Against all odds, censored Iranian master Jafar Panahi creates another captivating concoction of fact and fiction; Brandon Cronenberg’s third feature is a shocking indictment of the rich and powerful; and Bill Nighy sparkles in “Living,” but it’s no “Ikiru.”
Generationally speaking, what we’ve got here is failure to communicate. And “Everything Everywhere” scores big with the critics circle.
A pair of movies about women of low and high birth responding to repression; German and Japanese cinema at the Clinton; a flock of revivals: Welcome to 2023.
From the glories of Movie Madness to a flock of festivals to the tale of Will Vinton’s lost dreams, it was a very good film year in Oregon.
Marc Mohan picks his best movies of the year. To find out which ones make the list – and which is No. 1 – read on.
In “EO,” six donkeys in search of an auteur find the right one; “Babylon” discovers that Hollywood’s a den of iniquity.
On beyond “Avatar”: a pair of audacious debuts from Filipina and Danish/Iranian directors; big swings in a fat suit; and, yes, those otherworldly special effects.
A stellar adaptation of an “unfilmable” Dom Delillo novel leads a bonanza of big-screen openings, including a gay love story and a documentary on Nan Goldin’s war on OxyContin.
On beyond vengeful Santas: “Nanny” and “The Inspection” tell potent human tales, “Chatterley” is a handsome version of the novel, “Fawn” goes ancient Greek on the thriller format.
“Bones and All” revels in the sins of the flesh; Spielberg looks at anti-Semitism in America; Portlander Mark Gustafson co-directs “Pinocchio.”
Shades of Fellini: “Bardo” is decadent, indulgent, and well worth the ride; “The Menu” gleefully roasts the rich and clueless.
Without the late Chadwick Boseman, a quintet of fierce females leads the Marvel franchise into vivid new territory.
The festivals at the Hollywood Theatre and Cinema 21 provide a rainbow of stories about LGBTQ+ life.
An intriguing but not-too-dangerous apocalyptic tale, a saga of art behind bars, adventures on Mars, Lawrence returning to her indie roots, and one heaven of a sex scandal.
With “Banshees,” the “In Bruges” team creates another winner; “Jane” brings pre-Roe issues to post-Roe times; Oregon-made animation; unflinching “Western Front”; trouble for trailer parks.
Blanchett does a star turn as a tough musical maestro in former Portlander Todd Field’s newest film, and Portland trio YACHT gets a documentary.
A charming gay romantic comedy tops the week; Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline team up smartly again.
Marilyn Monroe and David Bowie get unconventional biopics that are catnip for their fans; five Saturdays of Bogart; “Mighty Victoria” kick-starts Latin American film fest.
File this one under “to see”: Director J. Rick Castañeda and Portland-based composer Nick Jaina talk with Marc Mohan about their new film comedy.
A rigorous and revealing three-hour look at what’s made the movies the movies; the story of an irascible insider who helped shape a golden cinematic age.
The French director, who never stopped reinventing forms and challenging beliefs, changed the face of cinema, Marc Mohan writes.
A contemporary riff on Fassbinder, the private life of a classic suspense writer, and a host of good revivals: It’s a movie week for looking back.
With “Colors,” a rare chance to revisit three highlights of 20th century cinema (and wonder where the magic’s gone).
The live-theater company, which adapted to film when the pandemic hit, liked what happened and returns with a fresh quartet of topical films.
A tale of a 32-year-old “teenager”; a dad who goes way, way too far; the Criterion Channel’s exquisitely timed look at a chapter in Hollywood’s spotty racial history.
A feature documentary on a famous song opens a window on genius and packs an emotional punch.
Jordan Peele’s “Nope” is a thrilling summer blockbuster, even if it doesn’t quite fit together; why are good bets skipping Portland’s indie houses?
An Oregon writer and director’s pandemic-delayed feature makes its debut at Portland’s Hollywood Theatre.
A radiant Juliette Binoche adrift in a simplistic story; a fierce and rhythmic and promising debut tale of magical realism; an insane visual spectacle in search of a story.
Baz Luhrmann’s latest is myth, not history, but Austin Butler is a knockout as The King. And if you’re up for the joke, the gory “Evil” is a hoot.
Emma Thompson, Mark Rylance, Dakota Johnson and some fresh faces shine in a trio of movies for grownups.
From battered up to batter up: A week at the movies that runs from Cronenberg’s eviscerations to the 30th anniversary of the women’s baseball classic.
As theaters gear up for big-budget Summer Movie Season, several intriguing small films slip into town. Plus: some big, loud flicks that AREN’T “Top Gun: Maverick.”
Set against Big Sky country, the filmmaking duo’s intimate tale of family conflict is rooted in the past but unfolds resolutely in the present.
Some like it hot, or just out on the edge. Here comes a handful of boundary-pushing flicks. Enter at your own risk.
The timely topics of abortion and suicide get searing attention onscreen. Plus: A demented take on Shakespeare and a King Crab fable.
Two beautifully performed films – one with child actors, one about old age – defy the ordinary in welcome ways. Plus, streaming picks.
What’s up with the film center’s relationship with the Portland Art Museum and its sharp but uncertain shift in direction? It’s complicated – and not everyone’s happy about that.
A fresh and poignant Iranian road trip, a David Lynch mind trip, an affair in Estonia, witchery on Clinton Street, decadent Berlin and mind games in a rural house.
Tilda Swinton teams fascinatingly with an inventive Thai director; big-budget bloody battles Viking style; Nic Cage playing (sort of) himself in an action-comedy spy caper.
This week at the movies: From the busy bedrooms of Paris to a pasture near London, with a pop star and a startling prison tale between.
On beyond streaming and big screens: “Old” technologies give a fresh lease on life to some eye-opening cinematic rediscoveries.
Alternate universes, an IRS office, hot dog fingers, and tons of fun. Plus: Israel, Palestine and “Ahed’s Knee”; French “Gagarine.”
The Project resurfaces with vivid works by Berlin video artist Anouk de Clercq. Plus what’s new on home and big screens.
Mobsters and Mark Rylance with scissors in the entertaining “Outfit,” “X” marks the slashers, plus new & revival releases around town.
Two foreign-film winners: Archaeology and understanding on a Russian train; moral complexity in the Palestinian West Bank.
Marc Mohan reviews Dennis Hopper’s punk masterpiece “Blue” and Kentucker Audley’s surreal futuristic “Mansion.”
A smart, engaging, crowd-pleasing winner from Norway; a probing of race in America with righteous resolve and firm facts.
The Film Center honors a “Portlandia” progenitor and other trailblazers; the Cascade Festival of African Films begins, Tim Roth quietly shines.
Also this week: An extra-noirish “Nightmare Alley” and a host of good revivals strut their stuff.
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