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- Halloween Spooktacular: Rosemary's Baby & Phantasm Double FeatureLucky Labrador Brew Pub, Portland, OR
Ready to get scared this Halloween with us? Join cohosts Nick and David J for this exciting Halloween double header discussion! We'll discuss Rosemary's Baby (1968) and Phantasm (1979).
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 films with us (NOTE: Just like a book club, we watch the movie before we meet, streaming links below).
About Rosemary's Baby
Rosemary's Baby is a psychological horror film directed by Roman Polanski, based on the novel of the same name by Ira Levin. The story revolves around Rosemary Woodhouse, a young and ambitious actress who moves into a luxurious apartment in New York City with her husband Guy, an aspiring actor. After a series of strange events, Rosemary becomes pregnant, but her excitement is short-lived as she begins to suspect that her husband and neighbors are involved in a Satanic cult that is manipulating her and her unborn child.As Rosemary's paranoia grows, she becomes increasingly isolated and desperate for answers. The film's slow-burning tension and eerie atmosphere culminate in a shocking climax that has become a classic moment in horror cinema. Rosemary's Baby received widespread critical acclaim, earning several awards and nominations, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Ruth Gordon's portrayal of Minnie Castevet, Rosemary's eccentric and sinister neighbor. The film was also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay and has since been selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
About Phantasm
Phantasm is a science fiction horror film written and directed by Don Coscarelli. The story follows two brothers, Mike and Jody, who live with their ice cream vendor uncle in a small town. After the mysterious death of their parents, the brothers begin to suspect that the local mortuary is being run by an alien being known as the Tall Man, who is using the mortuary to harvest the bodies of the dead and turn them into zombie-like creatures. As the brothers delve deeper into the mystery, they discover that the Tall Man is using the mortuary as a front to send the reanimated corpses to another dimension.Phantasm was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $12 million at the box office on a budget of just $300,000. The film has since become a cult classic and is widely regarded as one of the most influential horror films of the 1970s. Phantasm has been praised for its unique blend of science fiction and horror elements, as well as its eerie atmosphere and memorable villain. The film has been named as an influence by numerous filmmakers, including Guillermo del Toro and J.J. Abrams. Despite not receiving any major awards, Phantasm has been recognized as a landmark horror film and has spawned a successful franchise with four sequels.
Tips:
- Haven't seen the movies in a while? You're in for a treat - try to watch the movies 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 movies 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!
Phantasm is streaming everywhere (link), and Rosemary's Baby is pretty available, too (link)
If you're on Discord, we also have an unofficial Discord Server here.
- Giallo Spotlight: "The Psychic"Dots Cafe, Portland, OR
Join Movie Club Member Kyle C. for the next movie in his giallo series.
Here's how it works:
- We'll meet at Dot's Cafe at 4pm (map), there will be a 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:
"The Psychic” (originally titled Sette note in nero) is a 1977 Italian thriller directed by Lucio Fulci. The film follows Virginia Ducci (played by Jennifer O’Neill), a clairvoyant woman who experiences disturbing visions. One of her visions leads her to discover a skeleton hidden behind a wall in her husband's house.As Virginia delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers a murder that occurred years earlier. The film intertwines supernatural elements with a suspenseful investigation, creating an atmosphere of tension and dread. Fulci's direction emphasizes a more cerebral horror, focusing on psychological suspense rather than graphic gore.
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! - First Roles discussion group: John Travolta in "The Devil's Rain"Lucky Labrador Brew Pub, Portland, OR
Join Portland Movie Club members Kyle and Ramon for the initial First Roles group discussion!
This new discussion group will focus on the initial on-screen appearance of a celebrated Hollywood icon. For te initial meeting, the film to be watched and discussed is "The Devil's Rain" from 1975 which, along with it's star-studded cast (William Shatner, Ernest Borgnine, Tom Skerritt) also features John Travolta's first appearance on the silver screen!
Here's how it works:
- We'll meet at Lucky Lab at 4pm (map), there will be a 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).
"The Devil's Rain"
"The Devil’s Rain" is a 1975 supernatural horror film directed by Robert Fuest. The ensemble cast includes William Shatner, Tom Skerritt, Ernest Borgnine, Eddie Albert, Ida Lupino, and Keenan Wynn. John Travolta made his film debut in a minor role. The plot revolves around a curse affecting the Preston family due to their betrayal of the Satanic priest Jonathan Corbis in colonial New England. Corbis seeks a book containing the signatures of his cult members, which bind their souls to Satan. The film features Anton LaVey, the founder of the Church of Satan, as a technical advisor and in a minor role. Although set in an unspecified part of the American Southwest, it was shot in Durango, Mexico. The story involves dark rituals, soul-binding contracts, and a battle of faith against the forces of evil.
"The Devil's Rain" is available to be streamed for free on the Roku Channel, Tubi, and AppleTV.
Resources:
- Letterboxd
- IMDB
- Does the Dog Die
- On Discord? Join the Portland Movie Club!
- Samurai Cinema: Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart To HadesLucky Labrador Brew Pub, Portland, OR
Let's talk about movies! Join Movie Club Member Jennifer K for the next movie in her Samurai Cinema Series, "Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to Hades."
Here's how it works:- Watch the movie on your own before we discuss, streaming links below.
- Then, we'll all meet at Lucky Lab on SE Hawthorne at 4pm (map), there will be a sign at our table.
- Grab some food and drinks and we'll spend some time discussing this masterpiece.
Movie Spotlight: Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to Hades
" Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to Hades " is the third film in the Japanese samurai series based on the popular manga by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima. Set in feudal Japan, it follows Ogami Ittō, a former executioner for the Shogun, who becomes an assassin for hire after his wife is murdered and he is falsely accused of treason.
Accompanied by his young son Daigorō, Ogami travels the countryside pushing a wooden cart that conceals weapons, taking on dangerous missions while pursued by the shadow Yagyū clan and their spies.The film, directed by Kenji Misumi and released in 1972, is renowned for its striking visuals, outrageous action sequences, and exploration of themes such as honor, revenge, and the relationship between father and son. In the third installment of the series, the father and son aid a young woman, stumble upon a crime scene involving lowlife mercenaries, and battle an entire army. Viewers are presented with an intense, wild, and action-packed Samurai classic that can be viewed independently from the other films in the series.
About Samurai Cinema
Samurai cinema, also known as chanbara, is a Japanese film genre that is roughly equivalent to Western swashbuckler films. It is a sub-category of jidaigeki, which equates to period drama. This genre is usually set during the Tokugawa era (1600–1868) and often focuses on the end of an entire way of life for the samurai. Many of the films deal with masterless rōnin, or samurai dealing with changes to their status resulting from a changing society.Samurai films highly influenced Western cinema including films like A Fistful of Dollars, The Magnificent Seven, Six-String Samurai, Last Man Standing, and Star Wars. They were also a significant influence on Hong Kong Action Cinema and many visual elements appear in movies like Lord of the Rings, The Matrix, and Mad Max: Fury Road.
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!
Resources:
Other films discussed
Coming to the Samurai Cinema group for the first time, but interested in movies previously watched & discussed? Here's the list:- Yojimbo 1961
- Sanjuro 1962
- The Sword of Doom 1966
- Kill! 1968
- Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai 1999
- Lady Snowblood 1973
- Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance 1972
- Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx 1972
