Mission Mission

And nowadays we just take it for granted.

[via Alamo Drafthouse San Francisco on Facebook]

Can you believe this movie is already half a decade old?

The other day I watched it again because I was really hungover (the night after Mission gadfly Wesley Frazee’s epic birthday party) and it was on Netflix and the thumbnail looked relaxing and I couldn’t really remember many of the details of the story.

I saw it originally in one of the little rooms at the Roxie back in ’10 with my pal Kristina. At the end we agreed that we both totally thought this sequence was the end of the movie (even though there were actually like 40 mins left):

How good is that song???

(We also both agreed the movie made us want a Corona, and that was true of my second viewing as well.)

UPDATE: I also just remembered that on that same evening I gave Kristina a hard sell about coming to work with me on this blog, and she declined politely, saying that she wouldn’t want her name associated with some of the racier stuff we’ve posted. I understood.

P.S. Anybody wanna come write for this blog?

P.P.S. Go see something at the Roxie!

The screening is of a movie called Free, and it is free, and it’s this Thursday, and there will be food trucks and stuff. Here’s a blurb about the movie:

Academy Award-nominated filmmaker David Collier and co-director Suzanne LaFetra have crafted a stirring, up-close documentary that follows a group of Oakland teens who find personal liberation and mutual support through dance. These dynamic young people face the very real challenges of poverty, alienation, HIV, sexual abuse, and gang violence but are dedicated to telling the truth— even if it hurts. Because the truth will, to some degree, set them free. FREE captures their struggles as they turn the courage, determination, and stamina required in their daily lives into a contagious joy.

McCoppin Plaza, as you know, is that plaza on the north end of Valencia Street next to the U-Haul place.

More info (on this event and on the rest of DocFest).

The Onion celebrates this fact in a short article titled “Outdoor Movie Guest Excited To Watch Barely Audible ‘Back To The Future’ While Sitting On Tree Root”:

Thrilled at the prospect of having to constantly reposition himself while straining to hear the movie’s dialogue, local man Sam Weber was excited Friday to watch a barely audible outdoor screening of Back To The Future from atop a hard, knobby tree root, sources reported. “Oh, man, I can’t wait to tiptoe around hundreds of people’s blankets before realizing the only free spot is on some root that sticks a few inches out of the ground and which will dig into my flesh for two hours,” said Weber, adding that while he’d already seen the sci-fi comedy classic many times, he was looking forward to experiencing it faintly projected onto a canvas hung far off in the distance as moisture from the grass steadily soaks through his pants.

Read on for the big finish.

It’ll come as no surprise that Lost Weekend Video has long been in danger of having to close up shop. Netflix, HBO Go, Popcorn Time, etc. But they’ve been on Valencia Street since the late ’90s, they’re a living relic of the Mission’s storied past, AND they’re continually taking cool steps toward remaining relevant and exciting.

Firstly, they started up the basement Cinecave performance space where they’ve been doing all kinds of cutting-edge comedy the last couple years. More recently, they’ve welcomed 1-2-3-4 Go! Records in to share the space, and hopefully that’s revving up business a little.

But also, with the help of some crowdfunding, they’d like to do all of this:

We will enhance & expand our video & retail services to better serve the needs of the 21st Century film enthusiast, including:

1. A fully searchable online catalog, with IMDB links & weekly updates of new acquisitions.
2. Rental delivery service for when you can’t get down to the store.
3. Buying & selling of DVD/VHS collections, including new releases, collectibles & special orders.
4. A continuously stocked collection of our own signature tees, totes & hoodies as well as related local & custom merchandise.
5. Affordable video transfer services on-site.
6. Continuing operation of our overwhelmingly popular Cinecave comedy shows.

On their crowdfunding page, for different donation levels you get all sorts of perks, like free video rentals and cool shirts and stuff. 32 hours left to donate! Check it out.

[Photo by 1-2-3-4 Go! Records SF on Instagram]

Lauren wrote in to tell us about all about it:

I realize you’ve run a few “lex is closing” posts – but we wanted to let you know about our project – part of which is a short documentary about the lex which is premiering at the San Francisco International Film Fest on April 30th, which also happens to be the last night of service at the Lex! AFTER PAAAAARTYY!! Just kidding, we will be working after the screening documenting the last night for the feature length that we are developing (by “developing”, we mean “fundraising”).

The short screens tonight at the Kabuki as part of a multifaceted program about a changing San Francisco. Get tickets and info here.

And check out the Lexington Club Archival Project for more.

Today on the Alamo Drafthouse blog, former Roxie boss and new New Mission honcho Mike Keegan gives us the skinny:

What are we going to show at the New Mission? The short answer is, anything we think should be seen with an audience.  The slightly longer answer is: Hollywood blockbusters, independent pictures, classics, not-so-classics, foreign films, insane rediscoveries, restorations, rarities, documentaries, cult stuff, music stuff, interactive parties, and lots more.  From family-friendly sing-a-longs to gigantic space operas to brain-damaged total trash, it’s all under one gigantic roof at the New Mission.

Speaking of the New Mission, want to see how it’s coming along?

This is our big main room on the ground floor.  That scaffolding on the stage is where speakers are going to go, behind the screen.  Do you see those little holes in the ground?  Back in the day, each seat at the New Mission had individual heat blowers in the floor for each guest.  We’re not replicating that particular quirk, but we figure being able to eat and drink from your seat is a fair trade.  EXCLUSIVE UPDATE: We ARE replicating that personal atmospheric maintenance system!

Epic! Great work, Mike!

Read on for more pics and info.

Well, this is some GRAND news!  Instead of having to close their doors for good in May as they previously feared, they’re going full Voltron:

First, Lost Weekend, in partnership with Oakland’s 1234Go! Records, will be relaunching the Valencia Street location on April 18th (Record Store Day 2015) as a new video store/record store hybrid, ready to serve all of your physical media needs. VHS, DVD, cassettes & vinyl – all in one place – with an expanded staff of enthusiastic fans ready to recommend the best in new or classic music & film.

A little bit of Oakland is just what the Mission needs right now!

Read on for the rest of the plot.

(Thanks Andy!)

Local independent filmmaker David Enos just released a new short, and it is amaaaaaaaazing. Filmed on location at Ocean Beach:

Here’s the plan:

Robin Williams’ indelible imprint on the San Francisco film community is a proud and distinctive one. In that spirit, on Saturday and Sunday, August 22 and 23, the Roxie Theater is holding a special memorial tribute featuring two of his best films: MOSCOW ON THE HUDSON (1984) and AWAKENINGS (1990). Both films will be presented in studio 35mm prints!

Nice! Get tickets here.