Dog Day Afternoon
Monday 8, Hyperreal Film Club
This Al Pacino vehicle based on the true story of John Wojtowicz robbing a bank for his girlfriend Elizabeth Eden’s gender-affirming surgery has been enjoying a well-deserved revival in the last few years. Wojtowicz’s character Sonny (Pacino) and his co-conspirator Salvatore Naturile (John Cazale) attempt a heist that escalates and turns into a hostage standoff with NYC cops in this nail-biting but empathetic thriller. It won Best Original Screenplay at the 1976 Oscars, among countless other awards, and has a place on many Letterboxd “sweatiest films” lists, so – perfect for the dog days of Texas summer. – Lina Fisher
Stress Management and Sleep Wellness Workshop
Monday 8, Yarborough Branch Library
Have you used the words “sleep hygiene” lately? Read up on Progressive Muscle Relaxation? Got about 30 open tabs on your computer all related to anxiety? You and me both, friend! Maybe we’ll find some relief at this Austin Public Library workshop and guided meditation led by Certified Consulting Hypnotist and sleep specialist Corrine Tam. The event is free, but space is limited; you’ll want to register online early to secure a seat. – Kimberley Jones
Rebel Without a Cause
Monday 8, Sekrit Theater
Austin’s teen classic movie club Flick Clique kicks off a new school year and its new series, Coming of Age Classics, with an iconic 1955 melodrama. Starring James Dean and Natalie Wood, the film was released soon after Dean perished in a car crash, right as his star was on the rise. This screening includes a special treat: an intro by legendary Austin Film Society programmer Chale Nafus, who’ll pass along to the kids his knowledge and take on the film he first saw seven decades ago. Bring chairs, bug spray, and picnics for this outdoor sunset screening. – Kat McNevins
Problemista
Tuesday 9, Hyperreal Film Club
As few weirdo visionaries have been able to, comedian Julio Torres has made a lotta cool shit available to the mainstream audience member. Beyond his 2019 special My Favorite Shapes being streamable via HBO Max (formerly Max, which was itself formerly HBO Max) as well as his writing credits on popular SNL digital shorts like “Wells for Boys,” for a time his fantastical feature debut Problemista screened at multiplexes across the country. Even in the mass market, his voice remains singular, particularly in this story of Alejandro (Torres), an immigrant attempting to make his dreams come true while struggling with our country’s (literally in the film) labyrinthine visa system. His journey’s joined by difficult diva Elizabeth (Tilda Swinton in full art-world drag), whose impressive obstinance in the face of all challenges inspires Alejandro to push back against the forces keeping him down. – James Scott
The Sign of the Cross
Tuesday 9 & Saturday 13, AFS Cinema
Austin Film Society’s new Essential Cinema series title is a bit difficult to parse at first glance. In fact, “The Epic Kink of Cecil B. DeMille” does not refer to a mystery fetish the famous producer/director claimed. Instead, this series showcases DeMille’s specific predilection for the cinematic epic – films made on massive scales about historical tales. That doesn’t preclude the films from being salacious, however, as evidenced in the third entry in DeMille’s biblical trilogy (preceded by The Ten Commandments and King of Kings.) The Fredric March-led feature kicks off AFS’s series with sexy exotic dances, bloody execution by hungry lions, and Claudette Colbert in a milk bath, all wrapped in religious mythos. – James Scott
Shrek Trivia
Wednesday 10, Pinthouse Pizza South Lamar
Whether you’re a citizen of Duloc or just visiting from your currently occupied swamp in order to make a complaint, this ogre-whelmingly fun trivia night will test your knowledge of the first two films in the Shrek series. All five rounds are free to play, with costumes encouraged for every 1-6 player team. Pro tip: Ogres are like onions, not like parfaits. – James Scott
Night of the Juggler
Wednesday 10, Alamo South Lamar
Ever wondered what New York City Republicans are talking about when they say that the Big Apple is a blood-soaked hellscape? Maybe they watched Night of the Juggler and thought it was a documentary. AWOL for 40 years and recently restored and re-released by Kino Lorber, the film has James Brolin sprinting ’round the city trying to find the man that kidnapped his daughter, while Dan Hedaya plays a cop with a vendetta. Yup, Thanos’ dad and Cher’s dad in Clueless go bug nuts crazy in this grimy vision of 1970s NYC. – Richard Whittaker
My Favorite Murder, Live!
Wednesday 10 – Thursday 11, Bass Concert Hall
If you’re not familiar with the acronym SSDGM, you may be interested to know it stands for “Stay Sexy and Don’t Get Murdered.” Good advice, and also the catchphrase of the megapopular true crime podcast My Favorite Murder – as well as a 2019 book. Karen and Georgia, as they’re affectionately called by fans, have recorded hundreds of episodes on serial killers, cold cases, survivor stories, and historical events since the podcast’s 2016 launch, and now bring their expertise to a live Austin audience. – Kat McNevins
Maurice
Wednesday 10, We Luv Video
Acclaimed British novelist E.M. Forster’s posthumously published novel caused controversy upon its release, which Forster seemed to have foreseen given his unwillingness to publish it during his lifetime. A story of homosexual love, both repressed and requited, Maurice reflects much of Forster’s own experiences falling for men during a time when any non-hetero sexuality was deemed not only aberrant but also illegal. While keeping much the same story as the novel, the 1987 Merchant Ivory film adaptation features a much more shocking vision than anything Forster dreamed: Hugh Grant with a mustache. Discuss this farcical facial as well as the story’s themes at this month’s edition of We Luv’s book/movie club. – James Scott
Voyage of the Rock Aliens
Wednesday 10, Violet Crown Cinema
Tammy and the T-Rex. Deep Blue Sea. Howard the Duck. Yup, the movie maniacs behind One Man’s Trash have been going pretty easy on you so far when it comes to flawed films and cinematic oddities. But strap yourself in for their wildest night yet as they struggle to find anything nice to say about Voyage of the Rock Aliens, a wild musical adventure setting a Stray Cats knockoff called the Pack against well-meaning New Wave intergalactic invaders for the hand of Pia Zadora as basically Cyndi Lauper’s California cousin. Fun, skits, and prizes galore at this rare screening of a movie where half the cast can’t sing, the other half can’t act, and Jermaine Jackson turns up for no good reason. – Richard Whittaker
Adult Story Hour: Don’t Quit Your Day Job
Thursday 11, University Hills Branch Library
Does the concept of a day job – quitting it or keeping it – spark a personal anecdote or a fable that ends in typically unsolicited advice for side-hustlers? At the library’s Adult Story Hour, your thoughts on the subject are very much solicited. No matter the status of your so-called day job or whether your tale is fact, fiction, serious, or comedic, shape it into a five-minute spiel and give your reading and speaking skills a spin. Who knows, storytelling at open mics might become your new 5-to-9 after your 9-to-5. – Caroline Drew
Eric LaRocca: We Are Always Tender With Our Dead
Thursday 11, BookPeople
Having broken into the horror scene via his spine-tingling sapphic novella Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke, Eric LaRocca continues to prove himself a king in the modern splatterpunk court. New novel We Are Always Tender With Our Dead gets a publisher-ese description that calls it “Michael McDowell’s Blackwater meets Clive Barker’s The Great and Secret Show,” and follows a tale of queer horror in a small New Hampshire town. To discuss this New England scare, LaRocca sits down with Austin’s own Gabino Iglesias (The Devil Takes You Home) for a discussion and booksigning. – 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.
This article appears in The 35th Annual Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival.
