FROM THE 1920s TO THE 1980s  Here’s a terrific way to get more out of your live theatre-going experience: Theatre Under The Stars (www.tuts.com) has teamed up with Sundance Cinemas (www.sundancecinemas.com) and the Aurora Picture Show (www.aurorapictureshow.org) for a couple of free screenings this month, organized to complement … [Read more...]

SPRING FILM FESTIVALS  April brings showers (and then May flowers…) but it also brings Worldfest (www.worldfest.org) each year – amazingly, this is its 46th incarnation as it slides into town from April 12 – 21 at the AMC Dunvale Theatres. Some early confirmations include the Texas film, Seadrift vs. The Big Guy (pictured). • This … [Read more...]

WOMEN, STORIES AND FOOD Shazam! March is “Women’s History Month” and March 8 is designated annually as “International Women’s Day,” so the Houston Public Library (www.houstonlibrary.org) is celebrating with a screening of “Wonder Women! The Untold Story of American Superheroines” (pictured, 3/20, 6pm). •  Not only do they have … [Read more...]

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Landmark River Oaks Theatre (www.landmarktheatres.com/market/houston/riveroakstheatre.htm) has “Amour,” (pictured) a new French film depicting the fierce love between an elderly couple. They also have some wild and wooly midnight films booked: “The Warriors” (2/1-2/2); “Howard the Duck” (2/8); … [Read more...]

Hello, January! Great to see ya! At press time, I was still alive and the world hadn’t ended, so hopefully we’ll all still be alive when this column comes out. Each January, I focus on a community in Houston to whom I pose the question “What’s your favorite movie?” This year, I trained my lens on the film community because it is films … [Read more...]

FROM CHAOS TO FORGIVENESS Here comes December! The Landmark River Oaks Theatre (http://tinyurl.com/csslm3r) celebrates the ho-lee-daze with the love story of Rust and Bone on 12/21. This month’s “Midnight Madness” series features Jurassic Park (11/30 and 12/1); Birdemic: Shock & Terror (12/7); Rocky Horror Picture Show with live … [Read more...]

BOND, JAMES BOND Amazingly, The Houston Symphony (www.houstonsymphony.org) has been around 99 years – and its longest-running Music Director, Austrian Hans Graf (pictured), will be stepping down after twelve years at the helm. I met Mr. Graf at an OrchestraX concert (you hipsters will hopefully remember that edgy group started by John … [Read more...]

BIRTHDAYS AND BICYCLES  Southwest Alternate Media Project (www.swamp.org) celebrated its quarter-century recently and 14 Pews (www.14pews.org) is now two.  Happy Birthday, y’all! 14 Pews is celebrating on 10/26 from 6-9pm with a “Birthday Bash and Membership Drive” that will feature delicious refreshments, a silent auction, Puppet … [Read more...]

INDIE FILMS ALL OVER As I plopped down to see an indie flick (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) last month at the Edwards Weslayan, I was fascinated by their “Go Big or Go Home” campaign to encourage moviegoers to see films on the big screen – and I’m encouraging you to do the same: Please try to see films on the big screen as much as … [Read more...]

FINDING STEVE The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (www.mfah.org) has a special treat this month: They’re screening “Steve Jobs: The Lost Interview” (7/5; 7/7; 7/14; and 7/21) using film from a lost VHS that was recently found (hey, housecleaning really does pay off!). They’re also reeling the kids in with movies such as “Howl’s … [Read more...]