FILM

Join Alamo Drafthouse and Market Square Park for Back to the Future - Alamo Drafthouse Rolling Roadshow. Market Square Park downtown officially reopened on Aug. 28, 2010. The renovated park -- framed by Preston, Congress, Milam and Travis Streets -- will now include a sizable dog run, along with a lawn and patio area.

For those of us who don’t want to schlep out to the burbs, we’re bringing the Alamo experience to Market Square Park.

Friday, May 13:  My Big Fat Greek Wedding

It's not surprising that My Big Fat Greek Wedding grew more popular over the course of its theatrical release (whereas most blockbusters open big and then drop precipitously)--not only does it have believable situations and engaging characters, but these characters (particularly our romantic heroine, Toula, played by writer and performer Nia Vardalos) look like actual human beings instead of plastic movie stars.

The result is the very accessible tale of Greek-American Toula (whose family sees her as over the hill at 30), who falls for a WASPy guy named Ian (John Corbett) and then has to endure the outrage, doubt, and ultimate acceptance of her deeply ethnically centered family.

The actors invest their wildly stereotypical portrayals with sincerity and compassion, giving the movie an honest warmth instead of Hollywood schmaltz. But My Big Fat Greek Wedding ultimately succeeds because of Vardalos; her intelligent, down-to-earth presence and charm carry the film.

Niko Niko’s is open Mon-Fri from 7 am to 8 pm and Saturday & Sunday 9 am to 9 pm, extended hours during events. Blankets, lawn chairs and picnics are welcome. Food and beverages (including beer and wine) are sold at Niko Niko’s. Alcohol is not allowed to be brought into the park; it can only be bought at the café.