I smell cooking meat. And SXSW crowds. Credit: Photo by Richard Whittaker

A gentle reminder to film festival attendees: there is life beyond the down-town nexus of the Convention Center, the gorgeous Paramount and the beloved Alamo Ritz. And it is more than worth the tiny effort to get to the other venues

Take a little trip (it’s about a ten minute drive, or you can take CapMetro’s no. 1 or 5 buses) to Dobie Landmark. The outside looks like an innocuous cinema in a mall, but inside is a true gem. Four screens, each with different design theme: Egyptian, French Tudor, Gargoyle Gothic and Space-Age Art Deco. There’s murals and gargoyles and vintage glamor and, yes, SXSW films.

Also, if you feel like duplicating the Alamo “dinner and a movie” experience, don’t forget there’s also SXSW films showing at the Alamo South Lamar. If you need an extra incentive, they have the real Bone Shack sign from Grindhouse in the lobby.

This article appears in March 7 • 2008.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.