Short Cuts

An Alamo in Every Home, and at Home in Every Alamo Dept.: Last week's surprise announcement regarding the sale of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema's franchise and marketing operations to company CEO Terrell Braly came in as we were going to press, necessitating only the barest of mentions. In the wake of this past weekend's triumphant George Romero Roadshow of the Living Dead, which drew some 600 gore fans and left the horror legend "ecstatic," things around the Alamo offices are slightly less hectic. "Ever since we opened the downtown theatre," explains founder and co-owner (along with wife, Karrie) Tim League, "the idea of an expansion has been with us. We're happy with opening the franchise and the Village and Lake Creek locations, but by the same token it took Karrie and I further and further away from doing things in the business that we like to do." Chief among those things was and remains the eclectic programming of the theatres' "only in Austin"-style film events. League will continue to oversee operations at the Alamo's downtown and Village locations as well as overseeing development of their upcoming South Lamar venue over the next two years.

Suck It to 'Em Dept.: Just hitting the streets as you read this is issue No. 5 of Austinite Jason Henderson's fine Sword of Dracula comic book, which includes a lengthy cameo appearance by Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry, who within the context of the flashback storyline is the pilot of a Swift boat that ferries a CIA spook up the Mekong in pursuit of an AWOL egomaniacal bloodsucker bearing a striking resemblance to George W. Bush. Oops, sorry – I meant to say "Dracula." So, swing by your favorite neighborhood comic dealer and get your quick fix of horror, death, and parasitic mind-erasing villainy. Or just turn on C-SPAN. Your call. See www.swordofdracula.com for more info.

It's About Time Dept.: There's a new theatre in San Marcos, and it's just the kind we've been lusting after: a drive-in. This Saturday, July 31, is the kickoff of the Blue Moonlight Drive-In, described by its creator Frank Josh (in conjunction with local biz Moonlight Imports) as a year-round film festival screening Sundays through Tuesdays at dusk, with real drive-in speakers, a screen, concessions, and space for a full seven cars, which makes it a mini-drive-in, apparently. Prices ("donations") are negligible ($2-4) with Fritz Lang's Metropolis backed by a Nine Inch Nails score as the opening-night film. The drive-in is actively looking to be a venue for local filmmakers, as well. Blue Moonlight is located at 217 W. Hopkins (exit 205 in San Marcos off I-35 South, then south to 217 Hopkins.) Contact bluemoonlightdrivein@yahoo.com for more info.