'The D.K. Holm Outdoor Film Festival': free backyard movie screenings, starting May 29.
Here's a new way to support D.K. Holm during his cancer battle: Attend a series of free outdoor backyard movie screenings curated by Doug. While you're there, throw a few bucks his way if you can.
OUTDOOR FILM FESTIVAL
This summer, journalist Lance Kramer is playing host to a short series of films curated by D. K. Holm -- the Portland-based film writer battling esophageal cancer.
Holm is also publishing short essays about the films in his blog at the Vancouver Voice.
The series kicks off on Thursday, May 29 with "Dark of the Sun" (1968). The best mercenary movie ever, "Dark of the Sun" is also very obscure. It stars Rod Taylor and Jim Brown taking a train deep into rebel territory to fetch some jewels. The film also enjoys one of the all time great music scores by Jacques Loussier.- The series continues on June 12 with "Unearthly Stranger" (1963) You can read D. K. Holm's summary of the film here, at the VanVoice blog.
Then the series sports a double bill on June 26 -- "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3" (1974) and "The Train" (1964) "Pelham" is one of the great heist films, one of the great New York movies, and has a great cast (including Robert Shaw and Walter Matthau) -- plus a memorable jangly David Shire score. (This is the movie where Tarantino got the idea to use color-coded pseudonyms in "Reservoir Dogs.") "The Train" is John Frankenheimer's WWII tale of Burt Lancaster trying to save French art from being raided by Nazi Paul Scofield. 
Other films targeted for the series include "The Friends of Eddie Coyle" (1973), "The World of Henry Orient" (1964). Guy Maddin's "Careful" (1992). a double bill of "Them!" (1954) and "Tremors" (1990), and "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" (1948).
Also expect some surprises -- such as trailers, shorts, and ephemera. And feel free to tip D.K. a few bucks while you're there.
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WHAT: D. K. Holm Film Festival, a series of 10 favorite films selected by D. K. Holm
WHEN: Beginning 8:45 p.m. (or whenever it gets dark) on Thursday, May 29, 2008.
WHERE: 1804 SE 38th Avenue, Portland, OR, 97214 [ map ]
COST: Free
CONTACT INFO/PRESS INQUIRIES: Lance Kramer, 503-231-3561 or kramer.lance@gmail.com.
The turnout was nothing short of incredible. Every silent-auction item sold. The readings and the music came off well. Spirits were high. And the preliminary estimate of money raised is in the five figures. 
