Category Archives: Film

Rosebud revealed as CITIZEN KANE is shown at CALS Ron Robinson tonight

Posted on by

“Rosebud.”

With that mysterious (and now iconic) word, Orson Welles’s acclaimed CITIZEN KANE opens and the rest of the movie is a quest for the characters and viewers to determine the significance.

Often hailed as the best movie ever made, this 1941 classic is part of the “Cinema Essentials” film series at the CALS Ron Robinson Theater.  The screening starts tonight at 7:00pm.

Viewed at the time as a Roman à clef of sorts of the life of William Randolph Hearst (who did everything he could to keep it from being released or viewed by people after it was released), the movie was directed, produced, and starred Welles, who also co-wrote the script with Herman J. Mankiewicz.

Joining Welles in the cast were Joseph Cotten, Dorothy Comingore, Everett Sloane, Ray Collins, George Coulouris, Agnes Moorehead, Paul Stewart, Ruth Warrick, Erskine Sanford, and William Alland.

The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards and was a favorite to win several. However, block voting from some branches apparently stymied that. It only won the Original Screenplay Oscar for Mankiewicz and Welles.  The other nominations were for Best Picture, Director, Actor, Art Direction, Cinematography, Film Editing, Score, and Sound.

2019 Movies in the Park lineup announced!

Posted on by

Summer nights are the perfect escape from the hot days, especially when the River Market’s outdoor film series returns to the First Security Amphitheater.

This annual event returns for the 15th season on June 5. Every Wednesday at sundown in June and July, family and friends unroll their blankets and unfold their chairs to relax and enjoy award-winning films ranging from animated to action and everything between.

“We are looking forward to another great season of Movies in the Park and hope that everyone finds a movie they just Have to see in this year’s lineup,” Diana Long, Director of River Market Operations said.

The 2019 lineup:

June 5  Thor: Ragnarok  (PG-13)

June 12  How to Train a Dragon 3  (PG)

June 19  Dumb & Dumber (PG-13)

June 26  – Apollo 13 (PG)

July 3 – The Greatest Showman (PG)

July 10  The Sandlot (PG)

July 17  Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (PG-13)

July 24  Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (PG-13)

July 31  The Help (PG 13)

Families, picnics, and leashed pets are invited to the park to enjoy movies under the stars, but no glass containers. Don’t forget the bug spray! An adult must accompany all children under the age of 18 and an ID is required. Chaperoned youth, sports, church and other groups are welcome! The amphitheater will open an hour before film showings (approx. 7:30) and movies with begin at sundown each week (approx. 8:30).

For more information about Movies in the Park and to see which films will feature live performances or other activities before the showings, visit www.rivermarket.info or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lrrivermarket

Relive the magic of E.T. with live music from Arkansas Symphony Orchestra this weekend

Posted on by

The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Philip Mann, Music Director and Conductor, presents the fourth and final concert of the 2018-2019 Acxiom Pops Live! season: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial: In Concert!, Saturday, May 11th at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, May 12th at 3:00 p.m. at the Robinson Center.

Audiences will relive the magic of E.T. The Extra Terrestrial on the big screen accompanied by a magnificent, live performance of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, being led by ASO Associate Conductor Geoffrey Robson.

Director Steven Spielberg’s heart-warming masterpiece is one of the brightest stars in motion picture history. Filled with unparalleled magic and imagination, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrialfollows the moving story of a lost little alien who befriends a 10-year-old boy named Elliott. Experience all the mystery and fun of their unforgettable adventure in the beloved movie that captivated audiences around the world, complete with John Williams’ Academy Award®-winning score performed live by a full symphony orchestra in sync to the film projected on a huge HD screen!

The Pops Live! Series is sponsored by Acxiom.

Tickets are $16, $36, $57, and $68; active duty military and student tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at www.ArkansasSymphony.org; at the Robinson Center street-level box office beginning 90 minutes prior to a concert; or by phone at 501-666-1761, ext. 1. All Arkansas students grades K-12 are admitted to Sunday’s matinee free of charge with the purchase of an adult ticket using the Entergy Kids’ Ticket, downloadable at arkansassymphony.org/freekids. Please note: the Entergy Kids’ Ticket Voucher must be redeemed for a reserved seat by calling the Box Office or presenting it at the Box Office beginning 90 minutes prior to a concert.

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial is a trademark and copyright of Universal Studios. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLC. All Rights Reserved. Available on Blu-ray and DVD from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

THE COLOR PURPLE screens tonight (5/7) at the CALS Ron Robinson Theater

Posted on by

The Color Purple

Steven Spielberg’s 1985 movie, The Color Purple, based on Alice Walker’s prize-winning novel, is on the CALS Ron Robinson Theater screen tonight.

The film stars Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey (in her film debut), and Danny Glover. The film tells the story of a young African American girl named Celie Harris and shows the problems African American women faced during the early 20th century, including domestic violence, incest, pedophilia, poverty, racism, and sexism. Celie is transformed as she finds her self-worth through the help of two strong female companions.

The showing starts tonight at 7pm at the CALS Ron Robinson Theater.  Cost is $5.

The Return of the STAR WARS Day

Posted on by

Today, May the 4th, is Star Wars Day.

This year marks 42 years since the first (now subtitled Episode 4) movie opened!

The classic film first opened in fewer than 40 theatres nationwide on May 25, 1977.  It did not reach Little Rock until June 24, 1977.

Given its status as a sleeper hit, it is no surprise that it came into Little Rock largely unnoticed.  In that day, major films opening on a Friday would be heralded the previous Sunday with a substantial advertisement.  The first Star Wars ad ran on Thursday, June 23, 1977, the day before it opened.  By contrast, Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo, which would play at the same theatre, had a large ad on Sunday, June 19.

The day it opened, there was a fairly large ad which incorporated the familiar beefcake Luke, Leia in flowing gowns, and Darth Vader mask.  On the Sunday after it opened, there was a slightly smaller ad with the same artwork.  McCain Mall also ran a small add for both Star Wars and Herbie. It noted that Star Wars was a film that management “does not recommend for children.”

Three years later, The Empire Strikes Back opened nationwide on May 21, 1980. Opening a film on the same date was a newer phenomenon, due in part to the success of Star Wars.  For the opening weeks, The Empire Strikes Back played an exclusive showing at the UA Cinema 150.  It would eventually play at other theatres in Little Rock.

On the day The Empire Strikes Back opened, the Arkansas Gazette had four different stories about the movie in that day’s edition.  While the Arkansas Democrat did not have any stories that day (though they would in subsequent days), they did carry a story on David Letterman preparing to start his (what would turn out to be short-lived) morning TV show.

On May 25, 1983, The Return of the Jedi opened.  The cost to see The Return of the Jedi in Little Rock in 1983 was $5.00 for adults and $2.50 for children.  (That would be the equivalent of $12.37 today for an adult ticket.)

Go Back to the Future at the Old State House Museum’s May edition of Nights at the Museum

Posted on by

Get ready for the next Night at the Museum on May 2, 6-9 p.m.!

The theme for the May 2 event is “1.21 Gigawatts of History.” Join us for a blast from the past with plenty of fun games and activities.

We’ll be heading “Back to the Future” at this month’s night at the museum. Join us for fun green screen photo ops, air guitar showdowns, make your own DeLorean and LOTS more (but you’ll have to join us on Thursday to find out!)

As always, there will be plenty of food and libations available to purchase.

Nights at the Museum is an event for ages 21+ on the museum’s iconic front lawn that takes place the first Thursday of each month seasonally, March-October. (In case of inclement weather, the event will be indoors at the museum.)

Nights at the Museum is hosted by the Arkansas State House Society – Friends of the Old State House Museum, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting OSHM and its programs.

Admission is $5; food and beverages will be available for purchase at the event. Tickets may be purchased in advance at https://squareup.com/store/ArkansasStateHouseSociety/ or at the gate.

The museum can validate parking at the DoubleTree hotel; metered parking near the hotel is free after 6 p.m.

On final day of 2019 Arkansas Literary Festival, see the film GABO about Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Posted on by

Gabo: The Creation of Gabriel Garcia Marquez PosterA law-school dropout and political journalist who grew up in the poverty and violence of northern Colombia, Gabriel García Márquez became the (Nobel prizewinning) writer of globally celebrated, critically-acclaimed books…

Known as “Gabo” to all of Latin America, Gabriel García Márquez’s sensual, “magical” sensibility leads him to the forefront of the political struggles of the 1970s and 1980s including a pivotal and previously unknown role in negotiations between Cuban leader Fidel Castro and American President Bill Clinton and into the hearts of readers across the world.

This 2015 documentary was directed by Justin Webster.

The screening at the CALS Ron Robinson Theater today (April 28) starts at 2pm.