Theaters with classic film

I have spent so long searching the internet for theatres in Portland that play older films. It took me forever. I found quite afew, but there are age restrictions do to them serving alcohol. Those sons of bitches!

I found the Laurelhurst theater on 2735 East Burnside. This one was kind of cool because it had a theme each month. This month, August, is 80's month. They showed Saint Elmo's Fire, Foxes, Streets of Fire, and Krull. Next month, September, is Employee Pick's Month and they will be showing Wayne's World, Conan The Barbarian, and Used Cars. Other interesting themes are Cult Favorites in February, Sci-Fi in March, and Viewer's Choice in November. I was so excited for this, but then I read that because of state liqour laws they cannot admit minors after 3 p.m., and all of the older movies don't start until the evening.

So I continued my search. Many people told me that the Hollywood theater plays a lot of older films. However, I looked on their website and they really don't have any lined up in the months to come.

I then looked at The Clinton Street Theater, which is famous here in the northwest for Rocky Horror. I got all excited when I saw films like Stand By Me, The Breakfast Club, and Sixteen Candles all lined up in the coming months. I quickly lost that excitement when the website said that no minors are allowed inside after seven except for Rocky Horror at midnight.

Next was The NW Film Center. I found a couple on their calender. One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest played once, but sadly I was out of town. In mid-October they are doing a show-case of the british director, David Lean's work. Lean is most famous for three huge epics of the late-50s and 60s, The Bridge on The River Kwai (1957), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), and Doctor Zhivago (1965). This little festival is trying to showcase 10 of his "smaller films. In Which We Serve (1942). This Happy Breed (1944). Blithe Spirit (1945). Brief Encounter (1945). Great Expectations (1946). Oliver Twist (1948). The Passionate Friends (1948). Madeline (1949). The Sound Barrier (1952). Hobson's Choice (1953).

I came upon Cinema 21 on 616 NW 21st. As far as I know they don't kick minors out. Looking through their past schedules I saw a lot of older films, but I don't see any in the upcoming month. I'm sure if I keep checking up on the website something will pop up.

Then I found The Living Room Theater, right across Powell's books downton. They have been playing classic movies every other week for a while. Films that range from The Adventures of Robin Hood to Ben-Hur to Forbidden Planet to The Wizard Of Oz. They don't allow minors into showings that start after 3:30 but that gives me lots of time to get to a showing. You will see me here regularly.

If you know any other theaters he in Portland that play classic movies please email me at jalal3haddad@yahoo.com. I encourage you to go find a theater in your hometown that plays classic films and enjoy it. They are hard to come by, but when you do it is a treat worth enjoying.

My Top 5

These are my personal five favorite movies of all time. I am not saying they are the best movies of all times because there are probably better. However, these five movies hold a special place in my heart that nothing else can fill.

1. The Color Purple (1985)

This is definitely my favorite movie of all time. It is magnificent in every way; the acting, the directing, the writing. It is based on the classic book of the same name. There were three brilliant performances from Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, and Margaret Avery. It is one of the most underrated movies of all time, 11 Oscar nominations and not a single win. You will go through so many emotions while watching it, but it is worth it, trust me.

2. Hotel Rwanda (2004)

The Rwandan Genocide has always fascinated me. How could someone want to kill an entire group of people because of something as ridiculous as social class. This film got so much emotion out of me. I bawled forever that night. Yes this film will make you cry, but it will also make you think. I saw this movie a couple of years ago and I still think about it all the time. It needs to be shown in schools. It's an important part of modern history that the world needs to learn about so it will hopefully never happen again.

3. The Silence of The Lambs (1991)

Shocking. Original. Instant Classic. There are so many great lines from the movie, too many too choose from. My favorite might possibly be: "I'm having an old friend for dinner." There were some phenomenal performances from the entire cast. So many directors have tried to make a credible FBI thriller that is on par with this and none have come even close. This will probably stand the test of time as one of the best American movies of all time.

4. The Breakfast Club (1985)

It's not just a teen movie. It's a movie about life, about understanding. It's a contemporary classic. Teenagers today can relate to this, it is timeless. There is a little bit of all 5 of them in all of us. This is another one that will stand the test of time as a teen movie that appeals to everyone.

5. The Bodyguard (1992)

Sorry, I couldn't find a good photo but I tried! There is something magical about this movie. A movie with an interracial romance. So many people can relate to the ending and the legendary song, I Will Always Love You. I could talk about the soundtrack forever. It is the best selling soundtrack of all time, and it is well-deserving. The soundtrack will make you love the movie.

I'll just start out by saying. I love film. I love the idea of different artistic elements coming together to tell a story and broadcasting it across the world. So of course this blog is dedicated to film. I'll review a movie. I'll talk about a list someone created. I'll post news or some fun little info. I'll spend the first couple of posts talking about myself and the films I love, just so you can get to know me. So come, read, comment.