Tag Archives: Oscars

Films from creators of “Beasts of the Southern Wild” are featured at Arkansas Times Film Series

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As part of the Arkansas Times monthly film series at the Ron Robinson Theater, tonight they will be showing a series of shorts from the creators of Beasts of the Southern Wild. The series is produced in partnership with the Little Rock Film Festival.

This will be a special presentation of short films and music videos from Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Benh Zeitlen and others in Court 13–a New Orleans film and arts collective.

Following the screenings, Court 13 members Casey Coleman and Nathan Harrison will participate in a panel discussion.

The films being screened are:

  • “Glory at Sea”
  • “Death of a Tin Man”
  • Music videos from MGMT and Big Freedia

Tickets are $5. The screening starts at 7pm.

Marines of Montford Park focus of film at MacArthur Museum tonight 

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The winter weather delayed this event twice, but tonight the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History will show the film The Marines of Montford Point: Fighting for Freedom.  the movie will start at 6:30 at the museum in MacArthur Park.

Hosted and narrated by Oscar winner Louis Gossett Jr., this movie profiles the first African Americans recruits in the United States Marine Corps. It begins with their experiences at Montford Point Base, a segregated boot camp in the heart of the Jim Crow South.

All-black battalions from Montford Point loyally served their country (some as officers) in three major conflicts: World War II, Korea and Vietnam.  All the while they were fighting for their country, they were also fighting for their own civil rights back home.

During the film, Montford Point veterans recount the racism they encountered both within and outside the military. They also reminisce about the rigors of basic training, the harsh conditions of the barracks, and the perils of combat.

There is no admission cost.  Light refreshments will be available.

The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History is a program of the City of Little Rock Parks & Recreation Department.

Black History Month Spotlight: Fatima Robinson

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bhm fatimaAs a critically acclaimed dancer, choreographer and director, Fatima Robinson is the woman behind the moves for some of today’s top music artists including OutKast, the Black Eyed Peas, Will Smith, Mary J. Blige and the late Aaliyah. Her eclectic, fluid, urban style has made her one of the hottest choreographers in the field.

Born in Little Rock, Robinson moved to Los Angeles at the age of four with her mother and two younger sisters. After completing high school at the age of 16, Robinson became a certified cosmetologist and worked for a time as a professional hairdresser while dreaming of operating her own hair salon like her mother. Ultimately, however, Robinson’s love for dance would become the catalyst for dreams even bigger than she ever dared to dream.

Her “big break” came when film director John Singleton asked her to choreograph the video for Michael Jackson’s “Remember the Time” single. Since then, she has gone on to receive numerous accolades and awards including being named by Entertainment Weekly magazine as one of the “100 Most Creative People in Entertainment”, and more recently, the October 2004 issue of Essence magazine singled her out as one of 40 “Women Who are Shaping the World.”

Recognition for Robinson’s art continues to mount. After seven nominations, in 2004 she walked away with the MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography in a Music Video.  Fatima recently directed and choreographed Cee-Lo Green’s new Las Vegas show “Loberace,” and choreographed commercials for Nike and Heineken with director Rupert Sanders. Fatima also notably choreographed the 2011 Super Bowl Halftime show with the Black Eyed Peas, 2012 Coachella Tupac Hologram, HBO Inauguration event for President Barack Obama, and the Sony Pictures movie Sparkle, starring Jordin Sparks and Whitney Houston. Fatima also choreographed the 2007 and 2009 Oscars, making her the second African American woman in history to do so.

In 2004, she was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame.  For more on Fatima Robinson and other inductees into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame, visit the permanent

THE GODFATHER on the big screen at CALS Ron Robinson tonight at 7

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the-godfatherTonight the Central Arkansas Library System is making an offer the public cannot refuse – a chance to see Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 opus The Godfather on the big screen.  No, if you miss it you won’t wake up with a horse head in your bed tomorrow – but you will have missed a chance to experience this masterpiece as it is meant to be.

Based on Mario Puzo’s novel, Puzo and Coppola crafted a screenplay which tells of the business and family affairs of the Corleone family.  Deftly directed by Coppola, it stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire and John Cazale.  Creating other memorable characters are Richard S. Castellano, Al Lettieri, Abe Vigoda, John Martino, Alex Rocco, Gianni Russo, Tony Giorgio and Vito Scotti among others.

The film was nominated for ten Oscars and took home Best Picture, Actor (Brando) and Adapted Screenplay.  Famously, Brando refused the award and sent Sacheen Littlefeather to make a speech.  The other nominees were Caan, Duvall and Pacino all up for Supporting Actor; Coppola for Director; as well as nominations for Costume Design, Sound and Film Editing.

Since this is Grammy week, it is notable that the film’s score by Nino Rota (ruled ineligible for an Oscar) won the Grammy for Music composed for movie or TV.

The screening starts at 7pm at the CALS Ron Robinson Theater.  Tickets are $5 and concessions are available.

And the Arkansan Grammy Winners Were

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grammy-2014Last night was pretty good for Arkansas-related Grammy winners.

The documentary Glen Campbell, I’ll Be Me spawned winners in two different categories.  The Band Perry is won for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for their take on Campbell’s hit “Gentle on My Mind” from the film’s soundtrack.  Campbell himself won his first Grammy since 1968 for co-writing (with Julian Raymond) the song “I’m Not Gonna Miss You” in the Best Country Song category.  The song is also nominated for the Oscars later this month.

Former Arkansan Smokie Norful won his second career Grammy.  He was lauded last night for “No Greater Love” in the Best Gospel Performance/Song category.

Though not an Arkansan, Roseanne Cash comes from Arkansas stock and has been an active supporter of efforts to establish a museum in Dyess, Arkansas in honor of her father Johnny Cash. She is went three for three Grammy Awards last night.  Cash is making room on her mantelpiece for trophies for: Best American Roots Performance (“A Feather’s Not a Bird”), Best American Roots Song (“A Feather’s Not a Bird”), and Best Americana Album (The River & The Thread).

Movie Lineup at CALS Ron Robinson Theatre announced

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cals ronrob intMovie lovers of all ages can plan their entertainment schedule with the Central Arkansas Library System‘s (CALS)Ron Robinson Theater‘s winter/spring line up. Three series have been designed for adults, young adults, and children, and the films will be screened at the theater, 100 River Market Avenue, through May. Tickets are $5 each, concessions are available, and access is near the Main Library‘s parking lot.

Combined these films have won 6 Oscars and been nominated for 31.

            From the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, “The Classics”series includes

The Godfather (R)

Thursday, February 12

7 p.m.

Breakfast at Tiffany‘s (NR)

Friday, April 10

7 p.m.

Some Like It Hot (NR)

Friday, May 1

7 p.m.

 

            Highlighting some of the best from the 1980s and 1990s is “The Rewind” series includes

Pretty Woman (R)

Friday, February 6

7 p.m.

Annie (1982 PG)

Thursday, March 12

7 p.m.

Fight Club (R)

Thursday, April 9

7 p.m.

Ferris Bueller‘s Day Off (R)

Thursday, May 28

7 p.m.

            For families, the “Kid Flix” series includes

Anastasia (G)

Saturday, January 24

2 p.m.

James and the Giant Peach (PG)

Saturday, February 28

2 p.m.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (PG)

Saturday, March 28

2 p.m.

The Sandlot (PG)

Saturday, April 11

2 p.m.

            The 315 seat single-screen theater combines the best of the golden age of cinema and today‘s industry standard in state-of-the-art projection, lighting, and surround sound equipment. We are proud to offer Central Arkansas residents an exceptional cinema experience.

            For tickets or more information contact the Ron Robinson Theater Box Office at 320-5715 or visit the website at www.ronrobinsontheater.com.

Best Song Oscar nomination for Arkansan Glen Campbell

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Glen_Campbell_I'll_Be_Me_PosterLost in the shuffle of Oscar nominations was the fact that Arkansan Glen Campbell received his first Oscar nomination. It was for co-writing the song “I’m Not Gonna Miss You” from the documentary Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me.  Unfortunately, due to the ravages of Alzheimer’s this plaudit comes too late in his career for him to relish it.

In 2014, the documentary was screened at the CALS Ron Robinson Theater with members of Campbell’s family and the filmmakers present. It later opened the 2014 Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival before it was commercially released.

Though not featured in the film footage, Campbell’s last performance in Arkansas was at Robinson Center Music Hall to a sold out, lovingly appreciative and emotional audience.

Campbell’s previous closest brush with Oscar was as a co-star to John Wayne in the original True Grit, for which the Duke took home the trophy.