“Black Francis’s GOLEM” a Starving Art world premiere art and film event in collaboration with Alamo Drafthouse Rolling Roadshow.

Black Francis, the musical-genius frontman of highly influential alt-rock band The Pixies, has created a new score for the German Expressionist silent masterpiece DER GOLEM. A recording of this new film score will be spun along with the movie at the Starving Art Drive-in. Accompanying the music/film presentation, Francis’s related art work will be on display at the Starving Art Gallery.

“A silent classic and an exemplary specimen of German expressionist cinema, DER GOLEM is set in 16th century Prague. A rabbi fashions a proto–Frankenstein’s monster, sculpted from rough clay and brought to life through sorcery, to protect the Jewish ghetto from a Christian emperor’s decree that it be dissolved. Through means both surprising and charming, the creature manages to stave off the wrath of the emperor and his court. But it eventually goes haywire, as the rabbi’s jealous assistant turns the golem toward evil. A true juggernaut, the golem destroys everything in its path.

The last in a trilogy of films on the golem myth, all cowritten and codirected by Paul Wegener, The Golem depicts the labyrinthine ghetto as a baroque and anxious world of secrets and magic capable of producing amazing discoveries as well as horrific power. Wegener, who had a long career as an actor, plays the title character with odd grace. Photographed by master cinematographer Karl Freund (METROPOLIS, THE LAST LAUGH, DRACULA), the film…remains visually stunning.” (Sean Uyehara, San Francisco Film Festival)

The location: Starving Art and EAT – 2326 East Cesar Chavez, Austin
Starving Art Studios and EAT Park and Eatery. A place where people can see, take part of, purchase and even eat, some of the unique creative aspects of Austin, Texas. We have brought together various aspects of our creative community into one place so that people can come and enjoy.

Check out this great article about STARVING ART in Austin360 this week!

Friday, September 3, Rolling Roadshow Presentation at Starving Art and Eat, 8pm. Be there.

Hey guys, I’ve been working on this deal now for more than a year now, and today is the day that we can finally announce it!  I start a new job today as CEO of the merged Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.  We start work immediately merging the websites, the preshow development and the menu and will start making plans to roll out these changes along with our signature Alamo programming to the other locations shortly after that.  Stay tuned to the blog and Facebook for details as they progress.  The news is so important, I asked Mary Sledd to take a fancy new headshot (left).

Full news post below.

Alamo Drafthouse Founder Returns to Spotlight as New CEO

Cinema-Eatery Concept Creator Tim League Returns to Roots, Looks to Expand Cinema Programming to New Markets

(Austin, Texas)—The creator of what Texas Monthly has dubbed “the most important film festival in America” announces he is returning to his starring role as CEO of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema brand, effective immediately. Tim League, founder of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and mastermind behind the nationally acclaimed Fantastic Fest film festival, will assume brand and creative leadership for the company after a five-year hiatus. He will replace former Alamo Drafthouse CEO John Martin. Martin is transitioning to the role of area developer and plans to continue the expansion of the concept outside of Texas.

Brand expansion has been a key growth strategy for Alamo Drafthouse Cinema since League founded the concept in 1997. Opening as a single-screen theater in downtown Austin, Texas, the company has grown to include nine locations throughout Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Texas and Winchester, Va., for a combined total of 55 screens with an average unit sales volume of $5.8 million per location. Average weekly same-store-sales grew 11.5% in 2009 versus 2008. Named best theater in America by Entertainment Weekly, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema built a reputation not only by combining food and drink service with the movie-going experience, but also introducing unique programming and high-profile, star-studded special events.

And it’s those special events—such as the fantasy, horror and genre-driven film festival Fantastic Fest—that League hopes to give more national play.

“We are looking at expanding some of the signature programming that has been developed over the past few years in Austin and expanding it to our franchised locations,” League says. “There is the possibility of expanding programming opportunities and leveraging those events in new markets.”

League, 39, sold the company in 2004, but retained ownership and operation of three Alamo Drafthouse locations in Austin.

“When I decided to sell the company in 2004, I was more focused on the hands-on development of programming, preshow entertainment and the nuances of the Alamo experience. I have since grown the infrastructure of my creative team, and I feel ready to share the results of our Austin ‘incubator’ with the rest of the country,” he says.

In returning to his role as CEO, he will oversee the programming, creative vision and the next wave of expansion for the company. Currently, Alamo Drafthouse has additional locations under development in San Antonio and Austin and is actively seeking expansion beyond Texas and Virginia.

“The Alamo Drafthouse has a unique operating strategy different from any other exhibitor in the market today,” League says. “We have a direct relationship with our audiences, are intolerant of advertisements before movies, offer fresh food and demand technical excellence. I envision the Alamo Drafthouse making a significant change in what it means to go the movies.”

The new CEO adds that there has never been a more opportune time for his return to the company spotlight—especially since the movie industry clocked a record year of $10.6 billion tickets sales in 2009. His new role will allow him to capitalize on a fresh-styled cinema experience that is fun and, well—fantastic.

“The time is right to expand the Alamo brand and its unique programming to the appropriate markets across the United States,” League says.

The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is currently seeking qualified franchise area-development partners in select markets. For more information about Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, please visit www.drafthouse.com.

Well, yeah, I guess there should probably be an image of Christopher Lambert there… but c’mon, it’s Sean Connery with the Cross of St Andrew behind him. It doesn’t get much more Scottish than that, and  he was in the movie so that’s good enough for me. Damn, I hope I look that good when I’m his age.

The Scottish angle is entirely appropriate because Highlander is the barrel-aged version of Real Heavy – Real Ale’s Wee Heavy Scotch Ale.

Allow me to recap. Real Ale have recently embarked on a project they call Mysterium Verum (Real Mystery). They’ve been ageing several of their beers in oak barrels, some of which are French, some of which are American, but all of which were previously used to ferment red wine. They put some of the beer in each of the two kinds of barrel, leave it there for three months, then blend it and keg it. If you were here last week you might have tried The Kraken – a barrel-aged 2008 Sisyphus Barley Wine.

I had a taste of Highlander at the Ginger Man a few weeks ago, and even though it was the most expensive half pint of beer I’ve ever parted with my hard-earned for, I went back for a second. The oak and the red wine have added all kinds of layers and nuances to the already delicious Real Heavy.

By the way, this week (May 16th to 23rd) is American Craft Beer Week. There are all kinds of tastings and events going on around Austin between now and Saturday at places such as the Ginger Man, the Flying Saucer and the Draught House.

All other concerns are secondary.

Jim Hughes, Head Beer Nerd, Alamo South Lamar
“If I had all the money I’ve spent on drink… I’d spend it on drink.” ~ Sir Henry Rawlinson

Kraken (krãkn). 1755. [-Norw. kraken (n is the suffixed def. art.).]  A mythical sea-monster of enormous size, said to have been seen at times off the coast of Norway.

Kraken (krãkn). 2010.  A mythical beer monster of enormous flavour, said to have been seen in Texas in the early 21st century.

+++++++++++++++++++++

Y’know, two of the biggest reasons to be glad about living in central Texas right now are 1) the fantastic breweries and brewpubs we have here, and 2) the prospective breweries in various stages of development (five… or is it six… at the last count), plus the Black Star Co-op. Now that’s what I call an embarrassment of riches!

Up there with the best of them is Real Ale Brewing in Blanco. Not only do they make our house beer (Drafthouse ESB, and if you haven’t tried it yet… why not?) but also our biggest selling draft beer – Fireman’s #4. They also make a fantastic range of seasonal beers, from Coffee Porter to Devil’s Backbone Tripel to Oktoberfest to Lost Gold IPA to Phoenixx Double ESB, not forgetting Sisyphus Barley Wine. Yum.

Recently they’ve been experimenting with barrel-ageing several of their beers to give them extra layers of flavour and aroma, and in the past few weeks some of these beers have been making an appearance around Austin.

We’ve got ourselves a keg of Barrel-Aged Sisyphus Barley Wine, which Real Ale have named The Kraken. Now, Sisyphus is a pretty damn good beer to start with, but this is the ‘08 release so it’s already two years old, and Real Ale have put some of it in French oak barrels and some of it in American oak barrels, both of which previously held red wine. They left it there for three months, blended it and kegged it, and now you and I have a chance to sample it.

I could try to describe The Kraken but I don’t think I have words to justify its qualities. All I can say is that the oak and the red wine are both prominent, overlaying the already delicious Sisyphus. It’s one of the best beers I’ve tasted.

I have to warn you that this is the most expensive beer we’ve ever had in our walk-in, pint for pint; even more than that keg of… well, that’s for another time. So we’re going to serve this one in half pints, and I’ll give you a heads up that it’ll be $8.00 a glass. Not cheap, I know, but it’s so worth it, at least for one glass-worth. It would have been cool if we’d had this one on tap during Clash of the Titans but we just couldn’t get it in time. Ah well, you win some you lose some. It’s a damn fine beer either way.

Jim Hughes, Head Beer Nerd, Alamo South Lamar
“If I had all the money I’ve spent on drink… I’d spend it on drink.” ~ Sir Henry Rawlinson

(512) Brewing in south Austin was partly instrumental in kicking off the whole Badass Beer thing so it’s fitting that we should have another one of their beers on the Badass Tap.

Last year, during the depths of what passes for winter in Texas (actually, it was quite wintry this year, wasn’t it), I was pondering the idea of having a rotating tap of seasonal, aged and high-end beers, and when the Christmas seasonals started running out at the end of December we found ourselves with an empty line or two, right about the time that (512) released the Whiskey Barrel Double Pecan Porter. Just thinking about that beer brings a little tear of happiness to my eye.

So we got a pair of kegs. They flew out of the door on wings, and thus was born the Badass Tap. This time we have a few kegs of their spring seasonal, an Altbier, which they debuted this time last year.

I must admit that this is a beer style I’m not too familiar with. Having grown up on English bitter I’m a confirmed hophead, so malty German beers are not something I often drink, but the Altbier is relatively well-hopped as German beers go.  Altbier means ‘old beer’ in German, and it’s throwback to the time before lager took over as the predominant German beer style. In fact, it’s kind of a hybrid. It’s brewed with top-fermenting yeast (like an ale) but at a cooler temperature (like a lager), and stored, or ‘lagered’, at cool temperatures  for longer than most ales, giving it a crispness and clarity similar to a true lager.

For those of you who (like me) want to know the details: (512) Alt is brewed with 98% organic 2-row Munich malt, Santiam hops (a US variety with noble (Tettnang and Hallertau) antecedents), and it has a 5.9% ABV. It’s one of the tastiest beers I’ve had for a while – plenty of roasted malt flavour with none of the cloying malt sweetness, and a subtle hop profile with a slight bitter finish.

(512)’s second birthday can’t be far off, and I believe they have another anniversary brew lined up. Last year’s, the (512) One, was a delicious Belgian Dark Ale. They’re not giving away any secrets about what this year’s will be, but they’ve yet to made a beer I didn’t like.

Jim Hughes, Head Beer Nerd, Alamo South Lamar
“If I had all the money I’ve spent on drink… I’d spend it on drink.” ~ Sir Henry Rawlinson

AUSTIN FILM SOCIETY and FANTASTIC FEST are excited to present Quentin Tarantino’s INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS, starring Brad Pitt, on August 15 at 9 PM at The Alamo Drafthouse Downtown (320 E 6th Street).  Tarantino will be on hand for Q&A after the film.

In the first year of the German occupation of France, Shosanna Dreyfus (Melanie Laurent) witnesses the execution of her family at the hand of Nazi Colonel Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz).  Shosanna narrowly escapes and flees to Paris where she forges a new identity as the owner and operator of a cinema.  Elsewhere in Europe, Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) organizes a group of Jewish American soldiers to perform swift, shocking acts of retribution.  Later known to their enemy as “the basterds,” Raine’s squad joins German actress and undercover agent Bridget von Hammersmark (Diane Kruger) on a mission to take down the leaders of the Third Reich.  Fates converge under a cinema marquis, where Shosanna is poised to carry out a revenge plan of her own… Employing pulp and propaganda in equal measure, Quentin Tarantino’s INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS weaves together the infamous, oppressed, real and larger-than-life stories of WWII.

Red carpet arrivals will begin at 8:45 PM. Press wishing to cover the red carpet MUST obtain credentials by emailing Agnes Varnum at agnes@austinfilm.org.  No admittance to the red carpet area without credentials.

The screening will kick off Cinemapocalyse, a dusk-til dawn movie marathon. INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS will be followed by a double feature of repertory films programmed by Quentin Tarantino.  Both films are influences for INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS.  INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS is the only film that will be announced prior to the event, the “influences” double feature and the rest of the program will be announced just before they hit screen.  Tickets for Cinemapocalypse will be available to Austin Film Society members and 2009 Fantastic Fest badge holders on Thursday, July 30 at noon CST.  Here’s where you get ‘em!

Tickets for a simultaneous VIP screening of the film will be available to Austin Film Society members on Wednesday, July 29 at 10 AM. The $100 ticket will include dinner, the screening and simulcast of the Q&A. Tickets will be on sale at austinfilm.org and all proceeds benefit the Texas Filmmakers’ Production Fund, which received a record number of grant requests for 2009.

Fantastic Fest was founded in 2005 by Tim League (founder of Alamo Drafthouse Cinema) and Harry Knowles (founder of Ain’t It Cool News).  The Alamo Drafthouse was named “Best Theater in America” by Entertainment Weekly and Ain’t It Cool News is one of the most popular internet movie sites in the world.  Now in its fifth year, Fantastic Fest is the largest genre film festival in the U.S., and has hosted a large number of world premieres over the years, including THERE WILL BE BLOOD, APOCAPLYTO, HOSTEL, CITY OF EMBER and many more.  Fantastic Fest was named by Variety president Charlie Koones as “one of the 10 festivals we love,” alongside industry heavy-hitters Cannes, Telluride and Toronto and was also named by MovieMaker Magazine this year as “one of the 25 coolest film festivals.” For more information, visit www.fantasticfest.com.

Austin Film Society promotes the appreciation of film and supports creative filmmaking by screening rarely seen films, giving grants and other support to emerging filmmakers, and providing access and education about film to youth and the public. Through Austin Studios, which AFS opened in 2000 in partnership with the City of Austin, AFS helps attract film development and production to Austin and Texas. Gala film premieres and the annual Texas Film Hall of Fame Awards raise funds as well as awareness of the impact of film on economy and community. The Austin Film Society is ranked among the top film centers in the country and recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and Directors Guild of America. For more information on Austin Film Society, visit www.austinfilm.org.

Press inquires:
Contact Agnes Varnum, Communications Manager, Austin Film Society
512-322-0145 x213 or agnes@austinfilm.org

Important information!
From noon CST Thursday, July 30 to noon CST July 31, tickets can only be purchased by 2009 Fantastic Fest badge holders and Austin Film Society members. Tickets to this event are $65. If you are not a badge holder or film society member, DO NOT BUY TICKETS. We will be cross-checking tickets purchased against both lists. If you buy a ticket and are not a 2009 Fantastic Fest badge holder or Austin Film Society member, you will not have a seat and will not receive a refund. Tickets still left at noon CST on July 31st will be opened up to the general public.

Go get ‘em here!

(Austin, TX)–The Austin Film Society, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Ain’t It Cool News and SXSW are pleased to present the World Premiere of Miramax Films’ EXTRACT, a new film by Mike Judge starring Jason Bateman, on August 18 at The Paramount Theater (713 Congress Avenue). Judge and Bateman will attend the screening, which is a benefit for the Texas Filmmakers’ Production Fund.

EXTRACT is the latest comedy from writer/director and Austinite Mike Judge (OFFICE SPACE, KING OF THE HILL, IDIOCRACY). Joel, played by Jason Bateman (JUNO, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT), is one step away from selling his flavor extract factory and retiring to easy street when a freak workplace accident sets in motion a series of disasters that puts his business and personal life in jeopardy. The film also stars Kristen Wiig (SNL, GHOST TOWN), Mila Kunis (FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL) and Ben Affleck (HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU). Miramax Films will open this film nationwide on September 4th, 2009.

Red carpet arrivals will begin at 7:30 PM. Press wishing to cover the red carpet MUST obtain credentials by emailing Agnes Varnum at agnes@austinfilm.org. No admittance to the red carpet area without credentials.

Ain’t It Cool News, Fantastic Fest and SXSW will conduct ticket giveaways via their websites–must be a 2010 SXSW or Fantastic Fest badge holder to win. Remaining tickets will be available through the Austin Film Society. AFS members will be able to purchase tickets during a preview window starting Tuesday, July 28^th at Noon at www.austinfilm.org.

Tickets for the general public will go on sale at Noon on Monday, August 3 through GetTix (866-443-8849), gettix.net or The Paramount Theatre box office. Pricing as follows:

$100 VIP seating and official after-party with Judge and Bateman

$30 (Mezzanine) and $17 (Upper Balcony) for the screening including a Q&A

Special thanks to Miramax Films, Marc English Design and The Austin Chronicle.

The SXSW Film Conference and Festivall is a uniquely creative environment featuring the dynamic convergence of talent, smart audiences and industry heavyweights. A hotbed of discovery and interactivity, the event offers lucrative networking opportunities and immersion into the art, business and rapidly evolving world of independent film. Over the first five days, the Film Conference buzzes as world-class speakers, creative minds, and notable mentors tackle the latest filmmaking trends amidst the unmatched social atmosphere of the SXSW experience. Simultaneously, the internationally acclaimed, nine-day Festival celebrates raw innovation and emerging talent, with a truly diverse program ranging from provocative documentaries to subversive Hollywood comedies. For more information, visit http://www.sxsw.com.

Austin Film Society promotes the appreciation of film and supports creative filmmaking by screening rarely seen films, giving grants and other support to emerging filmmakers, and providing access and education about film to youth and the public. Through Austin Studios, which AFS opened in 2000 in partnership with the City of Austin, AFS helps attract film development and production to Austin and Texas. Gala film premieres and the annual Texas Film Hall of Fame Awards raise funds as well as awareness of the impact of film on economy and community. The Austin Film Society is ranked among the top film centers in the country and recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and Directors Guild of America. For more information on Austin Film Society, visit www.austinfilm.org.

How to win tickets from Fantastic Fest!
Fantastic Fest has been allocated a small number of ticket pairs to this event. To win tickets, visit the Fantastic Fest Facebook Page and RSVP to win. Winners will be announced on Monday, August 10 at noon CST on the Fantastic Fest Facebook Page and on the Fantastic Fest blog. You must be a 2010 SXSW or 2009 Fantastic Fest badge holder to win tickets.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Even though I’m writing this two days before the proverbial new year is here, I still feel a little bit of the refreshment and excitment that comes with trying to remember to write “2009″ on anything that needs dating. Personally, I’m terrible at coming up with New Year’s Resolutions (keeping them, actually), so I’m just going to relate them to the Alamo and welcome you to share each and every resolution. Resolution #1: I’m going to drink as many white russians as the waitstaff will serve me during the only two screenings of THE BIG LEBOWSKI. Resolution #2: I’m going to expand my knowledge of Japanese pop-culture by watching what promises to be an absolutely mind-blowing SUPER HAPPY FUN MONKEY BASH 2009. Resolution #3: I’m going to stand in front of the mirror and practice my best Britney and Christina lip-syncing and dance moves to get ready for the POP PRINCESS SING-ALONG. Resolution #4: I’m going to patiently wait for a whole week to finally see THE WRESTLER so that the next time somebody says “Oh my GOD that is the best movie I’ve ever seen!” I can finally say “I KNOW!” instead of “SHUT UP I HAVEN’T SEEN IT YET!” Well, those resolutions should at least get me through the week. Damn, this is gonna be a long list…

:: FEATURED EVENTS AT THE ALAMO RITZ ::

- THE BIG LEBOWSKI with WHITE RUSSIANS -
: Alamo Ritz : Friday, Jan 2 : Saturday, Jan 3 :

The Coen Brothers have described THE BIG LEBOWSKI as their Raymond Chandler story, and it contains all the trappings of the author’s hardboiled mystery novels, including the alcohol. Secondly, as a bowling-themed comedy, liquor is a given. Finally and most importantly, THE BIG LEBOWSKI is the ultimate movie for White Russian fans. The Dude fuels his detective work with numerous helpings the sweet drink, which he often refers to as “Caucasians.” As long as there is ‘half and half’ dripping from his mustache, the Dude abides. (Booze Movies)

- Big Screen Classics: ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK -
: Alamo Ritz : Sat, Jan 3 : Sun, Jan 4 : Mon, Jan 5 : Wed, Jan 7 :

Rare 35mm Print!! Snake Plissken is the ULTIMATE Sci-Fi Badass. Why? Because he’s played by ultimate real life Badass Kurt Russell, who was at the height of his effortlessly steely machismo when he teamed with ultimate filmmaking Badass John Carpenter for the first (and many say greatest) of several flawless collaborations. So if you love BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA and THE THING – and you sure as hell do – this is the unshaven, post-apocalyptic blowtorcher that started it all!

- SUPER HAPPY FUN MONKEY BASH 2009! -
: Alamo Ritz : Saturday, Jan 3 :

Each year around this time, we roll out a new volume of Super Happy Fun Monkey Bash, a 90 minute compilation of mind-boggling insanity from Japanese television. You’ll see A-list American celebrities pimping themselves out for cheap Japanese products, bawdy situation comedies, extreme pro-wrestling, bizarre anti-flatulence products, nonsensical English phrases, supreme goofiness, and lots and lots of foam rubber costumes! Check out our YouTube Channel for teaser clips from this year’s show as well as trailers from current and past Monkey Bash shows!

- TRINIDAD with Sabrina Marcus LIVE -
: Alamo Ritz : Sunday, Jan 4 :

The film chronicles Trinidad, Colorado’s transformation from Wild West outpost and “Victorian Jewel of Southern Colorado” to “Sex Change Capital of the World,” and follows three transgender women who may just steer the rural ranching town (pop. 9,077) toward becoming the “transsexual mecca.” We are delighted to have cast member Sabrina Marcus live in person for this screening! Sabrina founded the transgender-focused Southern Comfort Conference in Atlanta and is an active member in the International Foundation for Gender Education and the National Center for Transgender Equality.

- Girlie Night: MEAN GIRLS -
: Alamo Ritz : Tuesday, Jan 6 :

Before Tina Fey was officially declared The Smartest Woman on Television, she proved that she was one of the smartest women in celluloid when she wrote MEAN GIRLS. Taking the high school misfit genre one notch higher, MEAN GIRLS was based on the book QUEEN BEES AND WANNABEES, and the world of teenage girldom has never been the same. Here, the Plastics are the most popular girls in school. They wrote the rule book on Girl World, like always wearing pink on Tuesdays. And they’re mean. As usual on Girlie Night, we will have special MEAN GIRL cocktails available at this show!

- Terror Tuesday: HOWLING 2 with SYBIL DANNING LIVE! -
: Alamo Ritz : Tuesday, Jan 6 :

There is NO BETTER MOVIE IN THE GODDAMN WORLD to kick off Terror Tuesdays than this ferocious assault on the human skull, and no better guest to experience it with than The Queen of the Werewolves herself: horror/exploitation film legend SYBIL DANNING! The last time we played HOWLING II, the audience had so much fun that the governor’s mansion got set on fire! Now, with the ultimate wolfwoman loose in the theater, it’ll most certainly mean the total extinction of all life on this planet. Special thanks to Reb Hibbert.

- Weird Wednesday: CHAINED HEAT with SYBIL DANNING LIVE! -
: Alamo Ritz : Wednesday, Jan 7 :

By focusing their combined sexual repressions from their respective adolescences, true hero of the Alamo Reb Hibbert and Alamo programmer Zack Carlson managed to convince revered ’80s exploitation sexbomb Sybil Danning that it was a good idea to sit in a dark theater full of her most lonely, potentially obsessed fans to watch her goddess-esque roles in some truly classic drive-in films. CHAINED HEAT is pure women-in-prison exploitation with all the catfights, steamy shower scenes and deviant sexuality you can handle. Maybe more!

- 24: SEASON 7 PREMIERE! -
: Alamo Ritz : Wednesday, Jan 7 :

Austin Voices and Fox 7 are giving us a chance to see the much anticipated two-hour premiere of 24 (Season 7) before it airs! That pesky writer’s strike has deprived us all for too long- Jack Bauer is back and on the big screen at the Ritz!

- ELVIS PRESLEY’S BIRTHDAY SING-ALONG -
: Alamo Ritz : Thursday, Jan 8 :

We put together a night to celebrate the King himself, the man who started it all by stealing black music and making it accessible to a racist world market long before the New Kids on the Block ever dreamt of stealing the New Edition method. We owe Elvis Presley so much, and for so much more than just his music. He’s influenced every single person who was born after him with his music, his legend, and his god damned amazing house, Graceland. How fantastic is that place? People don’t just sing like Elvis, or sing about Elvis, they sing about his house! That’s awesome.

- The POP PRINCESS SING-ALONG -
: Alamo Ritz : Thursday, Jan 8 :

The Boy Band Sing-Alongs have always been rousing successes and great fun for everybody, but every time we put NSYNC and Backstreet up on the screen I couldn’t help but feel guilty. What about the ladies? Sure, we’ve done the Ladies of the 80s show, but how do you fit the Spice Girls into that? You can’t. And so this January we’re putting together our very first POP PRINCESS SING-ALONG, focusing heavily on the princesses of the 90s, including the aforementioned Spice Girls, Britney, Christina, and more!

- THE WRESTLER -
: Alamo Ritz : Thursday, Jan 8 at MIDNIGHT :

This may be the first time we’ve ever seen the toughest critics and fans unanimously deem a new film perfect. With his battle scars and failing heart, retired professional wrestler Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke) jumps back into the squared circle to prove to himself that he’s more than just a used-up piece of meat. A simple premise, but apparently Rourke’s performance and the script are so strong, compelling and real that audiences across the world are going haywire, calling this the best film in the critically acclaimed director’s entire career.

We’re teaming up with The Texas Wrestling Federation to bring you ACTUAL LIVE PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING preceding the Thursday, Jan 8 midnight opening of THE WRESTLER! For the price of your ticket, you’ll have a seat for Austin’s premiere screening of this flawless cinematic suplex, PLUS you’ll have a top-notch seat for an exclusive pre-screening, full-scale, white-knuckle WRESTLING EVENT to take place nearby, where REAL LIVE PRO WRESTLERS will be having a no-holds-barred BRAWL for your entertainment! This is clearly the only way to experience the greatest thing to happen to wrestling since the Hulkster slammed Andre the Giant!

:: FEATURED EVENTS AT THE ALAMO SOUTH LAMAR ::

- THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON -
: Alamo South Lamar : Now Playing :

David Fincher and Brad Pitt team up for a third time with this adaptation of a F. Scott Fitzgerald short story. Pitt plays a man who is born 80 years old, but instead of aging, he grows young. Oscar winner Cate Blanchett costars, along with Taraji P. Henson and Tilda Swinton. “The film represents a richly satisfying serving of deep-dish Hollywood storytelling. This odd, epic tale of a man who ages backwards is presented in an impeccable classical manner, every detail tended to with fastidious devotion.” – Todd McCarthy, Variety

- BEDTIME STORIES -
: Alamo South Lamar : Now Playing :

Adam Sandler stars as a man whose nighttime tales do more than just put his nephew to sleep; instead, his imaginative stories become reality. This fantasy comedy for the whole family is directed by HAIRSPRAY helmer Adam Shankman.

- THE SPIRIT -
: Alamo South Lamar : Now Playing :

Down these mean streets a man must come. A hero born, murdered, and born again… Rookie cop Denny Colt returns from the beyond as The Spirit, a hero whose mission is to fight against the bad forces in Central City. Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller (creator of 300 and Sin City) and starring Samuel L. Jackson as “The Octopus,” Eve Mendes as “Sand Seref,” and Scarlett Johansson as “Silken Floss.”

- DOUBT -
: Alamo South Lamar : Now Playing :

Set in 1964, Doubt centers on a nun who confronts a priest after suspecting him abusing a black student. He denies the charges, and much of the play’s quick-fire dialogue tackles themes of religion, morality and authority. Starring Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams.

:: FEATURED EVENTS AT THE ALAMO VILLAGE ::

- TV at the Alamo: GOSSIP GIRL -
: Alamo Village : Monday, Jan 5 :

There’s nothing I hate more in the television world than the dreaded FALL HIATUS! It’s far worse than a season ending because there is absolutely no closure and you’re totally lost for like, three or four weeks wondering WHAT is going to happen. Well thankfully, fall hiatus is coming to an end and GOSSIP GIRL is back on! Finally we’ll figure out where Chuck went, why everyone’s freaking out about Lily’s abortion a bazillion years ago, and what the hell Serena is doing with Aaron in South America. You know you love it. XOXO.

- MARLEY AND ME -
: Alamo Village : Now Playing :

John Grogan’s bestselling book about his Labrador retriever bounds onto the screen with MARLEY AND ME. Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston star as a couple who adopts the badly behaved but much-loved dog.

- VALKYRIE -
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Just in time for Christmas comes the most anticipated, heartwarming film ever made about the attempted assassination of Adolf Hitler! Helmed by the mighty Bryan Singer (USUAL SUSPECTS, X-MEN, SUPERMAN RETURNS) and starring Tom Cruise with an even mightier eye-patch, this true tale of treason and revenge is destined for acclaim-town. Best part- no fake German accents.

We at the Alamo have, for about seven months now, behaved like giddy little children the night before Christmas- sleepless wee believers with visions of Mickey Rourke dancing through our heads. Santa may be a little late this year, but we forgive him, because in just one week, he’s bringing us the one gift we’ve wanted this year- Darren Aronofsky’s THE WRESTLER. It’s got more hype behind it than a pay-per-view pro-wrestling smack-down (especially Mickey Rourke’s career-defining performance)…but it’s looking like this one’s actually going to live up to every ounce. Critics across the board are calling the film a marvel, and Rourke the master.

THE WRESTLER opens for a full run at the Alamo Ritz on Friday, January 9 (tickets are now on sale) but we are so excited for this film that a simple screening alone could never satiate our overwhelming lust for sweet, sweet brutality. So, we’re teaming up with The Texas Wrestling Federation to bring you ACTUAL LIVE PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING preceding the Thursday, Jan 8 midnight opening of THE WRESTLER! For the price of your ticket, you’ll have a seat for Austin’s premiere screening of this flawless cinematic suplex, PLUS you’ll have a top-notch seat for an exclusive pre-screening, full-scale, white-knuckle WRESTLING EVENT to take place nearby, where REAL LIVE PRO WRESTLERS will be having a no-holds-barred BRAWL for your entertainment! This is clearly the only way to experience the greatest thing to happen to wrestling since the Hulkster slammed Andre the Giant!

Award winning cinematic brilliance + live bone-crunchingly extreme physical spectacle makes for the best damn day we’ll have all ‘09. Be there.

Act fast to get your ticket to the show. Click here.

On October 25, 881 people gathered at the Long Center in Austin, Texas to attempt to break the Guinness World record for the largest synchronized Thriller dance. The old record was 140 people. Consider that record to be… shattered.

The record was witnessed by Mayor Will Wynn and Austin City Council Member Sheryl Cole.

Thrill the World Austin was executed by Alamo Drafthouse, Rude Mechanicals, Flash Mob Austin and sponsored by Mosaic | 5619, Mexic-Arte Museum, Ballet Austin, 6th Street Austin, the Long Center and the Capital Area Food Bank.

Check out the encore performace of Austin’s Thrill the World Team in the Day of the Dead procession down Sixth Street on November 1st. Complete details on Thrill the World can be found on the official website, www.thrilltheworld.com