Red-Carpet Mania in August

The last week or so has been crazy with announcements for red-carpet film events in Austin, so much so that keeping them all straight is enough to keep your eyes crossed. Count 'em, no less than three in four days in August:

• Saturday, August 15: Cinemapocalypse kicks off with Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds
• Sunday, August 16: Austin premiere of Robert Rodriguez's Shorts
• Tuesday, August 18: World premiere of Mike Judge's Extract

To ease the vertigo and help you schedule your ticket buying, we've compiled the relevant information below. You will notice that there are benefits to membership, as AFS members and Fantastic Fest 2009 badgeholders have an advantage over the general public.

Inglourious Basterds
Alamo Ritz, August 15 at 9 pm. Cinemapocalypse, a dusk-til-dawn movie marathon, kicks off with a red-carpet event with Tarantino, and will fill up both theaters at the Ritz. This one is a bit confusing, as some tickets are just for the Basterds screening, and some are for Cinemapocalypse.

The Story: One woman's plan for revenge on Nazis in France collides with that of a group of soldiers with their own vengeful agenda. The film opens nationwide on August 21.

The Bonus: Included with a Cinemapocalypse ticket. But you either have to buy a Cinemapocalypse ticket or a VIP ticket.

Another Bonus: The original 1978 film, Enzo Castellari's Inglorious Bastards has a three-night run at Alamo Ritz, August 3-5. It's a new 35mm print, so you might want to catch it. However, this film is not scheduled for Cinemapocalypse.

Cinemapocalypse tickets: Cinemapocalypse tickets are $65 and go on sale for AFF members and 2009 Fantastic Fest badge holders on Thursday, July 30 at noon; if there are any left, the general public can purchase them online the following day. This ticket will get you into the larger Ritz theater, where Cinemapocalypse is being held, with the live Q&A with Tarantino. After the screening, Cinemapocalypse continues with two additional movies programmed by Tarantino, which will not be announced prior to the event.

VIP Tickets: The smaller Ritz theater will hold a special VIP screening for $100, which includes a special three-course meal, drinks and gratuity, and a simulcast of the the Q&A. It does not get you into Cinemapocalypse. The proceeds benefit the Texas Filmmakers Production Fund, so not only is your food and drink included, but you're benefiting a good cause. VIP tickets go on sale on Wednesday, July 29 at 10 am.

Shorts
Paramount, August 16, 2:30 pm. The red carpet will include writer-director Robert Rodriguez, producer Elizabeth Avellan and cast members.

The Story: A young boy's discovery of a colorful, wish-granting rock causes chaos in the suburban town of Black Falls when jealous kids and scheming adults alike set out to get their hands on it. The film opens nationwide on August 21.

The Bonus: After the screening, a family carnival will be set up outside the Paramount, including rides and food.

The Tickets: General admission is $30, and VIP tickets are $125. VIP tickets include premium seating and an after-party with the cast. All proceeds benefit Thoughtful House Center for Children, an organization fighting to recover children with developmental disorders. Tickets are on sale now at GetTix.net.

Extract
Paramount, August 18, 8 pm. Mike Judge (Office Space, Idiocracy) will be on hand for the red carpet, along with Jason Bateman (Juno, Arrested Development).

The Story: Joel (Bateman) is one step away from selling his flavor extract factory and retiring to easy street when a freak workplace accident sets in motion a series of disasters that puts his business and personal life in jeopardy. The film also stars Kristen Wiig, Mila Kunis and Ben Affleck. It opens nationwide on September 4.

The Tickets: Mezzanine tickets are $30 and Balcony tickets are $17. VIP tickets are $100 and include orchestra seating and an after-party. Tickets go on sale to AFS members on Tuesday, July 28 at noon. The general public may purchase tickets on August 3 at noon. Fantastic Fest badgeholders can enter a drawing to win tickets to the event.