We got to screen a new movie that is being delivered to audiences in our “new normal” way, digitally and couldn’t wait to tell you about it. Phoenix, Oregon is about things we need more than ever right now: hopes, dreams, a sense of community plus some really great pizza and fine wine. With a strong culinary undertone, bowling also plays a big part in this film, as does friendship, trust, and being there for each other through tough times. We could use all of that during these difficult COVID-19 times.

James Le Gros plays the lead character, Bobby, in the movie. Photo provided by the producers of Phoenix, Oregon.

Phoenix, Oregon debuts March 20 with an opportunity for us all to watch it from the safety of our own homes, while helping others on a bigger scale. The film will be opening in any theaters that are able to screen the film but it’s also available to anyone with a Theatrical-At-Home opportunity in that lets people buy a ticket to watch the movie for a matinee price of $6.50 with 50% of ticket sales going to a group of small theaters around the country where the movie would have been shown. It’s the producers’ way of helping hurting small businesses. We were allowed to view the film before opening to facilitate this review.

The movie is about two life-long friends, a graphic novelist somewhat mired in his own misery who feels aliens are overseeing and controlling our lives for their own amusement (we’re just their playthings) and a chef who is full of dreams, hope, and amazing pizza-making skills (oh, the love he puts into making crust and just the right tang of the sauce!). They jump into an opportunity to reinvent their lives but, as is often the case, life takes them in a different direction. It’s funny, romantic, sad, infuriating, and hopeful. It’s also about bowling, amazing Neapolitano pizza and great wine, beer, and spirits.

Familiar faces keep popping up throughout the movie including James Le Gros (Amazon Prime’s Hunters), Jesse Borrego (Fox’s 24), Lisa Edelstein (Netflix’s The Kominsky Method), Reynaldo Gallegos (Triple Frontier), Diedrich Bader (ABC’s American Housewife) and Kevin Corrigan (Showtime’s Ray Donovan).

Photo provided by the producers of Phoenix, Oregon.

Anne Lundgren, one of the producers of Phoenix, Oregon explained the situation with the movie’s availability and release to us this way:

“Phoenix, Oregon was set to open in selects theaters on March 20, but all but a few of these theaters have closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. On March 20, the film team is offering a “Theatrical-at-Home” viewing option available to anyone in the US & Canada.

Revenues will be shared with our opening-weekend theaters. We suggest that audiences watch the film this weekend, because the continuation of the program will depend on the “online-box office” performance of the film. We hope to add additional theaters to the program starting on March 27.

Audiences can watch from anywhere, and we will definitely try to screen in theaters if they open again, but we are currently focused on the “Theatrical-at-Home” revenue sharing program as we do not know what the future holds.”

Watch the film, starting on their website.

Hungry for more? Check out our list of movies and books for foodies who also love to travel.

RealFoodTraveler.com is a member of affiliate marketing programs including Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, GourmetAds, Cookly.Me, and AWIN, affiliate marketing organizations that pair publishers with advertisers whose content matches the needs of the readers. Affiliate marketing programs are designed to provide a means for sites to earn a small amount of advertising fees by linking to to their advertisers while providing convenience for the reader. Affiliate links do not change the pricing, nor experience for the reader.