Movie theaters in Portland are truly special and PSU’s 5th Avenue Cinema on SW Hall Street is no exception. If you’re looking for the latest releases, keep moving. 5th Avenue Cinema, one of the few student-run theaters in the country, shoots for titles you wouldn’t otherwise see on the big screen. The PSU Film Committee does an excellent job selecting movies that serve a simple mission: to entertain and educate in a stress-free environment. Every Friday through Sunday, (fall through spring and a little less during the summer) 5th Avenue Cinema features one or two films from an eclectic, diverse selection (often art-house and delicious) from all over the world, primarily on 35mm film, 16mm on rare occasions (goodies for cinephiles) and sometimes digital.
Usually I’ve never heard of the featured movie and that’s the way I like it. I recommend skipping the part where you watch a trailer to decide whether or not you see the movie. (Or, you can go to one of their “blind screenings.”) To see a movie without expectations is the best blind date, especially at 5th Avenue Cinema: if you hate it, just leave! It won’t cost you a dime. It’s free for PSU students (bring your student ID), and only $4 for other students and seniors, and $5 for the general public. Plus, free popcorn for all! The seats are comfy. It’s wheelchair accessible and they offer two kinds of accessibility headphones: one that amplifies dialogue for guests with impaired hearing and one that describes scenery and action for guests with impaired vision.
Check out the calendar on their website, plus a list of every movie featured since 2016.
