Sort of unrelated but Kirby is the first person I "know" who liked "The Tree of
Life" as much as I did. I expected the walking-the-tightrope-pretension with
mind-blowing scenes of outer space - the Jurassic Park-like dinosaurs ruling
the earth - and all the continuum of life stuff preceding many generations of
humans who came before the couple played by Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain -
but I still thought it did a less cryptic job of capturing the same ideas as
"2001: A Space Odyssey" - and thus ranked it real high w/the best pictures
released in 2011; the others, in no particular order, were Bridesmaids, Buck,
the Descendants, Margin Call and The Adventures of Tintin, the latter which
felt like an animated "Raiders of the Lost Ark." But I still haven't seen many
pictures that may or may not be nominated January 24 by the Oscars.
"Melancholia" and "A Separation" have not reached us and that's a drag. I was
disappointed with "Hugo" and "War Horse," and I can't put my finger on why
despite their tearful endings.
Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2012 11:46:07 -0600
From: ki...@movieart.net
Subject: Re: Alamo Drafthouse practices.....tsk, tsk, tsk.
To: MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU
Well, Joe, all I can say is that is is not as obtrusive as it sounds. Their
projection and sound are first class, and that goes a long way with me. They
make the rule against talking stick, and I find talking and lighted phones MUCH
worse than the quiet moving of wait staff. The pre-film programming is quirky
and delightful. I much prefer it to those canned ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT-type
features at Regal and AMC. If you go to the afternoon or late evening shows,
the wait staff aspect is minimal. The Drafthouse started as a art house and
moved to maybe 70% commercial films. If you're going to see some comedy, it's
a good venue for a pre- romp. If you're going to see THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST
or HOUR OF THE WOLF or MELANCHOLIA, maybe it's not such a good moment to gobble
a pizza, although I'm sure some would. Having said that, I did see TREE OF
LIFE at the Drafthouse. From what I've seen so far, I would count it as one of
my very favorite films of this year. But then, you can count me among those
who think Malick is a genius.
One complaint that I have had about the Drafthouse, is that they have been
known to change film programming without much notice. They'll drop a film to
one showing per day and move something that is making money onto that screen.
So if you don't check their website before you go and get the latest update,
you could make a trip for nothing or end up seeing something you hadn't
particularly planned.
Austin also has what opened as GOLD CLASS CINEMAS. And gold is precisely what
you need to get in. You sit in the lap of luxury for $19.00 to $25.00 per
seat. Not particularly well disguised in this concept is the idea that one
doesn't have to see a film with the riff-raff. Which on the surface of it may
sound good, but I don't find it Capra-eskque enough for me. I love the
audience. The lack of an audience (film's holy link to theater) is lamentable.
While it's quite nice to sit at home and watch something in Hi-Def - I do it a
lot -it's not as good for me as sharing the movie with an audience.
Kirby
Kirby McDanielMovieArt Original Film PostersP.O. Box 4419Austin TX
78765-4419512 479 6680 www.movieart.netmobile 512 589 5112
On Jan 2, 2012, at 11:16 AM, Joseph Bonelli wrote:No matter how quietly served,
in-auditorium food service can NOT be unobtrusive! It all sounds wonderful
until the concept of food service during the film takes over. There is such an
establishment (the only movie theatre near the French Quarter) in New Orleans.
They manage to snare exclusive showings (only place to see "The Tree of Life"
here-- assuming one wanted to), thus depriving regular moviegoers of a shot at
some of the latest. They are known locally as a yuppie joke! And, I don't
know, but I doubt they would DARE to deprive their yuppie patrons of playing
with their electronic toys during whatever film that might be on the screen.
It's really disappointing that the one movie "chain" that seems to want to
treat the customer properly negates the entire operation with this obtrusive
service. Sorry, but when I finally visit Austin sometime this year, I hope,
I'm afraid Alamo Drafthouse will NOT be on my list of things to do. Joe B in
NOLA PS-- As to the other "new" concept, the 30-seat, food-from-the-back
number, I can head to my refrigerator cheaper, watch a reasonable-sized screen
and have NO problem with chatty or text-y neighbors--- by simply staying at
home. Tiny screens don't seem so "tiny" at the house. Joe
From: Kirby McDaniel <ki...@movieart.net>
To: MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU
Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2011 11:06 AM
Subject: Re: [MOPO] Alamo Drafthouse practices.....
Yes, they do. It's a date destination and they are fantastically successful.
But the big moment for this is the circa 7 PM shows, which are always sold out.
For $20 the single types can grab a burger and see a new movie. It's not as
disruptive as it sounds, at least for me. There are people who don't like it,
and for them there are scads of otherscreens in Austin. I usually go to the
4PM or 9:30 shows - and at these shows there is less of this becuase people are
largely done eating.
The Drafthouse has flawless projection and sound because they actually care
about this kind of thing, as opposed to some of the other exhibitors in Austin
who have been known to show films at reduced illumination to save on their
electric bills! All of the Drafthouses are now 4K digital projection. And
most of the screens are
fairlylarge.
This contrasts with the new Violet Crown Theater downtown, which also serves
food (you buy it and take it to your seat before the film begins) but which has
30-seat auditoria that make you feel as if you are watching a film in your rich
friend's home theater.
The Drafthouse is PRINTING money, believe me.
HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL.
Kirby
On Dec 31, 2011, at 10:41 AM, Joseph Bonelli wrote:Dear Kirby, Hi from Joe B in
NOLA. You wrote: <"The Alamo Drafthouse in Austin seriously forbids the impetus
to talk, text, chat and generally be obnoxious in their theaters. They run a
short piece before the film begins telling to be silent and keep your cell
phones dark during the film. You get one warning. Then you're ejected. They
do it, too. And it's a wonderful place to see films. Great projection. Great
sound."> This is all wonderful but I've read that Alamo Drafthouse also serves
meals throughout the viewing of films. To me,
this would be even more disruptive than the cretinous chatters and their
blinking toys that have cut my moviegoing by about 75% in the past two years.
As you are a patron of Alamo Drafthouse, can you confirm or dismiss this?
Emails to the company through their website have elicited no response.
Inquiring minds want to know! DOES Alamo Drafthouse physically serve food
and/or drinks in the auditorium during the show?? Thanks and Happy New Year
from Joe.
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