Heather Wilson
AIAO EVP/CEO

Popcorn & Nostalgia: My Summer Movie List for AIA Oregon

Dear AIA Oregon Members,

Normally, as summer rolls around, I'd be excitedly curating and sharing my annual summer reading list with you all. However, this year feels a bit different. For one, who truly has the time to dive into extensive reading when the sun is shining (or, more realistically, when deadlines loom)? More importantly, this summer marks my first without my incredible dad, and I wanted to honor his memory in a way that truly resonated with his spirit.

My dad loved movies. Buttered popcorn might as well have been its own food group for him, and he had an enduring fondness for a good summer movie. He meticulously curated our home collection of VHS and Betamax tapes – often "pirated" from cable, carefully labeled, alphabetized, and even cross-indexed by genre in a little notebook – ensuring I had an endless supply of entertainment in the cool, dark comfort of our Ohio basement during those sweltering heat index record-breaking droughts. This list, then, is a nod to him.

This idea actually sparked from a wonderful conversation I recently had with Ana Yocum, Co-Founder and Board Member of NOMA PDX, who also works at Integrus. I was reminiscing about the glory days of the "summer blockbuster movie" and its profound impact on my Gen X upbringing. And, given that we seem to be returning to the politics that so uncannily match the fashion (have you seen the stores lately? The 90s called, and they'd like their…oh never mind), I thought it was the perfect time to revisit some cinematic classics that feel surprisingly relevant.

So, grab your popcorn (extra butter, please!), settle in, and enjoy my Summer Movie List:

TERMINATOR: An obvious choice, given its chillingly prescient connection to artificial intelligence – a topic that continues to shape our world.
War Games: Because... thermonuclear global war. Need I say more? A timely reminder of the delicate balance of power.
Raiders of the Lost Ark: Pure Harrison Ford magic! And let's be honest, the geopolitical landscape and the shadowy, manipulative forces at play in this film feel oddly, disturbingly familiar these days.
Poltergeist: The sheer irony of homebuilders unwittingly opening a portal to hell? That’s definitely not lost on me, and perhaps not on you either.
The Brady Bunch Movie: And finally, for a dose of pure fun, kitch, and a delightful, albeit comedic, connection to our profession. Mike Brady’s architect character is truly archetypical in the most hilarious way. And if we can’t laugh at ourselves…

After you've had your fill of nostalgia, I encourage you to get out and experience some of the new cinematic releases hitting theaters this summer – like "F1" (hello again, Brad Pitt!). Or, better yet, join us at one of AIA Oregon's fantastic summer events coming up. You can find our full schedule and details here: https://www.aiaoregon.org/events.

Enjoy your summer, and thank you, Dad, for the movies and the memories.

Warmly,

Heather