About us
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. We're also on Discord and Instagram.
Membership is free, join us for a beer or two and hang out!
Upcoming events
7
Stanley Kubrick: Lolita Discussion
Lucky Labrador Brew Pub, 915 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214, USA, Portland, OR, USJoin movie club member Nick M for the next film in our 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 Lolita (1962). Here's how it works:
- We'll meet at Lucky Lab in SE at 6:30pm (map)
- 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).
Heads up! Lolita contains strong themes of grooming, manipulation, and child exploitation. While presented through satire and dark humor, the film engages with subject matter that many viewers may find disturbing or upsetting.
Movie Spotlight: Lolita
Stanley Kubrick’s Lolita (1962), adapted from Vladimir Nabokov’s novel, follows Humbert Humbert, a sophisticated but deeply unreliable narrator whose fixation on Lolita drives the story. After marrying Dolores’s mother to remain close to her, Humbert becomes entangled in a destructive relationship defined by manipulation, secrecy, and abuse. Blending dark comedy, psychological drama, and social satire, the film examines obsession and self-deception while exposing the gap between Humbert’s romanticized narration and the disturbing reality of his actions.The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay (Kubrick and Nabokov), and Sellers, Lyon, Mason, and Winters received Golden Globe nominations, as well.
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.
Tips:
- Haven't seen the movie in a while? 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
More Resources:
33 attendees
Apocalypse, Again: Children of Men
Breakside Brewery - Beaverton, 12675 SW 1st St, Beaverton, OR 97005, USA, Beaverton, OR, USJoin Movie Club member Robin for the next film in our Apocalypse series with Children of Men!
Here's how it works:
- We will be meeting at Breakside Beaverton at 5pm
- 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)
Children of Men
Set in a bleak near-future where humanity has become mysteriously infertile and no child has been born in nearly two decades, Children of Men follows disillusioned former activist Theo Faron as he is drawn into a dangerous mission that could change the fate of the world.Directed by Alfonso Cuarón and starring Clive Owen, Children of Men (2006) is widely regarded as one of the most influential science fiction films of the 21st century. It received three Academy Award nominations, including Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Cinematography, and won BAFTA Awards for Best Cinematography and Best Production Design. The film has earned enduring critical acclaim for its groundbreaking long-take cinematography, thought-provoking social commentary, and powerful vision of a world on the brink.
Apocalypse, Again: “It’s the End of the World As We Know It …”
Since the beginning of the age of movies, filmmakers have captured our attention by telling us all the various ways human civilization could come to an end. From space threats to catastrophes of our own making, we cannot look away. Is it about all the ways that it could end, or is it really about how individual humans deal with the impending end of their world (or how they handle a future without much in the way of overarching human society)?And let’s be honest, not every film with something interesting to say on the topic was very good. But a fair number of those are still worth talking about. So bring the popcorn, your “bug out bags”, and your opinions. How do people rise to the occasion or devolve? And what makes a good apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic movie?
Tips:
- Haven't seen the movie before? 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. .
- 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 movie to watch! Come with suggestions.
22 attendees
Giallo spotlight: "Death Walks On High Heels" (Rescheduled to November 8!)
Lucky Labrador Brew Pub, 915 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR, USJoin Movie Club Members Kyle C. for the next movie in his giallo discussion group.
Here's how it works:
- We will be meeting at Lucky Lab, 915 SE Hawthorne Blvd., on Sunday, October 11th 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:
After a famed jewel thief is murdered on a train, his daughter Nicole — a Parisian nightclub performer — becomes the focus of police questions and unwanted attention. A masked figure with striking blue eyes begins terrorizing her, convinced she knows the location of her father’s stolen diamonds. Fearing for her safety and unsure whom to trust, Nicole flees Paris with a charming British eye surgeon who offers refuge in England. But even far from home, danger follows, and the mystery surrounding the diamonds deepens as new suspects and shifting motives emerge.Death Walks on High Heels is a quintessential early‑70s giallo: a glamorous protagonist, a masked assailant, shifting identities, and a plot driven by paranoia, desire, and hidden motives. Its blend of jet‑set locations, razor‑blade menace, and twist‑heavy storytelling makes it ideal for discussing the evolution of giallo from stylish thrillers into more psychologically tangled mysteries.
Tips:
- Haven't seen the movie before? You're in for a treat - try to watch the movie sometime before we meet (Streaming Options include Amazon Prime, AppleTV and Tubi.) 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 watch--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!
24 attendees
The Camera Eye Discussion: SORCERER (1977)
Breakside Brewery - Beaverton, 12675 SW 1st St, Beaverton, OR 97005, USA, Beaverton, OR, USThe Camera Eye discussion: Sorcerer (1977)
Join Movie Club member Jake Brown for the next film in his series highlighting great cinematography in motion pictures: 1977's explosive expedition through the South American landscape, Sorcerer. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker William Friedkin and based on the 1950 novel The Wages of Fear by Georges Arnaud, the film stars Roy Scheider and Bruno Cremer, incorporating the cinematography talents of Dick Bush and John M. Stephens, who captured every harrowing moment on Traditional 35mm in a standard-wide 1.85:1 aspect ratio.About Sorcerer
From Letterboxd: "Four men from different parts of the globe, all hiding from their pasts in the same remote South American town, agree to risk their lives transporting several cases of dynamite (which is so old that it is dripping unstable nitroglycerin) across dangerous jungle terrain."Viewing Options for Sorcerer
Streaming rental options include Apple TV and Amazon Prime, with physical rental options available through Movie Madness, including the Criterion 4K Blu-ray.“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 editing, 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! We'll begin by going around and introducing ourselves. Then, we'll kick off a fun 5-question trivia round on the film (with a custom prize for the winner). Finally, I'll give a quick summary of the film's development, and we'll dive into the group discussion from there.
30 attendees
Past events
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