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- 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!
- First Roles: "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" with Brad Dourif & Chris LloydLucky Labrador Brew Pub, Portland, OR
Join Portland Movie Club members Kyle and Crystal for the First Roles group discussion! This group focuses on the initial on-screen appearances of celebrated Hollywood icons. For this meeting we will discuss Milos Forman's 1975 classic "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," which along with an iconic performance from Jack Nicholson also includes the onscreen debut of Brad Dourif--who received an Oscar nomination--and Christopher Lloyd.
Here's how it works:
- Watch the movie on your own (or with friends!) Steeaming options include Amazon Prime and AppleTV.
- We'll meet at Lucky Lab at 4pm (map) 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.
Movie Spotlight: "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"
Directed by Miloš Forman, this acclaimed drama centers on Randle P. McMurphy, a spirited and rebellious man who fakes insanity to serve his sentence in a mental institution rather than prison. Once inside, he encounters a ward dominated by the cold and controlling Nurse Ratched, whose strict routines suppress the individuality of the patients.McMurphy’s arrival disrupts the status quo, as his charisma and defiance begin to awaken a sense of agency and camaraderie among the other residents. Through humor, confrontation, and unexpected tenderness, the film explores themes of freedom, institutional power, and the resilience of the human spirit.
The film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Jack Nicholson), Best Actress (Louise Fletcher), and Best Adapted Screenplay. It remains a powerful and emotionally resonant portrait of rebellion and dignity.
Featured First Roles:
Brad Dourif -- Earned an Oscar nomination for this role in this film; later voiced Chucky and played Gríma Wormtongue in The Lord of the RingsChristopher Lloyd -- This was his first film role; he later became iconic as Doc Brown in Back to the Future
And although not his film debut, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest includes an early performance by Danny Devito as Martini. DeVito later starred in Taxi, Batman Returns, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
On Discord? Join the Portland Movie Club!
- Political Films Meet-Up: THE CONFORMISTLucky Labrador Brew Pub, Portland, OR
Political Films Meet-Up: THE CONFORMIST
Let’s talk about movies! Join movie club member Clay V. for the next film in our Political Films series with Bernardo Bertolucci's The Conformist (1970). Based on a 1951 novel of the same name, the film is set in 1930s Italy and focuses on mid-level Fascist functionary Marcelo Clerici (Jean-Louis Trintignant) whose job is to violently suppress left-wing activism. The film won honors at several European festivals, was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 44th Academy Awards, and launched the international careers of director Bertolucci (The Last Emperor, Last Tango In Paris) and cinematographer Vittorio Storaro (Apocalypse Now).
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 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 to support the Lucky Lab and keep us in their good graces.
Viewing Options for the film:
Streaming is currently available via a 7-day free trial of the Kino Film Collection, on their site or via Amazon Prime. It can also be rented for a small fee from Youtube, Google Play, Fandango at Home, or Apple TV. And, as always, you can rent a physical copy of the film from the mighty Movie Madness collection.About Political Films:
This series is based on the New Republic article, "The 100 Most Significant Political Films of All Time" ([https://newrepublic.com/article/173376/100-political-films-new-republic-list] published in June 2023 and is a list of films that speak to our relationships with government, war, bureaucracy, politics and politicians, crime, propaganda, classism, and more. We've now been through many of these films, so we now regularly choose our own options, and all are welcome to suggest future titles for consideration.Films in this group often deal with difficult subject matter, those concerned about a particular film should consult www.doesthedogdie.com for content warnings.
Tips:
Make sure to find adequate time to watch the film before the discussion. Just like a book club we don't watch the movie at our meetup, we just discuss it after we’ve seen it.Many of us take a few notes while watching to keep from forgetting the most interesting stuff, feel free to bring those along.
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: The Fog of War, The Zone of Interest, Harlan County USA, 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.
The Portland Movie Club is on Discord!
Are you on Discord? Join the Portland Movie Club!
