Thursday, November 30, 2006

Children Cinema Series

Children Cinema Series presents free films at Fredonia Opera House
Submitted photo

Looking over the Harry Potter books to be given away are, from left, Dan Allen, Opera House technical director and Children’s Cinema Series coordinator; Kathy Petersen, DR Barker Library Children’s Program coordinator; and Patty Donovan, owner of The Book Nook.
11/30/2006 - The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

So says Dr. Seuss in his book “Oh the Places You’ll Go.” The philosophy espoused in that quote is the notion behind the Children’s Cinema Series at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House — that reading will take you far in life.

Sponsored by the DR Barker Library, the Children Cinema Series features films based on or that inspire books for children; and admission to the films is free. The series was developed as a way for adults to encourage the children in their life to read by seeing the entertainment that can come from books. To further support that concept, The Book Nook donates several copies of the books on which the films are based to be given away in a random drawing before each movie.

“More than 2,000 individuals have attended the films since the series was introduced in 2003,” says Executive Director Rick Davis. “And the feedback we receive from parents, especially, is very positive.

“This past year, when we screened ‘The Secret of NIMH‚’ one young father told me of having seen the film with his father when it was first released. Now he was bringing his own son to see the film and said it felt as though he was carrying on a family tradition.”

The series will continue in December and January with all four of the Harry Potter films to be screened in order of their release. The films are based on J.K. Rowling’s fantasy books of the same name, which many parents contend have spurred their youngsters’ interest in reading. The first, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” will be shown Saturday, Dec. 2.

The film introduces 11-year-old Harry Potter to the life he never knew he had, the life of a wizard. In his first year at Hogwarts School of Wizardry, he meets his two best friends, Ron Weasley, an expert at Wizard Chess, and Hermione Granger, a girl with non-magic parents. But as Harry begins to learn all about life as a wizard, someone is up to something bad in the Dark forest outside the school. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” is rated PG for some scary moments and mild language and runs 152 minutes.

The second film in the series, “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” will be shown on Saturday, Dec. 16. In this sequel, Harry Potter’s adventures continue. He begins his second year at Hogwarts School, but is warned by a mysterious creature that danger awaits him at the school. Malevolent voices whisper from the walls. Soon it’s not just Harry who is worried, as dreadful things begin to happen at Hogwarts. “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” is rated PG for some scary moments and runs 161 minutes.

“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” is the third film in the series. It will be screened Saturday, Jan. 6. In this installment, it’s Harry’s third year at Hogwart’s, but a shadow hangs over the school. A dangerous mass murderer, Sirius Black, has escaped Azkaban Fortress — the Wizards’ Prison. While learning to cope with the Dementors sent to protect Hogwart’s, Harry learns the disturbing story of Sirius Black and Black’s connection to Harry’s own past. “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” is rated PG for frightening moments, creature violence and mild language and runs 141 minutes.

The final film in the series is “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” It will be shown on Saturday, Jan. 20. In this, the latest in the Potter series of films, Harry finds himself selected as an underage competitor in a dangerous multi-wizardry school competition. Harry soon begins a brutal test of strength and mind only to ultimately face his greatest challenge yet. “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” is rated PG-13 for sequences of fantasy violence and runs 157 minutes.

All four films in the series will be shown at 10 a.m. For information, contact the Opera House at 679-1891 or visit http://www.fredopera.org./ The 1891 Fredonia Opera House is a member-supported not-for-profit organization located in the Village Hall in downtown Fredonia.
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1 comment:

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