hangin’ out at QT Fest

I spent several nights this week at Best of QT Fest. Quentin Tarantino brings prints of films from his personal film library and shows them to crowds at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown … and this time, for one night at The Glenn, the outdoor venue adjacent to The Backyard. He introduces the films himself. Usually each night has a theme: Tuesday was biker-film night, tonight is horror-film night (all night long), and so forth.
I’m planning to write a feature on QT Fest for Cinematical next week, but in the meantime I thought I’d share some of the photos I’ve taken during the festival. I took some photos on Thursday night of Tarantino, and of Tim League (Alamo owner) apologizing for his negative comments about one of the Wednesday films, but even my spiffy new little camera doesn’t take good pictures in the low light of Alamo Drafthouse. The photos were too blurry and grainy. I’m going to try messing around with the camera settings to see if I can get anything better (although part of the problem is that Tarantino just doesn’t stand still).
In the meantime, if you want to read more about the festival, I’d recommend the following sites: Cinema Strikes Back, Dumb Distraction, and Ain’t It Cool News. These people have been to the QT Fest screenings every single night (unlike me) and they have better photos, and images of posters from the films, and lots of fun details. In addition, Matt Dentler caught a photo of Elvis Mitchell at the Tuesday night screening, and I am quite envious. I’ve spotted Mike Judge, Gus Van Sant, and Eli Roth so far this week … but as a film writer, naturally I would have jumped at any opportunity to meet Mitchell.

I am preparing myself for the all-night horror marathon tonight. I’m skipping the first film because everyone keeps telling me it’s not very good, and that the other films will be more enjoyable. I survived the Alamo’s Turkey Marathon in November, but that was only four films — this time I have five to get through, plus numerous trailers and whatever else Tarantino and Tim League decide to throw at us. I’m told the all-nighters really do last until well into the next morning, so at least I won’t have to worry about the safety of walking to my car afterwards. I’m paying to park it near the theater anyway, because I suspect I may be a wuss and leave early. However, QT Fest veterans have been very helpful about telling me the best movies to nap through, so I may make it to the last movie.
The movies have been quite interesting (a long way from Thirties screwball comedies … or maybe not, upon reflection), but I’ve also had a wonderful time meeting lots of film lovers. I had no idea so many people travelled to Austin from other places for QT Fest: not just Dallas or Houston, but New York, Los Angeles, and even Denmark in one case. And it is always pleasant to meet more Austin film writers. I may be short on sleep but it’s been a fun week.
One more thing, for my personal records — a list of the films I’ve seen so far this week, including QT Fest and DVD and otherwise.
QT Fest:
Snake in the Monkey’s Shadow
The Savage Seven
Hollywood Man
The Outfit
The Dion Brothers (The Gravy Train)
The Muthers
DVD:
48 Hrs.
Other theatrical:
Hoot (to be reviewed for Cinematical)