august 18
To Die For

Not always singled out, "To Die For" is one of the more accessible films from Portland filmmaker turned indie icon Gus Van Saint, who in later years has been able to go back and forth between small indie experimental films (Gerry, Elephant, Last Days) and large budget Oscar nominated ones(Good Will Hunting). The movie stars a pre-over the top Nicole Kidman as a journalist who will do anything and everything for her fifteen minutes on the small screen as a television news anchor. Along for the ride are pre Oscar nominated Matt Dillon and Illeana Douglas as well as a small cameo from Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg. "To Die For" is not only one of Van Saint's less recognized films but one of the better movies to have come from the 90's.

1995, 830-1030pm, free admission
RUNTIME: 106min

august 25
Blazing Saddles

What does one say about the first feature film to show flatulence on the big screen? And what does it say about us for wanting to show it?

Blazing Saddles is Mel Brooks’ satirical masterpiece set in the old west following the exploits of Bart, a black railroad worker turned sheriff in a town full of racists. It deals up some pretty strong meat even by today’s standards, though in the most hilarious manner thanks to the writing of Brooks and Richard Pryor. There’s certainly no shortage of goofball deliveries from the recently deceased Harvey Korman, the more than recently deceased Cleavon Little Madeline Kahn and Slim Pickens and the not so deceased but still probably getting close Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder. The great thing about this film is that it has a joke for everyone… unless you’re one of those easily offended types. If you are, at least come to see a horse get punched in the face.

1974, 830-1030pm, free admission
RUNTIME: 93min

september 1
the wizard

Fred Savage stars in this story about two brothers who travel cross country to attend a video game tournament on the west coast. When corey (Savage) discovers that his mentally unstable brother has a natural talent for video games he decides to flee their home and divorcing parents, and prove that his brother is the wizard of video game players.

1989, 830-1030pm, free admission
RUNTIME: 100 min

september 8
King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters

Is it fact, or is it fiction… sorta? There’s no secret that King of Kong has stirred up a bit of controversy within the video game community after its release as to how the film was put together. There’s also no secret that it’s at least a damn entertaining documentary following Steve Weibe’s ambition to take the world record score for Donkey Kong from the lasting champion and arcade wunderkind Billy Mitchell. You’ll also get a glimpse into their personal lives outside of gaming, as well as the lives of others whose very lives, predictably and obsessively, haven’t strayed very far from gaming.

If anything, see it as a testament to the power held by film editors and how they jostle a person’s perspective.

2008, 830-1030pm, free admission
RUNTIME: 79 min

september 15
eXistenZ

It has been both greatly compared to, and, very unfortunately overshadowed by The Matrix which was released the same year. Both films do deal with an overall question of which reality is reality, though eXistenZ does it with the style that only David Cronenberg can, leaving one with the uneasy sense that the mind and the flesh are not so distinct.

An all-star cast including Jude Law, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Willem DaFoe, and Ian Holm take the audience on an adventure through a bizarre world of conspiracy and organic video game devices that plug straight into a person’s spinal column, making the lines between reality and virtual reality indistinguishable. Don’t let video game review sites or grossly misunderstood comparisons to other movies steer you in the wrong direction with regard to this film. There’s a lot more going on than just games.

1999, 830-1030pm, free admission
RUNTIME: 97 min

september 22
The Last Starfighter

Alex Rogan (Lance Guest) is trapped in the mundane world waiting to move on to college to get free. When that chance for freedom escapes his grasp he finds the next best thing, an arcade game. His skill at the game turns into more than just a high score; it takes him to the front lines of an interstellar battle transpiring beyond his tiny home world of Earth and gives him the sense of purpose he had been seeking.

Released in 1984 and riding in the wake of the then finished Star Wars trilogy, The Last Starfighter was another coming of age film wrapped in sci-fi dressing.  Its key to separating itself from the flock was the use of early computer graphics (ala Tron) instead of models to create a unique interpretation of space battles and gave the film its charm.

Featuring performances from Robert Preston (Centauri), Catherine Mary Stewart (Maggie) and directed by Nick Castle (The Boy Who Could Fly), The Last Starfighter could have been another run of the mill science fiction film, but because of its effects, score, and fun premise it becomes one more guilty pleasure from a youth full of them.

1984, 830-1030pm, free admission
RUNTIME: 101 min

september 29
Tron

Known mostly for its still unique computer graphics, Tron forgoes the video game film genre by putting the protagonist directly into the game instead of being a simple adaptation. Flynn (Jeff Bridges) has been attempting to right previous wrongs until he crosses the path of the Master Control Program and is forced to not only free himself, but the programs who have appropriated for the M.C.P.’s power. Costarring Bruce Boxleitner as the titular hero, Tron and Alan, featuring score by Wendy Carlos and directed by Seven Lisberger the film failed to garner much attention upon its initial run. Years later, the film, while simple in premise, has gained a following who appreciate the film for what it is- a geek fantasy in the golden era of joysticks and pixels.

1982, 830-1030pm, free admission
RUNTIME: 96 min