I have it on good authority that Burning Paradise Video–Albuquerque’s top stop for your more esoteric, cult-oriented video rentals–is liquidating its stock of VHS films. From now through Friday, Dec. 19, you can purchase classic and not-so-classic VHS titles from the store’s extensive selection for a mere $3 a pop. If you’re planning on buying in bulk, you can help BP clear off its shelves by snagging 10 VHS tapes for only $25. What a deal! Get there quick, as hot titles are going fast. Burning Paradise is located at 800 Central SW and can be reached at 244-1161.
Reel World It Makes Popcorn Too!
The New Mexico Film Office will hold a free public screening of actor/director Gary Farmer’s 1999 documentary “The Gift” on Wednesday, Dec. 17 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The 58-minute film relates the history of corn, first nurtured from wild grass by the Maya and widely used for food, beverage, oil and ceremonial object before the onset of colonization. Through interviews, dance and song, “The Gift” relates the spiritual, economic and political importance of this sacred plant to native people. Farmer will be present for a Q&A after the film. This event will take place at the New Mexico Film Museum (418 Montezuma in Santa Fe).
Reel World I To The Max
Last week, Regal Entertainment Group announced plans to begin construction of a 16-screen cinema that will serve as an anchor for the new, long-proposed Winrock Town Center development. The big news, however, is the claim that the theater will have New Mexico’s very first state-of-the-art IMAX screen. Towering IMAX screens (standard 72 feet by 53 feet), proprietary digital surround sound and specially modified 70mm projectors ensure that IMAX is one of the highest resolution, most immersive film experiences available to consumers. In recent years, Hollywood studios have put increasing stock in special IMAX releases of blockbuster films. Last summer’s The Dark Knight , for example, had several action sequences shot exclusively in IMAX format to take advantage of the theaters. The prospect of seeing an IMAX film in Albuquerque should be an exciting one for serious film fans. Given the number of revitalization plans the all-but-defunct Winrock Mall has run through in the last few years, I’ll believe this when I actually walk through the doors of the new theater. Still, according to press releases, groundbreaking is set to begin on the proposed 75,000 square foot theater in spring 2009. Fingers crossed.
