I had to take the bus to work today. My car wouldn’t start and my mom needed the Volvo. I actually like taking the bus. It always makes me feel like I’m in a David Lynch film. Today, a guy got on who looked exactly like the actor Elliot Gould, except he was wearing plastic bags for socks.

When it began to pour as we crossed the Hawthorne Bridge on the way to Hotel deLuxe, it occurred to me why we love movies so much in Portland: we’re inside a lot. Portland sightseeing is as much about movies as it is about Mt. Hood.

Just consider the number of film festivals we have each year. The biggest is the Portland International Film Festival. I try to volunteer for this one (free tickets). It goes on for most of February and screens more than 100 titles from around the world. This year I give top honors to the German film The Lives of Others. In part because of the director’s name: Florian Henkel von Donnersmarck.

The week-long Longbaugh Film Festival is worth a look, too. It just finished up its 2007 run a couple of weeks ago. If you happen to be in town during the festival, or live here, the Hotel deLuxe usually offers a special package that includes, say, two tickets, a night’s stay, breakfast in Gracie’s Restaurant and unlimited valet parking. You could do a lot worse. You could go see Wild Hogs starring John Travolta.

Here are the best of the fests. All are within easy range of Hotel deLuxe, other Portland hotels and plenty of great Portland restaurants.

Portland International Film Festival – February

Longbaugh Film Festival – March

Jewish Film Festival – January

Reel Music Festival – January/February

NW Film & Video Festival – November

PDX Film Fest – April

Portland Lesbian and Gay Film Festival – October

Portland International Short Film Festival – October

Portland Underground Film Festival – June

Cascade Festival of African Films – March

Grindhouse Film Festival – March

That’s a wrap.

So here are my top three movies that I think should be remade and set in Portland:

3. French Connection (1971, Dir. William Friedkin)

Portland’s one-way streets, the roads winding up to the Oregon Zoo and Portland Japanese Garden, the esplanade along the Willamette River and the 10 bridges that span the river in or near the city center would make for some first-rate car chases. Portland sightseeing at 100 mph!

The bridges alone should seal the deal. Portland has the world’s only telescoping double-deck vertical lift bridge (Steel), the world’s oldest lift bridge (Hawthorne) and the country’s longest tied-arch bridge (Fremont). Their shadowy undersides would be great for our Popeye Doyle’s “interrogations”.

2. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1962, Dir. Blake Edwards)

I’d have to change the title of course, but I think a remake would go really well with Portland shopping areas like downtown and NW 23^rd Ave. And the premier Portland restaurants would be a perfect backdrop for our Holly Golightly. Maybe even Gracie’s and The Driftwood Room at Hotel deLuxe.

As for Portland sightseeing ambiance, we can match Edwards’ fantasy New York anytime: the views from atop the US Bancorp Tower, strolls along the waterfront, cups of cappuccino at a sidewalk cafe.

1. Singing in the Rain (1952, Stanley Donen)

Obvious, right? Anyone who’s visited Portland in the spring would understand. Come to think of it, anyone who’s visited Portland would understand.

I’d stage a ripping dance sequence just east of Hotel deLuxe in the heart of Portland shopping and near some great Portland restaurants. The red-brick steps and sunken amphitheater of Pioneer Square make the perfect set. It already has a statue that looks like Gene Kelly, umbrella and all!

That’s a wrap.

Lance