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- Giallo spotlight: "Lizard in a Woman's Skin"Cult Classics, Portland, OR
## Details
Join Movie Club Member Kyle C. for the next movie in his giallo series.
Here's how it works:- We will be meeting at Cult Classics, 1308 SE Morrison St., on Sunday, September 7 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:
A Lizard in Woman's Skin (1970): Set in a dreamlike version of London, this psychological thriller follows Carol Hammond, the daughter of a prominent politician, who is plagued by vivid, surreal nightmares involving her decadent neighbor, Julia Durer. As Carol undergoes psychoanalysis to understand the disturbing visions—filled with psychedelic imagery, sensuality, and violence—her dreams begin to blur with reality.When a shocking crime mirrors one of her dreams, Carol finds herself entangled in a web of suspicion, repression, and unraveling sanity. The film explores themes of desire, guilt, and the subconscious, all wrapped in the stylish, unsettling atmosphere of Italian giallo cinema.
Directed by Lucio Fulci and scored by Ennio Morricone, the film is a haunting blend of mystery and surrealism, with a tone that’s both erotic and eerie. It’s a standout in the giallo genre for its psychological depth and visual flair.
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!
- Cult Films Meet-Up: David Cronenberg's RABIDBreakside Brewery, Beaverton, OR
Portland Movie Club Meet-Up - Spotlight on David Cronenberg's RABID
Let's talk about movies! Join Movie Club Members David J. and Catherine O. for David Cronenberg’s “Rabid” (1977). It was the writer-director’s second commercial film, produced by none other than Ivan Reitman (future director of mainstream Hollywood hits “Stripes” and “Ghostbusters”), and starring in a notable choice adult film star Marilyn Chambers.Here's how it works:
1. Just like a book club, we watch the movie before we meet.
2. We'll meet at Breakside Brewery in Beaverton, OR at 4pm. We'll have signs at our tables, but we'll also try to be obvious and identifiable. Please note this is a change in venue from many of our previously scheduled Sunday Meet-Up events.
3. Grab some food and drinks and spend some enjoyable time discussing this masterpiece with us.A little about RABID:
This low budget, independent Canadian shocker was an original work by Cronenberg, and one of the formative building blocks in his reputation as the creator of the "body-horror" sub-genre. The aftermath of an experimental surgery to save a biker’s life and repair her burn-damaged flesh results in skin grafts taking on a life of their own – producing a parasite which spreads contagion throughout an unprepared population. “Rabid” can also be read alongside George Romero’s “The Crazies” as a pivotal early entry in both zombie-adjacent and plague sub-genres in the horror canon – as well as a fascinating look at unregulated experimentation by reckless male scientists on the female form.David Cronenberg has told a story associated with the making of “Rabid,” relaying that his landlady, upon finding out that he’d directed a movie starring what she believed to be a notorious adult film actress, promptly evicted him. He got back at her by moving into another house just across the street – so she’d still have to watch him living in her neighborhood every day. Since such a knee-jerk reaction to the reputation of adult film stars and/or sex workers isn’t uncommon, we’d like to request that everyone attending this Meet-Up be respectful of the sex-work industry and not disrespect or ridicule those associated with such work, or the work itself. We are not here to demean our friends or associates or their friends or associates.
Here's a suggestion from our co-host Catherine O.: Ready for a double feature? Try watching and comparing the themes in this movie to “Raw,” made in 2016 by director Julia Ducornau. She is perhaps better known for the 2021 Cannes Film Festival prize winner “Titane.”
Viewing Options
Streaming options are reported to include Amazon Prime, Tubi, Plex, Pluto and a wide variety of services. There have been numerous Blu-ray and DVD releases that should be easy to find for sale online or for rental at an outlet like Movie Madness. This title should be easy to find.About Cult Films
Sometimes good, almost always interesting, and only somewhat definable. This very special category of cinema is known for its dedicated fanbases, high-camp kitsch, transgressive ideas, counterculture perspectives, polarized reception, and sometimes for artfulness, but far more often for obscurity. Many cult films exist at the borderline between art and exploitation.While Cult Films typically defy mainstream criticism, they are rich candidates for open-minded entertainment and interpretation, viewed through a lens that emphasizes their unique perspectives regardless of their financial success or failure.
Tips
- Haven't seen the movie in a while? You're in for a treat - try to watch the movie sometime before we meet. You don't have to watch the movie to join us, but it'll be more fun if you can
- Many of the regularly attending members casually take a few notes while watching to keep from forgetting the most interesting stuff. If you think of some interesting discussion topics while you watch, bring 'em with you!
Previous titles viewed by our Cult Film Meet-up members for group discussion have included “Barbarella,” “Fantastic Planet,” “The Brain That Wouldn't Die," Takashi Miike's "Audition," “Daisies,” “Jennifer’s Body,” “The Human Tornado,” “Eraserhead,” “The Love Witch,” “Plan 9 From Outer Space,” “Phantom of The Paradise,” as well as David Cronenberg’s “Videodrome” and "The Brood."
The Portland Movie Club is on Discord!
Are you on Discord? Join the Portland Movie Club! - LGBTQ+ Cinema Discussion: MYSTERIOUS SKINLucky Labrador Brew Pub, Portland, OR
Movie Spotlight on "MYSTERIOUS SKIN"
Join Movie Club Member Elliot J. for the next movie in their series highlighting LGBTQ+ films featuring "Mysterious Skin" from 2004 directed by Gregg Araki, based on Scott Heim's novel, which delves into the lives of two boys powerfully affected by childhood trauma.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.
A few notes about "MYSTERIOUS SKIN"
Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars in the film as teenage boy Neil, who works as a sex worker and is discovering his sexuality, which is further complicated by the trauma he endured as a young child. His acquaintance, Brian, played by Brady Corbett, obsessively learns about alien abductions, believing he has been the victim of one of these kidnappings.Mysterious Skin premiered at the 61st Venice International Film Festival in September 2004. Psychologists reportedly have praised the film for an honest and mature depiction of the long-term effects of child sex abuse.
Trigger Warning Alert: We suggest caution when viewing the film as it features scenes which could possibly be triggers – including childhood sexual assault and graphic violence.
Viewing Options:
Streaming options reportedly include Amazon, Fandango At Home and Strand Releasing. A region A (United States) Blu-ray release identified as a “Director’s Special Edition” is available from Strand Home Video.LGBTQ+ Portland Movie Club Meet-Up Cinema Series
LGBTQ+ characters and themes have been present throughout film history dating back to pre-Hays Code era. The relationship between film and the LGBTQ+ community has had its ups and downs over the years and has been continually changing. This discussion group will highlight some key films that mark these changes and shed light upon the vast selection of LGBTQ+ films which cinema has to offer.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, 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!
Some of the films previously viewed and discussed in this series of PMC Meet-Ups have included ‘Portrait Of A Lady On Fire,” “Sleepaway Camp,” Gregg Araki’s “The Doom Generation” and “Nowhere,” “But I’m A Cheerleader,” “I Saw The TV Glow,” “Tangerine,” “Dog Day Afternoon,” Gus Van Sant's "My Own Private Idaho" and the documentary “Paris Is Burning.”
The Portland Movie Club is on Discord!
Are you on Discord? Join the Portland Movie Club! - The Camera Eye discussion: THERE WILL BE BLOODBreakside Brewery, Beaverton, OR
The Camera Eye discussion: THERE WILL BE BLOOD
Join Movie Club member Jake Brown for the next film in his series highlighting great cinematography in motion pictures: 2007's vicious portrait of greed, faith, and opportunity in the early-20th-century American West, There Will Be Blood. Written and directed by renowned visual storyteller Paul Thomas Anderson, the film stars Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Dano, incorporating the cinematography talents of longtime collaborator Robert Elswit, who captured every merciless moment on eye-popping anamorphic 35mm film in a wide, 2.39:1 aspect ratio.About There Will Be Blood
From Letterboxd: "Ruthless silver miner, turned oil prospector, Daniel Plainview, moves to oil-rich California. Using his son to project a trustworthy, family-man image, Plainview cons local landowners into selling him their valuable properties for a pittance. However, local preacher Eli Sunday suspects Plainview’s motives and intentions, starting a slow-burning feud that threatens both their lives."Viewing Options for There Will Be Blood
Streaming options include Kanopy, Hoopla, and a low-quality version on Archive.org (which I obviously wouldn't recommend for that very reason), with additional for-purchase/rental options at Amazon and Apple TV.“The Camera Eye” Portland Movie Club Meet-Up Series
Whether 35mm film, 70mm, 16, Super 8, or digital, we want to celebrate the greatest shots in cinema history. This isn’t just about cameras and lenses, though. It’s framing, lighting, blocking, acting, makeup, costumes, location, set design, and so much more. Of course, cinematography is just a jumping-off point. What about sound design, characters, and most important of all, the story? Let’s discuss!Here's how the Portland Movie Club Meet-Ups work
- Just like a book club, we watch the movie before we meet. (Try watching it even if you've already seen it before. You don't have to watch one to join us, but it'll be more fun that way. Also, try taking notes to help remember the most interesting parts, and bring 'em with you if you can!)
- We'll meet at Breakside Brewery in Beaverton at 2pm on the scheduled date. We'll have signs at our tables, but we'll also try to be obvious and identifiable.
- Grab some food, some drinks, and spend time socializing/discussing this movie with us!
Are you on Discord? Join the Portland Movie Club!
