A Dictator, a Weird Wednesday, and an Election in This Week's Events

The Great Dictator

Monday 4, Alamo Drafthouse Mueller

WOW. I WONDER WHY THE ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE MIGHT BE PLAYING THE CHARLIE CHAPLIN FILM WHERE HE SKEWERS FASCISM THE DAY BEFORE A CRUCIAL ELECTION. Who can really say why institutions make any decision really? In any case, perhaps a nice black-and-white picture playing in an air-conditioned theatre will calm the more violent pre-Election Day anxieties. At least in the movie, we’re flying into a “glorious future that belongs to you, to me, and to all of us.” Fingers crossed we see that future.   – James Scott

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Monday 4, We Luv Video

Austin Flick Clique Teen Movie Night gavels in with this Frank Capra classic about a literal boy scout – well, a troop leader at least – who has his faith in our political systems shook when he’s appointed to the U.S. Senate. Jimmy Stewart plays the junior senator with aw-shucks idealism and, not gonna lie, surprisingly appealing floppy-haired enthusiasm, while a delectably tart Jean Arthur is the senator’s aide. The movie has aged for sure, but its depiction of dirty politics endures, as does its central tenet that the U.S. Constitution will never go out of style.   – Kimberley Jones

Photo by Element5 Digital via Pexels

Election Day

Tuesday 5, Polling locations all over town

Did you seriously wait until the last day to vote? Surely you’ve made up your mind at this point. Whatever about it, as long as you get out and do your civic duty, we won’t be angry with you. Let’s just say the stakes are pretty high not only in the presidential race, but in several local races from senator and mayor on down the ballot. Need help on some of the less-publicized races? Check out our endorsements here. Whether you agree with us or not, just make sure you find the time and make a plan to vote!   – James Renovitch

The Eyes of Peter Lorre: M

Tuesday 5, AFS Cinema

Featuring one of the most memorable musical themes in cinematic history (Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King”), M is a cat-and-mouse movie from the eyes of the serial killer rather than the detective – and what eyes they are. Peter Lorre, the Hungarian American actor most famous for portraying queer-coded villains in some of the biggest films of the 20th century, whistles his way through 1930s Germany in M, preying on children and being pursued by both the formal police and a vigilante force of other seedy types who think he’s taken it a bridge too far. Metropolis’ Fritz Lang, master of German Expressionism, directs what is lauded as one of the first serial killer flicks.   – Lina Fisher

His Motorbike, Her Island

Tuesday 5, Hyperreal Film Club

In 1950s Japan, returning young World War II veterans finding it hard to reassimilate into civilian life began forming motorcycle gangs, which snowballed into a full-blown subculture known as Bszoku. It gained popularity in the 1980s, which is when Nobuhiko Obayashi’s romance His Motorbike, Her Island was made. It follows bike enthusiast Ko, who falls in love with small-town girl Miiyo and teaches her how to ride – but soon her newfound obsession for the bike threatens their relationship. You may recognize Obayashi’s name from 1977’s Hausu, one of the most visually appealing and insane horror movies ever. If you want a break from scares after Halloween but still crave some visual intrigue, he applies the same style to this one, switching between color and black-and-white and employing his signature editing flourishes.   – Lina Fisher

Lager Dogs Arcade

Wednesday 6, Oddwood Brewing

Bark, bark, woof, woof: You get it, right? Organized by those dogs over at ATX Beer Party, this event combines two favorites of the brew-swilling community: Mario Kart and pups. Leisure Suit Larry – the same one from the video game? IDK, maybe – hosts a tourney of the 64 classic on Oddwood’s big screen and MML Hospitality, Austin Ale Trail, and other good guys offer prizes for the top players. On-site while the gamers go at it will be dogs from the Austin Bulldog Rescue, who’re the fundraising beneficiaries of this here party. Obvi, beer will be drank – Oddwood’s introducing their new Lager Dogs punch card – and there’s weenies on da menu thanks to Zee’s Weiner System. You know: Arf, arf, yeah?   – James Scott

Weird Wednesday: The Night Comes for Us

Wednesday 6, Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar

Timo Tjahjanto’s got the freaking goods. His additions within the V/H/S franchise always score big on the “Oh My God” meter, and this martial-arts melodrama gave 2018 Fantastic Fest audiences plenty to go “Oh my Gooooood” about. Set and filmed in Indonesia, the film utilizes the traditional “I was out but now I’m back in” story to new, brutal heights of crime syndicate violence. Expect: disemboweling, razor-sharp string strangulations, and just, like, so many guns. Definitely put a hold on ordering your Royale With Cheese rare.   – James Scott

Photo by Summer Yen

“Ink” by Taiwanese choreographer Huang Yi

Thursday 7, Bass Concert Hall

Technology should be used to enhance artistic statements, not replace them. Choreographer, dancer, and inventor Huang Yi manages to control the technological narrative in beautiful ways, using robots as a tool to further explore the mysteries of motion. “Ink” dissects Tong Yang-Tze’s calligraphy through numbers featuring Huang alongside an industrial robot he programmed. Contrasting fluidity of linework and athletic capabilities with the limitations of robotics is a sight to behold. The result is a ferocious medley of movement and dynamic visuals. Gather at Bass Concert Hall to witness Huang’s rising star before it ascends our universe.   – Cat McCarrey

Roe Was the Floor: Abortion Stories Kickoff

Thursday 7, Radio/East

The Bread and Roses Collaborative, an organization that bridges the nonprofit advocacy and music worlds, and Song Confessional, NPR’s podcast wherein musicians turn anonymous confessions into songs, are partnering on a new series to change the conversation around abortion. They’re at work on a compilation album of abortion stories turned into songs that will be released in early 2025 – but the national tour begins Thursday at Austin’s own Radio/East. The stories will be collected through local and national abortion funds, and Song Confessional will interview those musicians and reproductive rights workers on the podcast. The tour kickoff at Radio/East will include performances by Yeyo, A.J. Haynes, and Kam Franklin, and will benefit Buckle Bunnies and Sueños Sin Fronteras, two Texas-based abortion funds.   – Lina Fisher

Police Story 3

Thursday 7, Hyperreal Film Club

Warning! Seeing how cool all the stunts are in this movie will cause you to get full-body cringe next time you watch whatever visual mush Netflix excretes into the action genre. While not the high-point of Jackie Chan’s popular Police Story franchise, the third entry features the incredible talent that is Michelle Yeoh. Her stunts, acting, and general vibe make even the slower scenes extremely watchable – with a train-top final sequence sure to bring every HFC viewer to their feet. God: I love da moviesh.   – James Scott

Want to see all of our listings broken down by day? Go to austinchronicle.com/calendar and see what's happening now or in the coming week.