About CineVerse

Comprised of film buffs who enjoy watching and talking about movies, CineVerse today is an online discussion group that continues to meet every Wednesday evening from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Central time on Zoom. We were originally founded in 2005 and convened in person at a park district building in the suburbs of Chicago for nearly 15 years before the pandemic hit. Since 2020, we’ve transitioned our group to a private club that meets exclusively online.

CineVere’s format hasn’t changed much since its inception. The group still gathers each Wednesday to discuss a particular film. CineVerse members analyze that picture via an open discussion moderated by group founder Erik Martin. He leads the group through a Q&A session in which important aspects of the movie are discussed—including historical context, cultural and sociological significance, the director’s choices, style and tone, themes, and symbolism. The movies are chosen from lists provided by its members. More than 800 films have been studied and discussed by CineVerse since 2005—from silent pictures and foreign masterpieces to classics from the golden age of Hollywood to arthouse and independent features to modern movies.

CineVerse moderator Erik Martin 

The goal of CineVerse is to expose members to a wide variety of films—especially those not shown at the local multiplex—and to foster an appreciation for and intelligent dialogue about these movies. Watching a movie is fun, but interpreting it, talking about it, and sharing opinions and theories about it is even more enjoyable. The real pleasure is in digging deeper to learn how and why a film was made, the impact it’s had on culture, society and other movies, why that movie has the power to evoke a strong emotional reaction in each of us, and what it can teach us.

CineVerse’s longevity can be credited to its members, whose insights, passion and enthusiasm have fueled the group and helped it grow over the years. While a steady core of around 15 people remains active participants, more than 150 people have participated in CineVerse meetings since 2005.

Erik also promotes CineVerse and its website via his monthly Cineversary podcast, which celebrates a milestone anniversary of a movie classic (more details at
www.Cineversary.com). 

For more information on CineVerse, email Erik the moderator at cineversegroup@gmail.com.

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