Bastrop Fire Relief Screening of BERNIE

If you live in the Texas, I need not remind you that the past few weeks have yielded a literal inferno of emotions.

For those of you who aren't local and may not be aware, wildfires ravaged Central Texas the past couple of weeks, some of which are still ablaze days later. Firefighters were stretched to the limits as fires rapidly spread across the area, and thousands of people have been displaced. Ongoing coverage of the events can be found here.

Suffering the worst of the damage was the community of Bastrop, Texas. The wildfires have devastated the town, consuming over 1500 homes. It's been a terrible ordeal for everyone in the area, and everyone seems to know at least one person who was directly effected. It's a true natural diaster, and the sheer magnitude of the fire can be glimpsed in this terrifying photo.

While our courageous firefighters diligently continue to battle the blaze, efforts are underway to help relieve those displaced by the wildfire. The whole community is doing all they can with donations and fundraisers, and now one of Austin's favorite cinematic sons is doing his part as well.

Director Richard Linklater is an Austin icon who personifies independent film in a way few film makers can. His films all have a distinct charm, and are a departure from the normal Hollywood products that flood the multiplexes. Best known for Slacker, Dazed & Confused and Before Sunrise, he also created two unique (and somewhat trippy) animated features in Waking Life and A Scanner Darkly.

Linklater likes to keep things local when it comes to his brand of cinema, and for his newest project, Bernie, he filmed it predominately in the greater Austin area: Georgetown, Austin, Lockhart and Bastrop. Although the film itself is not yet scheduled for release, Linklater is taking the opportunity to give back and screen an advance sneak preview to help benefit the town hit so hard by the destruction.

As for the film itself being screened...

Bernie sounds like fun in a morbid sort of way, yet thankfully does not involve these guys:

No Andrew McCarthy, Jonathan Silverman or Terry Kiser, thank you very much.

So what is Bernie, anyway?

Based on a true story, it's a comedic take on a small town mortician (Jack Black) who befriends a rich widow (Shirley MacLaine). After he kills her for the money, he goes through great lengths to indicate that she's alive. No one is the wiser, that is, until a local district attorney (Matthew McConaughey) begins to investigate.

It's kind of a Linklater all-star matchup, as McConaughey and Black both have had some of their more memorable (and quotable) roles in Richard's films. Matthew was at his hazy best in Dazed and Confused, while Jack Black's performance in School of Rock, well... rocks.

So the thought of these two in a bizarre game of cat and mouse has a weird appeal that I feel has to be seen to be believed.

The laughs will be welcomed during these final hot throes of summer, and most importantly the screening is for a number of great causes. 100% of the proceeds will benefit the following organizations: Friends of the Lost Pines State Parks, Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry, and the Heart of the Pines Volunteer Fire Department.

The gesture to Bastrop is more of that Texas spirit to help one another, and Linklater himself explains:
"Since the film has been finished for a few months and isn't coming out until next year, we had scheduled a cast and crew screening for the 18th of September. After the catastrophic fires of the last week, we quickly jumped on the idea of opening it up to the public as an opportunity for Austinites and members of our artistic community to help our neighbors in Bastrop that have been so devastated. It seems like an appropriate movie for the cause - not only was it filmed largely in the Bastrop area, but it's a PG-13 comedy about small town Texas life. It's the least we can do for this wonderful community that opened its doors to us during production. It feels great that because of the generosity of the Paramount Theater, 100% of all ticket sales and donations with pass through to these important local non-profits that are doing so much to restore and maintain their community."

Oh, and one last thing. Linklater and Jack Black themselves will be in attendance. It promises to be a fun event for a great cause. A little laughter can go a long way, and what better way to help your neighbor than this screening for their benefit?

Now this, my friends, is a Bernie I could spend a weekend with.

Showtime for the Benefit Screening:

Bernie
Sunday, Sept 18th
4:00

Sponsorship packages are available through the Austin Film Society that include 6 tickets and a pre-show reception with the cast and crew.

Preview: The Grand Finale

And so we've come to the end of the road.

Boyz II Men allusions aside, it's a happy and somber moment for fans of the Summer Classic Film Series. Sad because it this film marks the finale of another summer of classic film. Yet, it is a cause of celebration because it sees the return of Gone with The Wind. Arguably the most famous movie of all time, this gloriously epic motion picture returns to The Paramount to end the summer with a bang (and Atlanta ablaze).

Do I really need to describe this film? Even if you've never seen it, you know what it's about. The story of Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh) and her journey before and after The Civil War. Her loves, her home, her life and her pride take hits over the period, and monumental decisions present cascade upon her.

Adjusting for inflation, Gone with The Wind remains still the highest grossest film of all time. And to think, it accomplished this without Celine Dion soundtracks or wookiees. Or most importantly, without 3-D gimmicks to hike the ticket price. Yeah. Suck it, Avatar.

As long time readers may know, this film is my white whale. It remains the biggest title on my personal list of "classic movies I've should have seen already." Last year's attempt to see it was a tragic comedy of errors. This year, nothing shy of flash floods will keep me from the theatre to see it. And judging by the temperatures this summer, that isn't bloddy likely.

So here ya go, folks. Another season of classic films is almost in the can. Some 80 films have been screened this summer. No matter how many you made it to, I'm sure it was a whole new experience seeing these long-time favorites on the big screen. But no ne to cry, in nine short months we get to do it again.

Or maybe even sooner, depending on what surprises The Paramount Theatre might have in store for us throughout the next several months...

Whatever lies in store, you can bet I'll be there and covering it whenever I can. Why? Because when it comes to The Paramount... frankly my dear, I do give a damn.

Showtimes for the film:

Gone with The Wind
Saturday, Sept 3rd
6:30

Sunday, Sept 4th
2:00 7:00

Final Note about the screening

Parking:
"Hassle-free downtown parking available for $6 at the One American Center for all summer films! Since you’re also supporting the theatre when you buy parking, they're giving you a free small soda each time you park there for a film. Buy online with your film tix and print out your confirmation e-mail or buy directly from the garage attendant (cash only). Attendant will have your soda ticket as well."

Review: Day of The Bat

It was a scorcher that Saturday afternoon, but not even the triple-digit heat could keep the Bat Fans away. The masses huddled to The Paramount Theatre to celebrate Austin's Day of The Bat, and to view the camp classic Batman (1966).

But while the fans were eager to get inside the theatre and cool off, there was one irresistible draw outside in the blazing sun. A diabolical plan to make us oooh and aaaah, and melt, perhaps? Behold, it was The Batmobile! Everyone was crowded around it, and I mean everyone. There it was, parked in the middle of Congress Avenue, which had been blocked off between 7th and 8th Street. Why the barricade, you ask? Alas, The Bat-Copter was actually due to make an appearance that day, but had to cancel due to Hurricane Irene. Bah! Curse that storm!

Before long, my inner thermometer told me to get indoors. As I entered the building and my eyes adjusted to the absence of sunlight, I found people were excitedly milling about and glancing at the booths, tables, and refreshment bars. There was merchandise galore inside the lobby. Comic book vendors were there offering toys, models, t-shirts, and comics. At a table of Paramount swag, I saw a limited edition poster print made for the day's screening, and it was beautiful. Oh, and how about this for a purrrfect touch? A costumed Batman was making the rounds and posing for photos. Even the bar was getting in on the action by offering a special drink, a "bat-tini." Holy cocktail buzz, it was tasty!

Upstairs was a private event where Gold and Platinum Film Fans had a personal meet-and-greet with the original caped crusader, Mr. Adam West himself. Last year, I got so caught up in the festivities that I missed my chance to meet West. Well, riddle me this! Who wasn't going to miss meeting Batman again this year? That's right. Yours truly.

I made my way up the stairs with a mix of excitement and heat exhaustion. Was I delirious? Was I really about to meet Gotham's hero? As I got in line, I was transported back to memories of taking pictures of Santa Claus as a child. Good Lord, don't let Adam jokingly ask me what I want for Christmas; I'd probably crack up into maniacal giggles like The Joker. I felt crazy from the heat already, the last thing I need is an episode that will get me a one-way ticket to the nut house (or Arkham Asylum).

Finally I calmed down and approached Adam West, cool as a cucumber. We greeted, talked for a moment, and then posed for Annie Ray to take our picture. At the last second, I photobombed my own picture and flashed my best batusi at the camera. Although needlessly silly, we all had a chuckle at that.

"Oh, nice one," West told me as I shook hands goodbye and made way for someone else. Although he's likely been subjected to that pose a billion times before, it was still nice of him to say that to me.

Making my way into the auditorium, I relaxed as showtime approached. The buzz in the auditorium, however, was feverish. By the time our hosts came out on stage, the crowd was ready to explode. Film programmer Jesse Trussell came out first to thank everyone for the turnout, and when he introduced Adam West the audience went bat**** crazy for the pop culture icon. West quipped and played the masses like a seasoned veteran. Charming, self-effacing, and endlessly funny, he shared stories and then fielded questions from the auditorium.

Some of the questions inquired about his thoughts on the recent Christopher Nolan movies (oh, and he confirmed that he is NOT going to cameo in nest year's The Dark Knight Rises). He expressed great admiration for those "expensive films," but reiterated that his take on the Caped Crusader was from a much different time. In contrast to the current Dark Knight, Adam finished by proclaiming himself as Gotham's Bright Knight.

And with that, he exited the stage, the light dimmed, and everyone got to partake in some 1960s campy goodness. That afternoon, all of us were children again. It was too warm for Santa Claus to show up, but we still had something to cherish. That afternoon, we all believed... in Batman.

Even if we didn't get a visit from Mr. Freeze that day, it was still one Bat-tastic time.

Preview: The Texas Epic

Texas. It's one of the few states that immediately conjures an instant vision. Off hand, the only others that come to mind are New York with its metropolitan landscape and California with it's laid back lifestyle. Alas, thanks to the portrayals of the past, Texas' image is still of ten-gallon hats and cattle herds. They say everything's bigger in the Lone Star state, and I guess that also applies to generalizations about us. To this day, it amuses me when I travel out of state and people ask if we all live on ranches and all wear cowboy hats. I can't vouch for you, but surely don't.

Alas, film portrayals don't help the cause. And although Giant is likely a seminal movie that others use to profile Texas, it's still a truly great film. All in all, I shouldn't really complain. If given a choice between stereotypes, I'd much rather take a moment to counter a portrayal of our citizens as oil ranchers than as a clan of chainsaw wielding killers.

Last year, after years of resistance, I saw Giant for the first time during last summer's Classic Film Series. It was an eye-opening experience, to be sure (one can read about it here). I watched it again earlier this summer during a road trip to Marfa, TX. There we watched the movie at the Hotel Paisano, where cast and crew stayed when the film was being made. Inside, there was a veritable shrine to Giant, and it was amazing to look upon the abundance of props and memorabilia.

That evening, the movie was shown outdoors on a large inflatable screen under a moonless sky. While it was beautiful to behold under the stars and literally in the shadow of the historic hotel, the experience just didn't hold a candle to my first experience at The Paramount. Maybe it was the wind bellowing the screen, maybe it was the passing trains or murmuring crowds during the film. Either way, I knew to appreciate it best I would have to return home.

And so Giant returns again this summer to The Paramount, and I couldn't be happier.

Released in 1956, Giant was directed by George Stevens and stars Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean. A multi-generational tale about a cattleman (Hudson) and his East Coast bride's (Taylor) rivalry against a local ranch hand (Dean) and against society itself, the film is an epic on a Texas-sized scale.

On the surface, Giant has no reason to be this good. Based on a best-selling novel by Edna Ferber, it easily could've been translated into a melodramatic soap opera of sorts. In fact, while watching this movie one can clearly see situations that were to be echoed in the overwrought TV series, "Dallas" that was to come two decades later.

What helps this film transcend is the awe-inspiring scope that Stevens took to the material. Although undeniably Texan, it is at its heart an American story, a look at a family and the shifting of social and personal beliefs through the generations.

I can't say enough about the performance here, either. Rock Hudson is great as Bick Benedict, the patriarch and central figure of the story. James Dean is Jett Rink, a rags to riches to decay character who steals nearly every scene he appears in. Tragically, Dean died in a car accident just one week after filming concluded. His role in Giant remains an example of Dean at his finest, and sadly hints at the incredible career he could have had. However, perhaps the most stellar performance belongs to the late Elizabeth Taylor in the movie. As Leslie, Benedict's wife, she represents the heart of the story. Smart, compassionate and strong, Taylor is sublime with an understated power that reaches across generations. She's the catalyst for change, and is tough enough to survive Texas customs and then dig in her own spurs to break a historically conservative culture.

I continue about the majestic excellence of Giant, but after one viewing you would likely be inclined to agree. The superlatives can rattle on and on and on to fill Texas itself. Even in a summer of amazing film classics, it stands tall among like an oil derrick on the landscape. Appropriately, it's cinematic gold. Or should I say... "black gold. Texas tea."

Showtimes for the film:

Giant
Thursday, Sept 1st
7:30

The Sept 1st screening is also the 2011 Summer Classic FIlm Series CLOSING PARTY.
Film Fans receive FREE admission, drinks, popcorn & a special gift!

Friday, Set 2nd

7:30

Saturday, Sept 3rd

2:00

Final Note about the screening

Parking:
"Hassle-free downtown parking available for $6 at the One American Center for all summer films! Since you’re also supporting the theatre when you buy parking, they're giving you a free small soda each time you park there for a film. Buy online with your film tix and print out your confirmation e-mail or buy directly from the garage attendant (cash only). Attendant will have your soda ticket as well."