Pickford Film Center — Attraction in Bellingham

We have seen about 20 movies here so far. We love supporting "art" movies, and we're happy that we can see the more esoteric independent films here. They also show some of the more artistic mainstream movies. Anyway, we love the Pickford for its offerings and its style. We love the Jones sodas (common flavors in the dispenser, less common ones in bottles at the concession stand) and, I confess, we even appreciated the peanut-butter filled pretzels, which are from Costco, but hey they tasted good! The staff were super friendly and helpful. If we arrive too early to be seated, we can hang out in the lobby (nice that they have tables and chairs) until it's OK to go into the theater. Prepare yourself for about the same number of previews and "ads" that you'd see at a mainstream theater, but you can feel good that your support stays in the community. Restrooms are not gender-based, you have a choice between "stalls" or "urinals". The only disappointment was the popcorn. Maybe because there were so few people in the theater, or the butter stirrer wasn't working, but the whey (watery stuff) had separated from the oil (the "ghee" part) so part of the buttered popcorn was wet. My habit now is to merely get it without butter, it tastes good without it. (You'll probably want to add salt.) TIP: Take ear protection! Volume is sometimes too loud and the treble is sometimes painfully piercing. Still, highly...

What's not to love about the Pickford?! I saw 1917 there, I saw Dune there, and very recently the Banshees of Inisherin, (can't remember how it's spelled to be honest, though I know it's a fictitious Island so I don't really feel bad either way). The theaters are wonderful, they have a great concession stand where you can get a good local IPA and popcorn with real butter, the seating is comfortable and easily accessible and the relatively small theater environment makes for a more personal film experience, and the staff are absolutely incredible. This being Bellingham, one of the things I love about the Pickford is the inevitable moment of hearing a subtle "AW YEAH!!!", and round of applause when the really creepy villain gets what's coming to him in the end of the movie. They play classic horror and science fiction films from I believe the '30s onward, and if I had to make one recommendation it would be Return of the Killer Tomatoes.

There are multiple theaters in Bellingham, but only one of them is a living modern classic, Bellingham through and through, never boring, always interesting, finding the coolest stuff to show.......

I have been a fierce supporter of the PFC for over a decade. The staff and volunteers, some who I consider among my best friends, are simply terrific. They know Film! In the past there wasn't a film coming through the PFC or their other theater, The Limelight (on Cornwall down from Rite-Aid) that I didn't catch. Illness briefly curtailed my participation but I recently secured a year-long single Membership for a ridiculously low price of $45 which cuts more than 3 bucks from the cost of every general admission ticket plus everything else is greatly discounted. I know their upcoming Oscar Ball is much cheaper with a membership. FoodDrinkOscars! The night of the big show! Get gussied up in your Flapper finest and return to Pre-code Hollywood where the booze is bootlegged and the Ladies are all hot-to-trot! Not actually as all the drinks are legal but we...