Cool News
The Alamo Drafthouse Downtown is closing, but it will rise again, oh yes, it will...
Hey folks, Harry here. This is a story that many of us have known was coming for a very long time. The closing of the original Alamo Drafthouse location. I remember the first time I was in the place. I actually thought that it was the worst theater ever and that the owners were terribly rude. The feeling was mutual - as my father and I were sitting where we weren't supposed to and were being duly chastised. You see, the Alamo opened for a brief preview to help out SXSW. When it opened in this brief period - it was plastic folding chairs, no air conditioning and saw dust in the air from the exposed foundations of what would become the gradual stadium seating.
It was a work in progress - but at the time, the Hay Bales behind curtains and more were all replaced. In its second week, I wrote my first review from the original location ( Click Here To Read It! ). Since then - the Drafthouse and I have shared many adventures - and Austin has seen it grow from that one location, to many others. And at each step, I've marveled at the improvements that Tim and Karrie League has implemented at each location.
But the nostalgia for that original location is irreplaceable. It's like, every time we've redesigned AICN - people always seem to long for the original 1996 version - pre-talkback, pre-chat, pre-Zone. Pre-Moriarty, pre-Quint, when it was pretty much just me doing all the updating all the time. There is a part of me that misses that period too, but AICN is a lot more now. Moriarty & Quint have grown into amazing presences on the site, as has Hercules, Merrick, Scott Green, ScoreKeeper and so many more.
But we're talking about the Alamo Downtown. This is it's 10th Anniversary year and it is a bittersweet thing that on such a momentous year of celebration, we will see it become... something else. I've no idea what is going to happen to that original location. I can't imagine it will become much of anything, but a spot to drive by and remember what it used to be. Like the old Americana locale, the Fox Theater, the Capitol Plaza and the Arbor. I hate seeing theaters close. Especially this Alamo Drafthouse location.
However, I'm one of the few that isn't freaking out over this.
Over the last 10 years, I've partnered with the Alamo to throw many events. The friends I've met, the night's I'll never forget and... hell - my last 8 birthdays have been some of the biggest events in my life there. But the first movie I saw with my future wife, wasn't at the Alamo Downtown, but the Alamo South. And the biggest memories with the Alamo have been with the Rolling Roadshow - which they've taken all over this great country of ours. The magic of the Alamo has moved from location to location - because the real magic of the Alamo for me is in the people behind the Alamo, Tim & Karrie League. Lars, Kierla, Mike, Justin, Karen, Daniel and all the others. And they'll all be working on the ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE AT THE RITZ.
It's strange - just recently I was talking about THE RITZ - it was the original great Grindhouse location here in Austin -- but in 1929 - THE RITZ was the first theater built in Austin explicitly to be a SOUND MOVIE THEATER. And it was a small palace here in Austin. It played Betty Boop cartoons on first run.... It played BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN on it's original run. It played KING KONG on its first run. How do I know this? Well - in the Seventies - My father bought the Ritz's movie poster archive that was stored in its projection booth. In fact, there's a Silly Symphonies Window Card that we bought - that now finds itself in the ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURES ARTS & SCIENCES Archive in Los Angeles... straight from the Ritz.
When I first started attending the RITZ as a kid in the Seventies - they were showing all manners of exploitation films. The projectionist was John Stewart - who is currently the projectionist at the Paramount Theater - very apt that he'll be the Projectionist for GRINDHOUSE's premiere. It along with The State, The Paramount, The Ritz and The Varsity and Texas Union were my original theaters with my earliest memories. The RITZ became a Porn house for a while in the seventies - and then became various incarnations of clubs and bars and currently - a pool playing joint. Long has that grand marquee out front come to symbolize anything but a Movie Theater to folks here in Austin.
That is about to change. Beginning on April 1st (no joke) - construction and renovations will begin to make this location a palace again. People forget that Tim and Karrie League didn't begin here in Austin, but in Bakersfield, California in a Movie Palace there. They came to Austin as Theatrical Gypsies... carrying their projection equipment and seats with them. They made a building that wasn't meant to be a movie theater, a movie theater. My favorite movie theater.
Now - they are going to re-convert a shell of a theater - and what are they going to do with it.
I've had a couple of correspondences with Tim today. There will be 2 screens. A small one upstairs - around a 100 or so will be able to enjoy that screen... and the ground floor screen? It will be far bigger than the screen at the Alamo we've come to know and love. In fact as Tim stated to me, "We'll have a better sound system, bigger screen, better seats, stadium seating, plus we are going to do some cool design stuff to really accentuate the fact that this is a landmark Austin theater"
Right now - Tim is off scouting locations for this year's Rolling Roadshow, which Yoko and I are treating as the Honeymoon appetizer. But Tim tells me he wants to meet with me and discuss the upcoming events... the closing event for the Original Alamo... the opening events for the New Alamo... The future of Butt-Numb-A-Thon and some other spectacles that I'll throw with the Alamo, wherever it may be.
As for now - here's the official press release that Tim sent me to share... and keep your eyes and ears open - there's going to be some amazing Alamo fun to be had and Austin has reclaimed one of it's most historic movie locales. This is very exciting...
Alamo Drafthouse Downtown moves to the Ritz!
ALAMO DOWNTOWN
CELEBRATES TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY...
Ten years ago, my wife Karrie and I opened the doors to the original Colorado Street Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. We had just finished the most grueling six months of our lives, working on the construction every day, 7 days a week about 15 hours a day. We worked at a feverish pace and did damn near everything ourselves, mainly because we had no money. With a paltry sum raised by hitting up our parents and friends and an assortment of credit card loans, we installed new plumbing, air conditioning, electrical, and fabricated the screening room that we've been enjoying for the last decade. On opening day, we had $20,000 left in the bank, and with our freshly-hired staff, our first ever employees, that was enough to last us for about a month if no-one came to the theater. It was a miserably naive business plan.
Thankfully, Austin responded to us quickly and we stand looking back ten years later to happily see the concept of our original cinema still intact. In the next three months, we will be celebrating our 10 year anniversary by bringing back many of our classic events and guests. We hope you will join us many times in April through June as we celebrate and share some of our favorite movies of the past decade. Look for the red "10" logo in our printed guide for all anniversary screenings. - Tim League: founder, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
AND MOVES OPERATIONS
TO THE HISTORIC RITZ THEATER!
For the last 10 years, we have also seen the warehouse district grow up around us. As the neighborhood has become more and more upscale, we've seen many long-time businesses fall away: The Bitter End, Gilligans, Waterloo Brewing Co, and Ruta Maya to name just a few. At the end of June, 2007, our lease will expire and due to the high costs of rent, insurance and taxes, we have been not been confident that we would be able to continue occupying our current space. With the end of our lease looming, the Downtown Austin Alliance stepped in quickly and brought us together with the owners of the Ritz Theater on 6th Street. In a matter of weeks, we shook hands on a deal and are now moving full-steam ahead with planning for the next decade of Alamo Drafthouse Downtown programming: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at the Ritz.
Renovation begins in April and we hope to be open as soon as possible, maybe as early as summer's end. This theater will prove to be the best Alamo Drafthouse yet. While retaining the intimacy and programming of the original location, the Ritz will have two screens, plush VIP seating, state-of-the-art projection and sound and the new experience of a remodeled and renovated landmark Austin movie palace. Please stay tuned to the Alamo website and blog for progress on the construction as well as updates on opening week programming and events.
We would like to thank Larry and Mary Craddock, owners of the Ritz property who reached out to us and did everything they could to make this happen-we look forward to collectively reviving a lost Austin movie palace; the Downtown Austin Alliance for bringing the Craddocks and us together; Bob Woody, current operator of the Ritz for working with us to make the change; Danny Roth of Southwest Strategies for believing in a couple of kids with no money or experience 10 years ago-we are happy to still be working with you today; Karen Bartoletti and the gang at Graves Dougherty for making the process of jumping through legal hoops relatively quick and painless. We also thank our loyal and extremely hard-working staff, in particular man-in-charge Mike Sherrill for furthering and refining our original vision. Most of all, though, we'd like to thank the "Heroes of the Alamo" members and the entire city of Austin for continuing to support us and watch movies with us over the years. We love this city and we look forward to 10 more years of obsessive cinematic exploits.
For more information about the 10 Year Anniversary screenings at the original Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, check out our website. There are only a few months left to enjoy the original location, we hope to see you there soon and often! Every dollar you spend will be going towards the massive renovation overhaul of the Ritz. Also, stay tuned for information on the "last night at the Alamo" final screening and party!
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This all sounds pretty good, but the parking situation will be much trickier. Also, "plush VIP seating" makes me think that they will be getting rid of the line of rotting couches along the back wall and roping off some area to keep us plebeians out. Say it ain't so! I remember when I saw the first list of movies they were playing (Strange Brew, 2001, Blues Brothers, etc. etc.) and I thought "I love these movies". Good Luck Alamo.
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but it was way too long, and I just thought it was a little overwrought.
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was Faster Pussycat,Kill,Kill. They had lights in front of each seat that you turned on when you were ready to order. That was goddamn annoying and I was so glad when they got rid of that. I've seen hundreds of movies there. Been to six Butt-Numb-A-Thons there. I will dearly miss the place. I'm hoping I can be there on their last night party.
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3000 mile drive. Damn it. Now I wish I had seen more movies at the Alamo Downtown during SXSW this years. I saw about two: one that was bad and another that, while good, I left half way though because I was tired. I'm glad I took some pictures of the lobby, but non of the theater itself. I passed by the last day of SXSW to buy some shirts. That will be my last time inside the original alamo. Damn, I wish I would've sat in more of the seats (I wasn't even aware of the back row coaches until this year) and I would have loved to see the projection booth. You can tell a lot about a theater by it's booth. Damn, this sucks. It's funny cause the theater itself is kinda shitty, but it's still such a cool, unique, fantastic place. I'm sure the new place will be great, but so is the Alamo South Lamar, yet it's not the same as the original Alamo. You know, if a few things work out in my future, I'll have a lot to thank Tim and the original Alamo for.
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Roughly 1500 miles each way. Third year in a row. SXSW is great, but I'm sure the drafthouse has a lot more to do with me coming back so often.
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And I'm sure this can't be easy for Tim and Karrie either. I realize that they would love to stay where they are, and I know they fought to stay. Still, I can't help but feel sad. I wish the new Alamo all the best of luck, and I'll be there to support it and Tim and Karrie. But there will always be a little sigh let out each time I visit and I remember the Alamo, original. Good luck guys!
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and that's a drive, make no mistake.
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Damn you Michael Bay
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Shit I just woke up and saw the Drafthouse is closing. H, Tim, Karrie thank you! I'll miss it but looking forward to the new place!
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This is the place I met Crispin Glover and Chuck Norris. That I saw The 300 and FOTR for the first time. The place that I got to hang out with the monster squad and ask Fred Dekker why Robocop 3 was so crappy. I will never forget the Alamo downtown...I kinda hope this is an april fools joke...oh well.
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Maybe one day I'll get to visit; every five minutes I'm alerted to the coolness of that city. This one (Savannah, Georgia) could have a cool artistic side (and does in some respects, but nowhere *near* Austin's) but it's a continual battle between people like myself, who want to preserve the city's history and move it into the 21st century, and others who want to keep the city mired in the past.
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There's no way they can get the Ritz open in time... Looks like I'm going to be second-homeless for a while :(
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I don't understand why Austin is the only place in the USA that has cool movie theaters that let people DRINK and EAT at the movies, have amazing film festivals almost monthly, and actually have "theme nights" that turn movies into full-blown "adventures". There are so many great cities in this country, why haven't they been able to erect theaters with at least a SIMILAR degree of coolness? I live in the vicinity of both Boston and Providence, RI, and neither of those cities have theaters like the Alamo Drafthouse. I can only ask myself, "Why?" Would it not make money? Are people opposed to the ida of drinking at a movie theater? What is the problem? Whatever it is, the rest of the country needs to catch up with Austin, Tx., not only in terms of their theaters, but in terms of their entire attitude towards movies. For the people in this small but vital city, movies are cherished treasures, objects of reverence, things to never be taken for granted. If only the rest of the country could adopt this wonderful outlook maybe I could actually meet a girl who loves movies as much as I do. Believe me, its no easy task! Thank God for Myspace, at least it gives SOME hope...even though that hope is usually around 1-3,000 miles away!
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... therefore, I don not care!
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to just stand at the Drafthouse and inhale the smells, the sounds, the air of my favorite movie theater in the world. I'm sad for its passing, but I look forward to its new incarnation at the Ritz. A bigger theater? That's terrific news. And with Tim and Karrie behind it, I'm certain I'll love the Alamo Ritz as much as the Downtown location. I'll be in Austin in April, however, and I'll be sure to visit the Downtown theater and have one last Alamoburger there. It's been a wonderful ten years!
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We have a neat little theater in my city called The Nickelodeon. I went to it for the first time recently to see PAN'S LABYRINTH. Even though it isn't nearly as comfortable or big as any of the usual chain theaters in my area, I fell in love with it almost immediately. It was a place that was full of a love and appreciation for movies.
It's cool to see that people still get that. There is a charm to theaters that love being theaters for the movies, not for the corporate side of the business.
Best of luck to the next phase of the Alamo. -
It will be very interesting to marry the Alamo to the current 6th street, which is in my opinion a waste of real estate. I hope that this turns the tide on businesses down there.
Good luck Tim and Karrie! -
I live here in Houston,tx and its about a 2 1/2 hour drive to Austin. What i remember most about the Alamo is that when i would go to a first showing of a movie at Fantastic fest, i would order a meal beforehand, and if the movie sucked cock, i would eat my meal and then take a quick nap that feels so amazing.
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I live about 4 hours away from Austin so I've only been there a few times, but they were all memorable. Sitting in the front row as a drunken, rambling Quentin Tarantino introduced Rolling Thunder, Harry nearly running over my foot with his wheelchair, but he was very polite and just last year I got to see Revenge of the Nerds with Booger in the audience. 1 of my buddies lives in Austin and goes there alot, so he is REALLY going to miss it.
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I get down to Austin only once a year (for BNAT), but I try to see at least one or two movies in the Alamo Downtown if at all possible. I love this theater, and if at all possible, my girlfriend and I will want to come down from Minneapolis for one final movie. Thanks, Tim and Karrie, for all your hard word over the last ten years, and thanks to Harry for championing what moviegoing SHOULD be.
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...Adieu. Life will not be the same...
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I just hope they keep some of the funkyness and don't make it something for all the rich yuppies that take over everything cool in Austin so normal people can't enjoy them anymore.
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but not Harry Knowles for years of free advertising on his site, keeping them in business... oh well. Congrats Harry on the engagement! I guess her greencard is expiring, huh? Gotta stay in this great country somehow, even if it means marrying a guy whose idea of a honeymoon is watching movies in a theater and eating greasy popcorn rather than a cruise, or a trip to hawaii, or anything else that will get his fat pasty ass out in the sunlight.
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was Weird Wednesday at the Alamo on Colorado. I'd come down for a job interview and had a couple of extra days to explore the city. The Chronicle led me to the free midnight movie, and the spirit of the place sold me on the city. Any city that could support a theater like the Alamo was a place I wanted to be. I still will only see films at one of the three Alamos and try to go to as many of the downtown events as I can.
I kinds think it sucks that the "original" location will now be right on Sixth Street, ause although it's good for visibility it sucks for locals who actually want to go there. I avoid Sixth Street like the plague, but now it seems I'll have to make the occasional exception.
Sigh...
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Wow. Indeed this is sad but also fascinating. Death and rebirth. A good easter story. :)
I remember my first time at the Original Alamo. QT5 Good Ol Boy night. My wife bought us a trip to Austin in the middle of August to go see three nights of QT5. It was HOT and the trek to the Alamo from where we were staying was walking and bussing, so when we got inside the draft house, into that cool, black-walled and free from outside light sanctuary, and I saw the seats and the bar tables, I was more than delighted. Add Tarantino up on the stage pontificating about the wonders of Dixie Dynamite and The Brotherhood of Death and it's not something I will ever forget. Then again the next night, a fantastic evening of the amazingly Dark of the Sun and Eastern Condors. Finally wrapping it up with the genesis of Kill Bill with revenge night with Joe Don Baker's Framed and the absolutely stunning Rolling Thunder... and wow, yeah, I've got a great first impression in my mind. Add BNATs 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8, and the Original Alamo has one of the highest emotional spots in my heart and mind as the ephemeral existence of a "place" can have. Kudos to the Leagues for making my life significantly better than it would have been otherwise. -
Where's the Lost talkback?
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There is hope for me
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Where he caught his for BJ
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...i was shocked upon reading the headline, but now i'm excited! yet more reason for me to return to austin more often!
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pre-Talkback or pre-Moriarty.
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Does anyone have a picture of Harry's girlfriend? Also a historic theater closing is always sad, glad to hear they're going to reopen another.
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Yeah this news is a good thing overall. The warehouse district does kick the shit out of 6th street anyday but im all up for the change especially if it means a bigger venue, more seats and a better sound system. Maybe ill actually be able to be selected for Bnat for once. Yeah Weird Wednesdays and Terror Thursdays are easily my favorite things to attend.
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oh yeah i forgot to ask is this location withing walking distance of the club part of 6th street or further west?
http://tinyurl.com/pv8do -
I believe that I was there for that first ever showing atthe ALamo Drafthouse! I thought the place was awful, but I was told in the future that they would be serving beer, so I was slow to criticize. I think the film playing was Gross Point Blank and I was sitting next to Allison Macor, formerly of the Statesman, who was covering the screening for SXSW. Gonna be sad to see the place go, but if there is ANY location in Austin that would be perfect to carry on the Alamo tradition Downtown, it would be the Ritz. Without a doubt. BTW... John Stewart Rules as a projectionist!
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that is indeed cool news...the ritz...man, that place was so skanky, now maybe i'll enjoy going to sixth street? congrats leagues!
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Despite QT's dislike for it.
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And loud ones, at that. I wonder how that old ass building is gonna do with the soundproofing?
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I love that city. The music is phenomenal, especially if you love rockabilly/psychobilly as much as I do. The clubs and venues are great. Shiner Bock is the world's worst beer. The people can be very nice. The city is clean. The traffic isn't bad compared to my city. Yeah, Austin is cool.
Hey you Austin people, if you know The Flametrick Subs, tell them that Atlanta DJ that keeps bugging them to come out East is continuing to demand their presence outside of Tejas! -
About eight years ago I made a pact with God that if I lead a noble life and tried to always do good in the world, be kind to others, and help those in need that upon my ultimate demise he would see to it that I sit out the remainder of eternity at the Alamo Drafthouse Downtown. Now what's he going to do? What's the point? Heaven just won't be as good anymore.
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I think this is a great idea. I've been to some great screenings at the Alamo downtown but moving to the Ritz brings it back to it's cinematic roots. Plus 6th ST just isn't as cool as it used to be. About the only places I go down there are Casino(for the best burger in town) and the Jackalope.
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Sad to say, I've never been to the Alamo Drafthouse, always wanted to go since, hell, almost since it's inception. I have to say, Knowles writings about Austin over the years, and especially the Drafthouse have been the main reason's I want to move to Austin, or nearby. I will definately make at least 1 event prior to them shutting there doors, and hopefully, in the near future, my wife and I can enjoy the Ritz Drafthouse on a regular basis. Harry, thanks for allowing us readers the opportunity to get a micron of the expeirience through your enthusiastic musings! Remember the Alamo!
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The best movie-going experiences ever! Everything I loved about movies growing up with a palace theater in my home town, I am able to share with my kiddo because of the Alamo and Harry Knowles. I have faith in Tim & Karrie and hope they can tap into the "spirits of movies past" that visited The Ritz and may still linger in the nooks and crannies. I also have faith in Alamo staff and supporters. I would suffer serious Alamo withdrawal if it weren't for my second favorite theater, Alamo S. Lamar. An Alamo DH on 6th street will certainly class up the area. Best of luck!
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So glad finally got to go there last week. Great news about the Ritz, though.
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and this bums me out.
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I live near the two Alamos in Houston but rarely go. Perhpas that has to do with both being on a side of town with the most annoying traffic. Or it could be the plethora of eatery/movie houses springing up around town. It's like every other old dollar theater changed into a pale reflection of Alamo.
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I love the Downtown Drafthouse .... especially for soemone like me who lives over 100 miles away from it, but I have made it there over 100 times over the years.
The Ritz location will be nice, but my memories will be with the old Drafthouse for the rest of my life... -
the old drafthouse was a pretty shitty venue to watch movies in. Change is good, people.
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Austin sounds like they know what's going on, that's for sure.
It's a little off topic, but here in Saint Louis they've definitely stepped up their game (movie theater-wise) within the last five years. In every cinema within the city limits, you can buy beer & wine. In one incredible venue, The Moolah, they not only have a full bar and food service, but it's housed in an incredibly ornate old Shriner temple complete with a basement bowling alley. Granted, there's rarely any revival screenings (outside of a yearly Big Lebowski throwdown), but it's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. The downside? You gotta live in Missouri. -
I was hoping, if the Drafthouse had to move, I'd take residence in one of the two remaining old Austin theaters. 6th Street annoys me, I worry about more idiots who like to talk during movies wandering in (they better still kick 'em out if I alert management), but the downtown Drafthouse belongs somewhere with some foot traffic - other than yuppies, that is. The Varsity(The old Tower Records building on the Drag with Rudy Ray Moore on the side) would have been my alternate choice, aside from the Ritz, but then again, it's a little too close to the Dobie for comfort, and if you think parking is bad downtown, then you haven't ever tried parking near campus. At least they have garages downtown. I look forward to the move, but I'll always have deep love for the Original. I need to make it back down and bring my camera at least one more time before they close. The Original Drafthouse is soon to be dead... long live the Drafthouse at the Ritz!
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Damn you, Michael Bay.
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ok so i have tickets to the hot fuzz screening...am i fucked
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Damn you, MCMLXXVII
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Yeeeeeesssssshhhh!
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.. make sure this big breasted and tight-waisted and blond...
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