Of Zombies, ‘Star Trek’ and seeing double

When I was a kid, double features were the norm. It was common even to enjoy triple features, particularly Friday nights at the drive-in — which is how I became familiar with the work of Herschell Gordon Lewis and the early Wes Craven .

But since the 1980s, when drive-ins started disappearing and downtown movie palaces began giving way to smaller-screen suburban multi-screen houses, the double feature has gone the way of eight-track cassettes. These days, double features are as rare as a discounted iPad.

Except for the coming week at AMC River Park Square . Beginning Friday, the downtown theater is going to run “Star Trek Into Darkness” and “World War Z” as an old-school double feature (the shows have to be seen back-to-back and can’t be spread over two days). While I’m not a giant fan of either film, each has its qualities. And if you haven’t seen them, this is the perfect opportunity.

And here’s some good advice: Best use of money is to buy the matinee for “World War Z” and stay for “Star Trek.” Your GA price for the two flicks: $8.75.

Oh, and if you go, welcome to the past.