Movies This Week: Magic Lantern, Free (and Good) Family Films

Here are a few of the more interesting movie-related events and screenings going on around town this week. If I missed something, let me know in the comments.

  • Have you ever wanted to see a "magic lantern," the projector that predated motion pictures? The Harry Ransom Center is hosting "Magic Lanterns: Father of the Motion Picture and Grandfather of Television" by Jack Judson, who owns Magic Lantern Castle in San Antonio, at 7 pm on Tuesday. Judson is bringing a restored magic lantern. The event (at HRC) is free.
  • If I didn't have a day job, you'd find me spending my mornings this week at a couple of the "kids camp" screenings in town. They're free and this week, the offerings are better than usual. Alamo on South Lamar is showing The Iron Giant, which always makes me cry so I better not see it in public, Monday - Thursday at 11 am. Westgate is showing Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit, Tues.- Thurs. at 10 am. Lakeline is showing March of the Penguins, Tuesday - Thursday at 10 am. And while Flushed Away wasn't all that fabulous, it would be a good free movie: 10 am Tuesday - Thursday at the Arbor. [More events after the jump!]
  • Austin Film Society's "Global Sci-Fi Cinema" series continues with the 1959 Soviet film The Heavens Call on Tuesday at 9:45 at Alamo on South Lamar. Tickets are available through the AFS site.
  • The Paramount is showing Dr. Strangelove on Wednesday and Thursday nights; if you haven't seen this movie in a theater, it is really worthwhile. The dark comedy is double-billed with The Mouse That Roared, which is not a favorite of mine ... but you don't pay any extra at the Paramount for the second movie. (I'm trying to think what the absolute best movie would be to pair with Dr. Strangelove, but I'm at a loss.)
  • More from the HRC: As part of its "The American Twenties" exhibition, the museum will show the 1925 silent movie The Big Parade, directed by King Vidor,on Thursday night at 7 pm. Graham Reynolds will provide live accompaniment. The event is free. I haven't ever seen the film (ooh, it stars John Gilbert) but I've heard Reynolds' performances with other silent films and they're always great.
  • The teen-dance movie Stomp the Yard is getting a free screening at the Carver Museum (which has a very nice theater in it) on Thursday night at 8:30 pm. I reviewed the movie for Cinematical here -- I don't think this movie will play half as well at home as it would in a lively theater, so now's your chance.

Pairing with Dr. Strangelove

I'm trying to think what the absolute best movie would be to pair with Dr. Strangelove, but I'm at a loss

How about Being There? You've got vicious political satire + Peter Sellers.

I just rewatched it this past month and it's still as biting as ever. Maybe more so given our current presidential leadership.