You do not have to watch the latest vampire soap opera or CGI 3-D spectacular for lack of alternatives. We are very fortunate in Portland to have the NorthWest Film Center (NWFC), Cinema 21, the Hollywood Theater, Clinton Street Theater and a bunch of second- and third-run theaters showing films old, new and almost new. Plus, many of those last serve beer and pizza.
I would like you to know about the British Noir series at the NWFC, beginning this Thursday, 12/17. The series includes The Third Man, not only a great noir classic, but one of the finest films ever made. It is in my top 5 of all time. Directed by Carol Reed, it features Orson Welles in one of his finest acting roles as the corrupted idealist, Harry Lime. Welles got to write much of his own dialogue, including the famous speech on the ferris wheel. A rare opportunity to see this classic on a big screen.
Also Peeping Tom, directed by Michael Powell, and so distasteful at the time, it almost wrecked his career. In our more unhinged times, it seems less shocking, but no less creepy. A must-see.
And The Fallen Idol, also by Reed, in which a young boy who adores the butler in his house, begins to suspect the servant of murder. A nail-biter, and superbly acted.
Included are It always Rains on Sunday, directed by Robert Hamer, and Brighton Rock, directed by John Boulting. All of these films are worth seeing, and are a tonic to fight the saccharine carols and feel-good movies of the season. Go to http://www.nwfilm.org/nowshowing
At the Hollywood, you can see films in the Global Lens series. Go here for information: http://globalfilm.org/about_global_lens.htm
Fight the insipid rush of holiday movies with good stuff. Support our alternative film scene.