This week, the Alamo Drafthouse theater chain (voted best theater in America by EW) wants to give you the perfect Halloween by showing all the classics: The Exorcist, The Evil Dead, and Halloween…4? Plus, the final Mondo Mystery Movie screening in Austin for 2011...and on Sunday, as part of the Drafthouse's "Live Score" series, composer-bandleader Graham Reynolds will perform his own original score for the classic Nosferatu...see the video below for a tasty treat of what's to come...and below, too, for the full Drafthouse schedule for the coming week!
Thursday October 27th
Shaun of the Dead Quote-Along
Alamo Ritz 7:00pm
"Now you can quote along with all of your favorite British-accented zombie fighters as The Action Pack presents the Shaun of the Dead Quote-Along. We’ll have all of our favorite lines subtitled karaoke-style so that they pop up on the screen in white seconds before the character says the line, then highlights in yellow along with the dialog so we can all yell out, “She’s so DRUNK!” when Shaun and Ed first discover the zombie in their backyard. PLUS! We’ve ordered a full crate of inflatable cricket bats from England so that every time Shaun whacks a zombie to make a break for it, you can live out that excitement in the theater. Whack the person next to you and get whacked right back. Use your brains! Your delicious, scrumptious brains…"—Henri Mazza via Drafthouse.com
Ghostbusters
Alamo South Lamar 7:00pm
"Zip up your brown jump suit, strap on your Proton Pack, get in your white hearse/ambulance, and head to the Drafthouse because we have a treat for you: Starting this Thursday, and on every Thursday until Halloween, we'll be showing Ivan Reitman's 1984 classic Ghostbusters, starring the great comedy triumvirate Billy Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis. This is a limited re-release, for a limited time only."—Chase Whale via Drafthouse.com
Michael Jackson Sing-Along
Alamo Ritz 10:00pm
"MJ may be gone, but his legend is eternal. This was our very first music video Sing-Along ever, and it’s still one of the best. Because, as we know, Michael didn’t make music videos, he made short films. Say, say, say what you want, but we’ll be getting our Thriller on, asking Annie if she’s okay, and rocking with you all night. If you’ve never been to one of The Action Pack’s Sing-Alongs before, this is the show to get started with. We’ll have a moonwalking contest before the show, select members of every audience will get flashlights to shine around the room every time Michael lights up a piece of sidewalk during ‘Billie Jean,’ and when they dance under the water from the fire hydrant during ‘The Way You Make Me Feel,’ we’ll make you feel the spray But be warned, Sing-Alongs aren’t just sitting in the theater and cozily watching your favorite artists’ videos. In the past, the audience has been known to stand up and leave their seat behind entirely, and always seem to wannabe starting something. And we never stop 'em."—Henri Mazza via Drafthouse.com
Friday October 28th
Master Pancake: Halloween
Alamo South Lamar (thru 10/29) 7:00pm; 10:00pm
"Just in time for All Hallows’ Eve, the hecklers of Master Pancake (John Erler and Joe Parsons) will be carving up John Carpenter’s slasher classic Halloween (1978). It’s the story of a shy young man who braves the odds to come home for a surprise family reunion and finds himself being stalked by a creepy 3-note piano riff. Featuring Jamie Lee Curtis as a nerdy virgin, P.J. Soles as a vapid valley girl, and Donald Pleasance as Dr. Loomis, the only person in town who really understands the danger posed by a boy roaming the streets in a jumpsuit and a faded William Shatner mask. Joining Master Pancake for the mockery will be very special guest MARY JO PEHL, one of the writers and performers from the original Mystery Science Theater 3000 TV show!! Aside from a one-off showing a couple years ago, we haven’t performed this gem since we premiered it back in 2007. Don’t miss the chance to catch a classic from the Pancake vaults." —Master Pancake’s John Erler via Drafthouse.com
The Late Show: The Exorcist
Alamo Ritz 10:35pm
If you would like to be forever terrified of little girls, pea soup, and Catholics, do we have a classic horror film for you! The Exorcist earns every bit of its reputation and it is unsurprising that it still scares the frock out of modern audiences. What is surprising is that Warner Brothers was able to get away with making this film in the 1970s. Let’s just say we didn’t think what possessed young Regan did with that crucifix would fly with censors at the time. Come enjoy this benchmark horror classic on the big screen once again.
Saturday October 29th
Big Screen Classics: The Evil Dead
Alamo Lake Creek 3:00pm
"Whether you're a rabid gore nut or the wimpy old Pope, you're well aware that the most monumental horror series of the 20th Century is The Evil Dead trilogy. Big-time filmmaker Sam Raimi and big-chin actor Bruce Campbell knocked out their baby teeth on these movies, heading deep into the woods to scare up massively effective shocks on a miniscule budget. And when the first Evil Dead hit theaters, horror cinema was altered forever. Now, through the efforts of Grindhouse Releasing, The Evil Dead has risen again to tear apart the big, big screen! Join not-quite-fearless warrior Ash in a fluid-soaked chainsaw-wielding battle with undead demonoids who possess, violate and kill using methods that would make Satan himself blush! It's the fright film that reinvented nightmares for an entire generation, and it's bigger, bloodier and backer than ever to tear your skull out through your eye sockets!"—Drafthouse.com
Kid’s Club: The Ghost & Mr. Chicken
Alamo South Lamar 11:00am
"'Attaboy, Luther!' The unmatchable Don Knotts is Luther Heggs, a knee-knocking no-luck newspaperman who’s just been offered the biggest scoop of all...if he can stay just one night in the old Simmons house. The only problem is the Simmons place is haunted by an invisible phantom murderer who plays the blood-stained keys of his pipe organ at midnight and shrieks in ghostly tones that would make a mightier man than Luther jump straight out of his socks. Can he conquer the conniving creature, prove his journalistic worth and earn the love of the beautiful Alma Parker? It ain’t likely! Knotts is at his shaky, voice-breaky greatest in this ghoulishly goofy comedy for graverobbers of all ages!"—Drafthouse.com
Mondo Mystery Movie IX
Top Secret Location 6:00pm
"Mondo Mystery Movie IX will be the biggest, craziest show that Mondo has ever put on and will also mark the LAST MMM in Austin, TX for 2011! As always, the title of the movie is SECRET and you will receive a commemorative poster for the event after the film has concluded. But this time we're taking it out of the theater and into the real world. The location of this Mystery Movie is TOP SECRET and will be revealed closer to the date. After purchasing tickets, they can be picked up at the Alamo South Lamar theater. Please watch our Twitter account for more information on the event. This is the must attend show of the year. Trust us. I mean, it is Halloween weekend..."—Drafthouse.com
The Late Show: The Exorcist
Alamo Ritz 11:00pm
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Alamo Village 11:55pm
Thrill to all the cheap laughs, cheap women, and cheap production values of one of the world’s premier bad movies. Watching The Rocky Horror Picture Show in-and-of-itself is an event, but it takes on a whole new life when witnessed within the walls of The Alamo Village with loads of audience participation, dressed-up patrons, and general wickedness that has become a vital component to the film’s meteoritic rise to cult film legend.
Alamo Survivor’s Tip: How there are still tickets available to the Mondo Mystery Movie is itself a befuddling mystery. For the love of all that is awesome, drop what you are doing and get a ticket for this event, which will include a no-doubt amazing poster.
Sunday October 30th
Austin Pets Alive’s Fall Petsival w/Cats & Dogs
Austin Pets Alive Building 3:00pm
"Autumn is in the air and APA! is planning a Fall Petsival to cap off the ASPCA Challenge & Save a Life Drive. There will be live music, carnival games, food, drinks, Puppy Poop Bingo, GREAT prizes and it will all be capped off with a FREE showing of Cats & Dogs by the Alamo Rolling Roadshow! Which side will you be rooting for: the cats or the dogs??? We have tons of great stuff planned - join us! Also, for those interested in adopting - we will be doing $25 adoptions for all animals at the main facility over 3 months. Goodie bags will be given out with each adoption as well."—Drafthouse.com
Big Screen Classics: The Evil Dead
Alamo Lake Creek 7:00pm
Video Hate Squad: Death Drug
Alamo Ritz 7:30pm
"Video Hate Squad presents movies never released on DVD or in theaters. At each installment we will have a VCR set up on stage and we will play the film for you on the champagne of formats: VHS! Just in time for Halloween, a different kind of horror story. This time it's not a demented killer with an axe or a power tool, it's not a supernatural menace from another dimension, it's a drug that makes real life a horror movie: PCP. Angel Dust. Sherman Hemsley. When up and coming musician Philip Michael Thomas ries to buy a stick of weed to celebrate his record deal, the lowlife dealer gived him a stick of the sherm, which immediately fractures his reality into a million pieces. Made in 1978 but not released on video until Thomas had achieved success in Miami Vice, this demented film is only aided by the new, hyper-serious Philip Michael Thomas wraparound segments and music video(!) added for the 1986 video release. This movie is it!"—Lars Nilsen via Drafthouse.com
Owen Egerton Deconstructs: Halloween 4
Alamo Ritz 10:00pm
The hilarious Owen Egerton lends his running commentary to this horror sequel, featuring insights like this: "Outside of the classic original this is without a doubt the finest of the Halloween films. And in some ways -- dare I say it? I do dare! -- it improves on the original. There's more screen time given to the rantings of Donald Pleasence (he is sooo good in this), more pure action, a wilder ending and more outright fun. Halloween 4 is the ultimate '80s horror sequel! It's been ten years since Michael Myers terrorized the people of Haddonfield. Now he's coming home. The ragged and slightly mad Dr. Loomis is in hot pursuit. Expect a sassy heroine, an innocent child, drunk vigilante yokels, and, of course, evil incarnate."—Owen Egerton via Drafthouse.com
Rolling Roadshow: Little Shop of Horrors
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Austin, TX 7:00pm
"Start the afternoon off with the 6th annual Goblins In The Garden event. There will be spooky fun activities on the grounds and gardens for all ages to enjoy. Explore the Not-So-Haunted Tower, where Botanica the herbal witch casts her spells, and check out the Mad Scientist's lab in the Little House. When the sun goes down the Rolling Roadshow will be showing the fantastically dark movie-musical Little Shop of Horrors. Rick Moranis shines as Seymour Krelborn, who works in a rundown flower shop on Skid Row. His dreams of turning the shop around seem as though they may come true when he finds Audrey II, a strange plant with a smooth R&B voice. As Audrey II grows in size and notoriety, so does his appetite for human flesh. 'FFEEEEDD MEEE!'"—Drafthouse.com
Nosferatu w/Live Score by Graham Reynolds & The Golden Arm Trio
Alamo South Lamar 6:00pm; 9:00pm
"Composer-bandleader Graham Reynolds creates, performs, and records music for film, theater, dance, rock clubs and concert halls with collaborators ranging from Richard Linklater to DJ Spooky to the Austin Symphony Orchestra. A five time winner of The Austin Chronicle Reader’s Poll Award for ‘Best Composer,’ Reynolds has composed a wide variety of film scores, including several silents that have premiered at the Alamo as well as for A Scanner Darkly, Richard Linklater’s animated sci-fi classic."—Drafthouse.com
Explosion: Zombie
Alamo South Lamar 7:30pm
"As George Romero's '70s zombie craze dug in stateside, filmmaker Fulci was the rabid, raging Italian that brought European flesh-eating to the forefront. His semi-intelligent, unstoppable, no-rules throat-rippers made the American undead look about as threatening as a bag of oatmeal. In this, his purest triumph of gratuitous violence, mankind goes face-to-rotted-face with the corpse contingent's inevitable world domination. The survivors escape to a remote island, where a sweatshop scientist is bent on coming up with any means to exterminate the creatures that are devouring civilization. In addition to being one of the prime examples of its genre and spawning countless imitations (including a few by Fulci himself), Zombie features two of the most unforgettable moments in reanimated horror: the Ultimate Shark VS. Zombie Death Match, and the Splintered Wood VS. Eyeball Challenge. Guess who wins that one."—Zack Carlson via Drafthouse.com
TV at the Alamo: AMC’s The Walking Dead
Alamo South Lamar & Lake Creek 9:30pm (Lake Creek 9:00pm)
"Season One of The Walking Dead established the series as yet another top-notch program from AMC right along with Breaking Bad and that other one with Christina Hendricks. The show has already taken huge U-Turns from the plot of the graphic novels and proved that it is capable of making its own compelling and exciting character-driven storylines, so the anticipation of season 2’s upcoming 13 episodes is huge. Where will they go next?! Come watch it with your fellow zombie fans in the fortified safety of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema."—John Gross via Drafthouse.com
Alamo Survivor’s Tip: Having witnessed Owen Egerton’s live commentary of Halloween 4 in the past, I cannot recommend it strongly enough. He isn’t just lending insight to this one film, but also contextualizing the entire history of American horror. It’s like listening to a joke-filled doctoral thesis on the genre. Absolute genius!
Monday October 31st
Exploision: Zombie
Alamo Ritz 7:00pm
Music Monday: Monster Dog
Alamo Ritz 9:45pm
"Just in time for Halloween. If you’re ready to brave Sixth Street on Halloween night, then you may have the intestinal fortitude to handle this extremely cheap Italian horror movie, directed by the man who made Troll 2 and starring Alice Cooper. Cooper plays Vincent Dawn, a rock star (one of his songs is called ‘Identity Crisises’) who returns home to his ancestral manor to film a video for his latest hit. As soon as he arrives in town, people begin dying. It all seems to be the work of a pack of wild dogs. But maybe not. Surely Alice Cooper will get to the bottom of all this, and sing a couple of awesome songs. Damn right he will."—Drafthouse.com
Ghostbusters
Alamo South Lamar 9:50pm
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Alamo Village 10:00pm
The Big Lebowski Quote-Along
Alamo South Lamar 10:00pm
If you love the Cohen Brothers’ tribute to shiftless losers with mad bowling skills and penchants for Creedence Clearwater Revival, this is the place to be. All your favorite one-liners from The Dude will flash across the screen to prompt your collective vocal worship of this masterful comedy.
Tuesday November 1st
AFS Essential Cinema: Prospero’s Books
Alamo South Lamar 7:00pm
"In this multi-layered, stunningly textured re-imagining of Shakespeare’s New World drama, The Tempest, Peter Greenaway takes cinema to the furthest reaches of comprehension, spectacle, taste, and power. Roger Ebert wrote, upon the release of Prospero’s Books, that it should not be considered a movie with a storyline in the usual sense, but rather should be enjoyed as an art book or an elaborate piece of music. Others have written that it is best appreciated as a ballet. Within the 24 “books” or scenes of the film lies a voluptuous retelling of the story of Prospero, deposed duke of Milan, and his beautiful daughter Miranda, shipwrecked on an island in the New World. The books contain all the knowledge, both rational and magical, of the 16th century. Evil Caliban and ethereal Ariel make their appearances, as do other characters. But, here, the play is not the thing, just a blueprint upon which Greenaway can construct an amazing, unforgettable work of cinematic art that may haunt your unconscious mind forever."—Drafthouse.com
AIGA Austin: The Visual Language of Herbert Matter
Alamo Ritz 7:00pm
"The Visual Language of Herbert Matter is a revealing look at the fascinating life story of the highly influential mid-century modern design master. Known as a quintessential designer's designer, Swiss born Herbert Matter is largely credited with expanding the use of photography as a design tool and bringing the semantics of fine art into the realm of applied arts."—Drafthouse.com
Terror Tuesday: 10 To Midnight
Alamo Ritz 9:45pm
"Everyone already knows that the only two perfect things that have ever happened in this goddamned world are Charles Bronson and horror movies. The idea of both of them colliding will send any sane person into dangerously violent entertainment seizures, but we’re so excited about this film that we’re willing to risk your life. Though Bronson’s masculine image immediately lands any of his films in the Action category, 10 To Midnight is undeniably an ‘80s slasher masterpiece. A maladjusted young man falls into the habit of stripping to his bare ass butt naked birthday suit and stalking his female classmates. This soon leads to gruesome murder, and we’re treated to many shots of a nude man(iac) tearing people into shredded gristle. The only man who can stop him is...well, I’ll let you guess, but here’s a hint: He’s meaner than a bag of Hitlers and he’ll shoot you 14 times for sneezing."—Zack Carlson via Drafthouse.com
Alamo Survivor’s Tip: Here again we have a Terror Tuesday film that is every bit as legitimate in quality as it is over-the-top and entertaining. Easily my favorite Charles Bronson film, 10 To Midnight is a great treat on the big screen.
Wednesday November 2nd
Girlie Night: When Harry Met Sally
Alamo Lake Creek 7:00pm
"For me, the real question of When Harry Met Sally isn't ‘Will sex ruin a friendship?’ The big question is actually, ‘Why can't this movie be my life?’ Sure, it takes Sally an hour and a half to order a sandwich, and Harry is a bit of a talker, but together, these two share one of the greatest love stories in cinematic history. The witty banter! The New York autumn! The classy Harry Connick Jr. soundtrack! Don't even get me started on the old couples talking about how they first met, because even after a hundred viewings, I still tear up over ‘nine extra floors.’ This Rob Reiner and Nora Ephron masterpiece takes romance to the next, hilarious level, and we'll celebrate (and envy) it at Girlie Night. Pull on your days of the week underpants, add some pepper to your paprikash and let's all have what she's having!"—Sarah Pitre via Drafthouse.com
Weird Wednesday: ABAR: The First Black Superman
Alamo Ritz 10:00pm
"White people are evil, no doubt about it. If you need any evidence, a standard World History textbook should provide more than enough damning testimony to put whitey away for good. You would think there would be more blaxploitation movies like this that come right out and say it. But no, very few filmmakers have had the courage to portray suburban whites as venomous, back-stabbing racist scum. This movie is out of control. A brilliant black scientist moves his family to an all-white middle-class neighborhood and pretty soon all the soccer moms and pipe-smoking dads are burning crosses in their yard and walking around with big protest signs saying GO BACK TO AFRICA. So the scientist does exactly what most of us would do in his situation. He creates a telepathic, bulletproof bald superman to fuck with the white race! A very funny, very strange masterpiece."—Lars Nilsen via Drafthouse.com
Houston
Big Screen Classics: The Exorcist
10/29 10:00pm
TV at the Alamo: AMC’s The Walking Dead
10/30 7:00pm
Houston Comedy Film Festival Shorts 1
11/1 7:15pm
"Opening night of HCFF 2011 features tne comedy short films from directors across the United States including five films from Texas filmmakers. ‘Seriously?’ directed by Allison Czach (Houston, Texas) and ‘Roger the Chicken’ directed by Matthew-Lee Erlbach (NYC) are world premieres on the festival circuit and will be screening for the first time ever at the HCFF 2011. Both Directors will be in attendance and available for Q&A on Tuesday night."—Drafthouse.com
Houston Comedy Film Festival Shorts 2
11/2 7:15pm
"'International Flavor' is the best way to the describe the 2nd night of HCFF 2011 featuring fourteen comedy short films from directors from around the world. Australians, Italians, Spaniards, French and Canadians all have a different definition of comedy, but as long as it makes you laugh, the message is truly universal."—Drafthouse.com
YE-Z In Love Sing-Along
11/2 7:30pm
"Jay-Z and Beyonce married and created a harmonious union of love and incredible music. And when they're not collaborating on a track they're collaborating in the sack as they await the 9 month bundle that will no doubt be a super human of musicality. Jay may be married to Beyonce but he has been bromancing all over the world and going H.A.M. with his boy Kanye. And with that we bring you Ye-Z in Love: The Beyonce/Jay-Z/Kanye West Sing-Along where we jam all our favorites music videos from each artist and as many collaborations into two hours as we possibly can. As always, we will have ALL of the lyrics up on the screen for you to sing-along to, light up rings, and so much more! Slap on some shudder shades and grab a bottle of champagne, but I don't think anything can get you ready for this jelly."—Greg MacLennan via Drafthouse.com
Shaun of the Dead Quote-Along
10/27 7:00pm
Kid’s Club Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure
10/29 11:00am
"The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Ain’t It Cool News and 8th Dimension Comics & Games are teaming up for a new series at the Alamo Mason Park: Free Kids Club. Every month, we’ll screen a classic movie from the vaults — completely for free. Bring the kids, the whole family or your childhood friends and reminisce over or discover some of the greatest family-friendly movies ever made. I know you’re excited for this screening but what am I? Join us for one of the most irresistibly charming films from the ‘80s. Paul Reubens is Pee Wee Herman, the eccentric man-child in search of his bike. From the basement of the Alamo to the ghost truck of Large Marge, Pee Wee is on a cross-country road trip and you are invited to join him. We’ll have special games, giveaways and more so you don’t want to miss out on this completely FREE, all ages screening."—Drafthouse.com
Horror Remix: Zombies 2
10/29 10:00pm
TV at the Alamo: AMC’s The Walking Dead
10/30 7:00pm
TV at the Alamo: Glee
11/1 7:00pm
San Antonio
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
10/27 10:30pm
Shaun of the Dead Quote-Along
10/30 7:00pm; 10:00pm
TV at the Alamo: AMC’s The Walking Dead
10/30 7:00pm
Only at the Alamo: Anime
10/31 7:30pm
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
10/31 10:00pm
Girlie Night: When Harry Met Sally
11/2 7:00pm; 9:45pm
Big Screen Classics: The Evil Dead
10/27 7:00pm; 10:00pm
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
10/30 10:00pm
TV at the Alamo: Glee
11/1 7:00pm
Shaun of the Dead Quote-Along
10/27 7:00pm; 10:00pm
Ghostbusters
10/27 7:00pm
Monster House
10/30 10:00am
"No adults believe three youths' assertion that a neighboring residence is a living creature that means them harm. With Halloween approaching, the trio must find a way to destroy the structure before innocent trick-or-treaters meet ghastly ends."—Drafthouse.com
Alamo Uncorked: Psycho
10/30 6:30pm
"A woman (Janet Leigh) on the run stops at a 12-cabin motel with showers, run by mother-fixated Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). Part of our ALAMO UNCORKED Series. October 30th see the film with an optional wine flight! Sponsored by The Northern Virginia Daily."—Drafthouse.com
Big Screen Classics: The Exorcist
10/31 9:00pm
TV at the Alamo: Glee
11/1 8:00pm
