Today marks the 10th anniversary of Angelika Dallas, and the movie theater is celebrating the occasion with free screenings of 10 movies from the last 10 years. They're also rolling back prices on popcorn and soda to 10 cents, which means it's cheap date night for all.
We here at the Observer have fond memories of the Angelika from the last decade, whether it be the late night porno screenings, film festivals or the 24 Video Race (ahem, Mixmaster did take third place with this humble film in the Hollywood division this year). After the jump, read our recollections from the past 10 years and see the schedule of screenings at the Angelika today, then go wish the theater a happy birthday.
Merritt Martin: The Angelika and I are pretty good friends. We've been through a lot together. When one of my closest friends and I were both having a shit day, we went to see Little Miss Sunshine. Like ya do. When on a first date, I saw Children of Men. You know, logically. I may not have made the most ideal mood choices, but both of those movies remain outstanding pieces of film and sit as part of my DVD collection.
My ass also spends a great deal of time on Angelika velour every April when my best friend and I take vacation and marathon through the Dallas International Film Festival. I have a preferred seat in each size theater, I know how long it takes to walk briskly to the ladies' room from theaters 5 through 8, and I have an Angelika-weight hoodie that is perfect for the temperature there. Needless to say, it's hard to pick just one favorite film from those I've seen there over the years, so I'll go with an interaction: Meeting one of my favorite actors, Richard Jenkins, as he sat hanging out in the hallway waiting for The Visitor to begin.
Normally, I can hang. I don't get flustered. I remain calm. But for some reason, I became a bit of a tween in his presence. And, yes, he actually teased me for my choice of reference when I said something like, "Excuse me, sir, but it's you! You're Richard Jenkins from Flirting With Disaster! I'm sorry, I just got really excited and had to say hello." He was totally gracious and I calmed down -- thankfully. We talked a teeny bit (he said he m&ms were his favorite concession) and when I left the restroom (where I'd been headed when I saw him, so I'm thankful for obvious reasons as well) he waved and said he'd see me later. He even took a photo with me when Robert forced us to (for which I'm now grateful) after R-Dub's Q&A with him. For the record, Robert remained completely calm and did not squeal or freak out on Richard Jenkins once during the entire discussion. I aim to be more like him.
Oh, wait! I almost forgot one awesome Angelika memory: The Mixmaster won third place in our division for the 2011 24-Hour Video Race! High fives, people!
Elizabeth Bair: I used to live at an apartment complex next to Mockingbird Station (yes, the one that now has the hideous murals), so I would walk to the Angelika a lot to see movies. Initially, my favorite thing about the theater was that they sold alcohol, but then I really started to get hooked on the place because they showed documentaries. I love seeing movies by myself so I can really enjoy them, and one of my favorite memories is seeing Intermission in a theater with maybe two other people. No cell phones, no noisy people to yell at. It was perfect. It was the way I want every movie-watching experience in my life to be. Wow, I sound like a lonely loser. My absolute favorite memory though is this year's 24 Hour Video Race. It was a fun, crazy, tiring experience that I can't wait to do again.
Alexander Flores: Back in, oh, probably 2002 or 2003, myself and a mixed bunch of friends got drunk one Friday evening and upon perusing the Dallas Observer (not kidding) for something off-beat to do, we saw that the Angelika was screening a vintage John Holmes 3D porno. It sounded like fun, so we stumbled our way over there for the midnight engagement. Needless to say, we got more inebriated once we were there as to fit in with the very mixed crowd of porno purveyors. I don't remember much, but I do remember there being a lot of hair ... Why don't they do that anymore? (The vintage porn screenings, not the hair.) It was a great time, the movie was terrible/laughable, and the whole audience had a blast. Besides seeing some truly great new films there over the last 10 years, and meeting new people who later became old friends, that was one of the most memorable episodes I've experienced at the Angelika.
Noah W. Bailey: I saw Disco Dolls in Hot Skin 3D, too. I remember a lot of ducking.
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Lindsey Coyne: Yes, I'll admit it -- I saw Twilight at the midnight showing amidst about 12,376 screaming 11-year olds and their moms. Channel 8 cameras came into our theater, which prompted all 12,376 screaming 11-year olds to chant, "We want Edward! We want Edward!" I was suckered into going with a friend who, much unlike myself, is really into the vampire thing. however, the condition upon which I would attend was that I (1.) wasn't driving, and thus (2.) could drink. A lot. So my most memorable experience at the Angelika I don't remember much of except that godforsaken chanting that still haunts me to this day.
PARTY FOR "TEN" Angelika Dallas celebrates a decade in Dallas with a free movie marathon and more
DALLAS (July 31, 2011) - On August 3, 2001, the Angelika Film Center opened its doors in Dallas; on August 3, 2011 they'll thank the community for ten years of loyal support.
"Bringing the best in specialty film to the Dallas film community for the last decade has been a privilege and a pleasure for our company," said Reading International U.S. Cinemas COO Ellen Cotter. "We have truly enjoyed serving Dallas filmgoers and being part of this City's very vibrant and diverse culture. We thank Dallas for embracing the Angelika for the last ten years and look forward to serving this great city for many more years to come."
To celebrate its first decade in Dallas, the Angelika Film Center will be showing - FREE OF CHARGE - select films that have had a significant impact on its ten years of programming. On August 3, from 1:30 - 10 p.m., noteworthy films include Made, the highest grossing film of opening week in 2001, and My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the highest grossing film of the past decade at the Dallas theater. Other films on the anniversary schedule include: Mulholland Dr. (147 min; R) (2001); Bend it Like Beckham (115 min; PG13) (2003); Swimming Pool (102 min; R) (2003); The Station Agent (89 min; R) (2004); Pride & Prejudice (127 min; PG) (2005); Little Miss Sunshine (101 min; R) (2006); Children of Men 109 min; R) (2007); Tell No One (131 min; NR) (2008); (500) Days of Summer (95 min; PG13) (2009); and The Town (125 min; R) (2010). Guests can celebrate with 10-cent bags of popcorn, 10-cent fountain drinks and cafe specials on sparkling wines. Moviegoers are invited to help kick off the festivities with a cake cutting ceremony at 1:00 p.m. in the cafe.
There will be prize giveaways at each screening including a grand prize giveaway of a 2012 Season Pass. Complimentary tickets will be available in box office an hour prior to each film. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Regular prices apply to first run films. For more information and show times, please visit www.AngelikaFilmCenter.com, for updates join us at www.facebook.com/AngelikaDallas.
About Reading International, Inc. Reading International (http://www.readingrdi.com) is in the business of owning and operating cinemas and developing, owning and operating real estate assets. Our business consists primarily of: • the development, ownership and operation of multiplex cinemas in the United States, Australia and New Zealand; and • the development, ownership and operation of retail and commercial real estate in Australia, New Zealand and the United States, including entertainment-themed retail centers ("ETRC") in Australia and New Zealand and live theater assets in Manhattan and Chicago in the United States.
Reading manages its worldwide cinema business under various different brands: • in the United States, under the o Reading brand (http://www.readingcinemasus.com), o Angelika Film Center brand (http://www.angelikafilmcenter.com), o Consolidated Theatres brand (http://www.consolidatedtheatres.com), o City Cinemas brand (http://www.citycinemas.com), o Beekman Theatre brand (http://www.beekmantheatre.com), o The Paris Theatre brand (http://www.theparistheatre.com); and o Liberty Theatres brand (http://libertytheatresusa.com/); • in Australia, under the Reading brand (http://www.readingcinemas.com.au); and • in New Zealand, under the o Reading (http://www.readingcinemas.co.nz) and • Rialto (http://www.rialto.co.nz) brands.
# # # EDITOR'S NOTE: Following is a complete schedule of 10th Anniversary films and show times.
Angelika Film Center - Dallas 10th Anniversary Film Schedule
1:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 7:15 p.m. 9:30 p.m. Pride & Prejudice* Bend it Like Beckham My Big Fat Greek Wedding Mulholland Dr.*
1:45 p.m. 4:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 9:45 p.m. Swimming Pool* (500) Days of Summer Made* The Town
2:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 7:45 p.m. 10:00 p.m. Tell No One* Little Miss Sunshine* The Station Agent* Children of Men*
*Presented on 35mm
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