Missions Unknown » Cinema

Live Wire’s ‘Now Hiring’ Debuts at the Drafthouse

Paul Vaughn — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 06:01:37 +0000

The much anticipated short film from Live Wire Films and director Mark Cantu premieres this week at the Alamo Drafthouse Westlakes. Now Hiring is a superhero action-comedy that will cap off a night of short films on Wednesday February 24th, 2010 at 7:00 pm. Tickets are just $3.00 and you will have access to all the standard amenities for which the Drafthouse is renowned.

Paul Scofield plays Joe, an average unemployed guy in need of a job. He answers a want ad, but is he ready for this job? Check out the purely awesome trailer and then run, don’t walk, to the Drafthouse boxoffice.

Overtime Updates

Paul Vaughn — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:01:40 +0000

Doctor "S" is the guy you want with you during a zombie outbreak

Our friends at the Overtime Theater have moved their operations to the Blue Star Arts Complex (1414 S. Alamo, Suite 103.) in Southtown so they are mixing up their schedule a little.

First things first. If you missed out on seeing Dr. “S” Battles the Sex Crazed Reefer Zombies, head over to the Overtime Saturday night (Novemeber 14th) at 10:00 for an exclusive showing of this undead farce. Film Classics Productions has had lots of success showing the good doctor around the film festival circuit, but it’s nice to be home. Stop by and see this ”lovingly crafted and utterly bizarre homage to the wrong end of drive-in cinema and midnight movies.” If you like the title, odds are you’ll love the movie. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.

We’ve also got updated listings for Schadenfreuden Movie Night. Saturdays at Midnight you can catch a selection from the vaults of John Poole’s Schadenfreuden collection — some of the weirdest movies the planet has ever seen. Each of these movies will challenge your senses, your sanity and your personal philosophy. YOU COULD GO MAD!!! Some are odd, some are just bad, some are a combination of both. But each film is unique, and will be shown in glorious SchadenScope! Free, with suggested viewing donation of $5. BYOB.

Check after the jump for the listings…

Movie Listings:

Nov. 14 – INDECENT DESIRES (1967) (Adults Only). A disturbing film from sexploitation queen Doris Wishman, in which a young man finds a voodoo doll that lets him control his objects of desire…
Nov. 21 – METROPOLIS (1927), the Giorgio Moroder version (1984). Fritz Lang’s brilliant and prophetic sci-fi movie from 1927, set to Moroder’s great collection of rock tracks including songs from Freddie Mercury, Pat Benatar, Jon Anderson, Adam Ant, Billy Squier.
Nov. 28 – COTTONPICKIN’ CHICKENPLUCKERS (1967). From imdb.com: “Darby Clyde Fenster and Jerry Martin are a pair of penniless nincompoop-drifters who hop a freight and they’re on their way to Florida. Our intrepid heroes find themselves facing one comic situation after another in this gloriously loopy Southern fried comedy-with-music. Their troubles only begin when they pass by a chicken farm and are overtaken by their pangs of hunger. They sneak into the hen house and haplessly attempt to nab some birds. What comes next is positively too goofy to describe! The film is crammed with a pleasing blend of down-home humor and finger-popping country music.”

Buddha Swings!

You may also want to check out BUDDHA SWINGS! 8 pm Fridays and Saturdays, November 13 – November 28.

The hit musical about Buddha’s life story returns! Because they are still renovating the new place in the Blue Star, the Overtime Theater Company will perform the show for a short, 3-week run in the cozy Zumbro Tiki Lounge at the Cameo Theatre.

The story of Buddha is told through 1940’s big band music, energetic swing-dance choreography, and colorful costumes. Imagine young Siddhartha Gautama as he attains enlightenment, becomes Buddha, and instructs his followers as they swing their way through horn-heavy numbers along the Noble Eightfold Path, and reach, ultimately, the end of all suffering. Buddha Swings! includes parodies of several big band favorites, including Rum & Coca-Cola, Minnie the Moocher, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, and others. 8 pm Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 28. $15 general admission, $12 for teachers, students with current ID and seniors 65+. Location and contact info: 1123 E. Commerce, Cameo Theatre. Please call (210) 325-8702 for ticket info and reservations.

Star Trek: Of Gods and Men at the Drafthouse

Mission Control — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:20:09 +0000

Striving to go where no internet film has gone before, Star Trek: Of Gods and Men, is an all-new three-part mini-series featuring many Trek alumni, with a cast that spans all 5 Star Trek TV series, as well as eight of the Star Trek feature films. The ultimate salute celebrating Star Trek 40-plus years, Star Trek: Of Gods and Men will be released on the Internet, with each webisode approximately 30 minutes in length, but you can see all three parts tonight (November 5th), for free, at the Alamo Drafthouse Westlakes! Showtimes are at 7:00 and 9:45 pm.

Star Trek: Of Gods and Men stars Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols (Uhura and Chekov of the original series) and Alan Ruck (Captain John Harriman of the 7th Trek feature film, Star Trek Generations) along with Grace Lee Whitney (Janice Rand of the original series). Joining them are Garrett Wang (Star Trek: Voyager) and Ethan Phillips (Star Trek: Voyager as well as Star Trek: The Next Generation); Cirroc Lofton, Chase Masterson and JG Hertzler (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), Gary Graham and Crystal Allen (Star Trek: Enterprise), Herb Jefferson (Battlestar Galactica) plus Tim Russ (reprising his role as Tuvok from Star Trek: Voyager), who also directed. The same team that created the hit Roddenberry on Patrol, currently in DVD release, and also directed by Russ, is producing the webisode mini-series.

Inspired by the high quality fan films produced by New Voyages, Exeter and Hidden Frontiers, Executive Producer Mac McRoberts proudly states, “I can’t think of a better way to honor the 40th anniversary of the original series than to produce an original three-part mini-series premiering on the internet for Trek’s millions of fans world-wide! Nichelle Nichols, who is reprising her famous role of Uhura states: “Gene Roddenberry would be so proud of this film…its message…the love and dedication that went into its creation. Gene would have been thrilled by the fact that a Star Trek film will be seen by millions of fans utilizing a technology envisioned on Star Trek: personal computers and the internet! This is not a coincidence.”

Producer Sky Conway and Deep Space Nine freelance storywriters Jack Trevino and Ethan H. Calk wrote OGAM. Director of photography is Doug Knapp. In addition, many artists in the fields of makeup and lighting have joined them for what is sure to be a history-making event.

Star Trek: Of Gods and Men was produced in association with Star Trek: New Voyages and was filmed in part on the “New Voyages” sets in New York. In addition, numerous location scenes were filmed in and around the Los Angeles area, including the famous Vasquez Rocks, a familiar location seen in many episodes of the original series.

More than 50 film professionals (all Star Trek fans) have worked tirelessly to produce this labor of love!

The Allure of Hayao Miyazaki – Lecture at SAMA

Mission Control — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:00:12 +0000

The San Antonio Museum of Art features a lecture titled The Allure of Hayao Miyazaki by Frederik L. Schodt on Sunday, November 8 at 3 pm. A public reception follows.The lecture will be in SAMA’s Auditorium and is free with Museum Admission. Seating begins at 2:30 and is first-come, first-seated.

From SAMA’s web site: The filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki is often described in English-language media today with the word “revered.” In the United States, he has arguably become the most revered, if not the best known, living Japanese artist today.

Miyazaki is one of the greatest animators of all time. He has legions of fans and, surprisingly, a growing phalanx of academics who are studying and writing about his films and about him. In this talk, Frederik L. Schodt will explore some of the reasons for the appeal of both Hayao Miyazaki, and his films, in both Japan and the United States.

Frederik L. Schodt

About the Speaker: Frederik L. Schodt‘s writings on manga, and his translations of them, helped trigger the current popularity of Japanese comics in the English-speaking world. In 2009, the Japanese Government awarded Mr. Schodt the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, for his work in helping to promote Japan’s popular culture in the United States. Mr. Schodt has written widely on Japanese history, popular culture, and technology and is the author of numerous influential books. His most recent translation, with Beth Cary, is a 500 page collection of Hayao Miyazaki’s writings published this year, titled Starting Point: 1979-1996.

Three Miyazaki Films will be showing on the Big Screen at SAMA Tuesdays, November 10, 17, and 24 at 7 pm. Again, these will be in the Auditorium and museum admission is free of Tuesdays. Seating begins at 6:30; first-come, first-seated.

These are films from Miyazaki’s early career that, while classics themselves, foreshadow the creative path he would follow in later works such as Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Ponyo. All films on Disney DVD; original Japanese soundtrack with English subtitles.

Schedule:

Nov. 10 – Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) Themes such as environmentalism and pacifism underlie Princess Nausicaä’s efforts to rescue her people from terrifying insects, a poisonous jungle, and other threats. Adapted from Miyazaki’s popular graphic novel of the same name. Rated PG.

Nov. 17 – Laputa: Castle in the Sky (1986) A mysterious crystal links the orphan Sheeta to a fantastic sky kingdom known as Laputa. Sheeta encounters sky pirates and a host of other colorful characters on a journey which will test her courage. Unrated.

Nov. 24 – My Neighbor Totoro (1988) Satsuki and her four-year-old sister Mei are in for magical adventure when they move to the countryside and befriend a forest spirit named Totoro. A charming and touching film you will long remember. Rated G.

Doctor “S” is Coming Home to the Alamo Drafthouse

Paul Vaughn — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:54:44 +0000

Dr. "S" Battles the Sex Crazed Reefer Zombies Poster

Film Classics Productions (subject of a Missions Unknown Made in SA interview) is bringing everyone’s favorite crazy, raging Doctor back to the screen in San Antonio on October 24th. Doctor “S” Battles the Sex Crazed Reefer Zombies, now an award winning film, will be screening at the Alamo Drafthouse Westlakes (1255 SW Loop 410, San Antonio, Tx, 78227) Saturday night at 10:00. If you love crazy horror and beautiful cheerleaders and evil science…then you shouldn’t miss this movie.

Grab your friends and family and come on out for a great time. Have a drink, come in costume and yell at the screen cause that’s the only way to watch Doctor “S” Battles the Sex Crazed Reefer Zombies: The Movie.

Come on out and support San Antonio’s independent horror filmmakers.

Dr. “S” has certainly been well received in San Antonio, but we’re not the only ones getting a taste of the Doctor’s medicine. Look for the film on October 23rd at the 4th Annual Washington DC International Horror Film Festival (Spooky Movie 2009) in Fairfax, VA; November 7th at The B-Movie Film Festival in Syracuse, NY; November 7th, at the Arizona Underground Film Festival in Tucson, AZ; and Nov. 7th and 12th at the Leeds International FIlm Festival in Leeds, England.

Read the synopsis and see the trailer after the jump…

The plot:

In a quiet American town, life has decidedly slowed down to a crawl. A small group of scientists have unwittingly unleashed a horrible force upon the town. Mary Jane, the all American sweetheart, parks on Make Out Hill with her boyfriend Billy Everybody. He smokes some of the reefer and is suddenly transformed into a sex- crazed reefer zombie. Just as Billy lunges forward he is pulled out of the car and thrown to ground and shot. Mary Jane looks at her brutal savior, Dr. S. Dr S. battles his way back to the city, while dragging Mary Jane behind him. While Mary Jane tries to come to grip with the possible reality of her family dead and asks Dr. S to explain how this all happened. Dr. S tells her of how he and his team developed the reefer for the military to use as weapon, but it was too unstable. In a last ditch effort to create a more stable strain of the reefer, Dr. S tested some on himself. The reefer changed him, made him strong, but filled with an uncontrollable rage. Unable to stop himself Dr. S killed his whole team. Convincing Mary Jane there is a cure, Dr. S vows to set things right.

Horror Movies by Moonlight at Hemisfair Park

Paul Vaughn — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:18:18 +0000

Get ready for a spine tingling, spooky good time this month at the Movies by Moonlight’s Fright Fest film series. Movies will be shown each Thursday evening at HemisFair Park. Pre-entertainment starts at 7:00 p.m. with the feature film beginning at 8:00 p.m. This popular family event features theme-related movies each month. The October schedule includes:

October 22: Frankenstein (1931)
October 29: Jaws (1975)

The free movies will be shown in the grassy area under the park archway and the Magik Theater building at S. Alamo and Nueva. Concessions will be available selling movie treats such as popcorn, soda and cotton candy. Movie-goers can park for free at the Alamo Street Lot near the HemisFair Park and across from the Federal Courthouse at the Durango Street lots after 6:00 p.m. on a first-come basis.

Movies by Moonlight is presented by the City’s Downtown Operations Department with sponsorship by Rivercenter Mall and is presented in part by Time Warner Cable. For more information, call 207-2111 or visit http://www.sanantonio.gov/dtops/.

Made in SA: Alfonso Emiliano and Headsplosions at SAL

Mission Control — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 06:51:03 +0000

The SAL Film Festival is presenting a showcase of some of the best San Antonio filmmakers! Missions Unknown has an exclusive sneak peek at Alfonso Emiliano‘s SciFi short Delirium, one of many fine films being shown Saturday at the Alamo Drafthouse Westlakes with screenings at 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm. The rest of the lineup looks great too, check the listings after the jump!

The full lineup goes like this:

SHORT FILM CATEGORY
SCREENING SELECTIONS

“Hypocrite” - Eric Garcia (3:26)
“Muse in Repose” - Eduardo Ruiz Healy (7:10)
“Delirium” - Alfonso Emiliano (10:35)
“Journey of the Opportunist” - Mark Walley & Angela Guerra (8:00)
“Change” - Ya’ke Smith (1:30)

JURY SELECTION

“Shaken” - Sylvia Rincon (16:00)

JURY PRIZE

“Trash Day” - Sam Lerma (3:30)

GRAND JURY PRIZE

“Death Rattle” - A.J. Garces (19:30)

YOUTH CATEGORY

“Kid Station” - Raul Flores (1:00)
“Beijing Bear” - Nephtali Valdez (2:25)
“Lucha” - Justin Gallegos (7:55)
“Malaria” - Andrea Sanchez & Juan Miranda (1:27)
“Art, or Something Like It” - Jassiel Gomez (8:03)
“The Change Project” - Class Project-Various Animators (5:00)

and BEST FEATURE FILM

“The Boys of Ghost Town” - Pablo Veliz

ALSO FEATURING

“Dénouement” - Alejandro DeHoyos (8:15) - Winner of the 2009 48 Hour Film Project
“Fantasy Inc.” - Bryan Ortiz (8:00) - Audience Choice of the 2009 48 Hour Film Project
(Ortiz and James Hartz were the subject of a previous Made in SA feature)
“Filthy Dancing” - Cheap Soup Films -Audience Choice of the 2009 Summer Remake Challenge

Saturday, October 10, 2009 at the Alamo Drafthouse, Westlakes with screening at 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Ticket prices are $10 at the Door. You can find out more on the SAL Film Fest site or at this article from the San Antonio Current.

Midnight Movie Madness at The Overtime

Paul Vaughn — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:01:17 +0000

From the vaults of the Overtime Theater main mad man John Poole’s Schadenfreuden Collection come the weirdest movies the planet has ever seen. Each of these movies will challenge your senses, your sanity and your personal philosophy. YOU COULD GO MAD!!! Some are odd, some are just bad, some are an oddly bad combination of both. But each film is unique, and will be shown in glorious SchadenScope! Suggested viewing donation of $5, BYOB. Help the Overtime Theater in its Capital Fund to find a new space with bigger better facilities for bigger, weirder movies and shows!!!

Upcoming movies on the schedule include these cinematic cubic zirconia:

Oct. 3 Nick Fury: Agent of Shield (1998) Starring David Hasselhoff
Oct. 10 Metropolis (1927) with new soundtrack by Giorgio Moroder (1984)
Oct. 17 Atlas Against the Czar (Maciste alla corte dello zar) (1964)
Oct. 24 Death Bed: The Bed that Eats (1977)
Nov. 7 Indecent Desires (1967) (ADULTS ONLY)
Nov. 14 Cottonpickin’ Chickenpickers (1967)
Nov. 21 A Smell of Honey, a Swallow of Brine (1966) (ADULTS ONLY)

Meetups of Note this Week

Mission Control — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:49:24 +0000

Every week in San Antonio there are people getting together to check out cool Science Fiction, Fantasy or Horror media. Many use the service Meetup.com to organize the gatherings. Here are a few select meetups from Worlds Collide, A.C.E.S. (Anime Culture Enthusiasts Society) and the Alamo Drafthouse coming up that may be of interest to you.

The Alamo Drafthouse: FREE ANIME NIGHT featuring Nabari No Ou
Monday September 21 at 7:30 PM
ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE (1255 SW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78227, 210.677.8500)

Set in the modern age, the story is about Miharu Rokujou, who just wanted to live a normal life and inherit a Okonomiyaki restaurant. At the moment, his biggest problem was the constant pestering from Kouichi Aizawa and Durandal Thobari Kumohira, who started a Nindō (忍道?, lit. “Way of the Ninja”) Club. Miharu wanted nothing to do with “ninjas” and turns them down every time. But soon, he is attacked by an actual group of ninjas and is protected by Kouichi and Kumohira. There, Miharu learns of the hidden ninja world Nabari, the roles of his classmate and teacher in that world, and of the secret art Shinra Banshou (森羅万象 Shinrabanshō?, lit. “all things in nature”) within him. The secret art, containing all the world’s knowledge, is sorely coveted after in Nabari. And because of that, Miharu cannot return to his normal life. He must become the “Ruler of Nabari” to survive.

Worlds Collide: The Mighty Boosh at The Lion & Rose British Restaurant & Pub
Saturday September 26 at 1:30 PM
The Lion and Rose British Restaurant & Pub (5148 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209, 210-822-7673)

Have you been hearing about The Mighty Boosh? Are you intrigued and want to know more, or are you an expert fan who just loves the show? No matter what you are, come join us at The Lion & Rose British Restaurant & Pub to watch The Mighty Boosh episodes, “The Legend of Old Gregg” and then we will vote on the second episode.

What’s better then watching the British show The Mighty Boosh with friends while eating British food and drinks? Nothing!! So don’t make us send The Hitcher after you–come join us

**Even though this is a pub, it is also a restaurant–all ages are allowed in**

A.C.E.S. (Anime Culture Enthusiasts Society): Evangelion 1.0 You Are not Alone
Sunday September 27 at 7:00 PM
Rialto Cinema (2803 Austin Highway, San Antonio, TX 78218)

We will be meeting outside the theater and look for a group of people standing together and ask if they are part of ACES. We should also have a sign that says ACES with us. We are going to be meeting in front of the theater at 7pm but the movie is going to start at 7:30pm so don’t be late!

Here is the description:

Shinji Ikari is sent for by his estranged father, Gendo. As he wanders around the town, which has been shut down over an emergency announcement, he is caught in the crossfire between the U.N. army and 4th Angel. Rescued by Lt. Colonel Misato Katsuragi, Shinji is brought to Tokyo-3 and NERV headquarters, where he is guilted by Gendo, NERV’s Supreme Commander, into piloting the Evangelion Unit-01 against 4th Angel because the other Evangelion pilot, the mysterious Rei Ayanami, is too injured to do so. After the initial fight, Shinji is taken in by Misato as her new housemate and enrolled in middle school. The film portrays Shinji’s attempts to “settle in” with his newfound life alongside Misato, Rei, and the other characters while continuing to defend Tokyo-3 and the world from the coming Angels. Find out more.

The Alamo Drafthouse Westlakes: EXPONENTIAL MOVIE NIGHT featuring ROBOCOP
Sunday September 27 at 7:30 PM
ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE (1255 SW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78227, 210.677.8500)

Detroit – in the future – is crime ridden, and run by a massive company. The company have developed a huge crime fighting robot, which unfortunately develops a rather dangerous glitch. The company sees a way to get back in favour with the public when a cop called Alex Murphy is killed by a street gang. Murphys body is reconstructed within a steel shell and named Robocop. The Robocop is very successful against criminals, and becomes a target of supervillian Boddicker.

Free “Turkish Star Wars” & JLA at The Overtime

Paul Vaughn — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:01:35 +0000

Dünyayı Kurtaran Adam AKA Turkish Star Wars

After Saturday’s final performance of Action Philosophers, those crazy cats at The Overtime Theater will be showing a pair of rare cheesy movies that you don’t want to miss.

We’re talking about two gloriously weird, stupendously bad flicks. First up is Dünyayı Kurtaran Adam (The Man Who Saves the World), better known as ”Turkish Star Wars.” This 1982 film is infamous for its illegal use of Star Wars footage. In Turkey at the time, American films were difficult to come by so many were remade with a Turkish cast and setting. Other notable films to get this treatment were The Wizard of Oz, The Exorcist and E.T.

This film is Mystery Science Theatre bad. It currently rates number 62 on the IMDb Bottom 100 list of all-time worst films!

The second fromage feature is the 1997 TV movie Justice League of America. While the Justice League is currently riding high, this film is a TV pilot produced by CBS that was never made into a series and the reasons are obvious. It features DC Comics superheroes Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, Ice, Fire and Atom versus The Weatherman. I’m sure David Ogden Stiers (Martian Manhunter) and Miguel Ferrer (The Weatherman) aren’t putting this one at the top of their résumés.

You won’t find these flicks showing anywhere else in town! You could certainly try to scrounge up these cinematic oddities yourself, but watching them at home by yourself on a Saturday night would be pathetic. Watching them with friends at The Overtime is sure to be a blast.

The Saturday September 19th screenings are FREE, but donations are gladly accepted. And, you can BYOB! The Overtime Theater is at 1216 West Avenue. You can call them at (210) 380-0326.

While on the subject of The Overtime Theater it is worth noting that they will have one last performance of their summer hit BUDDHA SWINGS. The popular swingtime musical about the life and teachings of Buddha returns for one more show. If you missed the sold-out summer run, make reservations now to see it! One show only, September 24, at 7:30 pm. Seating is limited, so please call 210-380-0326 or email them for reservations.

I took a date to see this show and it was a swingin’ good time. It’s highly recommended…and remember, you have to accentuate the positive!