Portland Movie Club

I know I'm an organizer and I know that I *should* use the Meetup app, but I don't have it on my phone because it's clunky and annoying and it's tied to Facebook, which I refuse to have on my phone. The best way to send messages for coordination purposes is to join the Portland Movie Club's Discord and you can post under "Group Activites" or I'm fine if you send me messages directly.

Looking forward to watching this movie with everyone!

Also: there's a later screening at 9pm for those unable to make the 9:15pm showing.

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!

1. 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
2. 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!
3. 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!

1. Just like a book club, we watch the movie before we meet.
2. 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.
3. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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!
3. 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.”

1. Watch the movie on your own before we discuss, streaming links below.
2. Then, we'll all meet at Lucky Lab on SE Hawthorne at 4pm (map), there will be a sign at our table.
3. Grab some food and drinks and we'll spend some time discussing this masterpiece.

Movie Spotlight: Onibaba
Onibaba is a 1964 historical horror film directed by Kaneto Shindō about two women forced to survive war torn Japan by robbing and killing wandering samurai. When a former neighbor returns from the war, he disturbs their bleak and desperate existence and causes sexual jealousy that upends the formerly strong bond between the women with disastrous consequences.

A classic of Japanese cinema, Onibaba is known for its fantastic visuals, chilling horror, eroticism, and social commentary. The film won cinematographer Kiyoma Kuroda and actor Jitsuko Yoshimura awards at the 1965 Blue Ribbon Awards.

Tips:

1. 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 do not watch the movie at our meetup, we just discuss it. You do not have to watch the movie to join us, but it'll be more fun if you can.
2. 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 them with you!

Resources:

• Letterboxd Page
• Follow Jennifer on Letterboxd