Inside Alamo Drafthouse St. Louis: Cult Films, Community & Cinema Culture

Mark Bluestein of Alamo Drafthouse St. Louis returns to Mostly Superheroes to talk cult classics, repertory programming, and why older films often outperform new releases. From Twin Peaks and The Evil Dead to D&D nights, Kevin Smith stories, and the power of moviegoing community, this episode pulls back the curtain on modern cinema culture.

00:00:00 – Studio intro, honorific jokes, Alamo schedule setup
00:05:00 – Repertory titles outperforming new releases, Twin Peaks sellout surge
00:10:00 – David Lynch deep dive, Twin Peaks theatrical history
00:15:00 – January lineup wrap‑up: Hard Boiled, Twilight parties, movie‑party culture
00:20:00 – Transition into February preview, Elvis tease, rep‑title strategy
00:25:00 – February lineup planning, Big Show concept, early blockbuster hints
00:30:00 – Crafting‑and‑movies series, Phantom of the Opera, reptile joke, Interview With the Vampire
00:35:00 – Big Show blockbusters revealed: There Will Be Blood, The Shining, Gladiator, The Dark Knight
00:40:00 – Interstellar, summer movie ramp‑up, Marvel slate, Endgame rerelease + Doomsday setup
00:45:00 – Trailer philosophy, avoiding spoilers, Marvel marketing critique
00:50:00 – Community events, trivia nights, charity taps, Alamo as community hub
00:51:00 – Closing reflections on Alamo experience, theater quality, programming philosophy

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Mark Bluestein of Alamo Drafthouse St. Louis returns to Mostly Superheroes to talk cult classics, repertory programming, and why older films often outperform new releases. From Twin Peaks and The Evil Dead to D&D nights, Kevin Smith stories, and the power of moviegoing community, this episode pulls back the curtain on modern cinema culture.

00:00:15 – Host intro; Mark’s changing honorifics

00:00:36 – Alamo titles, job titles, schedule kickoff
00:01:10 – January programming overview
00:01:47 – Repertory films outperforming new releases
00:02:29 – Twin Peaks screenings selling out
00:03:02 – How far ahead Alamo schedules rep titles
00:04:08 – Early February preview announcement
00:05:05 – Monthly preview plan; national vs local promo
00:06:22 – Audience geography; early access for listeners
00:07:22 – Weird Wednesday & Terror Tuesday; The Cat
00:08:11 – Twilight marathon; Twin Peaks episodes & film
00:09:06 – Twin Peaks shot for European theaters
00:10:00 – David Lynch filmography discussion
00:11:37 – Logan’s personal Twin Peaks story
00:13:11 – January final-week titles; Queer Film Theory
00:14:01 – Movie parties; Drag Me to Hell; Hard Boiled
00:15:03 – Hong Kong action series restorations
00:16:02 – Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2 movie party
00:17:12 – February preview begins; Repo Man
00:18:05 – Light February; Valentine’s titles; Raimi’s Send Help
00:19:04 – Elvis event; Four Hands “Fat Elvis” beer
00:19:51 – Mark’s Elvis deep dive (50s vs 70s era)

00:00 – Walking in Memphis / Mark Cohn confusion
00:01 – LimeWire nostalgia + downloading music/movies
00:01:25 – Elvis Presley in Concert at Alamo (Feb 19)
00:01:44 – Transition to The Substance
00:02:00 – Reactions to The Substance (Demi Moore, body‑image themes)
00:03:00 – Movie Party props + February theatrical return
00:03:32 – Oscars talk + Begonia vs. The Substance
00:04:10 – Body‑image themes, Andie MacDowell’s daughter
00:05:12 – Terror Tuesday: Tales from the Crypt – Demon Knight
00:06:23 – Phantom of the Opera (2004) + crafting series
00:07:49 – “Rep Titles” → joke about “Reptiles” series
00:08:00 – Interview with the Vampire returning
00:08:39 – Big titles coming: There Will Be Blood, The Shining, Gladiator, The Dark Knight
00:09:41 – The Dark Knight in The Big Show (Feb)
00:10:02 – Weekly big‑title series leading to May
00:11:22 – Looking ahead: Supergirl, Mandalorian & Grogu, Spider‑Man: Brand New Day
00:11:45 – Avengers: Endgame rerelease + new end‑credit scene
00:12:42 – Trailer philosophy (anti‑trailer, Russo brothers teasers)
00:14:04 – Trailer oversharing criticism (Captain America: Brave New World)
00:14:36 – Studio talk, podcast studio compliments
00:15:29 – Spider‑Man/Hulk bathroom art story
00:16:36 – Thor Ragnarok naked Hulk reference
00:16:43 – Kevin Smith films + Mo cameo story