Weird Wednesday: Black Belt Jones

Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar is bringing Black Belt Jones to the big screen on Wednesday, September 30, as part of their Weird Wednesday series. It's a mid-week screening of the 1974 martial arts classic, and since it's a Weird Wednesday, it's exactly the kind of thing that fits the name.

For those who haven't seen it, Black Belt Jones is a staple of the blaxploitation era, blending kung fu action with the street-level grit of 1970s cinema. It stars Jim Kelly, who became one of the most recognizable faces of the genre, as a martial artist who finds himself caught in a neighborhood turf war. The movie is known for its fight choreography and its focus on community and neighborhood loyalty, and it's the kind of film that works best in a theater with a crowd rather than on a small screen at home.

If you're not already familiar with Weird Wednesday, it's one of the Drafthouse's long-running programs. The idea is simple: they pick a movie that's a bit off the beaten path—cult classics, forgotten gems, or just something that feels right for a Wednesday night—and screen it for a local audience. It's a good way to catch a film you might otherwise never see in a theater, and since it's a Drafthouse, you can order food and drinks to your seat while you watch.

Black Belt Jones starts at 9:30 PM at Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, 1120 South Lamar, Austin. It's a late-night slot, so it's a good one to hit after dinner.