Celebration Cinema offers family film series, plus classics and opera

From the “Karate Kid,” to classic movies to classic opera, different movies attract different types of fans.Movie and opera buffs have three different ways to enjoy unique shows at a local movie theater this fall.besides its usual fare of films, Celebration Cinema in Mt. Pleasant is presenting:The Flicks Family Film Festival offering free admission to children 12 and younger;A “Celebrating the Classics” series;Live opera broadcasts from the New York Metropolitan Opera.The family film festival and the classics series started in September and both run through October.“The Met: Live in HD” series starts next weekend at 550 movie theaters and performing arts centers nationwide and runs through June 2010. Twelve live operas are scheduled.this is also the 10th anniversary of Celebration Cinema’s location on Pickard Street in Mt. Pleasant.Flicks Family Film FestivalEast week, a different film is shown as part of the festival.“It’s perfect for parents, everybody loves movies,” said Chris Couling, general manager of Celebration Cinema in Mt. Pleasant.Children 12 or younger get in free; admission is $3.50 for adults.The schedule is:“The Karate Kid”: Oct. 1 to 7.“Despicable Me.” Oct. 8 to 14.“Ramona and Beezus,” Oct. 15 to 21.“Cats and Dogs, The Revenge of Kitty Galore” Oct. 22 to 28.Celebrating the ClassicsNothing beats seeing a movie on the big screen.Couling admits, you could see a movie on TV or DVD, but adds that “it’s not the same as seeing it in a movie theater, surrounded by other people, experiencing it together, having people laugh with you when something funny happens.”In the case of the classics, it might be the first time younger moviegoers have seen the film in all its glory on a big screen. for older movie goers, it might remind them of when they saw it before.Couling said he noticed an older couple, probably in their 70s, who saw “Rebel Without a Cause” when it was shown in early September.“it must have been fun for them to see it again,” he said.The schedule includes:“Sunset Boulevard,” Oct. 5 and 7, a 1950 film starring William Holden and Gloria Swanson.“Giant,” Oct. 12 and 14. A 1956 film starring Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor.“The Man Who Knew too Much,” Oct. 19 and 21. A 1956 film starring James Stewart and Doris Day.“Dracula” Oct. 26 and 28. A 1931 film, starring Bela Lugosi and Helen Chandler.Show times are Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. and 5.45 p.m. on the selected days.“The Met: Live in HD”this program brings the famous New York Metropolitan Opera to you.The critically acclaimed series, is transmitted live, in high definition, to selected theaters.Couling said the series has plenty of local fans, especially among fans and members of the opera program at Central Michigan University.Well-known operas can generate nearly sold-out shows, while some of the others might get 20 or 30 people, he said.Performances take place on selected Saturdays. Recorded encore presentations usually are the third Wednesday evening after the live performance and are shown at selected theaters.“We’re pleased that NCM (National CineMedia) continues to expand its network of theaters carrying the Met, making it possible for more opera lovers than ever to participate in our performance this season,” Peter Gelb, general manager of the Metropolitan Opera, said in a press release.The 2010-11 season starts at 1 p.m. Oct. 9 with the Met’s new production of Wagner’s “Das Rheingold,” directed by Robert Lepage and conducted by Met Music Director James Levine. Bryn Terfel singing his first Met Wotan leads the cast.Other shows:“Boris Godunov,” by Mussorgsky, new production, noon Oct. 23.“Don Pasquale,” a comic opera by Donizetti, 1 p.m. Nov. 13.“Don Carlo,” by Verdi; new production, 12:30 p.m. Dec. 11.“La Fanciulla Del West,” Puccini’s Wild West opera, 1 p.m. Jan. 8. this performance marks the 100th anniversary of the opera’s world premier at the Met.“Nixon in China,” 1 p.m. Feb. 12.John Adams’ acclaimed opera has its Met premiere. Kathleen Kim is Chiagn Ch’ing; Janis Kelly sings Pat Nixon, and James Maddalena reprises his portrayal of President Richard Nixon, a role he created in the 1987 world premiere.“Iphigénie en Tauride,” 1 p.m. Feb. 26.Susan Graham sings the title role in Gluck’s interpretation of the Greek myth, opposite Plàcido Domingo as her brother Oreste and Paul Groves as his friend Pylade.“Lucia Di Lammermoor,” 1 p.m. March 19, by Donizetti.“Le Comte Ory,” 1 p.m. April 9.this Met premiere production has Juan Diego Florez in the title role of Rossini’s comedy.“Capriccio,” 1 p.m. April 23, by Strauss.“Il Trovatore,” 1 p.m. April 30, by Verdi“Die Walküre,” noon May 14, by Wagner. The second installment of Robert Lepage’s new production of Wagner’s Ring cycle, conducted by Levine, again features Bryn Terfel as Wotan. 

Celebration Cinema offers family film series, plus classics and opera

movie theater, opera broadcasts