FOOD, INC

FOOD, INC
Opening Friday, June 25, at the Alamo Ritz
Advance tix available here

How much do we really know about the food we buy at our local supermarkets and serve to our families?

In FOOD, INC., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that's been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government's regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA.

Our nation's food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment. We have bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, insecticide-resistant soybean seeds, even tomatoes that won't go bad, but we also have new strains of e coli--the harmful bacteria that causes illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually. We are riddled with widespread obesity, particularly among children, and an epidemic level of diabetes among adults.

Featuring Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation), Michael Pollan (The Omnivore's Dilemma) along with forward thinking social entrepreneurs like Stonyfield Farm's Gary Hirshberg and Polyface Farms' Joel Salatin, FOOD, INC. reveals surprising -- and often shocking truths -- about what we eat, how it's produced, who we have become as a nation and where we are going from here.

Midnight Michael Jackson Sing-Along Celebration

Michael Jackson Tribute Sing-Along
Midnight Friday at the Alamo Ritz

Alamo creative director Henri Mazza has been doing Michael Jackson Sing-Alongs for years now- not out of irony or spite, but from true respect and admiration for an artist many had written off. Henri was even the mastermind behind the record-breaking Thriller Dance where nearly 900 Thriller-trained dancers showed to smash the previous record, as well as the Dia de Los Muertos Thriller parade. Jackson's music has the power to unite the world in one big beautiful dance party, Henri knows this and the Michael Jackson Sing-Along is proof.

While we mourn the loss of Michael Jackson, a silent vigil doesn't feel quite right for a man so steeped in the extreme. Instead, come join us tonight to celebrate the life of an American legend.

We love you MJ.

FOOD, INC

FOOD, INC
Opening Friday, June 25, at the Alamo Ritz
Advance tix available here

How much do we really know about the food we buy at our local supermarkets and serve to our families?

In FOOD, INC., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that's been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government's regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA.

Our nation's food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment. We have bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, insecticide-resistant soybean seeds, even tomatoes that won't go bad, but we also have new strains of e coli--the harmful bacteria that causes illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually. We are riddled with widespread obesity, particularly among children, and an epidemic level of diabetes among adults.

Featuring Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation), Michael Pollan (The Omnivore's Dilemma) along with forward thinking social entrepreneurs like Stonyfield Farm's Gary Hirshberg and Polyface Farms' Joel Salatin, FOOD, INC. reveals surprising -- and often shocking truths -- about what we eat, how it's produced, who we have become as a nation and where we are going from here.

Save Sinsations with SWINGING CO-EDS!

SWINGING CO-EDS
A Special Benefit Screening for SINSATIONS
Weds, June 24, 9:45pm at the Ritz
Advance $2 tix available right here

SAVE A LOCAL BUSINESS BY WATCHING A GREAT MOVIE FOR JUST $2!!!

SINSATIONS, Austin's most crucial source for adult toys, lingerie, fetish accessories and much more is in trouble...and YOU can come to the rescue! Recently, store founder Morgan Sloane was told that the store would need to relocate or disappear, and we're doing all we can to make that possible. But we'll need your help.

All we ask is that you come pay a couple bucks (or more if you like) to watch one of The Great Sexploitation Films of All Time, and ALL PROCEEDS from the box office go directly to saving the store! Pretty good deal for assisting a local independent business, no?

THE SWINGING CO-EDS
If you’re like most people, when you think of Germany the subject of sex doesn’t immediately come to mind. It’s there, but it has to wait in line behind Hitler, bratwurst and David Hasselhoff. So it may come as a surprise that Germany was a hugely prolific source of sexploitation films for the international market. Particularly popular were the “report” films, exposes of deviant sexual behavior among different groups of attractive young women. The proclivities of housewives, stewardesses, secretaries and milkmaids were thus explored, but the movies that really brought out the raincoat crowd en masse were the ones that focused on the student body. The long running SCHOOLGIRL REPORT series is the best known but there were many others. THE SWINGING COEDS is one of the funniest and sexiest. It also has two long, shapely legs up on the others in the form of Swedish sex goddess Christina Lindberg, who has a much more substantial role in this than her usual walk-ons. (Lars)

Save Sinsations Benefit Screening Tonight!

Save SinSations Benefit Show! THE SWINGING CO-EDS
Tonight at the Alamo Ritz! Only $2!
Get your tickets here

SINSATIONS, Austin's most crucial source for adult toys, lingerie, fetish accessories and much more is in trouble...and YOU can come to the rescue! Recently, store founder Morgan Sloane was told that the store would need to relocate or disappear, and we're doing all we can to make that possible. But we'll need your help.

All we ask is that you come pay a couple bucks (or more if you like) to watch one of The Great Sexploitation Films of All Time, and ALL PROCEEDS from the box office go directly to saving the store! Pretty good deal for assisting a local independent business, no?

THE SWINGING CO-EDS
If you’re like most people, when you think of Germany the subject of sex doesn’t immediately come to mind. It’s there, but it has to wait in line behind Hitler, bratwurst and David Hasselhoff. So it may come as a surprise that Germany was a hugely prolific source of sexploitation films for the international market. Particularly popular were the “report” films, exposes of deviant sexual behavior among different groups of attractive young women. The proclivities of housewives, stewardesses, secretaries and milkmaids were thus explored, but the movies that really brought out the raincoat crowd en masse were the ones that focused on the student body. The long running SCHOOLGIRL REPORT series is the best known but there were many others. THE SWINGING COEDS is one of the funniest and sexiest. It also has two long, shapely legs up on the others in the form of Swedish sex goddess Christina Lindberg, who has a much more substantial role in this than her usual walk-ons.

Get 'em here!

Hey Homo! presents STRAIT-JACKET

Hey Homo! presents STRAIT-JACKET
sponsored in part by Rain on 4th
Tuesday, June 23, 7:15pm at the Ritz
Advance tix available here!

Ever wondered what the faces of the passengers of a train might look like right before it crashes into a snow bank and dives down a hill in flames? Probably the same kind of faces y'all a' gonna make when you watch the train wreck that is JOAN CRAWFORD as she brilliantly and mercilessly plows her way through one of the biggest buried treasures of the gay film fantasy archives!

HEY HOMO! proudly slices you a piece of the film intended to send ol' Joan back to the big bucks...to no avail! It's the axe-hacking tour de force that will leaved you shocked, stunned and proud to be in a dark theater to witness such a spectacle. It's the one and only...STRAIT-JACKET! They don't make 'em like this anymore, kids! A horrific melodrama with a storyline only a drunk queer could have thought of...and only Joan Crawford could have been attracted to.

Heads will roll, chickens! Heads will roll. Get up on it and come see ya' eager beaver hostess Rebecca Havemeyer as she chops ya' a new one!
(Rebecca Havemeyer)

THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS at the Ritz

Big Screen Classics: THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS
Monday and Wednesday at the Alamo Ritz
Advance tickets available here

Wes Anderson's true masterpiece back on the big screen!

Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman) was, at one time, a successful litigator. His wife Etheline (Angelica Huston) raised their children to be ambitious, entrepreneurial, and creative, even then published an acclaimed book about her child-rearing techniques. Adopted daughter Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow) was a gifted playwright. Son Chas (Ben Stiller) was a masterful businessman with a taste for real estate. And the other son, Richie (Luke Wilson), was a natural tennis champ.

But when Royal packed up his life and left his wife and his family in a cloud of betrayal, everything fell apart.

Twenty years later, the Tenenbaums are a dejected and alienated bunch, each having found that their early successes did not carry over into adulthood. When washed-up Royal learns that his distant wife Etheline, who has become an archaeologist, may remarry, he feigns illness as an excuse to reunite with his estranged family.

Get your tickets here

Spend Father's Day with the TENENBAUMS

THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS
Father's Day Feast and Big Screen Classic screenings
Starting Sunday, June 21, at the Alamo Ritz
Advance tickets available here

For all you fathers out there, let Royal be your coach. Sure, maybe he doesn't have the patience or the taste for child-rearing, but when it comes time to reap the benefits of having loved ones, those old paternal blades get mighty sharp.

Father's Day has always been a tricky one for film-programming, and usually it results with something like THE WILD BUNCH or BULLET, some machismo Man's-Man testostorama which really has nothing to do with what it means to be a man, especially a father. There are no cage fights in THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS, but there are car wrecks, severed fingers and rooftop falconing...so, it's not a wash. Gene Hackman gives one of his all time best performances as Royal Tenenbaum, a once dead-beat Dad who now says he's dying in order to bring his family of former-geniuses back together. Hilariously off-beat but still keeping it's heart, this Wes Anderson jam fits squarely into the circle peg of true family relationships.

With a mouthwatering Father's Day Feast for only $25 extra, featuring:

Bloody Mary Gazpacho
with Basil Infused Vodka "Float"

Royal T Bone topped with Smoked Oyster Mushroom Demi Glace on Pearl Cous Cous and Brussel Sprout Hash

Bourbon Bread Pudding
Toasted Pecan, Caramel, Shaved Dark Chocolate

For you dad-less and/or son-less Wes Anderson fans out there, please note that THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS will play later in the week as part of the Alamo's Big Screen Classics series.

The HAPPY GILMORE Quote-Along - Final Show!

THE HAPPY GILMORE QUOTE-ALONG
Weds, Jun 17 at the Alamo Ritz
Advance tix available here

"You eat pieces of shit for breakfast?"

With HAPPY GILMORE, Adam Sandler had the perfect opportunity to run wild with his favorite character - a lovable loser who loses his girlfriend in the opening act and is prone to excessive bursts of ecstatic violence. Placing that character into the world of the hallowed genre of sports films just makes it all the more golden, because the underdog HAS to win in the end, even if he gets his ass handed to him by Bob Barker along the way. Christopher McDonald's Shooter McGavin tries to stop him, but Happy's 400 yard drive just proves to be too much.

We loved the BILLY MADISON Quote-Along last year, and have been itching for an excuse to bring HAPPY GILMORE into the mix as well. We'll have subtitles on screen so we can all yell out our favorite lines (and oh my god, the moment when we scream, "The price is wrong, bitch!" will be worth the price of admission all by itself), and we'll start the show with a special golf ball driving competition. That should help draw a crowd.

Of course, you know what else would draw a crowd? A golfer with an arm growing out of his ass... Let me know if you know where I can find one of those. (Henri)

Girlie Night: BEACHES

Girlie Night presents
BEACHES
featuring free tissues for everyone and special prizes from Birds Barbershop
Tuesday, June 16, 7pm at the Alamo Ritz
Advance tickets available here

Whoooooo boy. GET YOUR TISSUES READY, FOLKS. I recommend using water proof mascara before coming to this month's Girlie Night cos it's gonna be a doozy.

When BEACHES came out in 1988, it was an instant Slumber Party Classic. Although it definitely teeters on Lifetime Original Movie territory, the film maintains a sense of dignity, mostly due to the star power of the lovely Barbara Hershey and the Divine Miss Bette Midler (played in flashbacks by Blossom, holla!). But let's be honest, I love this movie because it makes me cry. Oh LORD it makes me cry. Even now, when I hear Wind Beneath My Wings I get a little teary, which is embarrassing, cos it's like crying to that TITANIC song or something. But I can't help it!

BEACHES is about friendship; it's about two women who love each other in spite of a world of differences, who support each other through hard times and bad relationships. It's the kind of movie that leaves you weeping and hugging your best friend while swearing, "If you got cancer, I would never leave you! Even if you lost all of your hair! I would stay with you until the end!! DID I EVER TELL YOU THAT YOU'RE MY HERO?!!" Sigh.

I think this might be the biggest cryfest the Alamo has ever seen (and yes, tissues will be provided). I can't wait to get all weepy with you guys and tell you how much I love you!!!! Best friends 4-EVER!
(Sarah Pitre)

DUBLAB Live at the Ritz

Music Monday: Dublab with the dublab crew live!
Tonight at the Ritz, 10:35pm, $2
Get your ticket here

Leave your body behind and join us for rarely seen music videos, new dublab VisionVersion films, comedy clips, out-there animation and other eye melting magic. This special evening will include a discussion with the curators Frosty & Morpho plus dublab djs playing far out soundtrack selections. Don't miss these visions burning bright!!!

MUSIC VIDEOS FEATURING:
Animal Collective, Beach House, Clinic, Daedelus, Flying Lotus, Great Lake Swimmers, Javelin, Julia Holter, Kid Cudi, Lucky Dragons, Man Man, MGMT, Nite Jewel, One Step, Prefuse 73, Rainbow Arabia, TV on the Radio, Vetiver, WHY?, and many more

FILMS BY:
Aran Reo Mann, Ben Barnes, Blunt, DestroyRockMusic, Douggpound, Eli Stonberg, Elin Conradson, Eric Fensler, Fernando Cardenas, Ian McAlpin, Isaac Rentz, Jason Evans, Jeremy Konner, Jon Vermilyea, Jonathan Krisel, Julia Croon, Jurassic Technology, Keith Musil, Lex Halaby, Matt Amato, Mike Aho, Peter Shanel, Petro, Seth Morris, So Me, Tim & Eric, Travis Peterson, Zach Cowie, and mucho más!

Comedy clips from funny folks like Bob Odenkirk, Danny McBride, Derek Waters, Tim & Eric, Zach Galifianakis and more.

All for only $2! Get your tickets here!

Happy Hour at the Ritz

THE HANGOVER
Now playing at the Alamo Ritz
Get your tickets here

Monday thru Friday, any show that begins between 5pm and 6pm are Happy Hour Shows! We'll have $2 Tecate and Lone Star, $3.99 frozen margaritas, $1 off wells, $2 small popcorn and discounted theater admission.

And for a limited time, enjoy these HANGOVER Helpers!

Jägermeister Shots
The Hangover begins here. The traditional herbal infused shot, chilled frosty cold.

More than a Bloody Mary
Traditional next day hangover helper. Vodka, our own special bloody
mary mix, and a skewer of chef-picked antipasti, all in a bacon salt
rimmed imperial pint pint glass.

The Hangover Burger
Green Chile Bacon Cheeseburger topped with a fried egg and served
with queso fries. Guaranteed to cure what ails you.

Scorsese's THE LAST WALTZ at the Ritz

Music Monday: THE LAST WALTZ
Tonight at the Alamo Ritz, only $2!
Get your tickets here

35mm print! In what just might be the finest rock & roll concert film ever, THE LAST WALTZ celebrates the final performance by The Band (Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, Levon Helm, and Garth Hudson).

The show took place on Thanksgiving Day in 1976, at San Francisco's Winterland Arena -- where the group had played their very first show more than 16 years before. In order to make their farewell even more unforgettable, they recruited numerous guests to join them onstage. They include Bob Dylan, Dr. John, Neil Diamond, Eric Clapton, Emmylou Harris, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Muddy Waters, Keith Richards, Ron Wood, Neil Young, Ringo Starr, Paul Butterfield, Ronnie Hawkins, and the Staples!

Director Martin Scorsese, a former roommate of Robbie Robertson's, employs some of the world's greatest cinematographers -- including Michael Chapman, Vilmos Zsigmond, and Laszlo Kovacs -- to film the set in a way that captures the show's sweat and energy with a powerful intimacy. Interspersed into the songs are a series of interviews with the Band's members, who recall their early days playing for empty bars and their emergence as major players in the rock & roll game. THE LAST WALTZ is a thrilling concert film, mandatory viewing even for those unfamiliar with the Band or rock music in general.

METROPOLIS with live score!

METROPOLIS with Live Score by the Golden Hornet Project!
Sunday, June 7, Alamo South Lamar
Advance tickets available here

The Golden Hornet Project scored a huge splash at South By Southwest 2008 with a special new score for METROPOLIS, composed by GHP co-artistic directors Graham Reynolds and Peter Stopschinski. Since so many people missed it, or are clamoring to see it again, we are bringing it back for two mighty encore performances.

The film itself (presented here in 35mm!) is one of the touchstones of cinema history, but unlike so many other films of overarching importance in the development of the medium, it's extremely entertaining too. Huge in scope, bold in execution, gigantically relevant to the anxieties felt by the human race with the onset of industrialization and modernization, this is a memorable moviegoing experience, and the addition of the acclaimed score, performed live on stage by Austin's best known and loved composers makes it a must for everyone with ears, eyes and a brain.

Get your tickets here, or be sorry.

The HAPPY GILMORE Quote-Along

THE HAPPY GILMORE QUOTE-ALONG
Thurs, June 4 and Weds, Jun 17 at the Alamo Ritz
Advance tix available here

"You eat pieces of shit for breakfast?"

With HAPPY GILMORE, Adam Sandler had the perfect opportunity to run wild with his favorite character - a lovable loser who loses his girlfriend in the opening act and is prone to excessive bursts of ecstatic violence. Placing that character into the world of the hallowed genre of sports films just makes it all the more golden, because the underdog HAS to win in the end, even if he gets his ass handed to him by Bob Barker along the way. Christopher McDonald's Shooter McGavin tries to stop him, but Happy's 400 yard drive just proves to be too much.

We loved the BILLY MADISON Quote-Along last year, and have been itching for an excuse to bring HAPPY GILMORE into the mix as well. We'll have subtitles on screen so we can all yell out our favorite lines (and oh my god, the moment when we scream, "The price is wrong, bitch!" will be worth the price of admission all by itself), and we'll start the show with a special golf ball driving competition. That should help draw a crowd.

Of course, you know what else would draw a crowd? A golfer with an arm growing out of his ass... Let me know if you know where I can find one of those. (Henri)

METROPOLIS with Live Score

METROPOLIS with Live Score by the Golden Hornet Project!
Sunday, June 7, Alamo South Lamar
Advance tickets available here

The Golden Hornet Project scored a huge splash at South By Southwest 2008 with a special new score for METROPOLIS, composed by GHP co-artistic directors Graham Reynolds and Peter Stopschinski. Since so many people missed it, or are clamoring to see it again, we are bringing it back for two mighty encore performances.

The film itself (presented here in 35mm!) is one of the touchstones of cinema history, but unlike so many other films of overarching importance in the development of the medium, it's extremely entertaining too. Huge in scope, bold in execution, gigantically relevant to the anxieties felt by the human race with the onset of industrialization and modernization, this is a memorable moviegoing experience, and the addition of the acclaimed score, performed live on stage by Austin's best known and loved composers makes it a must for everyone with ears, eyes and a brain.

Get your tickets here, or be sorry.