Oscar nominations are out – and West Seattle’s own historic Admiral Theater points out that two of the “Best Picture” nominees are being screened there right now! “Moneyball” and “Midnight in Paris.” Showtimes are here. Admiral manager Dinah Brein adds, “Also – we wanted to let the community know there will be NO 4 pm screening of Tower Heist this Thursday, 1/26/12 due to a private event.”

Long before night fell, we photographed the marquee for posterity (and reminders via Twitter and via Facebook) … Tonight’s the night the doors to the Admiral Theater swung wide open for a free holiday treat, a hot ticket indeed:

Those are some of the moviegoers now watching “A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie,” courtesy of The Admiral and its fellow Admiral District businesses. And look who was there to help Admiral boss Dinah Brein share the holiday cheer (and collect donations for the Humane Society):

We have it on good authority that Santa, in this case, likely arrived via two wheels, rather than eight tiny reindeer. P.S. If you feel like a movie Christmas Day, the Admiral will open at 4 pm Sunday (after closing following the matinees on Christmas Eve).

That’s a scene from “It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie,” which you can see on the big screen at West Seattle’s only moviehouse tomorrow (Tuesday) night – historic Admiral Theater‘s free Christmas movie. Dinah from The Admiral shares this reminder, with new details about the event:

The movie starts promptly at 7 PM and doors open at 6:15 PM. Guests are advised to come early as we will probably pack out. During the movie, adults can enjoy a liquid libation up in the Crow’s Nest Lounge.

Prior to the movie, Santa will be on hand for a photo op and will be serving up Xmas Cookies and Hot Chocolate.

This year the movie is co-presented by the newly formed Admiral Business District. The movie is graciously donated by the Admiral District Blockbuster.

Don’t forget to bring some much-needed animal provisions; high end pet food, crates, collars, toys, beds, etc., which will be donated to the Humane Society.

The Admiral is at 2343 California SW. If you are planning ahead for this weekend – Dinah adds that both matinees will be shown on Christmas Eve, then the theater will close for the night, reopening for the 4 pm show on Christmas Day, with both evening shows on the screen that night.

The word’s in from Dinah Brein at the historic Admiral Theater – this year’s free Christmas movie is … the one in the trailer clip atop this story … “A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie’! 7 pm Tuesday, December 20th. Here’s the official announcement:

The Admiral Theater, the Admiral Business Association and The Admiral Blockbuster present ‘It’s A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie’ -Tuesday, December 20.

What would life amongst the Muppets have been without their unofficial leader Kermit the Frog? This holiday confection, not only spoofs the Yuletide classic , It’s a Wonderful Life, but also takes satirical aim at such pop cultural phenomena as Moulin Rouge and Fear Factor.

The plot is set in motion when evil banker Rachel Bitterman (Joan Cusack) forecloses on the Muppets’ famous variety theater, with the intention of building a gaudy nightclub. But Bitterman’s machinations take a back seat when apprentice guardian angel, Daniel (David Arquette), shows Kermit what conditions would have been had he never existed. Oh yeah, Whoppie Goldberg is cast as God!

Join Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy and a star studded cast in this heartwarming holiday classic that will bring joy to the world this Christmas at the Admiral Theater!

For the fourth consecutive year admission is free, but we ask that everyone bring donations for the Humane Society and the Seattle Animal Shelter including crates, high-end dog food, collar’s leashes, blankets, etc. This time of year, the shelters run low on these much needed supplies.

The movie starts promptly at 7 PM. Beer & wine will be available for the adults, upstairs in the Crow’s Nest Lounge.

Many storefronts are already festively lit and decorated in the Admiral District, and more will be by tonight – including wreaths going up on some of the business-district light fixtures, like this spot outside Alki Bike and Board (whose proprietor Stu Hennessey is in our photo, with Dave Weitzel from Weitzel Construction). The “work party” was already planned before today’s forecast took a turn for the sunny! Also helping decorate – Max and Quinn, as in the Atomic Boys‘ original namesakes (sons of store owners Parris and Kent Sadow):

Among the holiday fun coming up in the Admiral District, Dinah Brein at the historic Admiral Theater says she’s finalized the date for the free Christmas movie, 7 pm December 20th. She’s still finalizing the movie; once again this year, she asked us to ask you for ideas – see the suggestions here.

The historic Admiral Theater is only about a block away from Lafayette Elementary – convenient for the crowd that packed Thursday night’s movie-watching party celebrating last month’s Walk-A-Thon. As noted here, the annual tradition was a success again this fall, and the money it raises is more important every year, since Lafayette is West Seattle’s most-populous elementary school – more than 540 students last time we checked the enrollment numbers.

The Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (SLGFF) returns October 14-23, 2011 for its “Sweet” 16th run. Produced by Three Dollar Bill Cinema and presented by Xfinity, the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival is the largest event of its kind in the Pacific Northwest, featuring cutting-edge Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) film and video, from major motion picture premieres to emerging talent. Packed with parties, events and special guests, SLGFF is the most delectable and satisfying cultural event of the season. The festival’s final weekend is anchored by a return to the Admiral Theater October 20-22.

Jason Plourde is Three Dollar Bill Cinema’s Programming Director. “The slate of films lined up for the Admiral includes second chances to see selections from the 2011 SIFF (Seattle International Film Festival) and the Pacific Northwest debuts of fantastic films like SPORK, THE SISTERHOOD and STILL AROUND.”

“We’re excited to continue our presence in West Seattle and hope to see lots of our friends in the LGBT community come out in support of these great programs,” says Keith Bacon, SLGFF’s Lead Programmer. “There are 11 films in all this year at the Admiral.”

The line-up at the Admiral Theater includes:

MARRIED IN SPANDEX (October 20 at 6 p.m.)
This delightful documentary follows Amanda and Rachel, a hip, charming young couple from Philadelphia who decide to take a road trip to Iowa to be married. Mix equal parts romance, politics and family dynamics to get a new spin on marriage — after all, the brides wear spandex! — and a fantasy wedding in gold lamé.

SPORK (Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m.)
Frizzy-haired and bespectacled Spork is a girl-identified but intersexed — the ultimate outcast. Junior high is her everyday nightmare, until she decides to shake things up and reach for the top by entering the school talent show.

GUN HILL ROAD (October 20 at 9:30 p.m.)
When Enrique (Esai Morales) returns home after a three-year prison sentence, he finds his family transformed. His wife is having an affair and his teenage son, Michael, has become Vanessa (poignantly played by Harmony Santana, who was undergoing her own gender transition during filming).

THE SISTERHOOD (October 21 at 6 p.m.)
THE SISTERHOOD is a fascinating documentary about Pietie, Hope and Rollie, three young friends working as farmhands in the vineyards of South Africa by day; drag divas at night. This slice of life offers a moving portrait of struggle and triumph.

THE GREEN (October 21 at 7:45 p.m.)
Having escaped New York for small-town Connecticut, prep-school teacher Michael takes a special interest in Jason, a troubled student, but avoids his own failing relationship with hunky Daniel (Cheyenne Jackson from Glee).

ROMEOS (October 21 at 9:45 p.m.)
Lukas is a young transgender man who moves to Cologne to study and work in the big city. At a wild party he meets Fabio. Lukas grapples with the desire to share himself fully with Fabio and the fear that his biology could cost him his relationship and the acceptance of his friends in this story of unconventional romance, friendship and courage.

STILL AROUND (October 22 at 12:30 p.m.)
To mark the 30th anniversary of the first documented case of HIV, the HIV Story Project brought together individuals with HIV/AIDS, nonprofit social service organizations and top filmmakers. The result is a compilation of 15 powerful, diverse short films about the struggles and triumphs of those surviving and thriving with HIV today and the communities where they live and love. Part of the HIV30 Film Series.

THIS IS WHAT LOVE IN ACTION LOOKS LIKE (October 22 at 2:30 p.m.)
The worst fear of many closeted teens came true for 16-year-old Zach Stark in 2005, when his parents sent him, against his will, to a camp run by the ex-gay Christian reform group “Love in Action.” This inspirational documentary recounts that events that resulted from a young man’s cry for help.

KAWA (October22 at 4:30 p.m.)
Kawa’s father wants him to return home from Auckland to assume a leadership role in their Maori community. But how can he be a leader when his own family is in crisis? KAWA is based on the semi-autobiographical novel Nights in the Gardens of Spain, by Witi Ihimaera, author of The Whale Rider.

THREE (October 22 at 7 p.m.)
Director Tom Tykwer (RUN LOLA RUN) creates a stylish, witty story of a married man and woman who fall in love with the same man.

HITS SO HARD (October 22 at 9:30 p.m.)
Patty Schemel, drummer for the influential rock band Hole, is an out lesbian who was at the center of the Seattle music scene in the 1990s. Filled with revealing looks behind the scenes of the cultural touchstone that was grunge, HITS SO HARD is an unflinching rock-doc in the finest tradition.

“West Seattle knows that downtown and Capitol Hill aren’t far away,” Bacon relates. “There’s no reason for anyone to miss any of the festival, with or without a Viaduct.”

Notes: Tickets for DIRTY GIRL: $35 for Opening Night film and Gala; $15 for film only. Three Dollar Bill Members get a discounted price. Festival passes range from $90 – $200; individual tickets range from $7 – $35. Please visit www.threedollarbillcinema.org/11 for additional information.

We got a quick promotional sneak peek earlier this week at the trio of local entertainers who are performing as “The Vaud Squad” – as in a vaudeville-style variety show – at Admiral Theater this Saturday night. Mentalist Lance Campbell – who notes that he reads thoughts, not minds – will perform, as will magician Joe Black and juggler/comedian Matt Baker. The latter two are West Seattleites; Campbell is from Kirkland – and all three tour (separately) nationally, but are joining forces for one big fun show here. 7 pm Saturday, family-friendly fun, get your tickets online now. (P.S. Baker will be juggling in more ways than one – he’s making a cameo as the pre-show entertainment for West Seattle Outdoor Movies the same night!)

For the third consecutive year, The 2011 Seattle International Film Festival brings their amazing array of movies to the Historic Admiral Theater and this year they have extended their one week stay through the entire festival run.

“We are truly thrilled to have the SIFF festival here for all 3 weeks,” said Dinah Brein, Manager of the Admiral. Having that energy and caliber of movies brings a whole different level of excitement here but in the past it’s always gone by so quickly. What a treat to really provide our customers with the full festival experience; we can’t wait.”

The Admiral’s Crow’s Nest Lounge will be open weekend evenings to accompany the festival. The Admiral has added dark chocolate from Theo’s and will be offering pie and coffee during the festival run.

The theater will still show their regular movies in Pier 1 as well as Rocky Horror Picture Show at midnight on Saturday, June 4th .

Also up for the Admiral is an Elizabeth Taylor Film Retrospective slated for Sunday, April 24th. Three of Taylor’s finest films will screen;

The 1950 gem, *Father of the Bride* starring Elizabeth, Spencer Tracey and Joan Bennett. Directed by Vincent Minnelli (Liza’s dad), this black & white comedy is a grand showcase for a terrific cast.

It’s hard to believe that just a year later in 1951, Taylor appeared in, *A Place in the Sun*, based on Dreiser’s An American Tragedy, the movie also stars, Montgomery Cliff and Shelly Winters. In the book Taylor’s character is the rather empty rich girl who takes the hero away from a first love (Shelley Winters). But as George Stevens made the film, Winters is a drab, whining figure – someone dreamers almost want to have removed … and murdered. Liz and Monty are the prince and princess in an impossible love story that ends on Death Row. But thwarted love stories are the best, and at 18 Liz could look at Clift, the camera and us, and convey the magic words that inspired classic American cinema – “If only!”

The review wraps up with the iconic 1958, *Cat on A Hot Tin Roof*, the dynamic and commanding adaptation of Tennessee Williams Pulitzer Prize-winning play focuses on a troubled Southern family and the discord over their dying father’s millions. The movie co- stars Paul Newman and Burl Ives. Newman, Taylor and Ives were all nominated for Oscars and the picture was also nominated for best movie.

Tickets for the movies will be $7.50 each or you can get a pass for all 3 for $18.00. You don’t want to miss this special tribute to one of America’s most treasured actresses.

Heike shared that Admiral Theater ad from the January 23, 1942, “Seattle Daily Times.” We asked how the old paper was found. Reply: “We put a few can lights into the ceiling, and had to go up into the attic for rewiring. Pretty amazing that it’s been there all this time!”

The overfishing crisis was on the menu, and the marquee, for Sustainable West Seattle last night, launching their new periodic film series. The cautionary film based on the book “The End of the Line“ was on screen, and then sustainable-seafood star Chef Hajime Sato, proprietor of Mashiko in The Junction, was onstage. If you don’t want to eat endangered fish, he pointed out, bluefin tuna is far from the only thing to avoid:

This summer will mark two years since he gained fame for not just advocating “sustainable sushi” but dedicating his acclaimed restaurant to it. But, he said, “I’m not telling you to stop eating everything; if we protect certain species, they are coming back.” Another video clip after the jump:

He acknowledged it’s close to impossible to verify that fish is from a certain source if the seller says so, which is why you need to find people you trust:

One of the best-known lists of sustainable seafood comes from the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program – find them here in a variety of formats, including mobile apps. Speaking of going mobile, SWS also had bicycles on display in the lobby, with Stu Hennessey of Alki Bike and Board on hand to talk two-wheeling. Keep an eye on the SWS website for announcements of the Spokespeople West Seattle bicycle rides he leads, as well as upcoming Sustainable West Seattle events. One biggie was mentioned again last night by Christina Hahs: The West Seattle Tool Library‘s last day at its South Seattle Community College location is April 3rd, and it’ll reopen in its new Youngstown Cultural Arts Center spot on April 9th.

Its critical look at pressures faced by U.S. students has had a lot of people talking since its release more than a year ago – and they’re still talking. This Thursday night is your next chance to see “Race to Nowhere” with a West Seattle group. The Holy Rosary School Parents’ Club is sponsoring a screening at 6:30 pm Thursday at the Admiral Theater. As the promotional page explains – and as you might guess from watching the trailer above – the movie is “a call to action for families, educators, and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens.” Tickets cost $5 less if you buy in advance – you can do that online by going here.

(Also of note for those who haven’t seen the Oscar-nominated movie “The Social Network,” it opens Friday at the Admiral. Plus, Saturday night at midnight, it’s the monthly “Rocky Horror Picture Show” extravaganza. More details in this update e-mail from The Admiral.)

Well, OK, it’s *almost* a century of history. The Museum of History and Industry‘s video team has taken on another West Seattle landmark, and suggested to WSB that you might want to see the 4-minute result. P.S. If you’re looking for what’s up at The Admiral right now, here are the latest listings.