Robert Redford's company has spiffed up the old Angelika theater space with a lobby bathed in rust and green colors that has the feel of an outdoor pavilion, a large bar area, called the Sundance Bar, and extensive food offerings in addition to traditional popcorn and a soda. At least one screen is dedicated to the latest in independent cinema at all times. And best of all, no commercials before a movie begins. Tickets can be reserved online from home and printed out.

The Landmark River Oaks Theatre shows art house and independent films exclusively. The first-floor theater has the feel of an elegant, old-time movie palace with a big screen, art deco friezes on each side of the screen and lots of seats. The two second-floor screens, carved out of the balcony, are cramped with less-than-optimal acoustics. But there's a full-service bar upstairs. Martinis, anyone?

Brown Auditorium at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston shows an extensive mix of classic, art, independent and foreign films in one of the best theater spaces in town. But they don't allow popcorn or drinks.

Cressandra Thibodeaux has transformed the former site of the Aurora Picture Show into a performing arts space and movie theater showing independent documentaries and little-known feature films that might not otherwise be shown in Houston.

Alamo Drafthouse Mason Park hosts a wide range of quirky indie films, big screen classics, such events as Funimation Anime quote-a-longs of classics like Zoolander.

For 40 years, the Rice Media Center on the Rice University campus has shown an eclectic mix of independent films. 

The AMC Studio 30 multiplex usually reserves several screens for buzzed-about independent films and the best of Bollywood.