Alamo South Lamar Memories: Not Quite Pineapple Express

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One of my biggest regrets in life is not having the foresight to sear into my memory bank, the first ever Alamo Drafthouse experience I had. I cannot for the life of me remember what it is. I remember at one point recommending people come to this theater because they had some of the best pizza I've eaten in my life (they still do, and I still do), but I just can't remember what movie I saw at an Alamo the first time I ever went.

I don't remember the first movie I saw at South Lamar either, but I do remember the first movie I almost saw there. There was a promotional screening for Pineapple Express, and Seth Rogen was going to be there. At the time, I was still enamored with the idea of seeing a famous actor in person, and so I went to stand in line for hours.

I stood in line with the one person to which I owe every success I've ever had, and will ever have in the future with film, Paul Gandersman. Paul couldn't believe that although I'd been to a Drafthouse many times, I hadn't yet been to South Lamar, and so this would have been an awesome experience. Not knowing who was at fault for the overbooking of the screening, I'm certainly not going to point blame here. I'm not as anxious to meet celebrities anymore, and the reason is because of South Lamar itself.

At Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar I've met and/or have seen Robert Downey Jr., Jon Favreau, Richard Baker, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Edgar Wright, Mel Gibson, The Wachowski siblings, the list literally goes on and on.

Fantastic Fest Wachowski Cloud Atlas

While it's nice to have met and seen some of those famous faces, it's because of South Lamar that I've been able to insert myself into the film community and not only do that, but do that and make some really great friends. What's the charm in meeting a famous celebrity when they won't remember you, I'd rather meet and become friends with great independent filmmakers like Simon Barrett and A.J. Bowen.

Those are the memories I hold dearest, because those are the memories that don't end up being fleeting moments -- they're the ones that go on and on, just like South Lamar will. Maybe not in the same form, but it'll still be there, for the memories both new and old.

You're Next

[Photo credit: Alamo South Lamar/Pineapple Express by Marie Catrett; Andy and Lana Wachowski at Fantastic Fest by Jack Plunkett; "You're Next" with Simon Barrett, A.J. Bowen and Sharni Vinson by Jack Plunkett. All photos courtesy of Alamo Drafthouse, all rights reserved.]