DECEMBER 5 —THE TREE OF LIFE (2011) - Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain star as parents raising three boys in 1950s Texas. When tragedy strikes, the grown oldest son (Sean Penn) tries to reconcile his relationship with his demanding father and deceased brother. Told through flashbacks stretching back to the beginning of time and flash-forwards that consider the afterlife and beyond, The Tree of Life tackles questions about human existence and spirituality that few ever consider. Directed by the great Terrence Malick with stunning imagery set to gorgeous classical music. Winner of the Palme d’Or at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. (PG-13, 139 min.)
DECEMBER 12 —CRAZY STUPID LOVE (2011) – Cal (Steve Carell) is long married to Emily (Julianne Moore), until one day, out of the blue, she drops divorce on him. Stunned, Cal tries to reassemble his life as a woefully unprepared single guy. Enter Jacob (Ryan Gosling) as a happy bachelor who decides to take Cal under his wing and show him the ways of modern dating. Hilarious romantic conflicts, coincidences and complications arise as these characters try to find their way through the crazy game of love. (PG-13, 118 min.)
DECEMBER 19—KUNG FU PANDA 2 (2011) - Dragon Warrior Po (Jack Black) has matured and mastered many new challenges since learning the art of kung fu, but before he can settle into the task of achieving inner peace, word arrives that a nearby town of musicians has been attacked by a newly invented weapon that could mean the end of kung fu and the domination of all of China. Po and the Furious Five (Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogen, Jackie Chan, David Cross, and Lucy Liu) set out to destroy the mysterious weapon and save kung fu, but the group quickly discovers this task is far from simple. Spectacular action and animation highlight this exciting family film. (PG, 91 min.)
DECEMBER 26—NO PROGRAM—HOLIDAY
JANUARY 2—NO PROGRAM—HOLIDAY
JANUARY 9—SUPER 8 (2011) - JJ Abrams and Steven Spielberg join forces in this extraordinary tale of youth, mystery, and adventure. Set in 1979, Super 8 tells the story of six friends who witness a train wreck while making a Super 8 movie, only to learn that something unimaginable has escaped during the crash. As the military pours over the wreckage and neighbors start disappearing, the gang soon discovers that the only thing more mysterious than what the creature is, is what it wants. (PG-13, 112 min.)
JANUARY 16—NO PROGRAM—HOLIDAY
JANUARY 23— THE HELP (2011) - Based on the bestseller by Kathryn Stockett, The Help comes to vivid life through the powerful performances of a phenomenal ensemble cast. Led by Emma Stone, Oscar nominee Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer and Bryce Dallas Howard, the film is the story about very different, extraordinary women in the 1960s South who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project — one that breaks society’s rules and puts them all at risk. Filled with poignancy, humor and hope, The Help is a triumphant story about the ability to create change. (PG-13, 146 min.)
JANUARY 30—MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (2011) - Screenwriter Gil (Owen Wilson) is visiting Paris with his materialistic fiancée (Rachel McAdams) and her unpleasant parents, taking a break from his financially rewarding but spiritually unfulfilling Hollywood career. A midnight encounter magically transports him into the jazzy world of Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Picasso and Dali, and an intense Ernest Hemingway, who promises to bring Gil's long unfinished novel manuscript to Gertrude Stein for review. Will Gil decide to stay for good in his beloved Paris of the past, or will he finally find his own path to fulfillment in the modern world? A charming and sophisticated romantic comedy written and directed by Woody Allen. (PG-13, 94 min.)
FEBRUARY 6—RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (2011) - An action-packed epic featuring stunning visual effects and creatures unlike anything ever seen before! At the story's heart is Caesar (Andy Serkis), a chimpanzee who gains human-like intelligence and emotions from an experimental drug. Raised like a child by the drug's creator (James Franco), Caesar ultimately finds himself taken from the humans he loves and imprisoned. Seeking justice, Caesar assembles a simian army and escapes -- putting man and primate on a collision course that could change the planet forever. (PG-13, 105 min.)
FEBRUARY 13- CASABLANCA (1942) - During World War II, cafe owner Rick (Humphrey Bogart) is unexpectedly reunited with an old flame (Ingrid Bergman) as her freedom-fighter husband (Paul Henreid) tries to escape the Nazis on his trail. Quite possibly the greatest Hollywood film ever made, filled with famous lines and a wonderful supporting cast featuring the likes of Claude Rains, Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet. A terrific way to spend a pre-Valentine’s Day evening. (Not rated, 102 min.)
FEBRUARY 20—NO PROGRAM—HOLIDAY
“B L O C K B U S T E R S, J R.”
Blockbusters, Jr. is a new program that encourages parents or caregivers to introduce children to classic films. Each Blockbusters schedule will present a classic movie where children can attend with an adult parent or grandparent and enjoy
free snacks, receive a free souvenir and participate in a craft related to the film. Although this program is directed toward adults and their children, all are welcome to attend.
FEBRUARY 27— HIGH NOON (1952) - On his wedding day, retiring lawman Will Kane (Gary Cooper) feels compelled to stay behind and defend his town from a group of outlaws whose leader, arriving on the noon train, has sworn to kill him. A tense and exciting classic American Western. Winner of four Academy Awards including Best Actor. Also starring Grace Kelly; directed by Fred Zinnemann. (Not rated, 85 min.)
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