Looking for the best in film Austin events happening this weekend? Well, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got ’em. And TV events too!
These are the best screenings and events the entertainment world has to offer this weekend.
Movies Opening This Weekend
Game Night
Max and Annie’s weekly game night gets kicked up a notch when Max’s brother Brooks arranges a murder mystery party — complete with fake thugs and federal agents. So when Brooks gets kidnapped, it’s all supposed to be part of the game. As the competitors set out to solve the case, they start to learn that neither the game nor Brooks are what they seem to be. The friends soon find themselves in over their heads as each twist leads to another unexpected turn over the course of one chaotic night.
Stars: Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Kyle Chandler, Billy Magnussen, Lamorne Morris, Kylie Bunbury, Jesse Plemons
ONE LINE REVIEW: A fun little romp filled with some twists I did not see coming, which is rare.
Bonus note: the film stars two Austin area residents – Jesse Plemons and Kyle Chandler.
Annihilation
Based on Jeff VanderMeer’s best-selling Southern Reach Trilogy, Annihilation focuses on a biologist (Portman) who signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition where the laws of nature don’t apply.
Stars: Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson, Tuva Novotny, Oscar Isaac
ONE LINE REVIEW: Sinister yet beautifully intriguing, I wasn’t satisfied with the ending.
I was, however, satisfied with Gina Rodriguez’s performance. She’s a star that needs the opportunity to shine much brighter than the CW can accommodate (Rodriguez plays the lead in Jane the Virgin).
New TV Episodes and Specials
XXIII Winter Olympics Closing Night Ceremony
NBC | Sunday | 7 p.m
Watch skiing star Jessie Diggins carry the US flag, listen to Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir wax poetic (or something like that) about the highlights and lowlights and see how South Korea closes out the two week event.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOo84qNpk9o
The Walking Dead
AMC | Sunday | 8 p.m
The Walking Dead returns with the Season 8 midseason premiere, which promises to resolve the fate of a major character who was on death’s door in the midseason finale. At some point this season, we will also find out how Morgan splits with the group and ends up with the gang on Fear The Walking Dead, which returns later this year for its fourth season (currently shooting in Austin).
AP Bio
NBC | Sunday | 9:30 p.m.
When Harvard philosophy professor Jack Griffin fails to get his dream job and reluctantly moves back to Ohio to work as a high school Advanced Placement Biology teacher, he makes one thing very clear: he will not be teaching one bit of biology. Instead, realizing he has a room full of honor roll students at his disposal, Jack recruits the kids to help him mentally break his job-stealing nemesis and win back the position that’s rightfully his.
Film Events in Austin
Clueless
Friday | 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. | Community Cinema & Amphitheater
Mobile Loaves & Fishes invites you to a free movie night at the Community First! Village. Event is free but a $5 donation is appreciated. More info here.
This is Me Video Workshop
Saturday | 2 – 3:30 p.m. | The Dance Barre BCS
Learn the epic dance number, choreographed by Ashley Wallen, from the musical film The Greatest Showman. The choreography is a mixture of classic musical theater, old MGM movies, and commercial and pop dancing. They’ll break it down for you and have you feeling empowered and ready to walk away with your head held high singing “THIS IS ME!” Dance will be taught from beginning to end, and will conclude with an in class performance. More info here.
The Rocky Horror Roulette Shows
Saturday | 11:55 p.m. | Alamo Drafthouse Village
Round and round, the Rocky Horror Roulette wheel goes… Saturday, the gang at Drafthouse Village will be leaving the show up to chance. They invite you to watch controlled chaos as O’Brien’s Orchestra cast members draw roles at random just minutes before show time. This is Rocky Roulette and it’s a hella good time. $5 GA Tickets. Prop Bags & Merch for sale in the lobby before the show. 18+ Only. More info here.
Master Pancake vs. Sin City
Friday & Saturday | at 7 & 10 p.m. | Alamo Drafthouse Ritz
You won’t want to miss Master Pancake as they turn this Frank Miller tale a whiter shade of pale as they take on the very graphic, and very novel, Sin City. More info here.
The Princess Bride Movie Party
Saturday & Sunday | Various Times | Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline and Ritz
Is there a more quotable line from ANY movie than that one? Well, that quote or maybe the whole “Mawwage” thing… or jeez, “As you wish” is pretty iconic, too huh? Oh gosh darn it! Every line in The Princess Bride has transformed from mere lines in a script to gospel that melts even the coldest of hearts. Buy tickets here.
Brunch With The Boys: Spice World
Sunday | 12:30 & 3:45 p.m. | Alamo Drafthouse Ritz
So, here’s the story from A-Z. Spice World is a magical concoction of pop music and girl power, and it’s impossible to watch without contributing your own zig-a-zig-ah. More info here.
Moulin Rouge Movie Party
Sunday | 6:30 p.m. | Alamo Drafthouse Ritz
Take a date, or else make sure you choose your seat carefully, because you WILL end up falling in love with the person sitting next to you. As always, they’ll have props for some special interaction, including blinking rings for “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” and green glow sticks for the Green Fairy. And start warming up your leg muscles now, because they’re kicking off this whole shebang with a Can-Can dance contest! Your gift is your song, so give it all you’ve got at the MOULIN ROUGE. Buy tickets here.
Hot Dog Cinema Club: 80s Favorites Part Deux Double Feature
Sunday | 7 – 11 p.m. | Kitty Cohen’s
Get ready to enjoy a winter of Kitty’s favorite flicks and *FREE HOTDOGS* on the patio (equipped with heaters & chimineas for you pretty lil’ wimps). This Sunday, Breakfast Club screens at 7, followed by Ferris Beuller at 9. More info here.
Alt Girl Cinema: Slums of Beverly Hills
Sunday | at 7 p.m. | Cheer Up Charlie’s
Alt Girl Cinema is co-presented with The Nothing Song, and will feature a live set after the screening! They’ll be showing Slums of OF Beverly Hills starring Natasha Lyonne, and directed by Tamara Jenkins. Special guest Shelby Hadden will be in attendance to screen her latest short, MS.TEXAS SENIOR following the film. Ms. Texas Senior is about the Ms. Texas Senior America Pageant. More info here.
Indoor/ Outdoor Cinema
Sunday | at 7:30 | The Austin Winery
Presenting the 2nd installment of Indoor/Outdoor Cinema… GOLDENEYE. Come watch one of the best installments in the James Bond franchise on the big screen for FREE. They’ve moved the start time back to 7:30, but you should still get here early because spots go quickly! This event will be 21 and movie snacks will be available for purchase. More info here.
TV Events in Austin
Olympic Tie-ins
Saturday | Various Times | Various Locations
Throughout the games, Lavaca Street has been hosting viewing parties, with this weekend being the last weekend to get in on the action. Meanwhile, the Market & Tap Room is hosting and event on Saturday. You are invited to celebrate the 2018 Winter Olympics at the first-ever BAR Olympics! It’s FREE to participate, but they do ask that a member from each team registers your group on our Eventbrite page so they can plan accordingly: click here to do so. Unfortunately, the Dripping Springs Distillery Olympics, also scheduled for Saturday, have been cancelled.
Oscars Trivia Night
Sunday | 6 p.m. | Stay Gold
Don your best gown, or most comfy t-shirt, we don’t care. Either way, spend the Sunday before the Oscars quizzing over all things Oscars! The gang at Stay Gold will be trivializing all thing Academy Awards both past and present. Free to play. No more than 6 to a team. Boozy rewards for top notch teammates. More info here.
The L Word Trivia
Sunday | 6 p.m. | Hops & Grain
Join Faye Fearless for The L Word trivia at Hops & Grain brewery. This week’s event covers season two of The L Word. Arrive between 6 – 7 p.m. for a social hour with fellow queers. Form your team, strategize, and study up before trivia starts at 7 pm. More info here.
Dancing With The Stars Live
Sunday | 7:30 p.m. | Smart Financial Centre, Sugar Land, Texas
If you missed the DWTS stop in Austin earlier this week, you’ve got one more chance to catch the gang before they shuffle on over to another state. Get tickets to see them at the Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land. More info here.
Looking for more TV and Film opportunities coming soon to Austin? Read about some of the films premiering at SXSW here and here. Or, learn about the top TV events happening at the fest here.
And, see which celebs are already confirmed to attend the Festival here.
