Summer Arts Preview 2012: Film
Arts & Lectures Puts Sci-Fi Classics Under the Stars
Moonrise Kingdom at Ojai Playhouse
Love him or hate him, Wes Anderson has had an impact on the cinematic world at large that is undeniable. His visually stunning, awkwardly funny, and heartbreakingly honest character studies have traipsed multiple spaces (The Life Aquatic), places (The Darjeeling Limited), and mediums (The Fantastic Mr. Fox). They’ve also left a sizable impact on the filmmakers who’ve come since. For Moonrise Kingdom, Anderson tells the story of two youngsters who meet and fall in love in 1960s New England. Together, the pint-size pair decides to run away from their families, thus sparking a full-blown manhunt in their quaint, character-filled town. As expected, Anderson’s cast of regulars returns in full force, including Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman, but some new faces come out to play, too. The film stars, among others, Bruce Willis, Tilda Swinton, and Edward Norton. Oh, and if you need more convincing, the cinematography, costume design, and soundtrack are wonderful, too. Saturday, August 18, and Sunday, August 19, 4:30 p.m. Call 646-8946 or visit ojaifilmsociety.org.
Alice in Wonderland at Isla Vista Theater
Lewis Carroll’s tripped-out children’s novel has seen many (many, many) adaptations, from small screen reimaginings to grand-scale multiplex overhauls (see 2010’s Tim Burton–led, FX-heavy interpretation). Still, there’s something devilishly indulgent about Walt Disney’s animated, 1951 take on the tale. Featuring some of the most colorful, imaginative, and ambitious animation of its time, Disney’s Alice set the standard — and introduced many of us to Carroll’s psychedelic world of illogical hares, performance-enhancing tea cakes, and talking flowers. Better still, Disney’s Alice in Wonderland is just one of a number of animated classics screening on the cheap at Isla Vista Theater all summer long. (Bonus: Kids get in free!) Friday, July 13, 7 and 10 p.m., and Monday, July 16, 10 p.m. Call 966-3652 or visit islavista-arts.org.
The War of the Worlds at the S.B. County Courthouse
Decades before Dakota Fanning was even born, there was this 1953 big-screen adaptation of the infamous H.G. Wells tale. Here, the residents of a small California town leap for joy when a flaming meteor crashes into a nearby hillside. The thrill is quickly doused, though, when they discover the rock contains some less-than-friendly alien invaders. Gene Barry, Ann Robinson, and Les Tremayne all star. The film screens as just one in a long line of old-school sci-fi movies being shown by UCSB’s Arts & Lectures program. Catch an early showing Wednesday night on campus. Or pack a picnic (and maybe a blanket or two), and head down to the Courthouse’s picturesque Sunken Gardens on Friday night for an outdoor showing. These weekly events are fun-filled and family-friendly, so feel free to bring the kids.
Friday, July 27, 8:30 p.m. Also at UCSB’s Campbell Hall, Wednesday, July 25, 7:30 p.m. Call 893-3535 or visit artsandlectures.sa.ucsb.edu.
More Film
Gidget – Stearns Wharf, Friday, June 29.
The Day the Earth Stood Still – S.B. County Courthouse, Friday, July 6.
The Adventures of Tintin – Isla Vista Theater, Friday, July 6, and Monday, July 9.
Up the Yangtze – UCSB’s MultiCultural Center, Tuesday, July 10.
Bully – Ojai Playhouse, Sunday, July 15 and Tuesday, July 17.
Po di Sangui – UCSB’s MultiCultural Center, Tuesday, July 17.
It Came From Outer Space – UCSB’s Campbell Hall, Wednesday, July 18, and the S.B. County Courthouse, Friday, July 20.
The Lion King – Isla Vista Theater, Friday, July 20, and Monday, July 23.
Chico & Rita – Ojai Playhouse, Sunday, July 22.
From Chechnya to Chernobyl and The Suzuki Diaries – UCSB’s MultiCultural Center, Tuesday, July 24.
The Incredibles – Isla Vista Theater, Friday, July 27, and Monday, July 30.
Marley – Ojai Playhouse, Sunday, August 5.
Maquilapolis – UCSB’s MultiCultural Center. Tuesday, August 7.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers – UCSB’s Campbell Hall, Wednesday, August 8, and S.B. County Courthouse, Friday, August 10.
The Incredible Shrinking Man – UCSB’s Campbell Hall, Wednesday, August 22, and S.B. County Courthouse on Friday, August 24.
The Island President – Ojai Playhouse, Sunday, August 26.
Shark Tale – Stearns Wharf, Friday, August 31.
Overboard – Stearns Wharf, Friday, September 14.
