SCREEN | Kristen Stewart Swims Past 'The Chronology of Water'

"We will publish or perish together!"

The Forge

Talented actress turned first-time feature filmmaker Kristen Stewart directs Imogen Poots in her riveting portrayal of Oregon-based, bestselling author Lidia Yuknavitch in a hazy film adaptation of the latter's 2011 cult memoir, The Chronology of Water. Framed around a tumultuous family life centred on parental abuse leading to both substance and sex addiction before a promising competitive swimming career, the film is a narratively ambitious portrait of personal salvation.

SCREEN | Daisy Ridley Daydreams – 'Sometimes I Think About Dying'

"Do you wish you could unknow me?"

Oscilloscope Laboratories / Point Productions

Indie director Rachel Lambert expands the coastal Oregon-based, quiet romantic dramedy Sometimes I Think About Dying about the everyday anxieties of social interactions, adapted from the 2013 play Killers by playwright Kevin Armento and originally turned into the 2019 short film of the same name, starring Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley (also a producer) as a nondescript cubicle worker struggling to maintain a basic office romance.

SCREEN | Michelle Williams Sculpts A Comedy – 'Showing Up'

"Go die somewhere else."

A24 / Sphere Films

Celebrated filmmaker Kelly Reichardt reteams with frequent collaborator Michelle Williams (in their fourth film together) for a quietly moving, minimalist indie comedy set in the art world. Showing Up follows Williams' understated Lizzy, a frustrated sculptor working as an arts administrator at the now-closed Oregon College of Art and Craft (OCAD), trying to make art while constantly being interrupted by life's mundane circumstances.

REEL | Frontier Capitalism – Kelly Reichardt Milks 'First Cow'

"Some people can't imagine being stolen from."

A24 / MK2 Mile End

Indie filmmaker Kelly Reichardt returns to her beloved Oregon in her latest feature, a slow Western about two travellers during the nineteenth-century Old West. Based on the book The Half-Life, written by author and regular collaborator Jon Raymond (who co-wrote the script with Reichardt), First Cow tenderly eases into its story of food and friendship wrapped in frontier capitalism.

CABLE | Meek Meets Chic – Aidy Bryant Acts 'Shrill'

"I've got big t*tties and a fat ass. I make the rules!"

Longtime Saturday Night Live standout Aidy Bryant stars in the new six-episode Hulu original comedy series loosely based on writer Lindy West's bestselling 2016 memoir collection of essays, Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman, inspired by her own experiences as a fat woman navigating single and professional life in Seattle—switched to Portland (where it's filmed) for the show.

From the Weekend: 3 Days in Portland

Portland Trip: 3 days in Portland wandering the the City of Roses in Oregon from June 26 to 28, 2014.



Escaping the crazy, flash rainstorm outside by lounging inside Ace Hotel's lobby.

Portland: From Maple to Bacon x Blue Star Donuts

Portland Trip: Snack time at Blue Star Donuts downtown on June 27, 2014.



Portland's Blue Star Donuts is a welcome addition to the doughnut scene in the vein of our local Lucky's Doughnuts and Cartem's Donuterie.

Portland: From Tacos to Margaritas x ¿Por Qué No? Taqueria

Portland Trip: Lunch at ¿Por Qué No? Taqueria in the Hawthorne District on June 26, 2014.



It's becoming a tradition to make Por Qué No our first stop on our way into the city of roses for some delicious tacos and margaritas.

From the Weekend: Cannon Beach x Oregon Coast

Walking around Cannon Beach on the Oregon Coast on August 18, 2013.



On our last day in Oregon, we left Portland bright and early and headed towards the coast to visit the sleepy town of Cannon Beach. The long Pacific coastal sandy beaches were so calm and serene. The sand was so smooth and the water so cool and refreshing. Everything felt so pure and untouched. There was just sand and water as far as I could see in either direction.

Portland: Happy Hour x Hale Pele x Tiki Bar

Portland Trip: Happy hour at Hale Pele Tiki bar in Sullivan's Gulch on August 17, 2013.



Do you love tropical themed Tiki bars? Because I do. Hale Pele is a small, unassuming on the outside, crazy on the inside all out Tiki bar. It's small intimate setting emphasized the sheer amount of Polynesian themed decor and dressings. We dropped by for a few piña coladas during their happy hour to lounge around and soak in the tropical good vibrations.

Portland: Salt & Straw x Fresh Made Ice Cream

Portland Trip: Scoops at Salt & Straw ice cream parlours on Division Street and Nob Hill/Uptown on August 15 and 17, 2013.



Salt & Straw's fresh made ice cream from locally sourced ingredients is simply delicious and easily the best I've ever had. We visited both their more centrally located Portland parlours for a couple scoops and flavours. My go to is their cinnamon snickerdoodle and its amazing cookie flavour. It's just like digging into a cold, moist cookie. I also dug their freckled Woodblock Chocolate for its sweet yet offbeat flavouring.

Portland: Ground Kontrol x Classic Arcade

Portland Trip: Playing video games at Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade and bar in Old Town/Chinatown on August 17, 2013.



A must destination on our Portland travels was to this classic arcade (and bar!) to play some old school video games (at their original sticker price, mostly 25¢ or 50¢). Some favourites like Donkey Kong, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, X-Men, Teenage Ninja Turtles, and classic pinball machines from your favourite film franchises (think Star Wars and Indiana Jones) filled the place. It sure was a lot of fun, but after a few minutes, it was one sweaty hot mess of a sauna-like atmosphere from all the movement. Apparently, after 9pm, there's a DJ (and $2 cover).

Portland: Southern Fried Chicken x Screen Door Restaurant

Portland Trip: Late dinner at Screen Deer restaurant in Kerns on August 16, 2013.



There are some meals that almost kill you. This was one of those. Admittedly, I didn't enter this late dinner on the ideal circumstances. I had been hotly anticipating eating at Screen Door for some time. I'd heard things about their well known Southern comfort food and particularly the fried chicken.

Portland: From Sweet to Savoury x Waffle Window

Portland Trip: Breakfast at Waffle Window in the Hawthorne District and on Alberta Street from August 15 to 18, 2013.



We hit up the aptly named Waffle Window early and often at a couple of their locations for their delicious and convenient made to order waffle concoctions. I had a waffle ice cream sandwich for a dessert on the go and it was a gooey, delicious, creamy mess of a treat.

Portland: Whiskey Soda Lounge x Trader Vic's x Deschutes

Portland Trip: Drinks and happy hour at Whiskey Soda Lounge, Trader Vic's Tiki bar, Deschutes Brewery, and Victory Bar from August 15 to 17, 2013.



My favourite all-time drink: whiskey soda float with house-made vanilla bourbon ice cream from Whiskey Soda Lounge across the street from Pok Pok.

Portland: From Thai to Fusion x Chicken Wings x Pok Pok

Portland Trip: Dinner at Pok Pok restaurant on Division Street on August 15, 2013.



After many missed opportunities, I was finally able to try Pok Pok's fusion style Thai cuisine for myself. On this humid weeknight, there was over an hour wait so we headed across the street to wait at their sister bar, Whiskey Soda Lounge. I love the neighbourhood with tons of surrounding restaurant, bars, and homes. The restaurant itself is a converted house with an intimate bar, dining area, and outdoor patio lounge.

Portland: From Tacos to Margaritas x ¿Por Qué No? Taqueria

Portland Trip: Tacos from ¿Por Qué No? Taqueria in the Hawthorne District on August 15, 2013.



On our first stop for grub in the weird but awesome dining mecca of Portland, we went for some great Mexican food and tacos at ¿Por Qué No? Taqueria.

2 Days in Portland: Breakfast x Brunch Box x Food Truck

2 Days in Portland: Breakfast sandwiches at Brunch Box food truck on August 28, 2012.



On our last day in PDX, we hit up everyone's favourite decadent food truck bright and early at 8am for their all day breakfast.

2 Days in Portland: Mai Tai x Trader Vic's x Tiki Bar

2 Days in Portland: Cocktails at Trader Vic's Tiki bar in the Pearl District on August 27, 2012.



Our groom Chris wanted to try the home of the original mai tai so we visited Trader Vic's for some tropical libations.

2 Days in Portland: Woodsman Tavern x Whiskey Soda Lounge x Rogue

2 Days in Portland: Dinner at The Woodsman Tavern, drinks at Whiskey Soda Lounge, and  beers at Rogue Distillery & Pub on August 26 and 27, 2012.



For our first full meal in PDX, we hit up this Eastside tavern for a fine dinner and drinks. I sipped on a refreshing Omaha bourbon (with lime juice, lavender, and vanilla sugar) cocktail.