Portland at the Movies - Portland at the Movies

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Podcast

“Christmas Freak” (2021)

It’s beginning to look a lot like…we’re losing our minds. Much like celebrating Christmas with a hyperactive child cracked out on pixie sticks, “Christmas Freak” asks the bold question: “Can someone love Christmas too much?”... Read More

Podcast

“It’s What’s Inside” (2024)

Definitely the most current movie we’ve ever covered…and maybe one of the best? If you haven’t seen it, we recommend going in blind, but either way, it’s a big recommend from us – it’s available... Read More

Podcast

“Cell Count” (2012)

A group of people wake up in an experimental facility hoping for a cure to a disease that is ravaging the world – but is that cure worse than the disease? And does this low-budget... Read More

Podcast

“Without Warning: Terror in the Towers” (1993)

Would you believe me if I told you there was a TV movie filmed in Portland about the attack on the World Trade Center starring George Clooney and Fran Drescher? Of course you would –... Read More

Podcast

“Love at Large” (1990)

A movie so baffling that even after discussing it for an hour we’re at a loss. So we’ll just post Roger Ebert’s review here: “Here is a movie that looks like a parody, sounds like... Read More

Podcast

“Final Justice” (1998)

Like a moth to the flame, we’re back with another 90s made-for-TV legal thriller starring Annette O’Toole, Michael McKean, and CCH Pounder. Kidnapping, murder, dubious legal work, and the continual highlighting of the gay community... Read More

Podcast

“The Legend of Tillamook’s Gold” aka “Treasure Hunt” aka “Tillamook Treasure” (2006)

Summer is just beginning, so let’s head to the Oregon coast for this family/adventure film about a teenager’s search for the legendary Tillamook gold left by Spanish sailors. Is it a jaunty kids action movie,... Read More

Podcast

“Antitrust” (2001)

Is there anything more early-2000s than Ryan Philippe and Rachel Leigh Cook? This month we travel back to the Big Tech of 2000s for this thriller about a mega tech company who will stop at... Read More

Podcast

“Body of Evidence” (1993)

Well, we’re finally reviewing the movie that spawned this whole podcast: Madonna’s 1993 throwback/thriller/noir/erotic courtroom drama that dares to ask the question: “Can you screw someone to death?” We dare to ask the question: “Is... Read More

Podcast

“Body Language” (1992)

Jumping on the bandwagon of “Single White Female,” this 1992 made-for-TV movie, starring Heather Locklear, takes a stab at being the sexy office place thriller that so may other movies of the time strived to... Read More

Podcast

“Something Like Summer” (2017)

This month we’re joined by Nicholas Beatty to unwrap this gay coming of age film/black box musical theater journey that spans 12 years of time and dares to ask the question “why does a movie... Read More

Podcast

“Green Room” 2015

This month we’re joined by Eric Li and Mike Campbell from “The Scariest Things” horror podcast to talk about 2015’s “Green Room,” starring Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Patrick Stewart, and loads of punks and neo-Nazis.... Read More

Podcast

“The Pigs vs. The Freaks” (1982) with Rick Emerson

Author and broadcaster Rick Emerson joins us to talk about the 1982 (or is it 1980? Or 1984?) made-for-TV movie “The Pigs vs. The Freaks” (or is it “Outsiders”?), starring Brian Dennehy, Patrick Swayze, Adam... Read More

Podcast

“Population: 2” (2012)

If you thought Portland was a post-apocalyptic hellscape now, just wait until you see what it looks like after nuclear war. This month we follow the sole survivor (or is she?) of nuclear annihilation, creeping... Read More

Podcast

A Conversation with Montetré, director of “Zombie Cats From Mars”

Last month we reviewed “Zombie Cats From Mars,” and this month we dig into the man behind the cats: writer/director/producer/actor Montetré. We chat with him about ZCFM, as well as his one-take feature-length film “Marty... Read More

Podcast

“Zombie Cats from Mars” (2015)

For our discussion of Zombie Cats from Mars, Mark once again surprises us with a mid-show phone call from one of the actors (and definite cast highlight) from this 2015 sci-fi/horror movie. Is there enough... Read More

Podcast

“The Reconciler” (2015)

The internet has dubbed this movie the “Christian ‘Saw,'” and while that’s not really accurate (or the filmmakers intentions), this faith-based film does share some of its premise with that movie. It’s also the last... Read More

Podcast

“Manos Returns” (2017)

50 years after it was made, and 30 years since Mystery Science Theater 3000 catapulted it into so-bad-it’s-good movie legend, we have a sequel to the 1966 cult classic “Manos: The Hands of Fate,” starring... Read More

Podcast

Live! From FanExpo ’23: The Portland at the Movies Awards

We got to perform at Portland’s FanExpo 2023, and we each ran down our Bests and Worsts, as well as gave out very special achievement awards as we look back on the 60+ movies we’ve... Read More

Podcast

“Zero Effect” (1998)

This month we return to larger, more mainstream studio movies with our review of “Zero Effect,” about a wacky, quirky, zany private detective (played by the opposite of wacky, quirky, and zany: the human cardboard... Read More

Podcast

“Thomas & the Trainmaster” (2012)

The first “Trainmaster” movie was a surprise and a delight when we reviewed it two years ago. So does the sequel deliver the same great production work, directing, and wholesome wonderfulness the first one did?... Read More

Podcast

“Spunk’s Not Dead” (2018)

This month we dissect this fascinating anthology film, featuring 6 different segments centered around, sadly, “spunk.” And yes, the kind of “spunk” you’re thinking of. But is it the straight garbage we anticipated based on... Read More

Podcast

“Exorcist: The Fallen” (2014)

This month we look at a truly evil 2014 movie called “Exorcist: The Fallen,” and if you think you’ve seen it all when it comes to exorcist movies…..you have. There is zero new things in... Read More

Podcast

“Spy” (1989)

Despite the best effort of Catherine Hicks, this tepid spy thriller, which centers around a man getting a new face, doesn’t seem to rise above it’s inherent blandness. This month we dive into Spy, as... Read More

Podcast

“Moment of Truth: Why My Daughter” (1993)

After technical difficulties rendered the first 40 minutes of one of our best shows corrupted and lost forever to time, we still managed to salvage the show by having an equally hilarious second half of... Read More

Podcast

“Child of Darkness, Child of Light” (1991)

Always two, there are: a Child of Darkness, and a Child of Light. Or something. Things get kind of convoluted in this 1991 made-for-USA-television thriller starring Sela Ward and a very young Josh Lucas. And... Read More

Podcast

“Murder C.O.D.” (1990)

TV’s Patrick Duffy and William Devane star in this made-for-TV movie about a cop in search of a killer who commits serial murders and then starts blackmailing the families of the deceased, threatening to frame... Read More

Podcast

“Slapped! The Movie” (2018)

Portland at the Movies is at its best when the movies are at their worst. And nothing is worse than this vile, juvenile, offensive, horrifying, putrid — and, worst of all, pathetically and unrelentingly unfunny... Read More

Podcast

“Where the Truth Lies” (1999)

Marlee Matlin returns Portland in this – her third! – movie filmed in Portland. Murder, scandal, affairs, politics, and lies take the front seat in the made-for-Lifetime movie co-starring Regina King and the guy who... Read More

Podcast

“I Don’t Feel At Home In This World Anymore” (2017)

This month we take a look at 2017’s “I Don’t Feel At Home In This World Anymore,” a wonderful-yet-hard-to-categorize movie starring Elijah Wood and Melanie Lynskey. Read More

Podcast

“Bandits” (2001) with Aaron Durán

Was this the worst thing to happen in 2001? Probably not, but it’s certainly not good. Aaron Durán from Geek in the City joins us to tell some behind-the-scenes stories from his time working on... Read More

Podcast

“Deadly Game” (1991)

Join us as we flee for our lives while discussing this 1991 made-for USA-network movie “Deadly Game,” based partially on the classic short story “The Most Dangerous Game,” where a group of people are taken... Read More

Podcast

“Wee Sing: Best Christmas Ever!” (1990)

Who’s ready for all their favorite Christmas characters? We have Santa, Poofer, Dermie, Dusty, Thooner… You know, everyone’s favorites! Join us as we dive into the holiday season with “Best Christmas Ever!,” the holiday entry... Read More

Podcast

“In the Line of Duty: Blaze of Glory” (1997)

This film, starring Bruce Campbell and Lori Loughlin, tells the true-life crime story of a modern day Bonnie and Clyde. It also features more shots of Portland than any movie we’ve done — but ironically... Read More

Podcast

“The Temp” (1993)

It’s telling that this supposedly sexy thriller is just bland enough that we kept referring to the star as “William Hurt” instead of the actual star Timothy Hutton. In any case, “The Temp” was released... Read More

Podcast

“Pig” (2021)

Who would have guessed after all the movies we’ve reviewed that there would not only be a good movie filmed in Portland, but that the good film would star Nicholas Cage? Well here we are.... Read More

Podcast

“Without a Paddle: Nature’s Calling” (2009)

Is it a sequel? Is it a remake? Is it a tax shelter? We jump in the river to find out just what is going on with this 2009 movie, which has an opening credit... Read More

Podcast

“Shadow Play” (1986)

This month we travel to the Ilwaco Lighthouse with Dee Wallace, a playwright haunted by the reflections of her dead fiancee, and pursued by her would-be brother-in-law. Is the movie the psychological thriller it’s trying... Read More

Podcast

Special Edition: “Deep Dark” (2015) with actor Sean McGrath

Mark surprises Todd and Brian mid-show with a phone call from Sean McGrath, the main star of 2015’s “Deep Dark,” a psychological thriller about an artist who finds his muse in the form of a... Read More

Podcast

50th Movie Spectacular!

This month we indulge ourselves by taking a long, hard look back at what has become of our lives as we discuss the best and the worst of the 50 Portland-filmed movies we’ve reviewed so... Read More

Podcast

“Duplicates” (1993)

This 1993 made-for-USA TV movie is surprisingly watchable (and available for free on YouTube), although it features only a couple blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Portland locations. A sci-fi/detective thriller, this movie dares to ask the question Wonder Woman... Read More

Podcast

“Fatal Exposure” (1991)

A post-Brat Pack Mare Winningham meets a pre-“Happy Gilmore” Shooter McGavin in this 1991 made-for-USA-TV-network movie “Fatal Exposure.” Oddly, this is probably the most intriguingly in-depth discussion of a plot of any movie we’ve done... Read More

Podcast

“Trainmaster” (2008)

We ride the rails back to 2008 for this movie filmed around West Linn, Willamette, Canby, and more! It’s a delightful kids movie that’s cornball and low-budget enough to thoroughly enjoy, and well made enough... Read More

Podcast

“Payback” (1997)

Ed Asner and Mary Tyler Moore reunite for the first time since “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” in this made-for-TV thriller about a rogue cop who harasses Moore and her family after she testifies against... Read More

Podcast

“Just Before Dawn” (1981)

Join us for this Halloween episode as we take a look at the 1981 horror slasher flick “Just Before Dawn,” which is not only shockingly competent, but actually pretty good — and includes a truly... Read More

Podcast

“Fire in the Sky” (1993)

We travel back to 1993 for this movie about real-life events that happened in 1975, which contain some of the most gripping and interesting alien abduction scenes out there. Filmed in Roseburg and Oakland, Oregon,... Read More

Podcast

“Bongwater” (1997)

A zany late-90s stoner comedy with an incredible cast including Luke Wilson, Alicia Witt, Jack Black, Jamie Kennedy, and more sounds like a sure-fire hit. Let’s unroll this joint and find out if there’s any... Read More

Podcast

“Cabin Fever” (2016)

This month we try to escape the real-life deadly virus by diving into a movie about a deadly virus, the remake of the 2004 Eli Roth film “Cabin Fever,” filmed outside of Mollala, Oregon. Come... Read More

Podcast

Special Edition: An Interview with Ted Pfeifer, Writer of “Harvest of Fear” and “Path of Evil”

Last year we reviewed the horror movie sequels “Harvest of Fear” and “Path of Evil,” and to say that we weren’t very kind would be an understatement. We pretty relentlessly mocked both movies. Now it’s... Read More

Podcast

“Visions” (1989)

We finish our look at the trilogy of Steven Miller films (the “Millergy”) with his first movie “Visions,” a mystery/thriller from 1989. After really enjoying Miller’s final film “Backtime,” and only sort of enjoying “Love... Read More

Podcast

“Love and Dynamite” (1990)

This month we explore the middle chapter of the Steven Miller’s trilogy (“Millogy”?) with our take on “Love & Dynamite,” starring Grizzly Adams’s Dan Haggerty. Billed as an “action-comedy,” this movie is more an exercise... Read More

Podcast

“Backtime” (1996)

Every once and awhile we find a little gem in the stark landscape of movies filmed in Portland, and what “Backtime” lacks in budget, it more than makes up for in heart, costuming, and passion.... Read More

Podcast

“Brain Smasher: A Love Story” (1993)

What can we say about “Brain Smasher: A Love Story,” starring Andrew “Dice” Clay and Teri Hatcher? Whatever we’d say, we’d have to say it in an impenetrably thick Brooklyn accent even though we live... Read More

Podcast

Special Edition: David F. Walker and the 80s Portland Movie Scene

On a very special episode of Portland at the Movies, we speak to the one-and-only David Walker. If you’ve been a listener to our show, you’ve noticed that about 75% of them involve hearing David... Read More

Podcast

“A Walk in My Shoes” (2010)

It’s a time for Christmas miracles! Sort of. We tackle this not-quite-Hallmark-Holiday TV movie starring Nancy Travis and Portland itself, with more footage of our fair city than any other movie we’ve done. Todd loves... Read More

Podcast

“Path of Evil” (2005)

Last Halloween, we were spooked by how terrible a little movie called “Harvest of Fear,” made in Estacada, Oregon, was. And now we’re back at it with its sequel, “Path of Evil,” which came out... Read More

Podcast

Special Edition: “Courier of Death,” with composer Dan Fiebiger

On this special episode of Portland at the Movies, we talk with Dan Fiebiger, Portland film historian and composer for the film “Courier of Death.” He tells us about his dealings with Tom Shaw, the... Read More

Podcast

“Sasquatch(es): The Legend(s) of Bigfoot(s)” (1975, 1976)

This month we (accidentally) review two remarkably similar movies from the mid-70’s: “Sasquatch: The Legend of Bigfoot,” and “The Legend of Bigfoot.” Join us as we dig into the mysteries of the “skunk ape,” discover... Read More

Podcast

“What the Bleep Do We Know?!” (2004)

It’s one of our most Portland movies yet, because of both the plethora of shooting locations and the subject matter. This is a wild ride of a movie, with an intoxicating mix of nonsense, psuedoscience,... Read More

Podcast

“Hear No Evil” (1993)

1993 was a busy year for Portland film making, from “Free Willy” to “Body of Evidence” to many more, but none gave us a whirlwind tour of Portland quite like “Hear No Evil,” starring Marlee... Read More

Podcast

“Guns on the Clackamas” (1995)

This month we take a trip down the Clackamas river for the 1995 mockumentary “Guns on the Clackamas,” directed by legendary animator and Oscar-nominee* Bill Plympton. How was Plympton’s transition from animation royalty to live-action... Read More

Podcast

“Chrome Soldiers” (1992)

The promise of an early-90s movie starring Gary Busey as part of a motorcycle gang investigating the death of his brother in a small Oregon town is a big one. There’s some payoff with a... Read More

Podcast

“Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot” (2018)

This month we take a look at acclaimed Portland filmmaker Gus Van Sant’s biopic about Portland’s own famous artist resident, Willamette Week’s cartoonist John Callahan. Join us as we discuss our mixed reactions about this... Read More

Podcast

Wizard World 2019 – LIVE!

This past weekend we were live at the 2019 Wizard World Comic Con, where we took a look back on our favorite Portland movie moments from the past few years of the podcast. From “Deafula”... Read More

Podcast

“Courier of Death” 1984

It’s our first foray into legendary Portland filmmaker Tom Shaw, whose presence looms large over the Portland movie making world. Gus VanSant and Penny Allen, among many others, used Shaw’s equipment to make their first... Read More

Podcast

“How Sarah Got Her Wings” (2015)

On this special holiday edition of Portland at the Movies, we dive into “How Sarah Got Her Wings” – a 2015, made-for-IonTV-movie starring the store brand versions of Kristin Bell and Chris Pratt. The good... Read More

Podcast

“Deafula” (1975) LIVE!

Live from the 2018 Portland Podcast Festival, it’s time for “Deafula”! The only movie to ever be made completely in American Sign Language, “Deafula” is an amazing treat. As Brian “The Unipiper” noted: “It’s like... Read More

Podcast

“Harvest of Fear” (2004)

If your very specific wish was to see a low-budget horror movie filmed in Estacada, Oregon, then have we got a treat for you this month. Join us as we plow through “Harvest of Fear”... Read More

Podcast

“Homewrecker” (1992)

“Homewrecker” was the first World Premier Movie for the then-new “Sci-Fi” cable channel, and a surprisingly decent movie about a “smart home” AI system that goes rogue. While the movie features very little of Portland... Read More

Podcast

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3” (1993)

Astoria, Oregon stands in for feudal Japan (really) as well as the NYC sewer system in this third installment of the original Turtles trilogy. Watch as time-traveling, anthropomorphized, martial artist reptiles spout tired catchphrases (although,... Read More

Podcast

“The Vernonia Incident” (1989)

The Portland at the Movies summer road trip starts in Vernonia, a picturesque little town just northwest of Portland. In 1989, the community came together to make the low-budget, homegrown movie “The Vernonia Incident” (aka... Read More

Podcast

“The Last Innocent Man” (1987)

Ed Harris stars in this 1987 HBO-made courtroom drama about a hot-shot lawyer who is having an affair with the wife of his accused murderer client. It’s certainly not the *worst* movie we’ve seen on... Read More

Podcast

“Foxfire” (1996)

In 1996, a 21-year-old Angelina Jolie came to Portland to film a movie called “Foxfire.” With many sweeping, beautiful shots from above and below the Broadway Bridge, Portland looks great — but how is the... Read More

Podcast

“Homer and Eddie” (1989)

In 1989, a movie so so abysmal was made in Oregon that writer and film critic David Walked dubbed it “The Curse of ‘Homer and Eddie.'” Essentially he said that “Homer and Eddie” was the... Read More

Podcast

Tonya Harding Film Festival: “Sharp Edges” (1986) and “Breakaway” (1996)

Fresh off the heels of the Portland Tonya Harding Film Festival, we invited John-Ryan Griggs (the director of the festival) to talk about the two movies shown: a 1986 documentary about a then 15-year-old Harding... Read More

Podcast

“Frozen Assets” (1992)

Going into this podcast about movies made in Portland, we knew that there would be more bad than good. But never could we imagine just how bad it could be. Insulting, joyless, trite, inexplicable, nonsensical,... Read More

Podcast

“Ironheart” (1992)

We had high hopes for this kung-fu action movie, from the same director as Bruce Lee’s classic “Enter the Dragon” and the so-bad-it’s-good classic “Gymkata,” and starring Bruce Lee’s cousin Britton Lee and martial arts... Read More

Podcast

“Forest Warrior” (1996) LIVE!

Recorded live at the Hawthorne Theater at the First Annual Portland Podcast Festival, we take a mini-look at the 1996 Chuck Norris masterpiece “Forest Warrior,” filmed around Mt. Hood and Hood River. It’s a crazy... Read More

Podcast

“The Devil’s Keep” (1995)

“The Devil’s Keep” is writer/director Don Gronquist’s 1995 follow up to “Unhinged” (see previous episode), and if you love real-time YouTube how-to videos, mixed with mute, albino, geriatric, female Nazis, then this is the movie... Read More

Podcast

“Unhinged” (1982) / “The Haunting of Sarah Hardy” (1989)

It’s a Halloween Double Feature as we sit down to watch two horror movies filmed entirely on location at Portland’s Pittock Mansion. “Unhinged” is a D-Grade 1982 slasher flick (with very little slashing, and a... Read More

Podcast

Master Movie List

Red Snow Love at Large Bad Samaritan American Taboo (1984) Zero Effect The Sasquatch Gang (2006) Brain Smasher: A Love Story The Competition (2018) Mr. Holland’s Opus Captain Fantastic Untraceable Body of Evidence The Music... Read More

Podcast

Ep #11 – “Halloweentown” Sequels Super Spooktacular!

To celebrate the one-year anniversary of “Portland at the Movies,” we watched all 3 sequels to the movie that started it all: “Halloweentown.” Join us as we slog through these terrible Disney Channel movies. Join... Read More

Podcast

Ep #10 – “Portland Exposé” (1957)

Travel back to a time when men were wiseguys, women were “B-girls,” and vice came in the form of flipperless pinball machines. In the mostly forgotten noir film “Portland Exposé,” based on a pictorial spread... Read More

Podcast

Map

Filming locations for the movies covered on “Portland at the Movies.” Continually updated with each new episode. Click each marker to see a photo of that location from the movie, and expand the map to... Read More

Podcast

Ep #9 – “Kansas City Bomber” (1972)

In 1972, Raquel Welch came to Portland and made a movie in which she played a “Jammer” on the Portland Loggers Roller Derby Team. So naturally they called the film “Kansas City Bomber.” Anyway, join... Read More

Podcast

Ep #8 – “Extraordinary Measures” (2010)

“Extraordinary Measures,” the 2010 Portland-filmed movie starring Harrison Ford, Brendan Fraser, and Keri Russell, works on several levels: a dull one, a tedious one, and a crotchety one. “Inspired by true events,” this movie is... Read More

Podcast

Ep #7 – “Total Reality” (1997)

“Total Reality” is a bottom-shelf cocktail made from the discarded parts of a SyFy channel movie, Back to the Future, Terminator, and clown makeup. Written, produced, and directed by the same guy who did last... Read More

Podcast

Ep #6 – “Fatal Revenge” (1989)

“Fatal Revenge” is a wonderfully terrible action/taekwando/b-movie wonder filmed in 1989 in Portland. Never released in the US (for good reason), we tracked down a copy in German, and it was well worth the effort.... Read More

Podcast

Ep #5: “Breaking In” (1989)

“Breaking In,” a 1989 filmed-in-Portland movie starring Burt Reynolds, is technically about robbery, but in reality it’s just a complete mystery. Siskel & Ebert loved it. So did “Rolling Stone.” And it currently has an... Read More

Podcast

Ep #4: “Free Willy” (1994)

Ah, the early 1990s: when foster children roamed free, Michael Jackson still inspired us, and a whale named Keiko swam into our collective consciousness and became a temporary resident of the Northwest (before we kicked... Read More

Podcast

Ep #3: “Dr. Giggles” (1992)

Is it possible to write a movie whose dialogue consists solely of ham-fisted doctor puns? Is it necessary to film an entire movie in a tiny park in unincorporated SW Portland even though it mostly... Read More

Podcast

Ep #2: “The Hunted” (2003)

What do you get when you mix 3 respected Oscar winners and one of the most beautiful cities in America? In the case of “The Hunted,” sadly, you get crap. But boy was the crap... Read More

Podcast

Ep #1 – “Halloweentown” (1998)

Portland at the Movies is a hilarious new podcast that takes an in-depth look at some of the questionable movies made in and around Portland (think How Did This Get Made with movies filmed in... Read More

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