Hollywood Theatre — Attraction in Portland

Save for the line at the concession (which is unavoidable because everyone shows up at the same time), it was another thoroughly enjoyable visit to the Hollywood. We found a paid parking lot about a block from the theater ($7.70 for 8 hours, obviously more than we needed to watch the 2-hour documentary "Elemental," but there were no options, and 7 bucks is pretty cheap for in-town parking, so what the hell). Admission was easy with the QR codes on my phone (I prepaid our tickets, and they sent the QR codes via email). Seats are new and very comfortable. Concession is actually reasonably priced, and the pizza and popcorn are very good. Beverages are heavy on kombucha-like fare, and they have an "athletic beer" for all you ripped cinephiles watching the cals along with the films. I had an Oregon Berry Tea made from some used tea bags and 3 shriveled old blackberries they threw in for good measure? And then there was the movie: the documentary "Elemental." Highly recommended if you want to learn a little (or maybe a lot) about wildfires and the nature/climate they evolve out of, and the hazards of living with them and through them. This will be an issue for you if you continue to live in Oregon. Perspectives include experienced firefighters, and survivors of the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, CA., and the 2020 wildfires in Oregon's summer of flame and smoke; also research scientists who over the last 25 years have made important discoveries about the relative value of forests (old growth vs. regrowth), and how NOT to manage wildfire risk (i.e. the way we've been doing it for decades). And perhaps most importantly, the ancient knowledge of Native Americans (in this case, the Yurok people of northern California), who for centuries before European usurpation of the continent, used fire deliberately and effectively as a tool to cultivate and regenerate their lands. Fire to them was not a disastrous hazard to be eliminated at all costs, it was a natural phenomena that could be carefully exploited for widespread, beneficial results. Whole...

When you want to escape the modern "Hollywood Blockbuster Movie Machine", Portland's Hollywood Theatre is the ideal location.

First off, this movie theater has existed here in Portland for over 90 years and is named for the Portland neighborhood of Hollywood, not the shiny LA tourist mecca (albeit, the neighborhood was named after the movie capital... another story for another time), so don't make assumptions about this venue being from Hollywood (CA).

In 90 years, this theater has hosted vaudeville, silent movies (with live accompaniment), 35mm films, 70mm films, Circarama cinema, fashion shows, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, and most dramatically, in 1997 was engulfed in a devastating fire. Since the fire, the Hollywood became an educational and historic non-profit jewel of Portland and has spent the last 2 decades providing opportunity and education to the region while continuing restoration to the facility.

While I can recommend the Hollywood Theatre for the first run films it screens, I find the extras that only the Hollywood provides as fantastic unique opportunities. Nowhere else have I enjoyed so many different, varied, and unique cinema experiences (especially since I HAVE lived in Hollywood, CA). Among my favorite events at Hollywood include: Gay, and, Black film festivals, seeing/re-seeing 70mm films (Lawrence of Arabia, 2001) on the big screen in their original format, ability to view the annual Oscar nominee "shorts" reels, attending the live Academy Award broadcasts in black tie, seeing silent films (esp, the theater's original feature, More Pay, Less Work) with in-house organ accompaniment, losing at "The Movie Quiz" trivia nights, finally re-seeing the "Star Wars Holiday Special" after nearly 40 years, finally seeing classic Walt era Disney animated features (Sleeping Beauty) not on video or public library quality film, and lastly, my favorite (film buffs, don't judge): the annual presentation of the Internet Cat Video Festival, on the big screen.

Go! ...

I do appreciate Hollywood Theater, but I had a less than stellar experience when I went there two weeks ago to see "Everything, Everywhere, All At Once.

I may get attacked by the internet for being a dolt, but the same thing happened to my friend ahead of me that same night, and I just need to put it out there.

Basically, both theaters upstairs were showing the same movie. I may have been told which direction to turn by the ticket person, but nevertheless, when I got upstairs and looked to my left, I saw a sign on the door that said "Everything, Everywhere..." and headed that way in a bit of a hurry to catchup with my group. But here is the clincher -- there where no start times posted on the hand written sign.

So I go in and the movie has started, but I had already let my friends go ahead because I was caught in the concessions line, and like a responsible movie goer had already turned off my phone. I knew it was a weird movie, and thinking I was a few minutes late, and not seeing my friends in the dark, I sat down to enjoy the flick, assuming whatever incongruency I was experiencing was due to the "arty" nature of the film. I had completely suspended disbelief, ultimately to my own chagrin.

So only after the movie was over in an hour did I realize my foolish mistake. I was severely disappointed. And when I later spoke to one of the friends who I had met there, sho relayed that she had done the same thing -- but had her phone on and realized something was off on the timing.

So long story long, it would be amazing if Hollywood Theater would put the start times of the Movies on their lovely little chalkboards, something that is standard operational procedure at big box movie houses. And to future attendees: Be aware of your movie times and the possibility of...