Break out those laminators. The fake ID business is in for a real boost according to the latest NATO accords. No, not those “peacemakers” in the Balkans — the National Association of Theatre Owners. It was announced this week by President Clinton that the trade group, which represents about 65% of the nation’s theatres, has agreed to start enforcing the MPAA ratings guidelines. Anyone wanting to watch an R-rated movie will have to present a photo ID in order to prove they’re over the age of 17. This will, no doubt, usher in a whole new era of sneaking into movies as the R-rated, Scream-style movies become that much more desirable simply because they’re off-limits. Meanwhile, as the rash of school atrocities makes headlines while Congress continues to wag its collective finger at the movie, music, and video-game industries, it’s good to know that the new, PG-13-rated Austin Powers movie has made “shagging” safe for public consumption…
Calling all creatures of the night: The Paramount Theatre plays host to a group of six films billed as the Universal Horror Film Series. The series is co-sponsored by the Austin Film Society and plays from June 14-19. Highlights include guest introducers. Harry Knowles will introduce the Monday, June 14, double bill of The Black Cat and The Mummy (1932) prior to the first screening; Robert Rodriguez will introduce the Wednesday, June 16, double bill of Dracula and The Wolf Man before the first screening; and Guillermo Del Toro will introduce the Friday, June 18, double bill of Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein prior to the first screening…
The Austin Cinemaker Co-op is at it again. They’ve announced their next project: Score Wars: The Phantom Flicker. Each interested filmmaker must first create an original soundtrack on cassette or CD by July 7. All works will be then tossed into a box and on July 9 the participating filmmakers will return to fish out a random score from the grab bag o’ soundtracks, go home, and make a Super-8 film based on that soundtrack by August 4. Speaking of “four,” that’s a relevant number: only four splices and soundtrack cuts are allowed, and the films/tapes can be a maximum of four minutes in length. Call 236-8877 or stop by the group’s new office at the Artplex Building (1705 Guadalupe, #201) for more information or a complete set of rules…
If you’ve been longing to hear the tender side of Leatherface, this CD is for you: Der Einziger Weg (The Only Way). Robbie Jacks, the most recent Leatherface, and the one-and-only Deborah Harry perform their self-penned “love theme” from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation. The CD contains a German duet, an English solo by Harry, an instrumental version with Kay Klier and Sterling Price-McKinney, and a “debaucherous glitter mix” by Terri Lord. It’s available, I’m sure, where all better records are sold. For more info see http://www.eco-disastermusic.com…
Aubrey M. Horton is also beginning one of his regular screenwriting workshops. The script consultant (http://www.Guru-My-Screenplay.com) will give a free lecture, “Crafting a Low-Budget Screenplay,” on Sunday, June 13, 3pm, at St. Edward’s University (Main Bldg., Rm. 105). Horton will also teach two screenwriting workshop at St. Ed’s — a four-week class ($140) and an eight-week class ($340). The registration deadline is June 19. Call 835-7639 for more info…
This article appears in June 11 • 1999 and June 11 • 1999 (Cover).