Exclusive: Go Behind The Scenes Of The Drafthouse’s Preshow!

This is the Alamo Drafthouse, the greatest movie theater in the world. Especially this exact one just a few miles from Ryan’s house.

The Alamo Drafthouse is the best theater chain in the country in large part because of their preshow entertainment.  The fact that you can order food and drinks from your reserved-ahead-of-time-seat is great, of course, and the special events they host from quote-a-longs to fan festivals are always outstanding.  But the clips and commercials and trailers and funny videos that entertain you before the movie starts is what proves the Drafthouse loves movies.  Other big theater chains cram commercials down your throats with songs about soda and the latest ABC Family show that will be cancelled in its first season–not the Drafthouse.

The Drafthouse preshow not only sets the stage for the upcoming film but also sets the theater apart from all others.  So I was thrilled recently to be electronically introduced to Laird Jimenez (follow him on Twitter!), the man responsible for putting together these amazing shows.  Laird agreed to take time from his busy schedule to answer a few Gabbing Geek questions so head after the jump to peek behind the scenes on how it’s all put together!

Tom Recommends: Roshomon

Now that my Bone reviews are over, I figured I need something to fill the void.  Besides, I’m not sure which dead superhero to write about next, so I’m going to start a regular column of personal recommendations from me to you.

We’ll start this week with my all-time favorite movie, Roshomon.

Non-Geek TV From The Geek Perspective: The Leftovers

There’s a lot of TV out there, and some it is depressing.  On purpose.

That would be the HBO series The Leftovers.

Jimmy, How Come Each Year You’ve Seen More Razzie Than Oscar Winners?

I like dinosaurs, robots and stuff blowing up and I still hated this movie.

The easy answer is, when I’m in line at the movie rental store, I’m much more likely to pick up something geeky or a stupid comedy than some heart wrenching drama.  One of those three usually gets accolades.  The other 4/5ths (#jennymath) usually do not.  And to celebrate the worst of movies that Jimmy likely saw, they invented the Razzies.  Given out 24 hours before Neil Patrick Harris shocked the world and brought Gabbing Geek to its knees by mentioning Clue in the opening musical number, here are your 2015 Razzie winners…

Gabbing Geek Analysis: 2015 Oscar Nominations

Oh…my…God!  The Oscars are my Superbowl so the day the nominations are announced is like the Conference Championship Games.  I also enjoy the Superbowl because, living in Texas, it is a state law that you must love football.  It’s anyone’s year but more and more it is looking like the Patriots are going to…wait a minute.  I was talking about the Oscar nominations.  Sorry.  I get distracted sometimes!  Ooohhhh… SQUIRREL!

Every Movie Ryan Saw In 2014 Ranked

Because what’s the point of having a giant, geeky list of all 64 movies I saw in 2014 if I’m not going to share it with my fellow geeks?  I’ve already listed my ten favorite movies of the year.  And I got some great therapy by blasting what I considered the ten worst movies of the year.

Now here is the full list of all 64 movies I saw in 2014 ranked by awesomeness.  Plus you get to look at movie posters!  Full list after the break.

A Brilliant Team Is Remaking a Classic That Shouldn’t Be Touched

Talk to the hand, Watson. I’m fricking Batman!

 

I ranked Gone Girl as my #17 movie of the year in my Top 145 Movies of 2014. I am a fan of Ben Affleck other than when he is in a movie with JLo.  David Fincher is even in my top five all time favorite directors.  Gillian Flynn wrote a great book and screenplay.  But I do not want them to make their next rumored movie together!

Watson’s Top 145 Movies of 2014!

This week, I unveiled my Top 20 and bottom 20 movies.  What about the other 105 flicks that made up the crazy list?  For your browsing amusement, here is the ENTIRE list of 2014 movies viewed by Gabbing Geek film fan extraordinaire.  Enjoy!

The best films of the year deserve much greater examination.  For a full review of each film #1-10, check out my list.

“Hello, Jenny. If you had been in the 1950s, I wouldn’t have been chemically castrated because you could have changed me!”

Watson’s #11-20 Best Movies of 2014…Silver Medalists, All!

This was a great year for movies, so I didn’t want to just discuss my top ten.  There were so many movies that were worthy of consideration. I’ll post the full list Thursday, but first here are the films that, while not worthy of top ten rankings, are surely praiseworthy.  With so many great films released, there is no shame in silver!

The Hell you say!

Expand the Best Acting Categories to Ten Nominations? No, Thank You!

You Get an Oscar! YOU Get an Oscar! YOU GET AN OSCAR! Sorry…. not you, Leonardo DiCaprio….

Peter Hammond of Deadline.com poses the question, “Should there be 10 slots for the acting categories?”  In all fairness to Mr. Hammond, who is quite astute in his assessment of the field, he does acknowledge that readers will come after him for his opinion.  It almost makes me want to avoid criticizing him, as I appreciate self-awareness.