North Charleston venue is much more than your average theater

Going to the movies is a favorite pastime of mine, and I enjoy anything from the very serious ("Frost/Nixon" was spectacular) to the very silly (I can't wait for "Crank 2").

From big blockbusters to independent films, area corporate-owned theatres like Regal and Carmike and locally-owned theatres like The Terrace accommodate virtually any taste.

The Olde Village Talking Picture House in North Charleston promises to make Lowcountry movie-going even better. The Park Circle venue, which has been around for eight months, is not a conventional theatre. It's only open every other Saturday. But the theater is a welcome addition to the Lowcountry because it shows "films not generally available in local mainstream commercial theaters."

The night of my visit, I was treated to "The Hills Have Thighs," which is a fun, campy comedy filmed in Pickens County, produced and directed by former South Carolina state representative James "Bubba" Cromer. While I enjoyed the John Waters-esque style film, I was even more pleased with the Q&A answer session that followed. Cromer explained the inspiration for his movie (author Flannery O'Connor's knack for highlighting the eccentric, for one) and pow-wowed with other filmmakers, artists and movie aficionados. It occurred to me that the venue is much more than just a theatre - it's an artists' collective.

Hosted by the Greater Park Circle Film Society and sponsored by a number of local businesses as well as the city of Charleston Cultural Arts Department, the idea behind the Olde Village Talking Picture House is to bring film to the Park Circle community with an emphasis on local filmmakers. The theatre features cafe-style seating, is extremely affordable. Customers are treated to free popcorn. Keeping with a dedication to all-things local, my date thoroughly enjoyed her handmade-in-Charleston "Sweet Teeth" chocolate candy bar from the concessions stand. Beer and wine were also available.

On April 18, the venue will feature the 1999 Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon comedy "Election." And on May 2, there will be a "Lowcountry Indie Short Festival," in conjunction with the North Charleston Arts Festival. Late night, cult classic films are coming soon.

I definitely see myself going back soon as the Olde Village Talking Picture House promises to make Park Circle even better. It offers local moviegoers yet another, great option.