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: PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRELucky Labrador Brew Pub, Portland, OR
Movie Spotlight on "PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE"
Join Movie Club Member Elliot J. and special co-host Catherine O. for the next movie in their series highlighting LGBTQ+ films featuring "Portrait of A Lady on Fire" from 2019 (original French title: “Portrait de la Jeune Fille en Feu,” which translates as “Portrait of The Young Lady on Fire”). Taking place in 18th century France, it tells the story of two young women, an aristocrat and a painter commissioned to paint her portrait, and their romantic affair.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 "PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE"
Written and directed by Céline Sciamma, starring Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenel, “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” screened in competition for the Palme d'Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. It succeeded in winning the Queer Palm at Cannes, becoming the first film directed by a woman to win the award. Sciamma also won the festival’s award for Best Screenplay. It additionally was nominated for the Independent Spirit Awards, Critics' Choice Awards and Golden Globe Awards for Best Foreign Language Film and was voted the 30th greatest film of all time in the Sight & Sound 2022 critics' poll.Viewing Options:
Streaming options reportedly include Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Kanopy, and Apple TV. A region A Blu-ray release is available as part of The Criterion Collection.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 “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! - Portland Movie Club West Meet-Up: FARGOBreakside Brewery, Beaverton, OR
Portland Movie Club West Meet-Up: FARGO
Join Movie Club members Jake Brown and David J. for the next film in the Portland Movie Club Westside Meet-Up series: 1996's cold-weather crime caper, Fargo. Written and directed by the Coen Brothers, Fargo shines brightly with star talent including Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, and Steve Buscemi. When a shady Minnesota car salesman hires two inept criminals from Fargo, North Dakota, to kidnap his wife for a ransom from her wealthy father, the plan soon turns bloody, catching the eye of a persistent local police chief within the bungled crime's jurisdiction.
Please note this will be another meet-up at our new West Side location in Beaverton instead of Central or East Side Portland.Viewing Options for Fargo
Streaming options include Tubi and Pluto, along with additional for-purchase/rental options at Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Flex, and YouTube.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!
- Giallo spotlight: "Opera"Cult Classics, Portland, OR
Opera is a visually striking psychological horror film by Dario Argento, set against the backdrop of a lavish production of Verdi’s Macbeth. When a young soprano unexpectedly lands the lead role, her rise to stardom is shadowed by a series of disturbing events. A mysterious figure begins orchestrating gruesome acts around her, forcing her into a terrifying game of voyeurism and survival. As the tension builds, the opera house becomes a stage not just for music, but for madness—where art, obsession, and trauma collide.
NEW LOCATION: We're going to meet at Cult Classics, 1308 SE Morrison St. They open at 4pm & are pretty empty at that time. We have permission to move tables and take over the front of the bar. They have a full bar, but fairly limited food items.
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!
- Let's Go to the Movies! WEAPONS @ CinemagicCinemagic, Portland, OR
Join us at Cinemagic on Friday, August 8th, for the 7pm showing of Weapons, the new horror thriller from Barbarian writer/director Zach Cregger. Afterwards, we'll head to Gift Public House right next door. Hope to see you there!
From Letterboxd: "Last night at 2:17 AM, every child from Mrs. Gandy's class woke up, got out of bed, went downstairs, opened the front door, walked into the dark . . . and they never came back." Weapons stars Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich, and Benedict Wong.
