Portland Movie Club

Political Films Meet-Up: “THE FOG OF WAR”

Let’s talk about movies! Join movie club member Clay V. for the next film in our Political Films series with Errol Morris' “The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara“ (2003), which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

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 the film:
"The Fog of War" consists of archival footage and an extensive interview with McNamara about his life and role in monumental events such as the Allied bombing of Japan, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Vietnam War. This being a political discussion, we encourage open and respectful discourse.

Viewing Options for the film:
For streaming, the film is available to rent via YouTube, Amazon Prime, Google Play, Apple TV, or Fandango at Home. There is also a DVD and a Bluray of the film available to rent at Movie Madness.

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 comprehensive list of films that speak to our relationships with government, war, bureaucracy, politics and politicians, crime, propaganda, classism, and more. The list is not intended to be a collection of the 'best' films, but the most significant (although many of them are also very good). Some of these films can be a challenging watch, I'd suggest www.doesthedogdie.com for content warnings.

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, we just discuss it after we’ve seen it.

You don't have to watch the movie to join us, but it'll be more fun if you can.

Many of us usually take a few notes while watching to keep from forgetting the most interesting stuff. If you think of some interesting discussion topics while you watch, bring 'em with you!

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 members for group discussion have included “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 Camera Eye discussion: ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST
Join Movie Club member Jake Brown for the next film in his series highlighting great cinematography in motion pictures: 1968's spaghetti western epic, Once Upon a Time in the West. Directed by famed Italian filmmaker Sergio Leone, and written by Leone along with Sergio Donati and Dario Argento, the film stars Charles Bronson as a quiet, vengeful protagonist, Henry Fonda in a shockingly villainous role for his career, and showcases yet another electrifying performance by Claudia Cardinale from our last film, 8 1/2.

When a mysterious harmonica player arrives in a small western town, he catches the eyes of a local outlaw, a recent widow, a ruthless assassin, and a vicious railroad tycoon speeding his way through it all.

Viewing Options for Once Upon a Time in the West
Streaming options include Paramount Plus and Hulu, with additional for-purchase/rental options at Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and MGM+.

“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

Join us at Hollywood Theatre on Sunday, August 31st, for the 7pm showing of Caught Stealing, the new film by director Darren Aronofsky. Will there be plans to meet before/after? Probably! Watch this space for details!

## Details

Join Movie Club Member Kyle C. for the next movie in his giallo series.
Here's how it works:

1. We will be meeting at Cult Classics, 1308 SE Morrison St., on Sunday, September 7 from 4-6pm
2. 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:
A Lizard in Woman's Skin (1970): Set in a dreamlike version of London, this psychological thriller follows Carol Hammond, the daughter of a prominent politician, who is plagued by vivid, surreal nightmares involving her decadent neighbor, Julia Durer. As Carol undergoes psychoanalysis to understand the disturbing visions—filled with psychedelic imagery, sensuality, and violence—her dreams begin to blur with reality.

When a shocking crime mirrors one of her dreams, Carol finds herself entangled in a web of suspicion, repression, and unraveling sanity. The film explores themes of desire, guilt, and the subconscious, all wrapped in the stylish, unsettling atmosphere of Italian giallo cinema.

Directed by Lucio Fulci and scored by Ennio Morricone, the film is a haunting blend of mystery and surrealism, with a tone that’s both erotic and eerie. It’s a standout in the giallo genre for its psychological depth and visual flair.

Tips: