roku Channel, Hulu and The Criterion Collection app. The film has been made available on DVD as part of The Criterion Collection and is still readily available. This should be an easy title to locate and view.
About Political Films
This series is based on the New Republic article, "The 100 Most Significant Political Films of All Time" published in June 2023 and is a comprehensive list of films that speak to our relationships with government, war, bureaucracy, politics and politicians, crime, propaganda, classism, and more. The list is not intended to be a collection of the 'best' films, but the most significant (although many of them are also very good). Some of these films can be a challenging watch, I'd suggest www.doesthedogdie.com for content warnings.
Tips:
- Haven't seen the movie in a while? You're in for a treat - try to watch the movie sometime before we meet. Just like a book club we don't watch the movie at our meetup, we just discuss it after we’ve seen it. You don't have to watch the movie to join us, but it'll be more fun if you can.
- I usually take a few notes while I watch to keep from forgetting the most interesting stuff. If you think of some interesting discussion topics while you watch, bring 'em with you!
- Typically, at the Meet-Up we'll decide on our next political film to watch! Take a look at the list linked above for options to consider for the next film.
Previous films viewed by “Political Films” Meet-up members for group discussion have included “Judas And The Black Messiah,” "Medium Cool," “The President’s Analyst,” “Marat / Sade,” “On The Waterfront,” “The Great McGinty,” “Seven Days In May,” “The Candidate,” “The Act of Killing,” “The Battle Of Algiers,” “All The President’s Men,” “How To Blow Up A Pipeline,” “Do The Right Thing,” “Malcolm X,” “A Face In The Crowd,” and “Dr. Strangelove.”
