Hip theatres provide diversity

Oh, let us raise our thankful hands to the sky as we celebrate the end of summer, which will soon be wheezing its final hellish breaths upon our sun-parched city as it retreats back into a peaceful slumber for at least, er, a few months.

Texas heat intensifies everything, which can be a blessing or a curse, depending on which issue you’re dealing with.

On the upside, gorgeous women transform into bronzed goddesses charged with solar sexuality, and the clothing factor falls to a minimum.

On the downside, elderly people start dropping like flies and movies cater to an even lower common denominator than usual, upping the crap factor to critical mass.

In the olden days of our forefathers, (the early ’70s), cinematic quality took nary a dip during the middle months; outstanding films were released year around.

Then came the evil duo of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, promptly combining powers to manifest the omnipotent summer blockbusters (Jaws, Star Wars, etc.) that threatened to eradicate all traces of intelligent cinema from existence.

Once Hollywood executives recognized the economic possibilities of big, dumb, gaseous, exploding movies, no one else stood a chance.

Fast forward to present day, where independent film has managed to dig substantial trenches into the wasteland of commercial film, fighting week after week against giant spiders, giant dragons, giant breasts and Julia Roberts.

Here in Dallas, the future is brighter than ever before. The number of independent film theatres has tripled since last year.

These theatres, the Magnolia, the Inwood and the Angelika Film Center, each offer a completely unique viewing experience and are all located within 3 miles from campus.

All theatres specialize in independent and foreign films. The Magnolia also features repertory viewings of older, important classics.

Remember in high school when you’d chug a six-pack in the parking lot before catching the newest Sandler flick? No? Nevermind.

Anyway, you wouldn’t have to do that at these theatres, as all three feature bars and, yes, you can take your booze into the theatre (score).

So in the upcoming months, pump up your popcorn enzymes and trudge on over to one of these theatres to check out some thoughtful, risk-taking films.

Nowhere else will you find experimental digitally-shot films like Tadpole, currently showing at the Angelika, or eye-opening cultural documentaries like Promises, currently showing at the Magnolia.

Nowhere else can you participate in open discussions with local film experts who care about film and want you too also.

There is a thriving, compelling cinematic world blossoming right now, and Dallas is lucky enough to have access to it.

Drop your remote control, your cell phone and your first-year face book and tune into something real, alive and powerful.

You never know, you might get sucked in.

Hip theatres provide diversity