The Crafty Adult: Mushroom Light Boxes
Monday 24, St. John Branch Library
Like learning new crafts but hate interacting with children? The library has you covered with another monthly installment of its Crafty Adult series. This time you’ll learn the basics of creating a shadow box with your favorite fungi heavily featured. All supplies and instruction are included, but be prepared to let your creative juices (and hot glue) flow after you get the hang of things. – James Renovitch
Angels With Dirty Faces
Monday 24 & Wednesday 26, Alamo Mueller
My editor told me to lay off the jokes about Sony Entertainment buying Alamo Drafthouse, which is fine and actually I was going to stop anyway, so that was basically my decision. Anyway. Daddy Drafthouse isn’t all bad and not all of their rep screenings are an excuse to clear out old Mondo tchotchkes. Some, in fact, are meant to benefit the Austin population’s cinematic knowledge. Alamo Mueller undertakes the heavy lifting with their current black-and-white screenings, which continue into crime thriller territory with a Michael Curtiz joint made for ye olde Warner Bros. Starring Boys Club buds James Cagney and Pat O’Brien, this feature digs into the complicated relationship between a gangster and his childhood friend who has become a man of the cloth. College film-noir class-takers will be delighted to see Humphrey Bogart bopping around as a crooked lawyer, and Texas’ own Ann Sheridan shines as Cagney’s onscreen sweetheart. – James Scott
Trolls World Tour
Monday 24, Hyperreal Film Club
My desk neighbor Kat McNevins asked me if Justin Timberlake’s infamous quote upon being pulled over for a DUI was in relation to this children’s film. Not so: The “tour” Timberlake implied would be “ruined” was not in fact the one undertaken by lovable creatures Poppy and Branch – whom JT voices in all three Trolls entries. I consider this to be the best of the franchise thanks to fun infusions from celebrity voice-cast members like Kelly Clarkson, Mary J. Blige, and the movie’s true superstar, Rachel Bloom, as antagonist Barb, a Hard Rock Troll who aims to take over every other Troll music genre until only hers remains. Big beautiful animated felt fuses perfectly with the series’ hyperactive heart, which never strays far from classic kids’ movie messaging about “being yourself.” However, potent subtext about respecting other cultures rather than homogenizing all worlds into one allows at least this viewer to pretend he’s engaging in critical thinking. – James Scott
Every Little Thing
Tuesday 25, AFS Cinema
The animal kingdom’s smallest avian – the hummingbird – becomes the focus of Sally Aitken’s documentary. Actually, its truer subject is Terry Masear, who runs a hummingbird rescue hotline and rehab out of her Los Angeles home. Screening as part of AFS Cinema’s Science on Screen series, the evening will include a conversation with a Central Texas hummingbird expert. But birders aren’t the only audience for this festival favorite: The film illustrates, as Masear put it in a recent Vanity Fair interview, how “small acts of compassion are acts of greatness.” A meaningful reminder in a time when smallness and meanness dominate the news cycle. – Kimberley Jones
Teddy Bear Picnic Storytime
Tuesday 25, Ramsey Park
After hibernation, bears need to get out and stretch their legs! Rouse Teddy from his winter slumber to bring him and his other plushie pals for a storytime in the park ideal for little ones 5 and under. Crafts and other activities like songs, fingerplays, and rhymes are also on the agenda from 10 to 11am, and you’re welcome to bring a blanket and picnic lunch. In case of rain, the fun moves indoors to Yarborough Branch Library. – Kat McNevins
Hamilton
Through April 6, Bass Concert Hall
I love a good at-home viewing party as much as the next person; screens and sweatpants are a match made in heaven. But Disney’s pro-shot live-stage recording of the multiple Tony award-winning Hamilton doesn’t come close to the real thing. True spectacle needs space – especially when that spectacle rocked the musical world and ushered in a new era of what can make a Broadway show. Experience Lin-Manuel Miranda’s rapping revolutionaries “in the room where it happens.” Here’s hoping you escape without King George’s songs on loop for the rest of your life (if so, you’ve got me beat). – Cat McCarrey
Paper Moon
Wednesday 26, Milwood Branch Library
March is Women’s History Month, and Milwood is celebrating by boosting the work of talented women in film. Paper Moon is a tour de force of a film that’s made great through the dedication of production designer/behind the scenes genius Polly Platt. I highly recommend pregaming the movie with the comprehensive Platt series on the podcast You Must Remember This. If you need more femme power, luxuriate in Tatum O’Neal’s astonishing performance, which netted her a well-deserved Oscar win. She still holds the record as the youngest recipient. Add a dash of the always amazing Madeline Kahn, and you’ve got yourself a great time at the movies. – Cat McCarrey
Gagatrondra
Thursday 27, Swan Dive
Only Mother Monster could resurrect Sister Fisters from their (possibly) early grave. Created by Swan Dive’s own Ariel De Leon, the organizer hinted at last year’s Halloween party being SisFist’s final foray into functions. Then, as though summoned by “Abracadabra,” Ms. Germanotta’s latest had De Leon pulling a party out of her hat. Drag by Damiana Divine, Iggy Bank, Ryan, Sir Maxim, Mars, Tatiana Cholula, and Nixi tells Gaga’s career story from “Alejandro” to “Zombieboy.” DJ Ed West, né Boyfriend, spins all the sickest beats while you get into your Vertigo schtick via visuals by Turito. Show off your disco stick in a photo booth manned by Sean Peters, and put your paws up for host Honey Baby. Tix run you 10 bones. There’s nothing else I can say, eh-eh, eh-eh. – James Scott
Perler Beads and a Movie
Thursday 27, Menchaca Road Branch Library
Few activities soothe the savage toddler soul more than quiet movie time. Austin Public Library helps make this chill-out zone more artistically fulfilling by offering a wee craft for the kiddos: hands-on pixel art. Using Perler beads – aka those plastic beads that melt under an iron – kids can make food-themed pieces, which tribute this month’s screening choice Ratatouille. Forgot what happens in that one? Li’l rat Remy dreams of becoming a professional chef despite his family’s – and the world’s – objections to rodents in the kitchen. When he befriends a hapless busboy at a fancy Parisian restaurant, they discover together that “anyone can cook.” Movie starts around 3:30pm, so make sure everyone gets a little snack to avoid rumbling stomachs during food scenes. – 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 March 21 • 2025.
