Whether you love Robert Altman or hate him, you can’t argue that he makes films like nobody else. It’s what made him a Hollywood institution and one of the most respected directors in the business. So when he calls you up and asks if you will send him some of your short stories, and then asks you to come write movies for him, you don’t say no. Because who would? That’s what happened to Anne Rapp, a native Texan and local script supervisor-turned-screenwriter; their first collaboration became Cookie’s Fortune, playing this weekend at The Alamo Drafthouse Lake Creek. And that’s not all—you’ll get a chance to hear that story and much more from writer herself as the Austin Film Festival presents “Conversations in Film: Anne Rapp and Cookie’s Fortune.” For those up-and-coming filmmakers and screenwriters here in Austin (we know you’re out there, and there are a LOT of you), this is the kind of information you won’t want to miss out on....

The fact that Ninja Annihilation War was discovered by the industrious diggers over at the Alamo Drafthouse doesn't surprise us. In fact, we think that, much like a ninja, the movie laid in wait for its perfect victim, knowing that when the handsome programmers happened upon its steely case that the catastrophic awesomeness contained within would slay their minds....

It’s a typical Austin summer. It’s 105 degrees. The idea of stepping outside doesn’t exactly make you jump up and down with excitement. It would certainly take something special to get you out of doors. Something…unique. Unusual. Right? Well, how’s this--Transformers: The Movie outside Central Market on North Lamar Wednesday at dusk. We’re not talking about that Michael Bay seizure-inducing debacle (though we did enjoy watching Robosaurus chewing up cars at the Alamo). We’re talking about the 1986 animated adventure that only a robot-disguised-as-a-car/plane/tape deck/dinosaur-loving kid could love. ...

Whether you think Y2K really did bring down a musical apocalypse or not, you might want to check out the Alamo Downtown’s 90’s Alternative Sing-Along, presented this Thursday night....

Who loves Will Smith more than July Fourth filmgoers? That didn’t change this year, as Hancock’s 62 million dollar take proves. But remember what got this whole holiday box office bonanza thing going? Smith has been cranking out bankable Independence Day blockbusters since…well, since Independence Day (AKA ID4), 1996. This kind of big budget movie awful-ness, for which the Devlin-Emmerich creative duo has become so renowned, is exactly what makes this film perfect for the character assassins of the Master Pancake Theater. Catch the madness and ridicule this weekend at the Alamo Downtown....

If you can’t wait for tomorrow’s fireworks to start celebrating this great nation of ours; or if you love your country, but hate fireworks; or heck, maybe you like fireworks, but only when you’re the one doing the lighting, you can join others just like yourself at Alamo Ritz tonight for the Team America: World Police sing-along. ...

Wednesday nights can be tough. It’s the middle of the week, you’re not quite over the hump, and there’s nothing to do—nothing on television (“So You Think You Can Dance?” Come on!),and you’ve got to get up early tomorrow anyway, so how to pass the evening? How about a magical journey back to one of the most unique movies ever made (and later, less uniquely, re-made). We’re talking, of course, about Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Your good friends at the Alamo and 101X present a special screening in the lawn of Central Market tonight....

This Saturday and Sunday, in honor of the huge motorcycle rally just outside of town, the Alamo Ritz is dusting off a couple of drive-in classics about real bikers—complete with leather, bandanas, and names like Jaw-bone and Knifer....

We don't know about you, but we love the Alamo's Weird Wednesday series. Like, we wish we could make steamy, passionate love to it (and the chocolate covered toffee bits that come with it! Wait... no, that's gross). Unfortunately, we generally have to wake up super early on weekdays, and we're too weak-willed to attend many midnight screenings (you don't have to tell us how lame we are... we're well aware). So we tend to......

When CRAWFORD screened at SXSW, we were incredibly impressed with the level of intimacy Modigliani had with the townspeople, relationships with whom he had built and nurtured well in advance of the flood of media scrutiny. By doing so, he gave Editor and Austinite Matt Naylor, of super awesome 501 Post, a rich palette of original and archival footage that he could pare down, crystallizing each individual's experience over the course of the last two presidential terms, which would altogether tell the story of the boom and bust of W era Crawford. Luckily, we had the chance recently to talk with Naylor over the wonderful world of email about political stagecraft, tolerance of beliefs and the benefits of being a film editor. ...

In tandem with its current exhibit, "On the Road with the Beats," the Harry Ransom Center is presenting a month-long Beat Film Series at the Alamo Ritz....

Tonight, the Alamo Ritz will be holding a free screening of the award winning documentary For the Bible Tells Me So, a film that digs into the basis of this hate filled view and how five God fearing families reconcile their faith with the realization that one of their members is gay. Featuring the families of former House Majority leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, we will be led through a conversation of healing, offering clarity and understanding to a topic that is seldom spoken about sans fire and brimstone....

Texas not affected (so far) by national economic downturn? Bastrop man pleads guilty to money laundering charges. Suspect charged with murdering a disabled South Austin woman has died in jail. District attorney says Texas' castle law in its current state will protect criminals and not the people it was meant to protect. Box (found to be full of books) causes the Alamo to be evacuated this afternoon....

Tired of staying in your house to watch the Oscars, all seventy hours of them? Want to heckle in the company of others? Couture make you really hungry?...