Reel World

The Day the Movies Died

Movie lovers, I’ve got some sad news to deliver. Burning Paradise Video, Albuquerque’s only source for independent, foreign and cult cinema on DVD, is closing its doors. Over the years, Albuquerque has witnessed the demise of many beloved video rental stores like Wavy Brain and Alphaville ... plus all those boring mainstream chains like Blockbuster. Losing Burning Paradise after so many years is a major blow to the local film community. Burning Paradise has not only supplied hard-to-find films for our VCRs and DVD players, it’s been a major sponsor of Alibi Midnight Movies, it’s organized film classes, screenings and festivals (the annual TromaDance New Mexico), and it’s formed a label to release local films (Gimme Skelter, Slumber Party Slaughterhouse and Fugue State among them).

In January, the store relocated from Downtown to the Bricklight District on Harvard, where it seemed to find a receptive new audience of UNM students. You could blame the store’s closure on the poor economy or changing film-viewing habits, but it seems like owner Kurly Tlapoyawa has simply decided it’s time to move on. For the immediate future, he’ll be concentrating on his career as a stuntman (check him out in Gamer, Crank: High Voltage and the upcoming Undocumented) and promises to keep Burning Paradise alive as a boutique video label.

While we’re sad to see Burning Paradise go, leaving us to the whims of Redbox and Netflix, we can at least give it a proper send-off. The store will be liquidating all of its stock, starting this week. Grab a piece of Albuquerque cinema history by purchasing a copy of your favorite Italian zombie movie, French vampire flick or American grindhouse classic. Burning Paradise is located at 115 Harvard SE. You’ve got until the end of the month to get over there and bid the place a fond farewell.

Music + Video

The 48 Hour Film Project’s very first 48 Hour Music Video Project is scheduled to take place Sept. 23 to 25. Local bands will be united with local filmmakers to try and create, shoot, edit and premiere an entire music video in just two days. Though the 48 Hour Film Project continues to be a major international competition, the 48 Hour Music Video Project is a test-pilot program taking place in Albuquerque alone. There are spots for only 20 bands and 20 filmmaking teams in this inaugural go-around. You have until Monday, Sept. 12, at midnight to register. So if you’re a musician or a filmmaker interested in making some noise, this is a prime opportunity to show off your skills. Registration fees are $90 for filmmakers and $199 for bands. But, you get an awesome music video at the end of it.