Many thanks to the @hollywoodtheatre.org, Jon Raymond, Stephen Rutledge, and everyone who made the PCA's first-ever screening a sellout! A watershed night for our organization, no doubt. Up next from us—our annual awards are less than a month away!

My editor has received many emails asking why no '80s and '90s movies are included. Which no hard feelings on reading comprehension, etc. But would love for folks to hear "Oregon movies" and not think exclusively of their childhoods. Let's be a little curious.

It's not a love letter to a city, and its setting isn't just another character. Train Dreams' relationship to the Pacific Northwest is complex, which helps make it great:

Not a film critic on the news explaining that the best movies are also his favorites! katu.com/news/local/w...

Big one here, gang. This list is the culmination of many things—8 years of reporting on local film, diving into Oregon film history during the pandemic, getting obsessed with Kelly Reichardt (though anyone can and should do that.) Thanks for the space, WW.

Big one here, gang. This list is the culmination of many things—8 years of reporting on local film, diving into Oregon film history during the pandemic, getting obsessed with Kelly Reichardt (though anyone can and should do that.) Thanks for the space, WW.

What to see at Portland’s repertory theaters.

"The Kick" podcast won't return until next year, but I do have a substantial writing project dropping next week, plus your classic blame-the-baby joke: letterboxd.com/chance_s_p/l...

To be clear, the viewer must do their own fun-poking. But rarely is a table set so sublimely for it.

Tickets are still available to come out tomorrow, Thursday November 6, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the most outrageously explosive installment of the DEATH WISH franchise with a rare 35mm print of DEATH WISH 3 (1985)! hollywoodtheatre.org/show/death-wish-3-in-35mm

Hey, @portlandcritics.bsky.social is hosting its first public screening! Couldn't imagine a better fit. Nov. 30, @hollywoodtheatre.org, 35mm hollywoodtheatre.org/show/drugsto...

Dwayne Johnson: "Benny, it nearly killed me, but I hereby surrender my ego to you." Safdie: "Man, I'm thinking the hi-fi at Mark Kerr's house should sound CRAZY." foolswhodreammovies.com/the-smashing...

@chancesp.bsky.social analyzes the ups and downs of Benny Safdie's "The Smashing Machine," starring Dwayne Johnson. foolswhodreammovies.com/the-smashing...

For Spin Magazine, our David Harris spotlights Portland's very own "movie mecca"—the @hollywoodtheatre.org 🍿🎥: www.spin.com/2025/10/port...

i believe there are about a hundred and fifty million people like me who would pay $17 to watch benicio del toro as sergio st. carlos plan and execute a tight sunday costco run before he has to man the barbecue after his niece's afternoon soccer game (run time: 2 hours 20 minutes)

Our statement on the suspension of @jimmykimmel.com.

Here it is, the newest piece in our memorabilia collection. Straight out of John Carpenter’s classic BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA, the brilliant neon sign from Egg Shen’s restaurant and the base of operations. Come on in and check it out now!

What to see at Portland’s repertory theaters.

Don’t threaten me with a good time

I'm making the case for why EVERYONE in this industry benefits from critics. That, and what's at stake if we disappear - or let publications tie our hands. If you read only one of my articles this week, or this month, please make it this one. Available to everyone this week, not just our patrons.

BWDR gave me my start as a writer. It’s one of the places online I call home. I’m literally wrapping up an essay for them this evening, the kind of piece where I had a deranged idea and then @chadperman.bsky.social said “oh wow” *and* took it seriously. I love writing here.

Two movies nobody would believe are by the same director:

RIP Ken Colley www.theatlantic.com/entertainmen...

Our @sinacolad.bsky.social on a "singular" evening with Uncle Francis. (For @portlandmercury.com.)

“It’s called a steelbook T. And it’s the exact same movie just inside a safe deposit box.”

Call my man a chiropractor because Austin Butler can only look over one shoulder.

Call my man a chiropractor because Austin Butler can only look over one shoulder.

Really struggle with the idea that recognising Palestine is being treated like a way to try and moderate Israel's conduct - the diplomatic equivalent of a threat to send a naughty child to bed early if they don't behave properly - rather than the inalienable right of an entire nation of people.

Have never been accused of needing to get back into Billy Joel, but so it goes: boxd.it/aujzS1

Highlights of the week: 1. Baby son smiling more every day. 2. Dunking on / savoring every second of the Billy Joel doc. (Did you know "Piano Man" is about when he worked in a piano bar???) 3. Singing baby son "Captain Jack" (he'll get you high tonight).

And finally, 3 of our members count “Sinners” as the best movie of 2025 so far. Marc Mohan (of @orartswatch.org) + Morgan Shaunette and @chancesp.bsky.social (of @wweek.com) have a thing for vampire metaphors, the blues, and original blockbusters.

Due to the rescission of federal funding, North Carolina Public Radio is facing a major budget shortfall (roughly $800k). @wunc.org is the largest nonprofit newsroom in the state but also home to national programming. If you care about quality journalism, please give what you can www.wunc.org/donate

What’s up, Bluesky? We are a collection of Portland film critics, banded together to share writing, program events, and deliver annual film awards. Check out our past winners (2021-24) and current members via: portlandcritics.com

Kind of a cheat weekend, but had to post my all-time high score somewhere. boxofficega.me July 21, 2023 ✅ 200 ✅ 200 ✅ 200 ✅ 200 ✅ 195 ➕ 200 🏆 1195

This is the second ESPN story on recent WNBA collective bargaining that makes zero mention of player salaries. This, after an entire summer of reflexive "3 years, $42 million" reporting on all NBA free agency, per usual. www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...

For reasons you umm, may have heard*, today is a great day to become a sustaining member of @opb.org! [*we just lost $5 million a year, 9% of our operating budget 😅] Click here to contribute:

Had to dutifully dog-sit during fireworks last night, but I did spot Buster Keaton on a Times Square billboard in "John Wick: Chapter 3."

Should probably have something from the 2020s, but I tried to type "John Wick Chapter 4" into the search bar, and NYT said I couldn't vote anymore.

Prepare to be dazzled by “celebrity row” in OKC: Wayne Coyne, Thabo Sefolosha, the CEO of Love’s Travel Stop…

Putting together a bidding group. Meet me at the closest Coinstar machine.

"Let's go to Michael live on 16th hole. MJ, your reaction to the first half?" "Not enough cigars."

World Central Kitchen has run out of food to serve in Gaza. Its bakery ("recently the last working bakery in Gaza") is out of flour. There are 100,000+ tons of food in staging areas within driving distance of Gaza, and Israel refuses to let them in wck.org/news/gaza-up...

Cautionary tale about liking "Jaws" too much.

What to see at Portland’s repertory theaters.

If you donate $10+ to this, email me a screenshot and a two or three word character description, and I will sketch them for you. Pass it on. Email: [email protected]

Ooooo Clippers really tried to give that one away.