It’s scientifically impossible for a movie lover to be bored in Austin. There’s always something to see at one of the city’s many film havens, and plenty of cinema history to dig into.
Look no further than the Paramount Theatre’s Summer Classic Film Series. Established in 1975 as a cost-effective way to save the historic downtown venue from closing, the series still puts butts in seats to enjoy expertly curated movies. The 52nd series opens today with “Casablanca,” an annual tradition.
The Paramount begins a once-in-a-generation renovation process next month, and as a result, almost all films in the latter half of the series will screen at the adjacent (and smaller) State Theatre, with a few special shows lighting up the IMAX screen at the Bullock Texas State History Museum.
Regular admission costs $15; one ticket gets you into both halves of the double features. Find the full series lineup and ticket information here.
You probably can’t see all of the films—there are almost 100 on this year’s lineup, including anniversary screenings, theme weeks, and special live events—so perhaps a few critic’s picks will help. (Or see all of them! Sounds fun.)
Here’s what you should see this summer:
- June 7: “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” (1978) and “Eraserhead” (1977) — An eerie double feature to make you think about the dangers of conformity. And keep you up at night. (Tickets)
- June 8: “The Virgin Suicides” (1999) in 35mm — Kirsten Dunst and Sofia Coppola. That’s it, that’s the blurb. (Tickets)
- June 16: “Jaws” (1975) in IMAX — We’re gonna need a bigger screen. Actually, no. This one’s big enough. (Tickets)
- June 17: “Romeo + Juliet” (1996) — Baz Luhrmann’s Shakespeare-as-music video adaptation feels like living in a kaleidoscope. “Hamnet” could never. (Tickets)
- June 28: “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” (1985) — Silly, endlessly quotable, and lowkey a Texas state treasure. Pee Wee’s bicycle is now on display at the Alamo! (Tickets)
- July 5: “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” (2000) — Pregame for Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” with the Coen Brothers’ Great Depression-set comedy reinvention. (Tickets)
- July 7: “Sleepaway Camp” (1983) — Peaches Christ brings her “Midnight Mass” cult film showcase to town for a screening of this seminal slasher — plus a drag performance, a Q&A with star Felissa Rose, and an ’80s Camp Costume Contest. (Tickets)
- July 22: “Notorious” (1946) — Fun fact: For decades, this Alfred Hitchcock thriller/romance held the record for longest movie kiss. When you’ve got Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman on the call sheet? Understandable. (Tickets)
- July 29: “Strangers on a Train” (1951) — Another nail-biting Hitchcock classic, this one about the dangers of plotting murders with a dude you just met. This year marks the film’s 75th anniversary. (Tickets)
- July 30: “Juice” (1992) — When four friends plan a robbery, things get out of control for Tupac Shakur and Omar Epps in their first major film roles. (Tickets)
- Aug. 2: “Spirited Away” (2001) — It’s the 25th anniversary of Hayao Miyazaki’s animated fantasy masterpiece. One for the whole family. (Tickets)
- Aug. 23: “Drive” (2011) — That soundtrack! Those neon colors! That scorpion jacket Ryan Gosling wears! (Tickets)
- Aug. 28: “Letty Lynton” (1932) and “Phantom Lady” (1944) — A double feature of dames wrapped up in deadly games. The former, starring Texas icon Joan Crawford, had been almost impossible to see for 90 years until a recent restoration. The latter is a film noir classic from trailblazing producer Joan Harrison, a protege of Hitchcock. (Tickets)
Catching classics at a grand movie palace isn’t your cup of tea? There’s a weird and wonderful local movie night for every taste this summer.
The Paramount’s partnered with Hyperreal Film Club and American Cinematheque for Bleak Week, a run of particularly depressing movies. For a more intimate show, I’d check out “Perfect Blue” (1997) on June 5 at Hyperreal’s East Austin microcinema.
Hyperreal’s regular summer calendar is stacked, too. Check out a weeklong celebration of the “Jackass” franchise (June 22-25), Pride Month events (including a Gotham Villains’ Ball paired with a screening of Joel Schumacher’s 1997 homoerotic romp “Batman and Robin”), and an August program of clubhouse favorites, in honor of Hyperreal’s 10th anniversary.
See the full Hyperreal calendar and buy tickets here.
Don’t stop there. You’ll also find intimate movie nights at North Loop indie video rental shop We Luv Video (100 E. North Loop Blvd.), arthouse rarities at AFS Cinema (259 Middle Fiskville Road), and left-field cuts at the Video Vortex, Terror Tuesday, and Weird Wednesday nights at Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar (1120 S. Lamar Blvd.).
