Cinematical

Regular readers of online film criticism might know the name D.K. Holm (that's him in the drawing). A Portland native, he's written a handful of books about people like R. Crumb and Quentin Tarantino, and he's a regular contributor to Kevin Smith's Quick Stop Entertainment site (writing a column called "Nocturnal Admissions," tee-hee). D.K. -- or Doug, as his friends call him -- is also the film critic at the Vancouver Voice, an alternative newsmonthly in Vancouver, Wash., just across the river from Portland.

The bad news is that Doug has esophageal cancer. It is treatable, but -- and here's the worse news -- like one-sixth all Americans and most freelance writers, he doesn't have health insurance. He's looking at thousands of dollars in chemotherapy and surgery. It's every uninsured person's worst nightmare.
And so some of his friends are putting together a benefit show, to be held in Portland on April 27. There will be wine, hors d'oeuvres, entertainment by Pink Martini frontman Thomas Lauderdale and others, readings of some of Doug's most vitriolic reviews (and their corresponding hate mail!), and a silent auction. Portland's best independent movie house, Cinema 21, has graciously donated use of its space for the event. All the proceeds will go directly to Doug's medical treatment. Suggested donation at the door is $10, but if you're not in the Portland area and would still like to help, information on how you can do so is here.

When I moved to Portland almost three years ago, Doug was one of the first characters I noticed in the local film-critic community. He's colorful, opinionated, friendly, and ridiculously knowledgeable about movies. We're all upset by the cancer news, but we're optimistic about his treatment, and hopeful that we'll be able to raise some funds to help him out.