Chance Solem-Pfeifer
@chancesp.bsky.social
Film critic @Willamette Week
Host of "The Kick" on the Now Playing Network
Formerly, lovingly @Hear Nebraska
Host of "The Kick" on the Now Playing Network
Formerly, lovingly @Hear Nebraska
Pinned
From animated neoclassics to enamel-grinding thrillers, these are the 25 best Oregon-made movies of the past 25 years.
The Top 25 Oregon Movies of the Past 25 Years
Chance Solem-Pfeifer
www.wweek.com
Big one here, gang.
This list is the culmination of many things—8 years of reporting on local film, diving into Oregon film history during the pandemic, getting obsessed with Kelly Reichardt (though anyone can and should do that.)
Thanks for the space, WW.
This list is the culmination of many things—8 years of reporting on local film, diving into Oregon film history during the pandemic, getting obsessed with Kelly Reichardt (though anyone can and should do that.)
Thanks for the space, WW.
What to see at Portland’s repertory theaters.
Get Your Reps In: “Swan Song” Is a Worthy Sendoff for Udo Kier
Chance Solem-Pfeifer
www.wweek.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:03 PM
Reposted by Chance Solem-Pfeifer
“Ah, but they aren’t violent until I’ve edited them."
—When asked how such a ‘nice lady’ could edit Martin Scorsese’s movies.
HBD, 👑 Thelma Schoonmaker...
—When asked how such a ‘nice lady’ could edit Martin Scorsese’s movies.
HBD, 👑 Thelma Schoonmaker...
January 3, 2026 at 2:04 PM
“Ah, but they aren’t violent until I’ve edited them."
—When asked how such a ‘nice lady’ could edit Martin Scorsese’s movies.
HBD, 👑 Thelma Schoonmaker...
—When asked how such a ‘nice lady’ could edit Martin Scorsese’s movies.
HBD, 👑 Thelma Schoonmaker...
Reposted by Chance Solem-Pfeifer
Announcing our award winners for 2025!
Full list here (including runners-up):
portlandcritics.com/awards/2025-2/
Full list here (including runners-up):
portlandcritics.com/awards/2025-2/
January 1, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Announcing our award winners for 2025!
Full list here (including runners-up):
portlandcritics.com/awards/2025-2/
Full list here (including runners-up):
portlandcritics.com/awards/2025-2/
What a delight to see @cstpdx.bsky.social included!
As we celebrate the end of the year that The Rocky Horror Picture Show turned 50, five independent theaters around the world reflect on the strange journey that has the raucous musical keeping the moviegoing experience electric.
Read the full story on Journal: boxd.it/2U4
Read the full story on Journal: boxd.it/2U4
December 31, 2025 at 10:08 PM
What a delight to see @cstpdx.bsky.social included!
A little top 15 action to close out the year.
Fav Lead Performances:
-Byrne (Legs), Edgerton (Train Dreams), Michael B. (Sinners), Eva Victor (Sorry), Stone (Bugonia)
Fav Supporting:
-Madigan (Weapons), Del Toro (Battle), Afshari (Accident), Fiennes (28 Years), Carlos Francisco (Secret Agent)
Fav Lead Performances:
-Byrne (Legs), Edgerton (Train Dreams), Michael B. (Sinners), Eva Victor (Sorry), Stone (Bugonia)
Fav Supporting:
-Madigan (Weapons), Del Toro (Battle), Afshari (Accident), Fiennes (28 Years), Carlos Francisco (Secret Agent)
December 31, 2025 at 8:59 PM
A little top 15 action to close out the year.
Fav Lead Performances:
-Byrne (Legs), Edgerton (Train Dreams), Michael B. (Sinners), Eva Victor (Sorry), Stone (Bugonia)
Fav Supporting:
-Madigan (Weapons), Del Toro (Battle), Afshari (Accident), Fiennes (28 Years), Carlos Francisco (Secret Agent)
Fav Lead Performances:
-Byrne (Legs), Edgerton (Train Dreams), Michael B. (Sinners), Eva Victor (Sorry), Stone (Bugonia)
Fav Supporting:
-Madigan (Weapons), Del Toro (Battle), Afshari (Accident), Fiennes (28 Years), Carlos Francisco (Secret Agent)
I know we must eternally broach Hackman's difficulty on this set, but I just don't think you deliver 50 note-perfect line readings without understanding the tone.
Gwyneth Paltrow Talks ‘Royal Tenenbaums’ “Dissonance” With Co-Star Gene Hackman: “He Didn’t Understand The Tone”
Gwyneth Paltrow Talks ‘Royal Tenenbaums’ “Dissonance” With Co-Star Gene Hackman: “He Didn’t Understand The Tone”
While Wes Anderson certainly made waves in the 1990s with the heist comedy “Bottle Rocket” and the Bill Murray/Jason Schwartzman coming-of-age dramedy “Rushmore,” it wasn’t until 2001’s “The Royal Tenenbaums” that the director truly cemented his quirkiness/style with general audiences and critics alike. However, not everyone was convinced it was all great during the filming production, even from key cast members.
Continue reading Gwyneth Paltrow Talks ‘Royal Tenenbaums’ “Dissonance” With Co-Star Gene Hackman: “He Didn’t Understand The Tone” at The Playlist.
dlvr.it
December 31, 2025 at 7:47 PM
I know we must eternally broach Hackman's difficulty on this set, but I just don't think you deliver 50 note-perfect line readings without understanding the tone.
My thoughts on your cool New Year's party, full of close friends and people you like.
December 31, 2025 at 6:36 PM
My thoughts on your cool New Year's party, full of close friends and people you like.
Reposted by Chance Solem-Pfeifer
First fantasy football league win since 2010. Thank you to my lord and saviour, Derrick Henry.
(16-team work league!)
(16-team work league!)
December 30, 2025 at 5:09 AM
First fantasy football league win since 2010. Thank you to my lord and saviour, Derrick Henry.
(16-team work league!)
(16-team work league!)
Reposted by Chance Solem-Pfeifer
[doing backing vocals for Sam Cooke] Science Book
December 26, 2025 at 5:55 PM
[doing backing vocals for Sam Cooke] Science Book
Personally very jazzed that "Sorry, Baby" cracked the Best Picture list, as well as Mariam Afshari in our Best Supporting.
These were my 10 for Best Picture:
Sinners
Train Dreams
Weapons
28 Years Later
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
Sorry, Baby
Eephus
The Mastermind
No Other Choice
These were my 10 for Best Picture:
Sinners
Train Dreams
Weapons
28 Years Later
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
Sorry, Baby
Eephus
The Mastermind
No Other Choice
The ballots are in, and these are the Portland Critics Association's 2025 award nominations.
"Sinners" and "One Battle After Another" were top vote-getters with 16 and 14, respectively.
Winners announced Dec. 31.
portlandcritics.com/awards/2025-2/
"Sinners" and "One Battle After Another" were top vote-getters with 16 and 14, respectively.
Winners announced Dec. 31.
portlandcritics.com/awards/2025-2/
December 26, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Personally very jazzed that "Sorry, Baby" cracked the Best Picture list, as well as Mariam Afshari in our Best Supporting.
These were my 10 for Best Picture:
Sinners
Train Dreams
Weapons
28 Years Later
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
Sorry, Baby
Eephus
The Mastermind
No Other Choice
These were my 10 for Best Picture:
Sinners
Train Dreams
Weapons
28 Years Later
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
Sorry, Baby
Eephus
The Mastermind
No Other Choice
Reposted by Chance Solem-Pfeifer
The ballots are in, and these are the Portland Critics Association's 2025 award nominations.
"Sinners" and "One Battle After Another" were top vote-getters with 16 and 14, respectively.
Winners announced Dec. 31.
portlandcritics.com/awards/2025-2/
"Sinners" and "One Battle After Another" were top vote-getters with 16 and 14, respectively.
Winners announced Dec. 31.
portlandcritics.com/awards/2025-2/
December 26, 2025 at 11:28 PM
The ballots are in, and these are the Portland Critics Association's 2025 award nominations.
"Sinners" and "One Battle After Another" were top vote-getters with 16 and 14, respectively.
Winners announced Dec. 31.
portlandcritics.com/awards/2025-2/
"Sinners" and "One Battle After Another" were top vote-getters with 16 and 14, respectively.
Winners announced Dec. 31.
portlandcritics.com/awards/2025-2/
Reposted by Chance Solem-Pfeifer
Jan de Bont Tha Gawd
DIE HARD has great lighting. Look at those blues and skin tones enshrouded in darkness, we got a light blasting through smoke in the next room to give you the contrast; you wanna know why I dunk on modern blockbusters? This is why, the visual poverty, the fear of lighting a set properly
December 25, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Jan de Bont Tha Gawd
Tell me "Hamnet" isn't better if Paul Mescal looks like this.
December 23, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Tell me "Hamnet" isn't better if Paul Mescal looks like this.
Reposted by Chance Solem-Pfeifer
Reposted by Chance Solem-Pfeifer
Strikes me that an enormous part of Jake Paul's success is a scarcity of evidence.
If he had the resumé for us to know he's actually the 78th best cruiserweight in the world, he'd be 50 to 1 in this fight, and no one would bet him.
Anyway, the books should give Xmas bonuses to all staff tomorrow.
If he had the resumé for us to know he's actually the 78th best cruiserweight in the world, he'd be 50 to 1 in this fight, and no one would bet him.
Anyway, the books should give Xmas bonuses to all staff tomorrow.
Underdog Paul being bet heavily to beat Joshua
Despite being a 7-1 underdog, Jake Paul has attracted 82% of the bets and 90% of the money wagered at DraftKings for his fight against former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
www.espn.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Strikes me that an enormous part of Jake Paul's success is a scarcity of evidence.
If he had the resumé for us to know he's actually the 78th best cruiserweight in the world, he'd be 50 to 1 in this fight, and no one would bet him.
Anyway, the books should give Xmas bonuses to all staff tomorrow.
If he had the resumé for us to know he's actually the 78th best cruiserweight in the world, he'd be 50 to 1 in this fight, and no one would bet him.
Anyway, the books should give Xmas bonuses to all staff tomorrow.
She really doesn't miss.
A ★★★★ review of The Mastermind (2025)
What's the opposite of the witching hour? Like 10:49 a.m.? That specific moment in the late morning when—sans job, responsibilities, creativity, any moral obligations—you might pursue the world's wors...
boxd.it
December 12, 2025 at 6:43 PM
She really doesn't miss.
One of my all-time favs, @cstpdx.bsky.social, Dec. 15
What to see at Portland’s repertory theaters.
Get Your Reps In: Find Yourself in “Big Trouble in Little China”
Chance Solem-Pfeifer
www.wweek.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:02 PM
One of my all-time favs, @cstpdx.bsky.social, Dec. 15
Reposted by Chance Solem-Pfeifer
Many thanks to the @hollywoodtheatre.org, Jon Raymond, Stephen Rutledge, and everyone who made the PCA's first-ever screening a sellout!
A watershed night for our organization, no doubt.
Up next from us—our annual awards are less than a month away!
A watershed night for our organization, no doubt.
Up next from us—our annual awards are less than a month away!
December 1, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Many thanks to the @hollywoodtheatre.org, Jon Raymond, Stephen Rutledge, and everyone who made the PCA's first-ever screening a sellout!
A watershed night for our organization, no doubt.
Up next from us—our annual awards are less than a month away!
A watershed night for our organization, no doubt.
Up next from us—our annual awards are less than a month away!
My editor has received many emails asking why no '80s and '90s movies are included.
Which no hard feelings on reading comprehension, etc.
But would love for folks to hear "Oregon movies" and not think exclusively of their childhoods. Let's be a little curious.
Which no hard feelings on reading comprehension, etc.
But would love for folks to hear "Oregon movies" and not think exclusively of their childhoods. Let's be a little curious.
From animated neoclassics to enamel-grinding thrillers, these are the 25 best Oregon-made movies of the past 25 years.
The Top 25 Oregon Movies of the Past 25 Years
Chance Solem-Pfeifer
www.wweek.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:42 PM
My editor has received many emails asking why no '80s and '90s movies are included.
Which no hard feelings on reading comprehension, etc.
But would love for folks to hear "Oregon movies" and not think exclusively of their childhoods. Let's be a little curious.
Which no hard feelings on reading comprehension, etc.
But would love for folks to hear "Oregon movies" and not think exclusively of their childhoods. Let's be a little curious.
Reposted by Chance Solem-Pfeifer
It's not a love letter to a city, and its setting isn't just another character. Train Dreams' relationship to the Pacific Northwest is complex, which helps make it great:
Train Dreams stakes a complex claim in the Pacific Northwest cinematic canon
The rapidly changing Pacific Northwest fuels the haunting engine of Netflix's stunning reflection Train Dreams.
www.avclub.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:00 PM
It's not a love letter to a city, and its setting isn't just another character. Train Dreams' relationship to the Pacific Northwest is complex, which helps make it great:
Not a film critic on the news explaining that the best movies are also his favorites!
katu.com/news/local/w...
katu.com/news/local/w...
November 20, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Not a film critic on the news explaining that the best movies are also his favorites!
katu.com/news/local/w...
katu.com/news/local/w...
Reposted by Chance Solem-Pfeifer
Big one here, gang.
This list is the culmination of many things—8 years of reporting on local film, diving into Oregon film history during the pandemic, getting obsessed with Kelly Reichardt (though anyone can and should do that.)
Thanks for the space, WW.
This list is the culmination of many things—8 years of reporting on local film, diving into Oregon film history during the pandemic, getting obsessed with Kelly Reichardt (though anyone can and should do that.)
Thanks for the space, WW.
From animated neoclassics to enamel-grinding thrillers, these are the 25 best Oregon-made movies of the past 25 years.
The Top 25 Oregon Movies of the Past 25 Years
Chance Solem-Pfeifer
www.wweek.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Big one here, gang.
This list is the culmination of many things—8 years of reporting on local film, diving into Oregon film history during the pandemic, getting obsessed with Kelly Reichardt (though anyone can and should do that.)
Thanks for the space, WW.
This list is the culmination of many things—8 years of reporting on local film, diving into Oregon film history during the pandemic, getting obsessed with Kelly Reichardt (though anyone can and should do that.)
Thanks for the space, WW.