Sunday, April 11, 2010

BIRDEMIC strikes TONIGHT!


Tonight at the Ritz
Advance tickets available here

When we heard that Patton Oswalt was showing all his friends an inexpensive "romantic thriller" inspired by THE BIRDS and featuring Nintendo-level digital effects we were intrigued. When our friends saw it and called it the next THE ROOM, we knew we had to see it. When comedians Tim and Eric jumped on the bandwagon that bandwagon started looking even funnier - so we got on it too. And now we're looking at you. Have you ridden on a BANDWAGON recently? It's a pretty smooth ride.

Here's how writer/producer/director James Nguyen describes BIRDEMIC:

"A platoon of eagles & vultures attack the residence of a small town. Many people died. It's not known what caused the flying menace to attack. Two people managed to fight back, but will they survive BIRDEMIC?"

Perhaps the most discussed and anticipated avian-based disaster film since the THE BIRDS, BIRDEMIC is equal parts both epochal tale and cinematic warning shot. It tells the story of a couple unexpectedly and unforgettably caught in the eye of a feather-based storm- an apocalyptic attack winging down from the skies in a twisted morass of feathers, talons and blood-soaked claws.

The man caught holding the gun that fired the shot across the diegetic bow of cineastes everywhere? Look no further than writer-director-dream factory foreman James Nguyen. One of cinema's most persistent dreamers, Nguyen (legally trademarked as The Master of the Romantic Thriller) funded his masterwork with personal funds accrued from his day job as a Silicon Valley software salesman. No less than five years in the making, BIRDEMIC stands as a testament to Nguyen's dark, enduring vision.

Don't miss this one. Get your tickets here.

Friday, April 9, 2010

FORBIDDEN ZONE with Susan Tyrrell Live!


FORBIDDEN ZONE with Susan Tyrrell Live!
Followed by SUSAN TYRRELL'S EYESORES Artshow at The Highball!
Sunday, April 11 at S. Lamar
Get tickets for film + artshow HERE!

NOTE: There are two different tickets available for this show! The $12 ticket gets you in to both the screening and The Highball after party ART SHOW! The $10 ticket just gets you into the movie! We recommend spending the 2 extra bucks!

An all-time classic of the underground cinema, featuring original music by Oscar-nominated composer Danny Elfman (PEE-WEE'S BIG ADVENTURE, BATMAN), FORBIDDEN ZONE must be seen to be believed. And it's even more unbelievable to watch it with Susan Tyrrell, Queen Doris herself, there in the theater with you! Then join her and friends The Octopus Project for an after-party and art show at the Highball.

ABOUT THE FILM
There is a mysterious but forbidden door in the basement of the Hercules family's new house in Venice, California; it doesn't take long for daughter Frenchy, returning home from her bizarro school that features a machine gun-toting teacher and a chicken boy, to succumb to temptation and open it. Becoming trapped in the Sixth Dimension, which is ruled by randy midget King Fausto who, as luck would have it, is looking for a new concubine, Frenchy catches the king's eye. Unfortunately she also incurs the jealous Queen Doris's wrath, and is imprisoned along with the ex-queen, who plots Doris's demise. While Frenchy's brother Flash and her Gramps endeavor to save her, a dancing frog, robot boxers, Oingo-Boingo, and Danny Elfman as Satan all make their appearances in the FORBIDDEN ZONE.

Please note that the version we will be screening is the colorized version, per request of the director.

ABOUT THE AFTER PARTY
Join us after the movie as we transform the ballroom of the Highball into an art gallery showing some of Susan Tyrrell's recent NSFW paintings, complete with a live performance by her friends The Octopus Project. Dubbed Susan Tyrrell's Eye Sores, the experience will undoubtedly be a full night to remember.

Tickets are available for the double feature of film and after party, or for each event separately. Visit The Highball's website to pick up after party tickets only, or do the right thing and get your double feature ticket here!

Find out more about the film at www.forbiddenzonethemovie.com

Thursday, April 8, 2010

The Action Pack's WEDDING SINGER QUOTE-ALONG!


WEDDING SINGER QUOTE-ALONG
Thursday, April 8 at 7:40pm :: Alamo Ritz
Get tickets HERE!

It's time to party like its 1985! Seriously this could be mistaken for a totally '80s sing-along with the amount of goods we get to wail out during this movie, Boy George, George Michael, David Bowie--and you even get to hear old Rosie bust out Rapper's Delight. Couple that with the fact that this is Adam Sandler's best comedy, and you got yourself a night to remember. Come on out and join The Action Pack for this hybrid sing/quote-along as we watch Robbie Hart sing our favorite wedding songs and try to romance Julia away from that dick Glenn Gulia. What kind of name would Julia Gulia be anyway?! Not only will we be busting out our usual bag of tricks with some prop handouts, but we'll also be serving up a specialty menu with Rosie's oversized meatballs and rum and cokes. Just look out, we might wanna watch your face as you enjoy them. (Greg MacLennan)

Get your tickets here

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Help us LET THE REEL ONE IN for free!



Lars & Zack Present LET THE REEL ONE IN:
A Reel One Viewing Party - Free!
Admission is on a first come/first seated basis
Wednesday April 7, 9:50, Ritz

At a secret location in Austin, there's a huge film archive known as AGFA, the American Genre Film Archive - this non-profit archive counts among its board members and advisors Alamo Drafthouse founders Tim and Karrie League and programmers Lars Nilsen and Zack Carlson. Many of the film prints contained in the archive are not fully documented, so periodic inspections are conducted at which time we string up several "reel ones", that is to say the first 15-20 minutes of different movies, for the purpose of taking note of the credit information, condition of the film and general plot information. For folks interested in print collecting, obscure films and movie history, it's fascinating. Past "reel one" screenings have uncovered some real gems and some real boring doo-doo, so approach it with a sense of adventure and help us rediscover a few lost chapters in our movie history and find out more about AGFA and what you can do to help the cause.

Some of the reel ones we'll be checking out are: THE MIAMI CONNECTION, BREMENTOWN MUSICIANS and the deliciously named I WILL FINALLY KNOCK YOU DOWN, DAD.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Big Screen Classics get VICIOUS with THE ROAD WARRIOR!


THE ROAD WARRIOR
Archival 35mm print! Sun - Wed at The Ritz


The toughest movie of the 20th Century!

While it's sometimes depressing to realize that civilization is crumbling all around us and we'll all be scavenging for meat and fuel within weeks, it's also comforting to watch THE ROAD WARRIOR and realize how cool it's going to look. Seriously, Mel Gibson as Mad Max runs into a spot of trouble here and there but he kicks a thousand tons of ass. The movie is directed with so much skill and a serious movie buff's aptitude for the exact, perfect photographic angle or cutaway shot that it transcends the flat ugliness of the outback terrain and makes it a primal battleground for what's left of Good vs. rampaging, triumphant Evil. Lord Humungus and his triple-ugly crew of leatherpunk shit-starters are hall of fame bad guys and they enforce their own brand of social Darwinism with a gnarly mailed fist. It's up to Mad Max to be the de facto justice system in the midst of a war between the gasoline-crazed thugs and the perpetually oppressed good guys, who just want to raise their feral children and fly their super-incredible autogyros.

It's a film that has contributed whole volumes to the visual and aural language of filmmaking. Directed by George Miller at his Spielbergian peak. The photography, editing, stunt-work, art-direction and costume design are all divinely inspired, as if a force from beyond wanted to warn us about becoming too reliant on petroleum-based fuels. We're ready to listen.

Get your tickets HERE!

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Rolling Roadshow: TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE MS150 Benefeast!


Rolling Roadshow: THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE
MS150 Benefit and Feast!
Saturday, April 3 :: Tim & Karrie League's House
Purchase tickets HERE!
* All proceeds will be donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society!

This year I am riding the MS150 with a group of friends. All of us agreed that we hate cold-calling our friends for money. So instead of traditional fundraising, our team is raising money for MS by hosting an awesome evening with a movie, a four-course French feast and plenty of wine.

Please join us on Saturday, April 3rd at my house for an outdoor screening of the modern cycling classic THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE. Executive chef John Bullington will be preparing a four course French meal to complement the film and we will not be stingy with the wine.

Here's a look at what's in store:

I
Charcuterie - Fromage de Tete, Duck Prosciutto, Pate

II
Salade Lyonnaise

III
Escargot and Morels in puff pastry


IV
Seared Tenderloin Medallions with Bearnaise, Salt Roast Asparagus and Pommes Gratin

V
Mousse au Chocolat

For those who are interested in joining us, the team will also be meeting up earlier in the day for a 50 mile training ride. We will be meeting at Tim and Karrie's house (1305 W 22nd Street) at 11:00AM and will be riding the approximately 50 mile dam loop.

Seating arrangements will be provided, so you don't have to worry about bringing a chair to this particular Roadshow Event.

Tickets for this event are $90, and all proceeds will be donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society! Donating to charity has never been this tasty.
(Tim League, founder, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema)

Note: there is also an option to donate for those folks who will not be able to attend. 100% of your donation will be passed on to the MS Foundation.