Michael Jackson Film, THE WIZ to be Screened at Warner Grand Theatre

PRLog (Press Release) - Aug 15, 2009 -
The new Summer Film Festival, Warner On Wednesdays - a series of 12 films on Wednesdays show at 6PM and 9PM for only $3 per person, is now down to its final four films.

Shown at the beautiful Warner Grand Theatre, 478 West 6th Street in Downtown San Pedro (The Port Town of Los Angeles), these films at family firendly prices are attracting new audiences into this historic 78 year-old movie palace that can seat over 1500.  The theatre is a facility of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultrual Affairs.  The series of films is produced by The Relevant Stage Theatre Company with the financial backing of community partners such as Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council, Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council, and Sacred Grounds Coffee House.

In addition to individual tickets for just $3, families and couples can save even more by purchasing a $10 "Date Night" ticket that includes rwo admissions, two popcorn and two drinks for one low price - a savings of $8!

The remaining films are:

8/19/09 - THE WIZ (1978, G)  
Michael Jackson's first film, playing the Scarecrow in this Urban, musical retelling of THE WIZARD OF OZ.  Contains popular songs:  "Ease On Down The Road", "Home" and "Brand New Day" with Diana Ross, Nipsy Russell, Lena Horne, Richard Pryor and a cast of hundreds.  Come dressed as your favorite Wiz character, or as Michael Jackson.  A special 15 minute tribute to Jackson will precede each showing at 6PM and 9PM.  In this version of the classic story - based on the smash Broadway musical - Dorothy is a shy 24-year-old Harlem kindergarten teacher who is brought by a snowstorm to the mysterious Land of Oz, a sprawling, decaying, nightmarish, and dangerous megalopolis that resembles the physical characteristics of New York City. The re-telling of the tale includes various urban settings and features themes of rising above one's background and the expectations of others.

8/26/09 - SECRET LIFE OF BEES (2008, PG-13)  
Based on the New York Times best selling novel and set in South Carolina in 1964, SECRET LIFE OF BEES is the moving tale of Lily Owens (Fanning) a 14 year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother (Burton). To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father (Bettany), Lily flees with Rosaleen (Hudson), her caregiver and only friend, to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by the intelligent and independent Boatwright sisters (Latifah, Okonedo and Keys), Lily finds solace in their mesmerizing world of beekeeping.

9/02/09 - TYLER PERRY'S MADEA GOES TO JAIL (2009, PG-13)  
At long last, Madea returns to the big screen in TYLER PERRY'S MADEA GOES TO JAIL. This time America's favorite irreverent, pistol-packin' grandmomma is raising hell behind bars and lobbying for her freedom.  After a high-speed freeway chase puts Madea (TYLER PERRY) in front of the judge, her reprieve is short-lived as anger management issues get the best of her and land her in jail. A gleeful Joe (TYLER PERRY) couldn't be happier at Madea's misfortune. But Madea's eccentric family members the Browns (DAVID and TAMALA MANN) rally behind her, lending their special "country" brand of support.  Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorney Joshua Hardaway (DEREK LUKE) is on the fast track to career success. But Hardaway lands a case too personal to handle - defending young prostitute and former drug addict Candace Washington (KEISHA KNIGHT PULLIAM) - and asks his fiancée and fellow ADA Linda Holmes (ION OVERMAN) to fill in on his behalf. When Candace ends up in jail, Madea befriends the young woman, protecting her in a "motherly" way as only Madea can.  Based on Perry's successful stage play, TYLER PERRY'S MADEA GOES TO JAIL is written, and directed by Tyler Perry. The film is produced by Reuben Cannon. TYLER PERRY'S MADEA GOES TO JAIL also stars RONREACO LEE, VANESSA FERLITO, VIOLA DAVIS, ROBIN COLEMAN, SOPHIA VERGARA, and BOBBI BAKER.

9/09/09 CORALINE 2D (2008, PG)  
A young girl walks through a secret door and discovers a parallel reality that is eerily similar to the life she already knows, yet deeply unsettling in a number of ways, in director Henry Selick's animated adaptation of Neil Gaiman's international best-seller. Eleven-year-old Coraline Jones (voice of Dakota Fanning) is fearlessly courageous, and perhaps far too adventurous for her own good. Coraline and her parents (Teri Hatcher and John Hodgman) have recently relocated to Oregon from Michigan. Bored in her new home since her parents are distracted by work and she has yet to make any new friends, Coraline passes the time by exploring her new neighborhood with an annoying local boy named Wybie Lovat (Robert Bailey Jr.). But after paying a visit to her eccentric neighbors Miss Spink (Jennifer Saunders) and Miss Forcible (Dawn French), a pair of aging British actresses, and crossing paths with the outright weird Mr. Bobinsky (Ian McShane), the precocious young girl becomes convinced that her new surroundings are just as dull as she'd initially suspected. Shortly thereafter, Coraline discovers a hidden door in her new house, and decides to investigate. Venturing into the eerie passageway inside, Coraline emerges into an alternate version of her own reality. At first glance, this strange new world seems even better than the real thing; there her parents aren't distracted by work, and Coraline is always the center of attention. There's even a mysterious Cat (Keith David) that's fascinated by her every move. But when Coraline's button-eyed Other Mother (also Hatcher) attempts to make her stay permanent, the frightened young girl must summon her resourcefulness and bravery in order to find her way back home and save her real family.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/10311068/1