Free Movies

Summer Film Series Updates: Cinema East, Sound and Cinema, Cinema 41

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i believe in unicorns still

The lineup for this year's Cinema East series has been announced, and once again the programmers have selected a solid slate of indie films to fill a few summer Sunday evenings. The outdoor screenings begin around 9 pm at the French Legation, admission is $3-$5, and food and drinks are available to buy. Also important: The BYOB policy is once again in effect this year. 

We've seen a few of the scheduled movies and are excited about the rest, and filmmakers are scheduled to attend five of the seven screenings. If you're not one to let the Texas heat get you down (it's not so bad after the sun sets and you have a beer in your hand), this is the perfect chance to stretch your weekend to the fullest while checking out a few recent independent films.

Here's the schedule:

I Believe in Unicorns (6/22) -- This fantasy-tinged coming-of-age story (pictured above) explores an imaginative young girl's first encounter with troubled love. Director Leah Meyerhoff will be in attendance for a Q&A following the screening. 

2014 Guide to Free (and Cheap) Summer Movies in Austin

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We here at Slackerwood are already busting out the lawn chairs and cold beverages because summer is upon us. This can only mean one thing: free and cheap summer movies around Austin! We're revisiting old favorites and looking into some new ones to give you and your family plenty of activities to do together over summer break.

As usual, some programs are specifically for children, such as the Alamo Kids Camp and Regal Summer Movie Express, and some series are adults-only. Be sure to check out our links for more information on the screenings, and be mindful of what you can and cannot bring with you (such as pets and alcoholic beverages).

We will be on the hunt for new free movie opportunities this year, so if you know of any (or if you don't see a specific one here) let us know in the comments. This page will also be updated as we receive updates on specific events. Happy watching!

Cinema Touching Disability Film Fest Celebrates its Tenth Year

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CTD Film Fest Logo

The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities (CTD) hosts its tenth annual Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival and Short Film Competition this November 1 and 2 at the Alamo Drafthouse Village.

The Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival was founded in 2004 by CTD staffer William Greer, with the goal to counter negative stereotypes about people with disabilities and to celebrate positive portrayals of disability culture. Since its inception, the festival has twice been awarded the Barbara Jordan Media Award for Special Contribution by an Organization.

Events from previous years have included a 2005 screening of What's Eating Gilbert Grape preceded by an interview with star Darlene Cates, an exclusive interview with Dr. Temple Grandin screened in conjunction with the 2009 feature Temple Grandin, and numerous other special guests.

You can buy tickets now for Friday, November 1 featuring the documentary Getting Up: The TEMPT ONE Story -- about graffiti artist Tempt One -- and for Saturday, November 2 featuring The Crash Reel -- a documentary about professional snowboarders. In addition to entry, the $10 tickets are vouchers you can redeem for $10 of food and drink from the Drafthouse menu. Both evening events also include short films from the competition and Q&As.

Watch 'Machete Kills' -- Free!

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Machete Kills posterIf you didn't go to Fantastic Fest or the festive cast-and-crew screening of Machete Kills earlier this week, Slackerwood has another chance for you to see the Austin-shot movie before it opens on October 11. We have admit-two passes to give away for a screening on Wednesday, October 9 at 9 pm at Galaxy Highland.

After the jump, you'll find promotional codes and links to the Gofobo website where you can enter the code to get an admit-two pass for the screening of your choice. These are first-come, first-served passes and seating is not guaranteed. If you've been to preview screenings, you know that often more tickets are given out than there are seats, so you'll want to arrive early to stake out a good spot in line.

I've seen the movie already -- look for my interview with filmmaker Robert Rodriguez and star Danny Trejo closer to the film's release -- and it's the kind of movie you really want to watch with an audience.

Machete Kills is silly and fun, with a downright bizarre cast including Demain Bichir, Antonio Banderas, Alexa Vega, Austin native Amber Heard, Sofia Vergara, Charlie Sheen, Mel Gibson and Lady Gaga. Oh, and one pretty amazing vehicle. The movie was shot in Austin, but you might not know that unless someone told you.

2013 Guide to Fall Filmgoing in Austin

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Stills from Lonesome, Willow, The American Astronaut & The Goonies

The coming of fall might mean fewer free or cheap film events to choose from than in summer months, but plenty of films are still on schedule now that school has started. I asked around at some of the local venues, and received eager responses from folks excited about their upcoming programming.

Of course, fall also means the return of Austin film-festival season. There’s Fantastic Fest from September 19-26, Polari (formerly aGLIFF) running from October 16-20, and Austin Film Festival from October 24-31. Smaller fests include the first annual Housecore Horror Film Festival from Oct. 24-27, Cinema Touching Disability from November 1-2 and the Austin Polish Film Festival, November 1-3.

Below are some of the events on the horizon for Austin in autumn.

Alamo Drafthouse Ritz
Alamo Ritz starts their fall program with a Cinema Club screening of 1928 silent romance Lonesome (Mon, Sept. 9, $10) hosted by Caroline Frick from TAMI (Texas Archive of the Moving Image). Among the other September movies are the 1956 French black comedy Pig Across Paris (Wed, Sept. 11, $10), a FoleyVision presentation of For Y'ur Height Only (Sun, Sept. 15, $10), and doc Persistence of Vision (Sat, Sept. 28, 4pm) paired with Who Framed Roger Rabbit? in 35mm (Sat, Sept. 28, 7pm).  A special series on magicians in film will be shown in October, with the many films for the month to include The Prestige, Deceptive Practice: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay and Orson Welles' F for Fake.

Be Next to See 'You're Next' (Free!)

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You're Next mural at Fantastic Fest 2011

Not many Austinites have had the chance to see You're Next yet. The horror film, directed by Adam Wingard and written by Simon Barrett, screened during Fantastic Fest 2011 and again at SXSW earlier this year. Jordan attended a special screening earlier this week with stars AJ Bowen and Barbara Crampton in attendance (look for her write-up soon). But the movie isn't officially being released in Austin theaters until August 23.

Slackerwood is giving you the chance to see You're Next early -- and for free! -- next Wednesday, August 21 at 8 pm at Alamo Drafthouse Ritz. We have a limited number of admit-two passes to give away.

After the jump, you'll find promotional codes and links to the Gofobo website where you can enter the code to get an admit-two pass for the screening of your choice. These are first-come, first-served passes and seating is not guaranteed. If you've been to preview screenings, you know that often more tickets are given out than there are seats, so you'll want to arrive early to stake out a good spot in line (especially for a horror film at Ritz).

The cast of You're Next includes AJ Bowen, who is also in the Austin-shot Grow Up Tony Phillips; Texas filmmaker Amy Seimetz (Sun Don't Shine); filmmakers Joe Swanberg and Ti West, who regularly screen their films at Austin fests; and Barbara Crampton, who's graced a number of movies including Body Double and Re-Animator. Several Slackerwood contributors have seen You're Next. Their reactions:

AFS Brings Back Classics with 'History of Television' Series

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You know when someone asks if you are familiar with a certain actor, and you recognize the name but can't quite place the face? That was my first impression of Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca. I of course recognized Caesar from a few films, but my knowledge of the duet's history was lacking.

This is also how I approached the Austin Film Society's "History of Television" series last night: familiar, but ready to learn more. This month's screening focused on the 1950-54 television show Your Show of Shows, starring Caesar, Coca, Carl Reiner (The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Thrill Of It All) and Howard Morris (The Andy Griffith Show, Splash).  

When I walked into the screening room, I was surprised to discover I was one of the younger attendees there. Even though I was not entirely familiar with the actors, I'd heard of the show and knew others who were familiar as well. Nonetheless, the house was packed with folks ready to laugh.

2013 Guide to Free (and Cheap) Summer Movies in Austin

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SLACKER 20th Anniversary

Updated 6/6 to add Austin School of Film's Summer Film Series

With the Texas temperature slowly rising and the lack of UT students drawing nearer, Austin residents are rejoicing -- summer is upon us. And although the first day of the season is not technically until June 21, many organizations are already kicking off their summer activities.

Slackerwood is happy to bring you its fifth annual guide to free or cheap summer movies in Austin, as well as surrounding areas such as Cedar Park and Round Rock. Be sure to check out the websites for each of these series so you come prepared. Some of the movies are shown outside, so a nice blanket or lawn chair would be wise to bring, particularly for non-theater venues such as the French Legation or Republic Square Park.

While a number of free movie series are aimed at kids out of school, several are more adult-friendly, with the return of showcases such as Cinema East and The Paramount Summer Classic Film Series (though most of the films in the Summer Series are pretty tame for kids as well).

Want Passes to 'Silver Linings Playbook' Preview?

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Silver Linings PlaybookSlackerwood is giving you the chance to watch the movie Silver Linings Playbook next week, before it opens in Austin ... at no cost. The latest film from David O. Russell (Three Kings, The Fighter) will have a preview screening on Monday, November 12, at 7 pm at Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar. We have a limited number of admit-two "e-tickets" to give away -- keep reading for details on how to get one yourself.

After the jump, you'll find a promotional code and a link to the Gofobo website where you can enter the code to get an admit-two pass. This is a first-come, first-served pass and seating is not guaranteed. If you've been to preview screenings, you know that often more tickets are given out than there are seats, so you'll want to arrive early to stake out a good spot in line. This can be especially true at Drafthouse preview screenings.

Silver Linings Playbook, which won the marquee feature audience award at Austin Film Festival last month, will open in local theaters on Nov. 16. Austin-American Statesman critic Charles Ealy caught it at AFF and wrote, "It looks like this might be one of those rare, great romantic comedies."

Bradley Cooper plays a teacher who moves back in with his parents after experiencing marital troubles. Robert De Niro, Julia Stiles, Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Tucker also star. Several of us at Slackerwood are definitely looking forward to seeing this one. J.C. saw it at AFF too and tells me that "It's a really wonderful film. Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper have amazing onscreen chemistry. It's also great to see Robert De Niro in a good role again."

Are you ready to redeem your ticket?

Catch a (Free) Preview of 'Chasing Mavericks'

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Chasing MavericksDon't you want to see Gerard Butler in a movie about legendary surfers, based on real life? Sure you do, especially when it's directed by Michael Apted and Curtis Hanson. The film Chasing Mavericks opens in Austin on October 26, but Slackerwood is giving you the chance to see it early and -- best of all -- for free.

We have a limited number of admit-two passes available to give away for a screening of Chasing Mavericks on Tuesday, October 23 at 7 pm at Galaxy Highland.

After the jump, you'll find promotional codes and links to the Gofobo website where you can enter the code to get an admit-two pass for the screening of your choice. These are first-come, first-served passes and seating is not guaranteed. If you've been to preview screenings, you know that often more tickets are given out than there are seats, so you'll want to arrive early to stake out a good spot in line.

Chasing Mavericks is based on a true story. Teenager Jay Moriarty (Jonny Weston) is an ambitious surfer who gets a legendary older surfer (Butler) to train him to surf the notorious Mavericks surf break, one of the biggest waves in the world. Elisabeth Shue and Abigail Spencer also star in the movie.

Are you ready to redeem your ticket?

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