Events for April 8th, 2009
Spring Break: E.T.
Directed by Steven Spielberg. US. 1982. 6+. 115 min.
- Wed, Apr 8, 2:00 pm
"One of the all-time great family films, E.T.'s portrait of a broken yet functional family has none of the contrivances of similar films. This family must cope and grow and move on. Spielberg manages warmth and wonder without painting too brightly. He allows rough edges and a real threat and fear without demonizing the scientists seeking E.T. — few family films suggest opposition is anything short of evil. When E.T. must leave, the emotions you feel are earned, not manufactured. Most spectacularly, nothing about the film seems childish or pandering. This is a director in top form." (Mike Harring, The Scarecrow Video Movie Guide).
Spring Break: Roll Bounce
Directed by Malcolm D. Lee. US. 2005. PG-13. 112 min.
- Wed, Apr 8, 7:30 pm
"Set in Chicago in the summer of 1978 and featuring a credits-to-credits soundtrack of '70s songs, the roller-skating comedy Roll Bounce could almost pass for a product of the era it depicts if it weren't for all the contemporary faces. It also works a formula that's at least three decades old—following star Bow Wow and friends as they train all summer long for a big roller-skating competition—but familiarity can be a virtue, especially when it takes a back seat to winning characters, heartfelt emotions, and kick-ass roller-skating sequences that play out in split-screen to the accompaniment of Sister Sledge's "He's The Greatest Dancer." More»