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Don't miss these 7 Christmas movies screening at Austin theaters
The holiday season in 2020 already looks different than years prior, so whether you're struggling to get into the holiday spirit or already decorating your home with candy canes before Halloween, a good, old-fashioned holiday movie might be just what the doctor ordered.
The following titles can be viewed at a socially distanced movie festival, local theater or even from your couch. No matter the venue, holiday cheer is in store.
Elf
This 2003 feel-good film follows Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell), a human who grew up working as one of Santa's elves, as he travels through New York City to try and reconnect with his dad. The Ferrell classic will kick off the Paramount Theatre's, Holiday Film Series this year, playing on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $11 and the downtown theater is operating at 25% capacity for maximum safety. Don't be a cotton-headed ninny muggins—you know you want to watch it on the big screen again.
"Elf" is also playing at Alamo Drafthouse and Blue Starlite Drive-in.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
When was the last time you watched a "Peanuts" movie? Whatever the answer is, it's time for another showing. After an announcement that the "Peanuts" movies would only be available on Apple TV Plus, national outcry and a petition with over 260,000 signatures, Charlie Brown's films will play this season on PBS. Snoopy and the crew's Christmas special will air on Dec. 13.
A Christmas Story
Next up on the Paramount Theatre's list, "A Christmas Story" may not fill you with cheer, but it will definitely fill you with nostalgia. The 1983 classic has been playing every Christmas since its release. Striking fear into the hearts of children everywhere, this movie is responsible for some renowned one-liners that can't be missed. Catch the movie at the Paramount Theatre on Monday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m.
"A Christmas Story" is also playing at Alamo Drafthouse and Blue Starlite Drive-in.
Die Hard
Does "Die Hard" count as a Christmas movie? Either way, the movie takes place on Christmas Eve. You won't get your warm, happy cheer while watching this one but you will get your daily dose of thrills. Pick up your action-loving crew and watch the Bruce Willis classic at the Blue Starlite Drive-in on Friday, Dec. 4 at 10:15 p.m.
Home Alone
8-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) gets every kid's dream, and nightmare, when he is left home alone over the winter holidays when his family goes on a vacation to France. From there chaos ensues, making it a very untraditional holiday. The movie will leave you glad to be surrounded by family, despite staying home for the holidays. "Home Alone" is playing several slots at the Blue Starlite Drive-in, starting Saturday, Nov. 28 at 7:15 p.m.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
No Christmas is complete without Chevy Chase—everyone knows that. Following the dysfunctional Griswold family, this move includes everyone's favorite Christmas traditions, from unannounced guests to electrocutions to SWAT raids. If you're looking to feel just a bit better about you and yours this year, catch "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" at the Paramount Theatre on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m..
The movie is also playing several showings at the Blue Starlite Drive-in.
The Polar Express
The ultimate feel-good Christmas movie, "The Polar Express" will bring you back to your childhood or let you view it from your kids' perspective. In a musical journey to meet Santa Claus, the movie charts an adventure for the ages, filled to the brim with thrills, cheer and Christmas spirit. "The Polar Express" is playing at the Paramount Theatre on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 1 p.m.
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Popular
After two years of no in-person events, Austin festival South by Southwest has agreed to give 50% of ownership to P-MRC, a Los Angeles company that controls publishing operations for Rolling Stone and Billboard.
The media venture was founded in 2020 and is part-owned by Jay Penske, racer Roger Penske's son and head of Penske Racing and Penske Media.
The move comes after the COVID-19 pandemic left the festival with two years worth of hemorrhaging funds. SXSW organizers were left scrambling for solutions in March 2020 when the city of Austin canceled the festival at the onset of the pandemic. One-third of the festival's 175 year-round employees were laid off, and the festival ran a shortened virtual event in 2021.
SXSW CEO and co-founder Roland Swenson said in a statement that the company is grateful to get aid when they need it most and that they are now looking to the future.
"It has been an incredibly tough period for small businesses, SXSW included," Swenson said. "When Jay Penske approached us with an interest in becoming a partner, it was a true lifeline for us. Both of our companies share a passion for producing high-quality content that helps shape modern culture, so this feels like a natural alliance."
Both of Austin's big-name festivals are now in the hands of out-of-town buyers. In 2014, homegrown festival Austin City Limits was bought in part by LiveNation, who took 51% ownership in Austin live promoter C3 Presents.
While SXSW was still online-only this year, it was aided in part by big-name guests such as Matthew McConaughey, Willie Nelson, Chance the Rapper and Bill Hader.
The fest has captured the essence of Austin arts and culture for 34 years, and it doesn't plan on stopping now. With P-MRC by its side, SXSW said it plans on keeping its unique identity but expanding operations as it prepares for an in-person celebration next spring.
"Since 1987, SXSW has been the world's premier festival centered at the convergence of tech, media, film, and music," Penske said. "Today SXSW continues to be one of the most recognized brands for empowering creative talent and bringing together the brightest creators of our time. As part of this significant investment, we plan to build upon SXSW's incredible foundation while extending the platform further digitally and assisting Roland and his incredible team to bring their vision to even greater heights."
With their future restored, SXSW's newest slogan rings truer than ever: "See you next year at SXSW!"
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APD captures suspect of domestic violence killing Stephen Broderick. (Austin Police Department/Twitter)
Stephen Broderick is now in police custody for a suspected domestic violence incident that killed three in northwest Austin on Sunday.
After initially being called an active shooting incident, joint local law enforcement and more than 75 FBI agents proceeded with an almost day-long manhunt with three helicopters and on-ground teams for former Travis County deputy Broderick. Police captured him after a 911 caller reported a suspicious man walking along U.S. 290, where he was taken into custody.
Police believe the victims, who have been identified as two Hispanic women and one Black man, knew their assailant. A child was involved but is now safely in police custody. Two of the victims have been identified as former and current Elgin ISD students: Alyssa Broderick and Willie Simmons III.
The school district released a statement offering its condolences to the families. Alyssa was enrolled until October 2020 and played on the basketball team. Simmons was a senior at Elgin High School where he was captain of the football team and had been recruited to play football at the University of North Texas.
Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez released the following statement on the incident: "I'm truly heartbroken that a former Travis County Sheriff's Office Deputy is the suspect in such a horrific incident. TCSO is standing by to provide any, and all assistance we can to the families of the victims in their time of need. I'm proud of the integrity and professionalism shown by the men and women of TCSO, APD and other law enforcement agencies, who worked tirelessly throughout the night to locate Stephen Broderick. I'm especially grateful to the vigilant citizen who called 911 after seeing Broderick, and to the Manor PD officers and TCSO deputies who took him into custody this morning."
APD @Chief_Chacon provides updated media briefing in relation to Great Hills Trail incident. - PIO8 https://t.co/47siNWhARI
— Austin Police Department (@Austin_Police) April 18, 2021
During a press briefing at 4:45 p.m. on Sunday, Interim Police Chief Joe Chacon said law enforcement was on the scene for several hours investigating the incident with 41-year-old Broderick.
"We're very sorry that obviously this has happened and we continue to try and locate this individual, we are transitioning from a search in this area to a fugitive search and those efforts will continue until this person is located," Chacon said. "I don't want anyone to think that we're packing up and going home. We're going to continue to look for this individual because he continues to pose a threat to this community."
#texasshooting #masshooting Arboretum shooting Austin. pic.twitter.com/SkIsgDoYHt
— Jamie Hammonds (@jamie_hammonds5) April 18, 2021
This story has been updated at 8 a.m. Monday to include the latest information.
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Formula 1 is returning to Florida for the first time since 1959, announcing that the brand-new Miami Grand Prix will join the calendar in 2022 and Austin will no longer be the only F1 race in the U.S.
Held at the Hard Rock Stadium complex in Miami Gardens, this will be the first race in the Sunshine State in 62 years. With a new track setup, F1 will loop the stadium, home of the NFL's Miami Dolphins.
Excited for @F1 @f1miami @HardRockStadium - a Global Entertainment Destination. This event will bring opportunities for so many and will be world-class. Thank you to @gregmaffei #chasecarey #stefanodomenicali @MayorRHarris @Ogilbert @CommishDiaz @MayorDaniella pic.twitter.com/n6dDDD1cPX
— Tom Garfinkel (@TomGarfinkel) April 18, 2021
The new 3.36 mile circuit has 19 corners, three straights and potential for three DRS zones, with expected top speeds of 198 mph.
Now with two races in the U.S., F1 President Stefano Domenicali said they will avoid having back-to-back events by keeping the Miami Grand Prix separate from the U.S. Grand Prix, which is held at Austin's Circuit of the Americas.
The date of the race has yet to be confirmed, though Domenicali said he expects the first race in a 10-year deal to take place in the second quarter of 2022. Austin's race will take place on Oct. 24 this year.
"The USA is a key growth market for us, and we are greatly encouraged by our growing reach in the U.S. which will be further supported by this exciting second race," Domenicali said.
Miami will mark the 11th race location in the U.S. since the Championship began in 1950: Circuit of The Americas in Austin; Dallas, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Sebring, Florida; Riverside, California; Watkins Glen, New York; Long Beach, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Detroit, Michigan and Phoenix, Arizona. COTA was first opened in 2012.
Domenicali said F1 will be working with the FIA and the Hard Rock Stadium to leave a lasting impact on the community: discounted tickets for residents, a program to support local businesses and a STEM education program through F1 in schools.
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