Alamo Drafhouse Lamar Renderings

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Dallas:
A bar that isn’t just a bar

Dallas - Oct 30, 2014 — In July, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema DFW, announced Dallas is getting its very own eight-screen theater on the southwest corner of Cadiz Street and S. Lamar Street, between the Dallas Convention Center and the South Side on Lamar. In addition to in-theater dining, Alamo Dallas will feature a second level Taproom with two patios and a panoramic view of downtown. The Taproom and patios will have seating for over 200 people and feature an extensive menu of 32 craft beers on tap; over 35 bottled beers, wine, craft cocktails and scratch made food. The bar and front patio will have overhead garage doors linking the two spaces and allowing for great views of downtown Dallas. The back patio will feature an outdoor movie screen complete with 4k projector, stage for live music, and private karaoke rooms. As with any bar in an Alamo Drafthouse, guests are invited to enjoy lunch, dinner, brunch, and happy hour whether seeing a movie or not.

“As you may know, Alamo is more than just a great theater, it is a cultural hub for all kinds of entertainment; movies, music, comedy, drinks, dining, and, of course, Alamo’s world famous events. Our second-floor bar at Alamo Dallas will be second to none and serve as a stand alone watering hole or simply a place to relax before or after a film,” said Bill DiGaetano, owner/COO, Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas DFW.


Alamo Dallas Details
Alamo Drafthouse Dallas will be a state-of-the-art theater with 8-screens and just under 1,000 seats. Each auditorium will be equipped with the latest in 4K digital projection with larger-than-average screen size to room ratios and 7.1 Dolby Surround Sound. Select auditoriums will also feature 35mm projectors for Cinephiles to experience classic and repertory content as they were meant to be viewed. Not only will they feature superior audio-visual equipment, additionally the format of each theater will eliminate the traditional front row, ensuring every seat in the theater allows for an optimal viewing experience.



What Sets Alamo Drafthouses Apart
Alamo Drafthouse combines dinner, drinks, films and events, all under one roof. The theaters have been heralded for their unique programming events and high exhibition standards, earning accolades like “Best Theater Ever” (Time Magazine) and “the coolest theater in the world” (Wired).

Alamo Drafthouse provides a unique combination of theater and restaurant, showing first-run movies, independent films and special programming events with an extensive menu made from scratch in a state-of-the-art culinary kitchen. Customers order food and drinks from servers who quietly attend to them throughout the movie.

Customers are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the pre-show entertainment. Instead of a barrage of advertising, the Alamo shows a curated collection of rare and humorous clips. “We're proud of the fact that we don't show any advertising,” Tim League said. “People don't want to pay for a movie and then be bombarded with 20 minutes or more of shampoo commercials. If you don’t like the movie, we strive to produce a pre-show good enough to still make for a great experience.”

Alamo Drafthouse protects the theater experience with a zero-tolerance policy for people who disrupt the film with talking or texting. Alamo Drafthouse was featured on global news for a viral “Don’t Talk” PSA that used a humorously misguided voicemail from an actual patron who was ejected for using her phone during the film. The full story on the long tradition of Alamo’s no talking/texting policy can be found here: http://cf.drafthouse.com/she_texted_we_kicked_her_out2.html



About Alamo Drafthouse
Tim and Karrie League founded Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in 1997 as a single-screen mom-and-pop repertory theater in Austin. Seventeen years later, the now 18-location chain has been named “the best theater in America” by Entertainment Weekly and “the best theater in the world” by Wired.com. The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has built a reputation as a movie lover’s oasis not only by combining food and drink service with the movie-going experience, but also introducing unique programming and high profile, star studded special events. Alamo Drafthouse Founder & CEO, Tim League, created Fantastic Fest, a world renowned film festival dubbed “The Geek Telluride” by Variety. Fantastic Fest showcases eight days of genre cinema from independents, international filmmakers and major Hollywood studios. The Alamo Drafthouse’s collectible art gallery, Mondo, offers breathtaking, original products featuring designs from world-famous artists based on licenses for popular TV and movie properties including Star Wars, Star Trek and the classic Universal Monsters. The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is expanding its brand in new and exciting ways, including Drafthouse Films, which has garnered two Academy Award nominations in its short three-year existence and Badass Digest, an entertainment news blog curated by veteran journalist Devin Farachi. http://drafthouse.com/dfw.

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Alamo Drafthouse Cinema’s second North Texas location on South Lamar Street in Dallas celebrates progress on location with Outdoor Movie Screening


Dallas – October 23, 2014—Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is please to invite you to the first celebration for the new Dallas location and a free outdoor screening of the John Hughes classic, FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF. The event will take place on November 8 in the parking lot adjacent to Cedars Social, 1326 S. Lamar Street, Dallas, Texas; just down from the future home of Alamo Drafthouse Dallas. Gates open at 5:00 pm and the film rolls directly following the informal, non-ceremonial groundbreaking at sundown. (Really, it’s just an excuse to through a party and invite 1,000s of our closest fans!) Food Trucks will be on site, as will local beers from Dallas’ own Deep Ellum Brewing Company. Select wines will also be available. This event is BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair) and is friendly for both two-legged and four-legged kiddos.

“We’re very excited to host this construction-kick-off party on Lamar Street. It’s a great chance for us to meet our new neighbors and for our fans to get familiar with the location of Alamo Dallas all while having a great time. These Rolling Roadshows always turn into a fantastic block party with a few thousand people, pets, families, great food trucks, local beer, and, of course, film. We can’t wait to be open in Dallas and our fans should expect more outdoor movie events this spring before we open,” said Bill DiGaetano COO/Owner Alamo Drafthouse Cinema DFW.

Horns

Horns is a 2013 fantasy, horror, romance, mystery, black comedy told in flashback that plays a bit long at just over two hours. The film, directed by Alexander Aha (Piranha 3D, The Hills have Eyes) is based on the 2010 dark fantasy book by writer, Joe Hill (son of Stephen King). It tells the story of tragic lovers Ig Parrish (Daniel Radcliffe) and Merrin (Juno Temple) who fall in love as children and remain together through quite a few post high school years. Ig wakes to discover that his ethereal soul mate has been raped and murdered and he is the suspect in most everyone's eye, after a falling out at a local diner the night before. Set in gorgeous British Columbia, standing in for a moody Seattle, and set to an eclectic and interesting soundtrack, HORNS débuted at the 2013 Toronto Film Festival and will be released on Halloween 2014. Radcliff has proven, post theatrical Equus, that he is not afraid to take on nonconventional roles and give it all he has got and this film demands a great deal from him. Temple (Notes on a Scandal, Atonement) is an enchanting and ethereal on screen presence, full of initial innocence and inner light. The two seem star-crossed over the years and the assumption by all is that they will make it legal. For some unknown reason, Merrin calls the relationship off but what really happens afterwards is a mystery.

Ig awakes one morning, after a year, to a newly sprouting set of horns but notices that when he comes near people, they unload all of their innermost thoughts and desires. When touched by Ig, they show him scenes from their pasts that hold high emotion and drama. Ig knows to avenge Merrin and save his own life, he and the Horns must put the pieces together. Big brother and jazz musician, Terry (Joe Anderson- Across The Universe) figures in as does third wheel and wingman boyhood pal Lee (Max Minghella- The Social Network, The Internship) who has long sported a secret crush on Merrin and is trying to be legal counsel to Ig. Other noteworthy appearances are by Kathleen Quinlan as Ig's mother Lydia and Heather Graham as a fifteen minutes of fame waitress who witnessed the break up.

The film's inner connections just aren't quite tight enough to jell perfectly for this viewer. It boasts some great special effect work and a unique storyline and it is interesting to follow the truth journey as the horns grow and grow. We never really get if the horns have good intentions or evil one's but not many folks take notice. They are the ultimate ID releaser. Radcliff is intense and determined as he continues to try and leave Harry P behind once and for all and it is a good thing Shea LeBeouf was passed on this role. The climax drags and we do grow weary of the quest as karma pays a visit to a few key players. It is a bit delicious watching each emotional confessional reveal and wish, we too, could be so open and honest about our desires and deepest, darkest most depraved wishes. Things get weird when the snake army appears and things feel a little Louisiana voodoo for awhile and be prepared for some plot holes and a few things that just don't get explained well enough. Watch for the red evolving throughout, from a vintage Gremlin, horn sprouts, cherry bombs, Merrin's hair, some visceral gore, the diner's logo and ultimately Ig himself. Could it be the Devil in all of us?
(Review by Cheryl Wurtz)

A Coup in Camelot

Nothing that I have seen about JFK has ever come close to the amount of fact and grit that is in this documentary. The point of this mega thinking film is that John F. Kennedy was assassinated by an underground coup within the government. The facts in this film were just too solid to overlook like the manipulation of JFK’s head wound between Dallas and Bethesda Hospital in D.C. There was a revealing of a key witness being suppressed by the government which according to this film would have dramatically changed Oswald’s trial if he had lived. There were multiple experts in this film including a forensics woman who had worked with the Dallas Police Department for multiple decades. The proving with highly stylized graphics that JFK was shot from the front was stunning to myself and the audience around me. Every bit of this piece. although sometimes hard to understand, was gut-wrenching and made you think who was truly in our most powerful White House.

The film was entirely unafraid of confronting past people who were working during the assassination in service to the President. What we get from this project is pure scientific and researched fact surrounding a very emotional issue. JFK was so beloved for his unique approach to the poor and working class. Towards the end of this film one is reminded about how tragic the event of his death was. The fact that this might have been completely structured by the body that was supposed to be protecting him (the government) is so chilling. I was thoroughly impressed by the level of detail and use of resources that the executive producers and director Stephen Goetsch put into the making of “Camelot”. There was use of 3D imaging, different varieties of colors, and re-creation of scenes done in this documentary. The length was appropriate for such a huge claim and explanation of the assassination.

I truly believe that the people who loved JFK so much have so much more to gain from viewing “Camelot”. I think that this is one of those fight back type of movies which reminds us that we the people created this country. We have what it takes to fight hidden injustices that are within our country and I’m sure there are tons of them. I hope to see more of director Stephen Goetsch’s work in the future as I have been convinced by him and his team on such a significant issue.
(Review by Wyatt Head)

Nightcrawler

Jake Gyllenhaal could have pursued the easy route of rom-coms for good looking young actors after breaking through with Brokeback Mountain. Outside of Prince of Persia he's chosen more interesting characters like in Zodiac, Enemy, and Jarhead. Now he's gone the Christian Bale American Psycho sociopath method losing 20lbs for the role in this new film directed and written by Dan Gilroy (who wrote The Bourne Legacy). It's dark, complicated and Gyllenhaal nails the character completely.

Playing Lou Bloom, Gyllenhaal's gaunt face and slicked back hair ignores his usually pleasant features in favor of a more predatory fake smiles. He's articulate, totally self involved, and doesn't really listen to what's being said to him by manipulating the conversation to his viewpoint. He's been living stealing things for cash trying to get a job with the construction boss to whom he selling the fenced items. Really not a good idea, but Lou really sells himself. One night he comes upon an accident and sees an independent stringer (Bill Paxton) taking pictures of the scene. He asks him about the job and becomes more fascinated when he sees the footage on the morning news. He believes he's finally found his calling. Pawning a stolen bike, he gets a camcorder and a police scanner trying to find ways of capturing events. He's thrown out of most scenes, until he manages to get some upclose shots of a gruesome shot victim. He goes to a local TV station and sells his first piece. The station's news director Nina (Rene Russo) compliments him on his abilities which encourages him to bring her more pieces. Lou hires a homeless kid with no experience to be his assistant for $30 a day. Rick (Riz Ahmed) is clueless, but buys Lou's confident attitude as an employer. They are successful enough to get a better, faster car and more equipment. But soon Lou is also manipulating accident and crime scenes to get better frames.

The subculture of Nightcrawlers, the freelance stringers who hustle to sell their coverage of life's more darker mayhem to the highest bidder is a cutthroat, unregulated, underground industry. This fits Lou's temperament who is totally immune to the horror that he is capturing, seeing only an opportunity to advance his own agenda. With no formal education, Lou is like a sponge and a master at learning everything one needs to know from the Internet. At one point he took and online business course and is full of motivational speeches as a way of his own self improvement. Nina is his perfect foil as the hungry for rating graveyard shift news director who buys Lou's increasing dubiously attained shots.

At one point Rick, frustrated by Lou's machinations on creating the ultimate on the scene capture of some wanted murderers tells him what his doing is f**ked. Lou says that he may not understand people, he just doesn't like them. Whatever humanity he may have slightly exhibited in the beginning of the movie is overpowered by the tyrannical psycho he becomes when he gets a taste of success. Gyllenhaal is so totally committed to his character it's hard not to rubberneck.
(Review by reesa)

Before I Go to Sleep

Amnesia is a fun and popular concept for movies. S.J. Watson's best selling novel adapted to the screen by director/writer Rowan Joffe includes a big name cast and Ridley Scott as a producer. With all these elements in play, it should offer an engaging mystery, but somehow falls short with story holes that will nag you afterwards. As a Redbox rental it would be more than satisfying.

Christine Lucas (Nicole Kidman) wakes every morning with no clue about the man in bed with her, nor the wall of pictures in her bathroom with post it names and events of what is apparently her life. She has an particular type of amnesia that is only able to store information for one day before wiping her mental hard drive clean when she sleeps. Every morning Ben (Colin Firth) reminds her that he is her husband of 14 years, she is 40 years old and that he loves her. She was in an accident and that is why she is in this condition. There is a list on the wall of things she has to remember everyday. Ben leaves for work as a teacher, and Christine is left to her own confusion. A Dr. Nasch (Mark Strong) calls telling her that he is her neurologist working with her to bring back her memories. For some reason he tells her that their work must be kept from her husband. He also tells her she has been keeping a video diary to remind her new self about what's going on. Dr. Nasch tells her that she was attacked and left for dead near a airport hotel which contradicts her husband's story of an accident.

Christine has memory flashes of a woman with red hair and making rough love with a faceless man. Ben tells her that Claire (Anne-Marie Duff) was her best friend that stopped coming to see her because she was upset that Christine couldn't remember her everyday. When she finds out about having a son, Ben tells her their child had died of meningitis. Little clues are revealed and Christine records her finding on the camera for the daily updates to herself. Her daily paranoia builds and vexes her and on top of that her doctor is attracted to her.

Everyone does a wonderful job with what they have. Firth who has always played the bumbling everyday man who is likable and unpretentious and Strong who usually plays the smarmy villain both play against type. Kidman who displays her naked backside in the beginning of the movie does well showing the desperation and fear of what it like to wake up clueless each day. Plus she has two men telling her different stories about her. What's a girl to do? You may figure out what's going on long before the film does the big reveal. And there are many questionable plot points that you will be left to ponder. But it might be worth it if you really have nothing else to do and 92 minutes to kill.
(Review by reesa)

Movies Scheduled 10/26-11/1

Ok most of y'all know the rules but for the new people here they are.

First of all we do NOT ever sell our free passes. It is nice that the studio reps give us. They could just go to a different market and not do Dallas!! And yes the reps look at social media!

Second you always have to have a pass!! Yes some will let you show it on your phone but not all movies you can do that so it is best to print them out. There has been talk that people go up and say we told y'all to just go without a pass. That has never been said! We do send out emails to let you know how to get the pass and where the movie is!

Third we don't drop our chair off at the line then go to work so you can be first. Sure if you want to grab a bite to eat then that is fine but don't be gone from your chair for too long. Some places don't even allow chairs!


If you have any questions please feel free to email me at damitdaina@hotmail.com


Sunday Oct. 26th

A Coup in Camelot 10:00 p.m. Texas Theater


Monday Oct. 27th

Laggies 7:30 p.m. AMC Northpark
The Wedding Ringer 7:30 p.m. Angelika Dallas


Tuesday Oct. 28th

Nightcrawler 7:30 p.m. AMC Northpark
Big Hero 6 7:00 p.m. Cinemark Rave Ridgmar
Big Hero 6 7:00 p.m. AMC Northpark
Beyond the Lights 7:30 p.m. SMG Arlington


Wednesday Oct. 29th

Before I Go to Sleep 7:30 p.m. Angelika Dallas


Thursday Oct. 30th

Dial M for Murder 7:30 p.m. Angelika Dallas


Friday Oct. 31st


Saturday Nov. 1st

Stonehearst Asylum

If you say Edgar Allan Poe, I am generally all over it. Prolific tales of mystery and imagination describes the literary output of the author who wrote the short story that Stonehearst Asylum is based upon. At nearly two hours, large portions of this movie feel just like awkward filler in this adaptation. The cast all have stellar reputations and include Ben Kingsley, Kate Beckinsale, Jim Sturgess and Sir Michael Caine. Sturgess plays a newly minted Oxford Dr., Edward, who arrives at the estate late one night, to the surprise of the groundskeeper, to observe and study the methods of the staff in working with the institutionally insane upper crust residents there. The story takes place at the turn of the century in Victorian England and general moodiness is the order of the day in setting and feel. . Kingsley portrays the head Dr. or so we are led to believe initially, as he channels his character from House of Sand and Fog in a cartoonish kind of way, to portray the superintendent. The Dr. is given the tour of the ginormous place and meets many of the eccentric residents who are full of demons, quirks and alternate identities. It is pretty easy to figure out that things are not really what they seem in this lively place. Beckinsale plays the beautiful Eliza,, who really seems to be quite sane whenever she appears despite a diagnosis of hysteria. Edward quickly falls for her quiet charms as the situation at the Asylum begins to unravel. The Dr. discovers that the methods employed at the asylum are quite innovative, kind and unusually humane as the residents are integrated into normal situations, such a formal dinners and parties, and seem to have the general run of the facility. The beautiful young nurse is one of the first clues that the asylum has had a change in original management. As the good Dr. explores the sights and sounds that go bump in the night, he falls deeper in love with Eliza and discovers the big secret in the basement. Michael Caine appears about halfway occupying a one dimensional role in which he is generally wasted. David Thewlis appears as the aptly named Mickey Finn, who is groundskeeper and gopher/lackey for Kingsley. He moves about the the eyes and ears of the super, always the threat in the background.

It is hard to figure out, sometimes, if the director and writer are going for a comedy/drama or a period piece. The chuckles appear in the most unusual places and feel a bit odd. There are a couple of twists that make the film interesting but it really just isn't enough with the script and limited characterizations. that were given to the talented actors to develop. There just isn't that much in the bones of the film to completely redeem it. Director Brad Anderson, who brought us the masterpiece known as "The Machinist" really missed the mark in this one, based on his reputation. The film feels empty in parts, like it is killing some time. The viewers are exposed to the inhumane methods that were utilized in real life asylums, as through flashback we see the events that preceded Edward's arrival. There will be one generally question that the movie goer will be asking themselves over and over once the big secret is revealed. Why doesn't the Dr just............... well you will figure that one out. Poe fans will probably be disappointed and if this were not being released in October, the "have to see a scary movie" crowd would probably not be checking it out. But if you want to see what it is like when the insane are running the asylum, feel free to check this one out. There are more twists and turns in this Asylum than originally meets the eye. Our audience was quite gracious and many applauded at the end, but it was more in response to the conclusion itself, as opposed to the entire movie watching experience.
(Review by Cheryl Wurtz)

John Wick

Do you want to see Keanu Reeves kick ass? Then you will be extremely satisfied with this movie. This is adrenaline at its finest and it’s refreshing to see an actor, besides Tom Cruise, do their own stunts. It’s directed with a certain style and with beautiful choreography. The directors are stuntman so I would be shocked if the action wasn't handled well in this. You don’t come here for the story and the acting, you come here for the action and it delivers. The actors in this are fine but you come for Mr. Reeves and, I believe, this is best role yet. Yes, I said that correctly. Keanu is one of those actors to where, if you make the right vehicle for him, he can succeed and it compliments his acting. Action movies like this allow him to be better than what the script is, and that’s exactly what he does. He just makes the movie more enjoyable and brings a sense of humanity to his character. The cinematography is very good and heightens the fight scenes to a whole new level. If you have a good looking shot but bad choreography, then your scene is terrible. If you have both it makes the scene more intense. There is a nightclub scene, in particular, that is lit well, shot well with beautiful wide shots and the choreography is spot-on. That is how you make an action scene great and the whole movie is like this. The movie never drags, as I was entertained all throughout waiting for Keanu to fight the next person. The film is an hour and forty minutes and that is a perfect length for a film like this. Overall this is a solid action film and I enjoyed myself watching Keanu back in a good action role. 7/10
(Review by Chase Lee)

Dear White People

It amazes me that racial issues are still a problem in 2014. This film pokes fun at racial stereotypes, while at the same time being relevant to race and the problems of it today. The direction of this film is outstanding. Director, Justin Simien, creates a good blend of satire and real human drama and how we see people just because of the color of their skin. I won’t get into the whole race thing, but what I can tell you is that I have no problem with people and the color of their skin. This film is a great example of bringing relevant issues to the forefront in a humorous way to get people’s attention. The acting is ok as no one stood out to me. They weren't bad, but not really memorable either. The cinematography was actually really well done. Every scene was shot differently than the previous spicing up the story as it progressed to give you some good eye-candy. Some films can shoot the same over the shoulder shot in a conversation for a scene, but this film changes it up every time when someone talks. This can make the cinematography, to where it changes throughout; add another layer to the unique storytelling. The pace of the film is terrible. As much as I really loved the film overall, it seemed like it was five hours and just dragged. For an hour and half film, it shouldn't have felt like half a day. The message that this director brings is a clever, sometimes funny, important way that everyone who thinks race isn't a problem should watch. 6/10
(Review by Chase Lee)

The Blue Room

“The Blue Room” felt like we were seeing the second and third act of a film and not seeing the whole thing. I have to admit that, at first, I didn't like it because of it feeling like it was missing some of the story, but I ended up liking it and not loving it. The runtime doesn't help either as it’s only an hour and fifteen minutes (minus five minutes for credits). Feeling like there was a missing piece of it was a major fault for me as well the third act. The whole third act revolves around a court case; and you figure that would be a big key part, right? It’s the last twenty minutes and it just wraps up and puts a bow on it as quickly as possible. I was disappointed by that and wished they could have really focused on the case and made it more gripping and intense. The acting is well done and the lead, Mathieu Amalric, who also wrote and directed it, was really good and everyone gave believable, sometimes heartbreaking performances. The cinematography was actually lit well and framed up beautifully. It’s one of better shot films this year and it’s not even made here in America. French films are among my favorite types of foreign films and all have fantastic cinematography and this is no exception. The pace of it has a nice rhythm, but as I stated it felt like it was too short and missing the first act. The subtitles have a nice font to where you can read it quickly and then gaze at the wonderful cinematography. You might laugh that the subtitles get some criticism, but it’s important for foreign films. Do you want to read a foreign film with a bad font? The cinematography, acting, music were great, but the court room scene and the fact it felt like someone cut the first act completely out made me dock points for it. 6/10
(Review by Chase Lee)

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

It maybe too early to declare Birdman as the best movie of the year. Or even suggest Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, and Edward Norton for acting awards. It's hard not to watch this film and be wowed by the stedi-cam work that never ends while the story moves with it. Or be at the edge of your seat by the percussive soundtrack that emphasizes the New York machine gun dialogue. Co-written, produced, and directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu (Babel, 21 Grams, Blutiful) and written with Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr. and Armando Bo. The story walks the edge of truth and fantasy.

Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) is a washed up movie actor whose claim to fame is playing a super hero, Birdman. Much like Michael Keaton's own movie history playing Batman. Thomson has thrown all his eggs in the basket hoping for an artistic comeback by adapting Raymond Carver's short story We Talk About When We Talk About Love for Broadway. The action centers in the dressing rooms, the hallways, the backstages and the main stage of the theater while the characters weave in and out of moments. The day before the preview performances, Ralph (Jeremy Shamos) gets knocked on the head by some stage equipment, which secretly pleases everyone because he's a horrible actor. Lesley (Naomi Watts) suggests her boyfriend Mike Shiner (Edward Norton) for the part. His name is not only a draw, but he impresses Riggan with his talent. What he doesn't know is that he's a lose cannon. It's a glitch they will have to endure because Jake (Zach Galifianakis), Riggan's best friend and lawyer, says ticket sales are up due to his casting. On top of this Riggan's girlfriend Laura (Andrea Riseborough) thinks she is pregnant. Sylvia (Amy Ryan), Riggan's ex wife shows up to take their daughter Sam (Emma Stone) to lunch. Sam is working as her dad's personal assistant having just come out of rehab. She's got an attitude against her father who she felt was never around. On top of it all, Riggan is hearing the voice of his Birdman persona that berating and advising him.

Cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki won an Oscar for Gravity and this should also be another winner for the year. The roving camera makes it feel like we are following characters in real time, then walking down the hall entering the stage where they are rehearsing, then a change of angle shows the audience of the live performance. The camera moves constantly like one continuous shot. It's a conceit but brilliantly realized.

The story within a story within another story is held together by the concept of understanding love. Everyone trying to find their place in life, acceptance and accomplishment. Everyone is battling something or someone. All exacerbated by the flaming ego of actors. Even Mike says that he's only real on stage. This tightrope of success can be tipped either way by the word of a critic, Tabitha (Lindsay Duncan) who swears she will close his show without even seeing the play because she doesn't like celebrities tainting the holy ground of Broadway.

There are some uneven moments of the film, but it's definitely up there with the must see of the year.
(Review by reesa)

John Wick

Keanu Reeves has that stoic tough guy role down to a science. He's even more affective now that he's older and more substantial in form. Directed by stunt men David Leitch and Chat Stahelski (who has been Keanu's stunt double for years) with a script by Derek Kolstad offer non stop action in a surprisingly satisfying action movie that is worth seeing again. What is nice is there are no shaking camera shots. You get to see every kick and punch and bullets blazing.

Reeves plays the title role of John Wick who lives in a beautiful home mourning the passing of his beloved wife Helen (Bridget Moynahan). He receives a package from her that she had arranged to be delivered after her passing. A cute little beagle puppy that would help soothe his heartache. The puppy becomes his constant companion. While out doing his daily chores, a few Russian speaking thugs expressed interest in his car and try to buy it from him. When he declines, the thugs later attack his house, beat him up and kill his dog. The thugs take the car to a chop shop run by Aurelio (John Leguizamo) who recognized the vehicle's owner and tells them to take it back. Apparently the name John Wick makes even the most tough and meanest villain's blood run cold. He is known as the Boogey Man.

The movie is a series of amped up revenge sequences as Wick pursues the bad guys one of whom is the son of his former boss. Alfie Allen (Game of Thrones) plays the spoiled rich son Iosef who doesn't seem to quite understand the dangerous can of worms that he's opened. After all it's just a dog. Viggo Tarasov (Michael Nyqvist) knows more than anything what Wick is capable of, so to save his son he decides to try and take out Wick first. He even puts out a open contract on Wick offering a huge award. Personally asking Marcus (Willem Dafoe) to do the job since he know Wick better than anyone. Wick checks into the Continental Hotel that is a safe place for hitmen and women run by Winston (Ian McShane) and the hotel manager Charon (Lance Reddick). No one is allowed to murder on the premises or there will be penalties. They also offer cleaner services. Ms. Perkins (Adrianne Palicki) decides to take up Viggo's offer to pay those penalties off.

Yes, there's lots of killings, and inventive demises. John Wick seems like a one man army. The theme is similar to Denzil in Equalizer being a retired operative, where Wick was a hitman but managed to escape the life. Plus they are both fighting Russians, which must be the new bad guys. Maybe we can get Liam, Denzil and Keanu together for the next action movie.
(Review by reesa)

23 Blast

The faith based genre of films have become more popular lately preaching to their choir. The films are generally centered around a crisis that is over come by their religious beliefs which is all fine and good, but sometimes the message is like a 2x4 across the head. In this new feature based on a true story about a blind high school football player is directed by character actor Dylan Baker working from a script by Bram Hoover (who also stars in the film) and Toni Hoover. The result a little like the average Lifetime movie of the week, with an low budget quality, awkward acting and stilted dialogue. But the film still won the 2013 Heartland Flim Festival's Audience Choice Award for Narrative Feature, so the feel good element works despite it's weaknesses.

Travis Freeman (Mark Hapka) and his best buddy Jerry Baker (Bram Hoover) grew up together playing football in Corbin, KY. In high school they are a winning combination with Travis winning more accolades for his sportsmanship. The small town community is obsessed with it's Friday Night Lights and winning the championships which is under the direction of Coach Farris (Stephen Lang). Life is good and picture perfect until Travis loses his sight to bacterial meningitis. As a teen, this is like a major setback from being top rock star to being pathetic. Even his cheerleader girlfriend drops him like a hot rock. Travis sulks in his room until his rehabilitation coach Patty Wheatley (Becky Ann Baker) starts giving him some tough love while training him to maneuver around the school and the streets. His best friends Jerry and Ashley (Alexa PenaVega) also try to not judge and keep things upbeat for him like Jerry letting him drive his truck.

Meanwhile the team is faltering without their star player so Coach Farris suggest to Travis that he should come back on the team playing center. Of course everyone thinks this is a disastrous idea especially the school's recreation director and vice principal Duncan (Timothy Bushfield) who wants to end Coach Farris anyway he can. The rest of the movie is the rise and fall of Travis and his attempts to play football culminating in the final big game.

There must be some small towns that scream Americana like Corbin, KY. Just a touch diverse, middle class, and everyone knows your name. Kim Zimmer (Guiding Light) and Dylan Baker play Travis' parents who are understanding and protective. Jerry is battling with confidence of always coming in 2nd to Travis so he self sabotages at crucial moments in the game. Max Adler (Glee) playing a footballer player again doesn't believe Travis will help the team being blind and all. Look for the real Travis Freeman showing up as a church preacher (which he is today) giving a message that speaks to fictional Travis that helps him over come his demons. Inspirational probably. TV movie definitely.
(Review by reesa)

Free Parking Lot Party at Alamo Drafthouse Lamar

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema DFW Breaks Ground on Dallas Location; Hosts FREE Outdoor Movie

FREE Parking Lot Party at Alamo Dallas!!!!
Saturday, November 8
Gates open at 5 pm.


Alamo Drafthouse Cinema’s second North Texas location on South Lamar Street in Dallas celebrates progress on location with Outdoor Movie Screening


Dallas – October 23, 2014—Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is please to invite you to the first celebration for the new Dallas location and a free outdoor screening of the John Hughes classic, FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF. The event will take place on November 8 in the parking lot adjacent to Cedars Social, 1326 S. Lamar Street, Dallas, Texas; just down from the future home of Alamo Drafthouse Dallas. Gates open at 5:00 pm and the film rolls directly following the informal, non-ceremonial groundbreaking at sundown. (Really, it’s just an excuse to through a party and invite 1,000s of our closest fans!) Food Trucks will be on site, as will local beers from Dallas’ own Deep Ellum Brewing Company. Select wines will also be available. This event is BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair) and is friendly for both two-legged and four-legged kiddos.

“We’re very excited to host this construction-kick-off party on Lamar Street. It’s a great chance for us to meet our new neighbors and for our fans to get familiar with the location of Alamo Dallas all while having a great time. These Rolling Roadshows always turn into a fantastic block party with a few thousand people, pets, families, great food trucks, local beer, and, of course, film. We can’t wait to be open in Dallas and our fans should expect more outdoor movie events this spring before we open,” said Bill DiGaetano COO/Owner Alamo Drafthouse Cinema DFW.


About Alamo Drafthouse
Tim and Karrie League founded Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in 1997 as a single-screen mom-and-pop repertory theater in Austin. Seventeen years later, the now 18-location chain has been named “the best theater in America” by Entertainment Weekly and “the best theater in the world” by Wired.com. The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has built a reputation as a movie lover’s oasis not only by combining food and drink service with the movie-going experience, but also introducing unique programming and high profile, star studded special events. Alamo Drafthouse Founder & CEO, Tim League, created Fantastic Fest, a world renowned film festival dubbed “The Geek Telluride” by Variety. Fantastic Fest showcases eight days of genre cinema from independents, international filmmakers and major Hollywood studios. The Alamo Drafthouse’s collectible art gallery, Mondo, offers breathtaking, original products featuring designs from world-famous artists based on licenses for popular TV and movie properties including Star Wars, Star Trek and the classic Universal Monsters. The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is expanding its brand in new and exciting ways, including Drafthouse Films, which has garnered two Academy Award nominations in its short three-year existence and Badass Digest, an entertainment news blog curated by veteran journalist Devin Farachi. http://drafthouse.com/dfw.

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Movies Scheduled 10/19-10/15

Lots of stuff to do today but if you don't have any plans you should go see Big Fan Boy out at the Comic Con Fan Days in Irving! Looks like lots of fun!

Saw someone got a pass to a movie and then within minutes had it up to trade and they just wanted to trade for a future movie. Didn't even have one that week. If you get a pass and then can't go that is one thing but getting it and posting to trade right off the bat. So not cool!


If you have any questions please email me at damitdaina@hotmail.com


Sunday Oct. 19th


Monday Oct. 20th


Tuesday Oct. 21st

Big Hero Six 7:00 p.m. Angelika Dallas
Gone with the Wind Lee Park

Wednesday Oct. 22nd

Mr. Smith Goes To Washington Lee Park
Ouija 7:30 p.m. Cinemark 17
Birdman 7:30 p.m. Magnolia
John Wick 7:30 p.m. SMG Royal

Thursday Oct. 23rd

Rear Window 7:30 p.m. Angelika Dallas

Friday Oct. 24th

Saturday Oct. 25th

Book of Life

Beautiful, charming and full of heart; this is an animated tale that has it all. This is produced by the wildly imaginative, Guillermo Del Toro, and it shows. From the characters to the colors of the vibrant animation, this has Del Toro's creative stamp all over this. The direction done by Jorge R. Gutierrez is not a knock on him as, I am sure, Del Toro and he worked close together. The direction is gorgeous and the animation is breathtaking as it is one of the most impressive animations of the year. The story is also good being chalk full of humor for kids and adults and having a really good dramatic core of ones achievement of true love. The voice acting is good as everyone brings their A-game. The standout is Channing Tatum as he has a very good comedic range as well as being subdued when the scene called for it. The supporting cast includes: Danny Trejo, Cheech Marin and Gabriel Iglesias and they are hysterical. The cinematography, as I stated above, is gorgeous and immaculate in detail. Every character, setting and even the doors have tiny details that make you want to pause it and see everything put on screen. It's lit well and everything pops with color and you can see all the beautiful layers on each scene. The pacing of the film is well done as every beat hits a good rhythm and stride as nothing drags. Its entertaining and engaging to where I never worried about the time or felt the weight of it. This is a gorgeous, stunning animated film that I would want to check out again. I highly recommend it. 8.5/10
(Review by Chase Lee)

Fury

Writer/director David Ayers who also is the master of End of Watch, Sabotage and Harsh Times, takes on a World War II tank crew during the final push into Germany. It's loud, claustrophobic, filled with stock characters, but probably one of the better war movies that have come out in a long while. There are some gruesome images of the devastation done to the people, livestock and land under siege. The horror that both sides do to each other reminds us that ideals are peaceful and history if violent.

Brad Pitt plays Sergeant Don “Wardaddy” Collier who had been leading his tank crew in Africa, Belgium and France. Now they are invading Germany while refugees walk away from their burnt out homes. The crew of the M4A3E8 Sherman tank called "Fury" has just lost one of their own. The position on their team is Pvt. Norman Ellison (Logan Lerman) who was a typist before being sent to the front. Shia LaBeouf reminds us that he still is a good actor despite his craziness in his real life. He plays Boyd Swan, nicked named Bible for his ministering to the dying on the battlefield. Michael Peña is Gordo the driver, John Bernthal is the not so bright Grady the mechanic. They give the newbie a hard time, and Collier serves up some tough love on the boy who freaks out on his first encounter with the enemy.

The story is sort of predictable and the character's are stereotypical for the usual war movie. The diverse characterizations are held together by the squinty eyed Collier who watches and protects his crew even when he is in his own emotional turmoil. The realities of their missions are reinforced by the Captain (Jason Isaacs) sending the tank teams to rescue a platoon that's been pinned down. They have no intel on the situation so they have to go in blind. But with each incursion, the teams buck up and even chant good naturedly that they love this job.

Collier and the crew indoctrinate Norman to hate the enemy. Each experience brings Norman to the darker side. Because the hesitant and unsure comrade in arms will get them killed. Even when you can tell what's going to happen in the end, the battle scenes will keep one at the edge of their seats. Tanks are tough and can take a pounding, but the German tanks were more superior with better armament. The fight between Fury and the German tank reminds us that war is hell, but can't feel somewhat a little patriotic.
(Review by reesa)

St. Vincent

This film looks like an ever so slightly uneven balance. The lighter side is being the comedy and the heavier being the drama. A man who is in debt, unemployed, and tired of reality meets a very mature young boy that eventually brings him back to the surface. The director and writer of this film, Ted Melfi, is what I would call unexplainably brilliant. One of the first lines you here from Murray’s dishevelled character goes something like “Dead is as old as you get” in response to a question of 50’s TV actors.

The whole cast was just beautiful in their human and dirty type of way. The mother of the young boy, played by the returned Melissa McCarthy, is struggling to just keep a healthy lifestyle while providing alone for her son. I mean returned from “Tammy”. Her later appearing husband had cheated on her with three women she personally knew. McCarthy brought a level of motherhood that I always knew she had even as a quirk from “Bridesmaids”. Naomi Watts was just plainly bewildering with her accent and had a shockingly realistic stripper/prostitute attitude towards Vincent. Bill Murray just pushed the tears in people eyes with a cigarette and conjured up laughs with an “I DON’T CARE ABOUT THIS SH@%” calm attitude.

The stories are all separate but become intertwined through pain and love from and for each of the characters. Vincent’s wife has Alzheimer’s and is in a home that Vincent can no way afford but wants to give to her. There are bookies involved and long work hours with little time for kids in the characters’ lives. I was in the last third of the film thinking man this is really a crappy situation for everyone but somehow there is still blunt comedy produced out of the script. Terrence Howard performed the small role as a nice but not nice bookie. He seems a little mean by just speaking but I’m sure in real life of course he’s a cool dude.

Finally, I have to say that this kid was a smart and mature goldmine probably literally given life 10 years ago. He really convinced me as well as a lot of other people that he could bring Vincent back to kindness and inner happiness. Mr. Melfi, I have to say that every single penny in a theater that this plays in is under payment for the senses and souls that you reach with this fictional yet non-fictional movie. Nobody has done something this witty and vulnerable as a comedy that I’ve seen at least.
(Review by Wyatt Head)

Best of Me

This is a romantic drama movie in which you can see the history like a flashback in the sequel on the present life to the love story of a 2 high school sweethearts. The movie started
with a few scenes of them but with a major accident on a Marine Platform where Dawson Cole was sent in the open sea. When he opens his eyes in in a Hospital room talking to a doctor who can not explain how he still a live after the explosion.

James Marsden and Michelle Monaghan play Dawson Cole and Amanda Collier, former high school sweethearts (she’s now married, and he's still single) from what we used to call “opposite sides of the tracks,”  who reunite inadvertently when a cherished mutual friend dies. They return to their small Louisiana hometown (changed from North Carolina in the book) for the first time in 20 years because Tuck, played by Gerald McRaney, has left a will with a request that involves the two of them.

In extensive flashbacks, with Luke Bracey and Liana Liberato playing younger versions of Dawson and Amanda, we learn why their romance never blossomed into a committed relationship, and why he ended up spending considerable time in jail. What drove them apart despite their obvious mutual love was her respectable family’s fear that his family’s criminal past (and, it turns out, present as well) were too objectionable and threatening.

The adapted screenplay that veteran director Michael Hoffman (Gambit, Soapdish, Restoration, One Fine Day, A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream, The Emperor’s Club, Game 6, The Last Station) co-wrote with Will Fetters and J. Mills Goodloe is based on the 2011 Sparks novel of the same title.

For most of its running time, The Best of Me is an effective tearjerker, which means it’s a weepie that isn’t creepy or sleepy. Early on, the film overcomes our resistance despite the familiarity of the approach, and we find ourselves sufficiently absorbed and appreciative of the slight edge that the otherwise sentimental material offers.

But in the final reel, the narrative goes off the rails.  Hoffman’s script backs the film into a corner that only the most blatantly synthetic coincidence can get it out of, and offers a resolution that is so contrived it will make even members of the target demographic laugh out loud.

Both Marsden (who replaced the late Paul Walker, who was originally cast) and Monaghan have done plenty of creditable work prior to this -– he in such films as X-Men, Hairspray, Superman Returns, Enchanted, and Death at a Funeral; she in, among other titles, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Mission: Impossible III, Gone Baby Gone, Source Code, and television’s “True Detective.”
Here they both get the chance to shine in lead roles that showcase them more fully, and the script’s limitations and failings don’t really undermine their performances, which are lived-in and natural, although it doesn’t help that the actors cast as the teenage protagonists look distractingly inappropriate as younger versions of these two main characters. But we’re so taken aback by the events in the late going that just about all the goodwill already generated is wiped away in a flash.
(Review by Diana Downing)

Book of Life

It's not surprising that Hispanic moviegoers are the fastest growing demographic, so a movie that is aimed at their cultural celebration should not only pack the theaters but also enlighten others to this world. Directed by Jorge Guiterrez and co-written with Doug Langdale, the film was also produced by Guillermo del Toro. The brightly 3D computer animated adventure is a being released a little early for the Halloween/Day of the Dead end of the month celebration but will certainly delight and humor it's target family audience.

The story is about Manolo Sánchez (Diego Luna) who comes from a long line of bullfighters. But he would rather be a musician. He is also in love with Maria (Zoe Saldana) who he has to battle his best friend Joaquín (Channing Tatum) for her affections. Two spirits La Muerte (Kate del Castillo) who rules the Land of the Remembered and Xibalba (Ron Perlman) who rules the Land of the Forgotten decide to make a bet on who will win Maria's heart. La Muerte backs Manolo and Xibalba backs Joaquín. However, Xibalba cheats by giving Joaquín a magical badge that will make him invincible and he becomes the hero of the land fighting the bandits that prey on small villages like their own. It also makes him egotistical and easily manipulated by Xibalba. Manola on the other hand is peace loving to the point where he refuses to kill the bull in the arena to the disappointment of his father. Maria who was sent away to school in Europe, returns enlightened, liberated and unwillingly being pressured to marry Joaquín by her father to save the town. Xibalba also cause Manola to wander through the Land of the Forgotten and the Land of the Remembered while facing his greatest fears.

A movie about the Day of Dead probably wouldn't sell especially to kids as it sounds more like a zombie flick. The title Book of Life is more upbeat and positive. The Day of the Dead is explained as the time when loved ones who have passed are remembered. As long as there is someone to remember them, their spirits will dwell in the Land of the Remembered. If no one is there, they will pass to the Land of the Forgotten. There are parts of the story that may seem grim to the little ones, but the colors and artwork more than make up for it's more serious subject matter. The upbeat music and amusing characters keep the action and adventure moving along. Like meeting the Candlemaker (Ice Cube) who lives beyond the Labyrinth and can help Manola go back to the land of the living.

There are some little life lessons in the film and no heavy duty religious tones. But mostly it's intense eye candy. The characters are drawn like puppet with sharp angles, oversized heads, tiny legs and feet. The colors are almost psychedelic keeping your eyes glued to the screen. It's a movie worth getting the DVD and playing it annually for your harvest festivals.
(Review by reesa)

Movies Scheduled 10/12-10/18

Now we try to stay on top of all the requests and such but since we do not stay right beside a computer we will get to them as soon as we can. With that being said we don't get the notifications sometimes until after the event has happened. That is why it is always best to get them in promptly.

If you have any questions please email me at damitdaina@hotmail.com

Sunday Oct. 12th

Monday Oct. 13th

Tuesday Oct. 14th

St. Vincent 7:30 p.m. Angelika Dallas

Wednesday Oct. 15th

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington 7:30 p.m. Lee Park
Ouija TBA
Birdman 7:30 p.m. Magnolia
John Wick 7:30 p.m. SMG Royal

Thursday Oct. 16th

Rear Window 7:30 p.m.

Friday Oct. 17th

Saturday Oct. 18th

Men, Women and Children

I have said once and I will say it again. Adam Sandler can act and he has done it before and with roles like this, it gives me hope we will see resurgence in the Sandler. Of course, Sandler isn’t the only person in this ensemble of a film; however he is one of the best parts in this surreal film that shows us we have lost the human connection in person. Jason Reitman delivers, I think, one of his best in years and I don’t fully understand the hate for this film. Reitman’s direction was powerful without it being overbearing. He showed us how we, as a race, have been induced with a cornucopia of technology and social media to where we can’t even have an honest human connection without a text message or seeing if they are online on a site somewhere. This film primarily focuses on the sexual nature of humans and how we have relied on social media and the Internet. What happened to the days where people walked up to someone they liked and tried talking to them? Reitman addresses this by showing us people being portrayed as teenagers to adults in this film. It isn’t happening to just teenagers, adults have to use technology for sexual pleasure as well. The beginning of the film will make you sit back and be in awe on how far we have come as a race. The acting is top-notch and everyone brings their A-game. It feels like everyone is playing real life characters and I couldn’t tell they were acting, that’s how natural it seemed. Ansol Elgort, Dean Norris, Judy Greer, Jennifer Garner among many other actors grace this film. Adam Sandler gives one of the best performances of his career in a very long time. The cinematography is good overall, nothing standout but it’s also not noticeable to where it’s bad. The opening sequence is shot well as it explains the state of humans and where we are going. The film is about two hours and this is where it faults for me. As much as I loved the film overall, I can say you could chop it down a few or make the flow a little smoother. Some parts through it felt like it was dragging, but overall the pace is good. This is a great look on humanity, technology and lost love we all have with human connection. One of Jason Reitman’s best. 8.5/10
(Review by Chase Lee)

Dracula Untold

There's a certain cannon that goes with the whole vampire lore that's constantly being re-written from the classic Bram Stoker's 1897 novel to Twilight to Count Chocula. The newest version directed, in his feature film debut, by Gary Shore and written Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless tells the story of how the Romanian prince Vlad the Impaler gets his fangs. Filmed in Northern Ireland the FX heavy feature takes liberties with the real historical prince and the war against the Ottoman Empire. The production is part of a planned Universal Monster's franchise. The first one was supposed to be The Mummy, Dracula Untold was to be the second. There's also the potential of a sequel to this particular film.

This story of Vlad claims that he was a child soldier enslaved by the Turks as tribute from his home in Transylvania. As he was a prince he was raised with the Sultan's son and became a warrior of renown where he earned the name Vlad the Impaler (Luke Evans). Now living back in his castle, the land has enjoyed 10 years of peace. But that is disrupted when some Turk scouts disappear while on a mission. The Sultan's son, Mehmed II (Dominic Cooper) who has now taken his father's position demands not only the tribute of silver from the Prince, but he wants 1000 boys sent to fill his army including his son Ingeras (Art Parkinson). His wife Mirena (Sarah Gadon) reminds Vlad that he promised not to send his son to war and for the sake of his family and country decides he will fight even if it means bartering with evil. According to Vlad the world does not need a hero, it needs a monster.

The monster is Charles Dance who has been cave living on Broken Tooth Mountain. He is the reason why those Turks are missing. He offers Vlad a deal. If the prince drinks his blood he will have enough strength and power to defeat his enemies. However he has to do it in three days or he will go back to being human. In those three days he must resist drinking human blood or he will become like him and basically be his servant to help him exact revenge on whoever made him this way. Vlad says sure, why not? Vlad exploration of his powers are fun to experience, but trying to keep his secret from his wife and friends is something else. Especially when the people are highly religious and being a vampire will get you burnt. Yet, no one suspects for a long time, even after Vlad manages to single handed destroy and army of 1000 Turks who laid siege to his castle. The Sultan decides to send 100,000 men to defeat Vlad. At this point his close advisers recommend sending the boys just to keep the peace

Luke Evans does a serviceable job of the angsty family man/ruler/monster. The battle scenes are mostly played out with a million CGI bats which are fun and visually interesting. The ultimate battle with the Sultan was like Superman getting foiled by Kyrptonite just to even the playing field. And of course there's the will he or won't he drink some blood to continue with the immortal life. You know he will. It's just takes a while for that to happen. And there's a creepy Renfield character uttering the “yes master” line just for those purists and for laughs. The ending begs for another chapter and the actors look better in the contemporary settings, so that's something to look forward to in the future.
(Review by reesa)

Movies Scheduled for the Week of October 5 – October 11

Greetings movie group! Daina is on vacation, so I get to rant this week. We have a lot of movies on the schedule and there shouldn't be anyone left wanting as long as y'all entered the contests from the information that we provide prior to the screenings. Newbies are welcome to ask group members for assistance. As usual there are some who are chronic requesters (yes we see you). Please enter where need be to get the pass you desire. Always check the calendar on the group pages because places to enter for passes are also written there if you don't want to sort through the archived messages. And please only enter if you are truly wanting to see a film and not to use as barter later. Only get what you need and use what you get. Simple.

The group moderators do not personally have passes to hand out to you. You do not enter the contests by sending your name to the group. You must follow the instructions the websites of the links that are posted.

Please join our Facebook pages for more screening notices that pop up there. Please make sure your Faeebook pages mentions you live in the DFW metroplex otherwise we will ignore your request. https://www.facebook.com/groups/dallasmoviescreenings/


October 5 – October 11

Sunday
October 5

Monday
October 6

The Judge – 7:30 pm - AMC Northpark
Pride – 7:30 pm – Angelika Dallas

Tuesday
October 7

The Affair – 7:00 pm – Magnolia
Dracula Untold – 7:30 pm – AMC Northpark
The Judge – 7:30 pm – Studio Movie Grill Royal
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day – 7:30 pm – Cinemark 17
St. Vincent – 7:30 pm – Magnolia

Wednesday
October 8

Pride – 7:00 pm – AMC Northpark
Kill the Messenger – 7:30 pm – AMC Northpark
Dracula Untold – 7:30 pm – Cinemark 17
Dead Snow 2 Red vs. Dead – 7:30 pm – Alamo Drafthouse

Thursday
October 9

The Best of Me – 7:00 pm – Cinemark 17
John Wick – 7:30 pm – Angelika Dallas
To Catch a Thief – 8:00 pm – Angelika Dallas Patio

Friday
October 10

Saturday
October 11

Book of Life – 10:00 am – tba Arlington

Gone Girl

At this point, David Fincher is a master at filmmaking and “Gone Girl” shows us why he is still the master. From the beautiful cinematography, to the impeccable directing, this film has it all and has Fincher’s stamp all over it. From the opening shot, I was riveted and wanted to know more about this crumbling marriage portrayed by Ben Affleck and, standout, Rosamund Pike. Attention to detail is shown in every scene and it commands your attention. I have always compared Fincher’s movies to a dirty movie you watched as a kid when your parents told you not to. What your seeing on the screen is gritty and brutal yet you can’t look away because its made so well. This is different from any movie he has done. This takes a weird and crazy turn that I didn’t see coming, but the slow burn up to it is expertly done and handled with care. It is also noted that the film has a layer of dark comedy throughout almost seeming like a satire at some points. This film explores the media and how its handled and marriages and how not all of them seem perfect. I won’t spoil anything else as I would rather you experience it for yourself. The acting is really strong as Pike steals the show. Her character range and depth was astounding to watch. Affleck delivers, in my opinion, his best performance in years. He has a screen presence that is hard to ignore. Neil Patrick Harris and Tyler Perry were fine but anyone could have played in their roles. The cinematography was gorgeous and it was lit with perfection. Every scene was amazing to watch as you mix the fantastic performances with the breathtaking visuals. To true style of grit was added from the lighting and framing shots, which made the thriller story more compelling. The film is, roughly, two hours and twenty minutes and to some people it might seem slow and boring, but I thought it was at the right pace with intrigue and curiosity to keep you glued and engaged to the screen. I thought this was one of Fincher’s best and I implore everyone who loves film to check this out. It’s definitely in my top ten for the year. 9/10
(Review by Chase Lee)