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  The 2024 Liz Carpenter Lecture: A Screening of Shaking It Up: The Life and Times of Liz Carpenter

  Shaking It Up: The Life and Times of Liz Carpenter premiered at SXSW in 2024 and has been featured in 5 more film festivals nationwide. It explores Carpenter's career as a journalist, Chief of Staff to the First Lady, and women's rights activist through those who worked closest with her. The screening will be followed by a discussion featuring filmmaker Christy Carpenter.

  Wed. Sept. 25, 6:30pm-8:30pm  

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  LBJ Auditorium

• Film

  Special Screenings

  

  A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

  You either had your Jamie Lee Curtis-is-hot awakening in True Lies or in this genius caper of a movie. Because in the end, we are all just like the film’s hapless protagonist John Cleese – smitten by the inimitable allure of Curtis’ Wanda. When her attempted robbery goes awry, she enlists an unwitting Cleese (playing solicitor Archie Leach, no relation to Cary Grant I swear) to help recover her loot. Add in a smidgen of fellow Monty Python alum Michael Palin being as affable as ever, plus the bonus of Kevin Kline simply being his wonderful self, and baby, you’ve got a good time going. – Cat McCarrey

  Sept. 19-22

  AFS Cinema

• Film

  Special Screenings

  

  Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)

  The “best Batman” debate rages still, with Snyder freaks stumping for Batfleck, Burton boys high on the current Keaton-aissance, and Nolan lovers still going gaga over the gritty and grim Bale. Sorry to say that this argument is basically coughing baby vs. hydrogen bomb: the late Kevin Conroy, voice of Batman in the animated series and throughout the Arkham Asylum games, blows those other bats outta the cave. Don’t believe me? Check out this animated classic while it’s screening at Alamo, then. Harkening to his Forties roots, this Batman tale has him delving into his past in ways deeper than a strand of broken pearls – all animated in the gorgeous Art Deco-esque style of Batman: The Animated Series. – James Scott Read a full review of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.

  Sept. 20-25

  Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter Lane, Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline, Alamo Drafthouse Mueller

• Qmmunity

  Arts & Culture

  

  Fresh Kill

  Girls only want one thing, and it’s to solve a nuclear fish conspiracy. Presented by Austin Asian American Film Festival, this month’s edition of Queer Cinema: Lost and Found pulls from the catalog of multimedia artist Shu Lea Cheang. Her Nineties experimental film classifies as in the “eco-cybernoia” genre, which makes sense given that its InfoNation write-up claims first dibs on the term “hacktivism.” Yet the story in Fresh Kill focuses just as much on the lesbian parents at its center, whose concern for their daughter after she consumes contaminated fish is what motivates their takedown of megacorp GX. See it in glorious 35mm with surround sound blaring Vernon Reid’s soundtrack. Plus: director Cheang in attendance. – James Scott

  Sat., Sept. 21

  AFS Cinema

• Film

  Special Screenings

  

  Been There Presents Home Free (2024)

  It’s always special when a movie comes home, but home means something really special for this Austin-made bittersweet comedy from UT grads Aaron Brown and Lenny Barszap. Home Free is inspired by their real experiences as undergrads when they became friends with the Professor, a charming man of intellect, kindness, and wisdom who was experiencing homelessness. That friendship was a quick education in how people can drop out of society so fast and yet retain their value as human beings – and now they’ve retold that story as a touching college comedy that’s equal parts Animal House and The Lady in the Van. Join post-screening Q&As with the cast and crew, who are putting their money where their mouths are, as part of the proceeds go to The Other Ones Foundation, organizers of the Been There music festival, to help people experiencing homelessness and unemployment. – Richard Whittaker

  Through Oct. 11

  Eastside Cinema

• Film

  Special Screenings

  

  The Muppet Movie (1979)

  Fame is for frogs, especially in this first-time feature for Jim Henson’s fuzzy friends. Determined to become stars, Kermit and Fozzie Bear take a road trip to Hollywood while picking up familiar faces along the way: Gonzo, Miss Piggy, Steve Martin, etc. All the while, a devilish frog-leg kingpin pursues them in hopes of having Kermit as his own Michigan J. Frog. You’ll laugh; you’ll cry; you’ll say “How on Earth did they get that Muppet to ride a bike?” – James Scott

  Sept. 21-24

  Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter Lane, Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline, Alamo Drafthouse Mueller

• Film

  Special Screenings

  

  David DiDonato Performs Metropolis (1927)

  Local treasure David DiDonato is known for many things, among them being a world-record holder for longest guitar solo (close to 26 hours!) and his performances of original soundtracks to eerie silent films like Nosferatu and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. DiDonato closes the first installment of We Luv Video’s Artist in Residency program, which aims to spotlight local artists across mediums who celebrate film, with one of his finest works: an original soundtrack to the stylized 1927 German sci-fi thriller Metropolis, composed between 2014 and 2018. DiDonato passes the residency torch to Rome Prize winner Abinadi Meza, a globe-trotting local sound artist and experimental filmmaker. – Kat McNevins Read a full review of Metropolis.

  Sat., Sept. 21

  We Luv Video

• Film

  Special Screenings

  

  Fantastic Fest 2024

  IT’S TIME! The most wonderful time of the year, at least for fans of fringe films. Fantastic Fest is a haven for film lovers, featuring the freaky, the frightening, and the far-out. This is the single best place to be ahead of the curve with that strange little movie everyone will be buzzing about next year. It’s a delicious mix of whimsical weirdness, offbeat oldies, and the truly terrifying (literally, they’re showing Terrifier 3). Whether you’re a card-carrying cult member with access to the whole week, or just perusing for a screening of something memorable, there’s a part of the fest for you. It’s a true Austin treasure. – Cat McCarrey

  Sept. 19-26

  Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar