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Alamo Drafthouse Named 'Best Overall Theatrical Experience'

by Alex Billington
August 19, 2010
Source: Fandango

If you've ever spoken with anyone who has been to the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, TX, you'll know they love that theater chain and nothing comes close to matching it. I've been there many times and I completely agree, nothing comes close, it truly is one of the best theaters in the world. Now its been officially labeled as such as Fandango's Chuck Walton finished his epic 100 day journey around the nation to see 100 movies in theaters in 100 days time, "in search of the perfect summer moviegoing experience." As you might have guessed, the Alamo Drafthouse was rated the "Best Overall Theatrical Experience" and it deserves it!

Chuck finished his 100 day journey with a viewing of The Expendables and it sounds like he's exhausted (but how can anyone get tired of watching movies, I say?). You can read his final blog entry on Fandango, where he also talks about the "Most Sentimental" experience (which was James Bond's Goldfinger at Washington DC's Screen on the Green), the "Best City" to see a summer movie (not-so-coincidentally it's Austin), or the "Best Outdoor" experience (Say Anything in Brooklyn). Here's what he said about the Alamo Drafthouse:

"Hands down, and I know I'm not the first to recognize this, but the folks at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, Texas, are on a level unto themselves when it comes to unique and truly inspiring movie programming and presentation. From the themed menus to the cool trailers to the special features and the sheer love of film espoused by the management and the patrons, there is just nothing else like it in America. We were lucky to witness the Cinepocalypse quadruple feature of Demolition Man, I Come in Peace, Die Hard and The Expendables (and anyone wondering, yes, that means I watched Expendables twice in theaters, as part of the 4-pack and on its own). Thankfully for all movie lovers, the Alamo Drafthouse chain could be expanding to your area."

We're obviously very big supporters of the theatrical experience (in fact, that's all we talk about) but it's not too often I get delve into that world and quote somebody about another theater that I love, too. I've always wanted to take a similar journey to visit all of the movie theaters I've never been to, but it's such a huge trip and I haven't had the time or money to put together yet (maybe one day!). I'm so happy to see someone like Walton embracing the best parts of the theatrical experience, because it's always a hot topic these days when some says that the theatrical experience is now dying or fading away. I, on the other hand, don't think it will ever die and this is just proof that there will always be an incomparable love for amazing theaters like this.

If you've never been to any of the Drafthouses before and are a cinephile, I'd say it's almost worth making a pilgrimage down to movie mecca of Austin, but make sure you go when they're doing something awesome, like Fantastic Fest or Cinemapocalypse. They do so many cool events and classic (and cult) screenings all the time, that you could probably choose any weekend and stumble across something great. I hope one day they open a theater in Los Angeles or New York, and I think that's what Walton is hinting at with his ending: "the Alamo Drafthouse chain could be expanding to your area." Hopefully sooner than later, I already can't wait!

I couldn't finish this without giving a special shout out Tim League (seen below), the founder and CEO of the world famous Alamo Drafthouse, who recently gained ownership back of the brand that he partially sold off a few years ago. Tim is the heart and soul of the Drafthouse and is what makes every event, every movie, and every single Drafthouse location so amazing. If you're ever in Austin, you must stop by one of the Alamo Drafthouses, because as Walton says, it's truly one of the "Best Theatrical Experiences" in the entire world.

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