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.
Sarah and I joke fairly often about the "Curb" bit where Ted Danson takes a stab at Oscar bait.
Then, the other day, we pulled up Danson's filmography to see if maybe Larry was more pointedly making fun of him for starring in fake-looking movies.
The answer? My god.
Then, the other day, we pulled up Danson's filmography to see if maybe Larry was more pointedly making fun of him for starring in fake-looking movies.
The answer? My god.
February 15, 2026 at 4:55 AM
Sarah and I joke fairly often about the "Curb" bit where Ted Danson takes a stab at Oscar bait.
Then, the other day, we pulled up Danson's filmography to see if maybe Larry was more pointedly making fun of him for starring in fake-looking movies.
The answer? My god.
Then, the other day, we pulled up Danson's filmography to see if maybe Larry was more pointedly making fun of him for starring in fake-looking movies.
The answer? My god.
On the virtues of taking as much damn time as you want. There are no rules.
“Frank & Zed” is still raising money on Patreon and has garnered an Instagram following of 125,000-plus.
A Portland-Made Splattercore Puppet Movie Simply Refuses to Stop Filming
Chance Solem-Pfeifer
www.wweek.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:19 PM
On the virtues of taking as much damn time as you want. There are no rules.
Because the ... numbers got too small to measure?
Gallup will no longer measure presidential approval after 88 years thehill.com/homenews/med...
February 11, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Because the ... numbers got too small to measure?
What to see at Portland’s repertory theaters.
Get Your Reps In: “Love & Basketball” Understands the Power of Yearning
Chance Solem-Pfeifer
www.wweek.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:41 AM
Reposted by Chance Solem-Pfeifer
Oregon Public Broadcasting is one of the crown jewels of public media in the US. This is a shot across its bow.
This is easily the hardest thing I've ever had to write.
I Had a Dream Journalism Job. Here's Why I Quit.
The rot that hollowed out trust in corporate media finally reached OPB. I had to go.
westernedgemedia.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Oregon Public Broadcasting is one of the crown jewels of public media in the US. This is a shot across its bow.
Reposted by Chance Solem-Pfeifer
While reporting this, I had something happen that's never happened. A comms rep for one of the co's disputed my reporting and said what I was telling them was untrue because it was not in Grok, xAI's chatbot.
I was looking directly at the files. And this person was using AI to challenge the truth.
I was looking directly at the files. And this person was using AI to challenge the truth.
Epstein had many known connections to Silicon Valley CEOs, but less known was how he made money from those relationships.
We did a deep dive into how he got dealflow in Silicon Valley, giving him shots to invest in Coinbase, Palantir, SpaceX and other companies.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/b...
We did a deep dive into how he got dealflow in Silicon Valley, giving him shots to invest in Coinbase, Palantir, SpaceX and other companies.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/b...
Jeffrey Epstein’s Money Mingled With Silicon Valley Start-Ups
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:38 PM
While reporting this, I had something happen that's never happened. A comms rep for one of the co's disputed my reporting and said what I was telling them was untrue because it was not in Grok, xAI's chatbot.
I was looking directly at the files. And this person was using AI to challenge the truth.
I was looking directly at the files. And this person was using AI to challenge the truth.
Reposted by Chance Solem-Pfeifer
I am of course hoping for the best for this Portland institution but I was pretty excited to have an excuse to link to @stevenhyden.bsky.social’s wonderful review of the Garth Brooks Box Set You Could Only Buy At Bass Pro Shops: www.wweek.com/music/2026/0...
Terry Currier Announces Plans to Sell Music Millennium
The owner of the storied East Burnside retailer says he’ll work with the new owner during a transitional period.
www.wweek.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:04 AM
I am of course hoping for the best for this Portland institution but I was pretty excited to have an excuse to link to @stevenhyden.bsky.social’s wonderful review of the Garth Brooks Box Set You Could Only Buy At Bass Pro Shops: www.wweek.com/music/2026/0...
Reposted by Chance Solem-Pfeifer
they should make a movie series about how it’s irresponsible to use technology to mess with the natural order of things for profit
Xfinity has just released its Jurassic Park-themed Super Bowl ad that features a digitally de-aged Sam Neil, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum. https://bit.ly/4rmRhrK
February 3, 2026 at 3:32 AM
they should make a movie series about how it’s irresponsible to use technology to mess with the natural order of things for profit
Reposted by Chance Solem-Pfeifer
if Martin Scorsese and Fran Lebowitz agree that you seem like you could've owned an ice cream truck, you've done something right
January 30, 2026 at 10:09 PM
if Martin Scorsese and Fran Lebowitz agree that you seem like you could've owned an ice cream truck, you've done something right
What's funnier than Catherine doing the harmony part 10x louder than the melody line?
unreal that they are both gone now www.youtube.com/watch?v=fggX...
Midnight at the Oasis - Waiting for Guffman HD
YouTube video by artfilm33
www.youtube.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:50 PM
What's funnier than Catherine doing the harmony part 10x louder than the melody line?
Reposted by Chance Solem-Pfeifer
Driving crooner ass newsroom
Update — Here is what the new apparent CBS News segment "Whiskey Fridays with Tony Dokoupil" may look like:
January 13, 2026 at 11:36 PM
Driving crooner ass newsroom
Reposted by Chance Solem-Pfeifer
take a second to really wrap your head around this.
January 13, 2026 at 10:38 PM
take a second to really wrap your head around this.
This is sour Husker grapes talking, but nothing says "I'm moving on to great things" like opening a biohazard bucket.
January 12, 2026 at 6:17 PM
This is sour Husker grapes talking, but nothing says "I'm moving on to great things" like opening a biohazard bucket.
Reposted by Chance Solem-Pfeifer
I am once again asking you to cancel your Prime account
It is literally the least you can do
It is literally the least you can do
January 11, 2026 at 12:17 AM
I am once again asking you to cancel your Prime account
It is literally the least you can do
It is literally the least you can do
Reposted by Chance Solem-Pfeifer
on tuesday night i held several of the world's greatest filmmakers hostage for a 15-minute speech about what critics & artists owe to each other in the age of rapid enshittification. i'm not entirely sure why i did that.
anyway you can read it here if you want to: www.indiewire.com/criticism/mo...
anyway you can read it here if you want to: www.indiewire.com/criticism/mo...
January 9, 2026 at 6:23 PM
on tuesday night i held several of the world's greatest filmmakers hostage for a 15-minute speech about what critics & artists owe to each other in the age of rapid enshittification. i'm not entirely sure why i did that.
anyway you can read it here if you want to: www.indiewire.com/criticism/mo...
anyway you can read it here if you want to: www.indiewire.com/criticism/mo...
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