Last Night at the Alamo
Last Night at the Alamo 1984, NR, 80 min. Directed by Eagle Pennell, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring Kim Henkel, Lou Perryman, Sonny Carl Davis. Pennell’s follow-up to The Whole Shootin’ Match is another rough gem – kind of a Texas-made version of The Iceman Cometh in which we observe a cluster of…
Mexico
Mexico 2000, NR, 43 min. Directed by Lorena M. Parlee, Narrated by Martin Sheen, Voices by , Starring . Images of bustling modern-day Mexico City contrast with shots of ancient pyramids and other remnants of the Mayan, Zapotec, and Aztec civilizations in this visual tone poem to Mexico. Using gorgeous cinematography fit for a travel…
The Whole Shootin’ Match
This debut film by Pennell, the trailblazing Texas filmmaker, was recently restored. It remains a delightfully talky, slice-of-life comedy that focuses on two over-the-hill dreamers.
Super Soul Brother
Super Soul Brother 1980, R, 80 min. Directed by Rene Martinez Jr., Narrated by , Voices by , Starring Lee Cross, Peter Conrad, Wildman Steve. Wildman Steve, a Rudy Ray Moore-style comic, stars in this ghetto version of The Bionic Man. He’s a wino who is given a secret formula that makes him all-powerful. The…
Flicker No. 10
Flicker No. 10 NR. Directed by Various, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring . This bimonthly film festival showcases short films by local and national filmmakers who submit works via mail. Flicker guarantees an array of projects and intriguing juxtapositions at every screening, with linear narratives butting up against radical experiments, polished productions followed…
Black Stallion
Black Stallion 1979, G, 118 min. Directed by Carroll Ballard, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring Kelly Reno, Mickey Rooney, Teri Garr, Clarence Muse, Hoyt Axton. This quiet story about a boy and his horse stands out from the pack because of its exquisite cinematography by Caleb Deschanel and the touching performance of Mickey…
Au Revoir, Les Enfants
Au Revoir, Les Enfants 1987, PG, 104 min. Directed by Louis Malle, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring Gaspard Manesse, Raphael Fejto. The great Louis Malle based this movie on his rueful recollection of an event that happened at his childhood boarding school during WWII. Some Jewish boys who are being sheltered at the…
Gaza Strip
Gaza Strip 2002, NR, 74 min. Directed by James Longley, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring . Shown recently in New York as part of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival, Gaza Strip views the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the eyes of a 13-year-old Palestinian newspaper vendor. Shot in the winter and spring of…
The Talented Ms. Highsmith
Norton has reissued A Dog’s Ransom and Little Tales of Misogyny from Patricia Highsmith, a Ft. Worth native whose disturbing brand of suspense could be “morbidly comic and surreal” or “traditional and believable,” writes Tommi Ferguson.
Chiles 101: The Science Behind the Burn
Man’s love of the burn can be traced back to 7000 BC in Mexico. By the time the Spanish arrived in the New World, our pals the Aztecs had created a highly sophisticated chile-based cuisine, laying the foundation for the world’s love of spicy foods. Yet, it wasn’t until the 20th century that scientists were…
Savings or Slush?
In a tight budget year, Austin Energy’s debt management fund is under scrutiny.
The Battle for Senate District 14
Incumbent Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos faces a serious challenge in Dellionaire Ben Bentzin
Circuit
Circuit 2001, NR, 90 min. Directed by Dirk Shafer, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring Daniel Kucan, Brian Lane Green, Nancy Allen, Willian Katt, Paul Lekakis, Kiersten Warren, Andre Khabbazi, Jonathan Wade-Drahos. This budget-conscious drama, set amid the throbbing, drug-fueled subculture of West Hollywood and its traveling “circuit” parties, is awfully well-intentioned and earnest.…
Readings
“Often enough in Man Walks Into a Room, you get a plot description and a lesson,” writes Clay Smith of Nicole Krauss’ beguiling and haunting debut novel, about a man who loses his memory and isn’t particularly interested in getting it back.
Austin Energy Budget
A summary comparison of Austin Energy’s current and recent budgets
Austin @ Large: Before the Flood
The Waller Creek Tunnel could have been a boon to Downtown; now its just another failed proposal in the City of Ideas.
CQ
CQ 2002, R, 91 min. Directed by Roman Coppola, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring Jeremy Davies, Jason Schwartzman, Dean Stockwell, John Philip Law, Massimo Ghini, Giancarlo Giannini, Gerard Depardieu, Billy Zane, Elodie Bouchez, Angela Lindvall, L.M. Kit Carson. CQ, the debut feature by Strokes music videographer and Coppola family upstart Roman (brother to…
Page Two
Returning from vacation offers a new appreciation for the city — and for uniquely Austin events like the Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival.
Book Burn …
Need another reason to eat hot peppers? How about a way to lose weight? MM Pack reviews Heidi Allison’s The Chili Pepper Diet to see if it’s too good to be true.
A False Confession?
Witness testimony in the capital murder trial of Michael Scott, the second defendant to stand trial for the yogurt shop murders, began August 14.
The Hightower Report
Bush’s Social Security Fantasies; Congress Does It Again
Mr. Smarty Pants
During World War II, the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers merged into the Phil-Pitt Steagles.Two U.S. presidents, Zachary Taylor and Ulysses S. Grant, both lived in Brownsville, Texas.The words “reviewuate” and “medireview” can be found in Internet searches due to a feature in Yahoo! e-mail software designed to prevent hackers from spreading viruses. Reviewuate should…
Book Burn …
Sandy Szwarc checks out The Chile Chronicles and learns that farming in New Mexico is a strikingly complex endeavor.
To Dog or Not to Dog
The leash-law controversy continues in Old West Austin
The Age of Restoration
Reviled at the time of their release, silent cinema classics Metropolis and The Thief of Bagdad get their due at the Paramount Theatre this weekend.
After a Fashion
Stephen talks about a few up and coming fashion events and tells Brooks Coleman what he can do with his Erector set.
Book Burn …
“Happily, the University of North Carolina Press saw fit to reprint this little classic in 1999, and it remains readily available to anyone interested in the history of American hot sauce, as well as in a thoughtful portrait of a rapidly changing segment of American Southern culture,” writes MM Pack. Find out why.
Poor, Bankrupt Bradley
Will the federal government take pity on a guy who owes $77.5 million in unpaid loans and taxes? Gary Bradley hopes so. The flamboyant developer, who rose to local fame during the frenzied Eighties boom and bust, would like to see those debts wiped out as part of his Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceeding. Bradley appeared…
Breaking Out
“I wanted to write a prison movie, and it felt like the Retail Rodeo was the perfect place to set it,” says screenwriter and actor Mike White of his new film, The Good Girl.
Day Trips
Lyndon B. Johnson State Historical Park, west of Johnson City, honors the diversity of the Hill Country as well as the life of the 36th president. A new exhibit installed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ties the land, the people, and the man together in an educational and entertaining experience. “We’re filling in…
Food-o-File
Virginia B. Wood goes stream of consciousness in this week’s “Food-o-File.”
No Parking Garage, Says Downtown Crowd
The proposed Convention Center garage finds few friends, and even trips over a city official’s own testimony.
Short Cuts
Beware the mighty roar of Werner Herzog.
To Your Health
I had stopped worrying about brain cancer from cell phones until another worrisome report came out recently. I can’t give up the convenience of my cell phone, so how real is the risk, and are there ways to reduce it?
Redemption Song
Kelly Willis follows up her career best — Easy.
Weed Watch
It’s been a busy week for the nation’s drug policy reformers. After voting 9-0 last week to support a November ballot initiative that would not only decriminalize marijuana possession but also provide regulations for its legal sale, the Nevada Council of Police and Sheriffs — Nevada’s largest police organization — withdrew its endorsement of the…
Video Reviews
Pure camp, with a capital C.
About AIDS
Looming Showdown at the THC Corral? In November, Nevadans will vote on an initiative that would eliminate all penalties for possession of up to three ounces of marijuana and would provide state regulation of pot, similar to alcohol and tobacco. Two years ago, Nevada voters approved a measure allowing medical marijuana use and reduced penalties…
Kelly Willis Reviewed
Kelly WillisEasy (Rykodisc) By now, we know what to expect from Kelly Willis. She’s a dulcet-voiced singer, an engaging songwriter, and an appealing interpreter of an imposing array of songs written by other left-field tunesmiths. With Easy, her fifth album, Willis once again delivers the goods. While at first blush she may be a little…
Corrections Officers Demand Raise
The Travis County Sheriff’s Officers Association is fighting for a fair pay raise for all sheriff’s office employees — particularly corrections officers.
TV Eye
Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell remind us of a time when a talk show largely meant listening.
Profiles in Courage …
Meet Deb Vogt, the honorable Hot Sauce queen of tenacity, spirit, and confidence.
Letters at 3AM
When I was a child I had no bedtime. “Bedtime” is not a Mediterranean concept. My family and relatives still lived in as much a Sicilian, Mediterranean rhythm as they could manage in New York City. It was their way to not serve dinner until 9 or so at night, and it wasn’t unusual for…
The Way They Get By
Spoon ladles up another winner
Naked City
News items from near and far
Second Helpings: Hot Town …
“Second Helpings” offers tasty, bite-sized restaurant listings compiled from new and previous reviews, guides, and poll results. This week’s entries were updated by Erin Mosow. For quick, reliable information about Austin eateries, check here. Artz Rib House 2330 S. Lamar, 442-8283 Monday-Saturday, 11am-10pm; Sunday, noon-9pm Artz has been a feature of South Lamar longer than…
Coach’s Corner
Odds and Ends: Hello to Rich Beem and the baseball strike; farewell to Dennis Miller and Terrell Davis.
Spoon Reviewed
SpoonKill the Moonlight (Merge) Britt Daniel must hate words like auteur. He’s a songwriter, he’d say, that’s it. Nothing flashy. And he’d be right. But each successive Spoon album puts him and drummer Jim Eno more in the company of the world’s Steven Soderberghs and Don DeLillos, minds who use everyday pop constructs to express…
Naked City
A packed budget hearing Aug. 20 at Austin Independent School District’s Sixth Street headquarters ended with a unanimous vote by the district’s trustees to approve a 3% pay raise for teachers and school staff. AISD Superintendent Pat Forgione had proposed a 2% pay raise, which riled Education Austin, the union that represents the majority of…
Coming of Age
Recommended at aGLIFF 2002
Central Heat (No AC)
Welcome to the 12th annual Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival!
Dancing About Architecture
Rave debacle leaves one dead.
Naked City
A new General Accounting Office report says Texas teachers might cost Social Security up to $450 million via a loophole in federal pension laws. Officially, teachers, as recipients of government pensions, can’t get full spousal Social Security benefits. But if they work as little as one day in a non-teaching job, the restriction goes away.…
Central Heat (No AC)
Contest & Festival Facts The Capital Area Food Bank and The Austin Chronicle invite you to join us for the 12th Annual Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival, this Sunday, August 25, from 11am-5pm at Waterloo Park (12th & Red River). Admission is FREE, with your donation of two nonperishable food items for the Capital Area…
Phases and Stages
Bruce SpringsteenThe Rising (Columbia) Heartbreak. Hope. Release. As expected, when Bruce Springsteen heads into the studio with the E Street Band for the first time in 15 years, each of these elements are in place. Of course, that’s been the case for Springsteen & Co. ever since they revved their engines on 1975’s Born to…
Naked City
The Williamson Co. Democratic Party will celebrate the grand opening of its new office and campaign headquarters Saturday, Aug. 24, 5-8pm at 1901 Palm (Hwy. 79) Ste. 201 in Round Rock. Meet and shake hands with state and local Democratic candidates. Snacks and beverages will be served. For more info, contact Jim Stauber at 515-4086…
The Adventures of Pluto Nash
The Adventures of Pluto Nash 2002, PG-13, 96 min. Directed by Ron Underwood, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring Eddie Murphy, Randy Quaid, Rosario Dawson, Miguel A. Nunez Jr., Burt Young, Peter Boyle, James Rebhorn, Luis Guzman, Jay Mohr, Joe Pantoliano, Pam Grier, John Cleese, Illeana Douglas. I have to admit being at least…
Central Heat (No AC)
The Judges David Garrido is the executive chef at Jeffrey’s and Cipollina, and executive chef and co-owner of O’s Campus Cafe. Garrido formerly worked with Stephan Pyles at the Routh Street Cafe in Dallas. His father was a Mexican diplomat and he has traveled extensively in Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Europe. Garrido is…
Phases and Stages
Camper Van BeethovenTusk (Pitch-A-Tent) Armed with a four-track, members of Santa Cruz’s Camper Van Beethoven retreated to California’s Mammoth Mountain in early 1996 to start cooking up material for its next album. Unfortunately, a winter storm hit and drummer Chris Pedersen (aka Chrispy Derson) broke his arm. Snowed in and possibly influenced by general use…
On a Clear Day …
“Naked City” recently got in an epistolary wrestling match with former City Council member Robert Barnstone, who with Perry Lorenz developed the Nokonah lofts at Ninth and Lamar. In a lighthearted July 12 item, Chronicle reporter Jordan Smith poked fun at the Statesman’s enraptured reportage of the Nokonah and its “expansive views of Austin’s hills,…
Simone
Simone 2002, PG-13, 117 min. Directed by Andrew Niccol, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring Pruitt Taylor Vince, Evan Rachel Wood, Jason Schwartzman, Jay Mohr, Catherine Keener, Rachel Roberts, Al Pacino. In our current age of digitized media where truly lifelike images of dinosaurs routinely trundle across the silver screen and even the most…
Exhibitionism
All the acts taking part in this year’s Austin Latino Comedy Fiesta in the Paramount Theatre on Saturday night did a great job of working the crowd, but the audience didn’t demand much in the way of innovation from them.
The Hottest Commodity
Once green with envy, Texas now joins New Mexico in championing the chile … just in time for the 12th annual Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival!
Phases and Stages
Linda ThompsonFashionably Late (Rounder) Folk music fans are rejoicing at the re-emergence of Linda Thompson. Fashionably Late, her first set of new recordings in 17 years, proves the maxim never say never. When the British folk music songbird quit the music scene in 1985, it was in response to her divorce from songwriter/guitarist Richard Thompson,…
HPBC Extended
The Hyde Park Baptist Church has requested and received from the city a 45-day extension on consideration of site plans for three tracts it owns at Speedway and 38th in Hyde Park. These are not the most controversial “big garage” tracts, which have been a bone of contention between the church and the Hyde Park…
Undisputed
Undisputed 2002, R, 94 min. Directed by Walter Hill, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring Master P, Fisher Stevens, Wes Studi, Jon Seda, Michael Rooker, Peter Falk, Ving Rhames, Wesley Snipes. In film after film, director and co-scriptwriter Walter Hill has specialized in creating worlds of nebulous rights and wrongs. His is a morally…
Articulations
Texas Folklife Resources gets a new executive director, and the Texas Commission for the Arts honors five outstanding Texas artists, arts administrators, and organizations.
Where to Get Fresh-Roasted Green Chile
Austin’s Historic Farmers’ Market (6701 Burnet Rd.) Aug. 17 through Sept. 1, 9am-noon. Featuring genuine Big Jim chiles from the famous Lytle Farm in Hatch, N.M. Chuy’s Annual Green Chile Festival (1728 Barton Springs Rd.; 11680 N. Research; 10520 N. Lamar; and 2320 N. I-35) Sept. 3 through Sept. 17 Featuring Sandia chiles from Luna…
Phases and Stages
Bill ChambersSleeping With the Blues (Reckless) With his now nearly famous daughter Kasey on a music industry hiatus after the birth of her child, Australian (and frequent Austin guest) Bill Chambers has cranked out his first solo album in more than a decade. Sleeping With the Blues amply demonstrates why Chambers is famous in his…
On the Stratus Party Line
The bitter municipal aftertaste of the Stratus Properties deal may linger for some time, if the angry rebound calls to “Naked City” are any barometer. During and since the negotiations, several tipsters have rung our bell with “Seen About Town” stories — complaining that instead of hard-bargaining for the citizens, the city attorneys, staff, and…
Late Marriage
Late Marriage 2001, NR, 100 min. Directed by Dover Kosashvili, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring Sapir Kugman, Aya Steinovits Laor, Lili Kosashvili, Moni Moshonov, Ronit Elkabetz, Lior Ashkenazi. For the staunchly traditional Israeli family at the center of this excellent realist drama, matrimony is a curious process. It’s brokered like a business deal,…
That Other Hunger
The writing — and much, much more — is on Ryan Richardson’s wall.
Cook’s Guide: Tips for Preparing New Mexico Green Chile
Unlike jalapeños, you can’t just pop New Mexico green chiles into your mouth. They need to be roasted and peeled first. Roasting brings out the chiles’ flavors and makes peeling their tough translucent skins possible. Here are a few secrets for preparing the best-tasting green chile with the least amount of fuss. Pick well. You…
Phases and Stages
Can’t Be Satisfied The Life & Times of Muddy Watersby Robert Gordon Little, Brown, 408 pp., $25.95The Voice of the Blues Classic Interviews from Living Blues MagazineEdited by Jim O’Neal & Amy Van Singel Routledge, 427 pp., $25 (paper) Now that Alan Lomax has died, another link to Muddy Waters has been washed away. That…
Doo-doo on Dewhurst
You’d think that after letting a German Luftwaffe officer slip into his ad in Texas Monthly, lieutenant governor candidate David Dewhurst would work overtime to deny his many critics another belly laugh at his expense. For instance, he might snatch up the profoundly obvious www.daviddewhurst.com domain name before anyone — say, a prankish Democrat –…
The Emperor’s New Clothes
The Emperor’s New Clothes 2001, PG, 107 min. Directed by Alan Taylor, Narrated by , Voices by , Starring Nigel Terry, Tom Watson, Tim Mcinnerny, Iben Hjejle, Ian Holm. Fans of Terry Gilliam’s early film work may find themselves experiencing no small amount (5′ 5″, really) of cinematic déjà vu upon viewing Taylor’s adaptation of…
