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- The Camera Eye discussion: 28 DAYS LATERBreakside Brewery - Beaverton , Beaverton , OR
The Camera Eye discussion: 28 DAYS LATER
Join Movie Club member Jake Brown for the very first film in his series highlighting great cinematography in motion pictures: 2002's "28 Days Later." The movie reignited the zombie genre, kicking off Cillian Murphy’s extensive career in the process. It's also renowned as a monumental leap in cinematography, utilizing low-resolution, standard definition (SD) digital camcorders for all scenes…except two (can you spot them both?), an unheard-of approach to storytelling on this scale. (For reference, traditional 35mm films of the past century—and modern 4K movies—were a whopping 24 times the resolution of this risky, new format. Don’t worry, it looks breathtaking.)Please note a change from both our typical location and time and day. This will be our inaugural West Side Meet-up occurring in Beaverton instead of Central or East Side Portland. More will shortly follow!
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 Breakside Brewery in Beaverton at 2pm on the scheduled day & date. We'll have a sign at our table(s), but we'll also try to be obvious and identifiable.
- Grab some food, some drinks, and spend some time socializing/discussing this movie with us!
A few notes about "28 Days Later"
From Letterboxd: “Twenty-eight days after a killer virus was accidentally unleashed from a British research facility, a small group of London survivors are caught in a desperate struggle to protect themselves from the infected. Carried by animals and humans, the virus turns those it infects into homicidal maniacs – and it’s absolutely impossible to contain.”The film was directed by Danny Boyle, written by Alex Garland, and captured by cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle. While the sequel “28 Weeks Later” was helmed by a slightly different team, Boyle, Garland, and Mantle are all back for 2025’s third release in the series, “28 Years Later.”
Tips:
- Haven't seen the film in a while? You're in for a treat! Try watching it sometime before we meet. Just like a book club, we don't watch the movies at our meet-up, just discuss them. You don't have to watch one to join us, but it'll be more fun if you can.
- Taking notes can help to remember the most interesting things. If you think of some good discussion topics while you watch, bring 'em with you!
Viewing Options for “28 Days Later”
Streaming options include Pluto TV (with ads), along with additional for-purchase/rental options at Apple TV, Amazon Prime, YouTube, and the Microsoft Store.“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 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! - Stanley Kubrick: Paths of Glory DiscussionLucky Labrador Brew Pub, Portland, OR
Join movie club member Nick M for the next film in a series focusing on the works of Stanley Kubrick! Responsible for films like 2001: A Space Odessey, Full Metal Jacket, and The Shining; he influenced directors like Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Woody Allen, George Lucas, and Paul Thomas Anderson. The next film we're looking at is Paths of Glory (1957). Here's how it works:
- We'll meet at Lucky Lab in SE at 4pm (map), we'll have a sign at our table (be sure to check outside just in case the weather is nice).
- Grab a drink and we'll spend some time discussing the film with us (NOTE: Just like a book club, we watch the movie before we meet, streaming links below).
Movie Spotlight: Paths of Glory
Paths of Glory is a 1957 American anti-war film directed by Stanley Kubrick, based on the novel of the same name by Humphrey Cobb. The film is set during World War I and tells the story of Colonel Dax, a French army officer who is ordered to lead a suicidal attack on a German position. When the attack fails, Dax is forced to defend three of his soldiers who are accused of cowardice and face a court-martial. The film explores themes of military bureaucracy, the psychological effects of war, and the dehumanizing nature of military discipline.The film received widespread critical acclaim and is now considered a classic of American cinema. Paths of Glory was nominated for one Academy Award, for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium, and although it did not win, it has since been recognized as one of the greatest films of all time. In 1992, the film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, and it has been named as one of the greatest films of all time by numerous publications, including Sight & Sound and Rolling Stone. The film's influence can still be seen in many modern war movies, and its powerful anti-war message continues to resonate with audiences today.
About Stanley Kubrick
Stanley Kubrick (1928–1999) was an American filmmaker and photographer, widely regarded as one of the greatest directors of all time. Born and raised in New York City, Kubrick displayed a keen interest in literature, photography, and film from a young age. After graduating from high school, he taught himself all aspects of film production and direction. His films spanned various genres and were often adaptations of novels or short stories. Kubrick’s meticulous attention to detail, innovative cinematography, extensive set design, and dark humor set him apart. Notable works include “Paths of Glory” (1957), an anti-war film, and the historical epic “Spartacus” (1960), both collaborations with actor Kirk Douglas. In 1961, Kubrick left the U.S., settling in England, where he continued to create groundbreaking films. His science fiction masterpiece “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968) earned him an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and is considered one of the greatest films ever made.Kubrick’s artistic control extended to writing, editing, color grading, promotion, and exhibition. His perfectionism led to painstaking research, innovative staging, and multiple retakes of scenes, sometimes frustrating his actors. His legacy endures through films that broke new ground, leaving an indelible mark on cinema.
You can use 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 (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!
Movie Resources:
- Giallo spotlight: "Santa Sangre"Dot's Cafe, Portland, OR
Santa Sangre (1989), directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky, is a surreal psychological horror film that blends circus spectacle, religious symbolism, and psychological trauma into a haunting cinematic experience. The story follows Fenix, a young man raised in a traveling circus, whose troubled past resurfaces after a period of institutionalization. As he reconnects with his memories—and with a powerful maternal figure—he’s drawn into a nightmarish journey that blurs the line between reality and delusion.
While Santa Sangre isn’t a traditional giallo, it shares several key traits with the genre: stylized violence, psychological instability, and a mystery rooted in trauma. The film’s Italian co-production (with Claudio Argento, brother of giallo maestro Dario Argento, as producer) also ties it to the giallo lineage. Like many gialli, it features a protagonist with fragmented memories, vivid color palettes, and a series of grotesque murders that are as symbolic as they are shocking.
What sets it apart is Jodorowsky’s signature surrealism—less whodunit, more what is reality. It’s like a giallo filtered through a dream logic lens, with echoes of The Hands of Orlac and Deep Red, but also something uniquely mythic and operatic.
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)!
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