The Houston Film Critics Society (of which yours truly is Vice President) and the Alamo Drafthouse have teamed up to offer a free screening of Boyhood, Texas filmmaker Richard Linklater's latest movie, this Monday at the Drafthouse's Vintage Park location.

What is Boyhood? Funny you should ask:

In the summer of 2002, Richard Linklater began filming the movie in Houston with young actor Ellar Coltrane. Every year for the next twelve years, Linklater would pick up the camera and film another fifteen or so minutes - the story picking up another year later in the life of Ellar's character. The resulting film is a sprawling story of youth itself - a one-of-a-kind document about what it's like to grow up.

Coultrane stars as Mason Jr., the son of two divorced parents played by Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke. Over the course of the film, audiences will see Coultrane grow from a confused, aimless young dreamer into an even-more confused young man in search of a purpose. Essentially, an anthology of twelve interconnected short films starring the same actors, BOYHOOD is an episodic chronicle of Texas youth.

Boyhood doesn't open locally until July 11, so not only are you getting in FOC, but a month early to boot. The screening will be first come, first served at 7 p.m. at Vintage Park. You must RSVP via this Eventbrite link in order to get on the list.

Boyhood is receiving rave reviews and recently won Best Picture at the Seattle International Film Festival. Aside from that, it's a remarkable cinematic achievement and you really owe it to yourselves to check it out.