Here is a the 2013 summer movie schedule for Film Night in the Park, which presents free outdoor movies on a giant screen in various parks throughout Marin and San Francisco. Show time for all the movies is 8 pm, but arrive a little early for music, a raffle, and a cartoon. Reminiscent of the drive-in movies of yesteryear, Film Night in the Park is noted for its audience participation, with cheers for heroes, boos and hisses for villains, sing-a-longs, and hearty applause.
This season's offerings are a fun mix of recent hits like Pixar's Brave, Lincoln, and Moonrise Kingdomand classics including The Princess Bride, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Hitchcock's The Birds. There's definitely something for everyone.
Grab your blanket, pillow and pack the picnic basket—because Film Night in the Park is coming soon to a park near you. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Popcorn, candy, and sodas will be available for sale. For more information call (415) 272-2756 or visit www.filmnight.org.
We can't think of any family that isn't a fan of Pixar movies, and we especially love the fact that they're made here right in the Bay Area. On June 9, you and your family can experience unforgettable moments from 13 of your favorite Disney/Pixar films in an all new way—accompanied live by our own Marin Symphony!
The first-ever concert of its kind in the North Bay, Pixar in Concert will feature the symphony, led by Maestro Alasdair Neale, in musical selections from Brave, Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Cars, Up, Monsters Inc. Wall-e, Ratatouille, and more. It's a great way to introduce kids to the magic of the orchestra and live music, and a fun way to celebrate the Marin Symphony's 60th season.
Pixar in Concert takes place on Sunday, June 9, at 3 pm at Marin Center's Veterans' Memorial Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now (and are apparently going fast!) and range in price from $20 to $75. You can order yours online, by calling (415) 473-6800, or in person at the Marin Center Box Office (Monday–Friday, 11 am–5 pm, and Saturday, 11 am–3 pm). Marin Center is located at 10 Avenue of the Flags in San Rafael, near the Marin Civic Center.
During the holidays, we're indundated with Christmas-themed movies and TV specials of all different kinds. Being something of a family of movie buffs, we decided to put together our list of favorite holiday movies. Here's what we think is worth repeat watching each December.
The Snowman
Based on the picture book of the same name by Raymond Briggs, The Snowman is short 27-minute animated film that tells the story of a young boy who builds a snowman on Christmas Eve, only to find that it comes to life later on that night and takes him on a magical journey to the North Pole.
There’s no dialogue to speak of, except for some introductory narration by David Bowie (yes, David Bowie). The Snowman, with its musical interlude featuring the haunting song Walking in the Air, beautiful animation, and messages of friendship and loss, is a true classic. Your kids will love it, and I challenge any parent not to get choked up by the end.
(The San Francisco Symphony accompanies a screening The Snowman this Saturday, December 22, at Davies Symphony Hall. Learn more about it here.)
Marin Mommies presents another guest article by Marin Mom and writer Gabrielle Cullen.
Marin County will roll out the red carpet for the 35th Mill Valley Film Festival from October 4–14, 2012, and what better way to get a little glamour than to enjoy the fest as a fam? Introduce the little ones to films they’ll never normally see on the big screen, have a rocking good time at a Bollywood party and watch your budding Pixar illustrator work magic at an animation workshop. Here’s an inside guide to what may be one of the most unique kids events all year.
Don’t be Late: The Children’s FilmFest runs the length of the entire festival, from October 4–14 in and around Marin County. Locations for the kids film festival include the Christopher B. Smith Film Center, 142 Throckmorton Theatre, Intel Computer Clubhouse and others. Check out the website for more info.
Just because school begins this week for many in Marin doesn't mean there aren't plenty of fun summer activities to still enjoy. This Saturday, August 25 from 6 to 9:30 pm, take in an outdoor screening of Pixar's classic Finding Nemo and a family dinner at Novato's Rolling Hills Club at their first ever "Dive In" Dinner and Movie.
Participate in fun pool games and enjoy a dinner of spaghetti and meatballs, salad, and garlic bread before you settle down to watch the movie on a giant, inflatable, 25-foot screen. The "Dive In" costs just $30 per family for club members and $35 per non-members family, so it's an inexpensive night out, as well as a great way to come see what the club is all about. The price also includes lemonade, and beer or wine for those 21 and over.
Bring your swimsuits, towels, and pool toys (you can even bring floaties and watch the movie from the pool!) as well as sleeping bags, blankets and pillows so you can get comfy on the pool deck. The movie starts at around 7:15 pm, but get there early to get a good spot, enjoy dinner, and participate in the activities.
This summer, Cinemark's Summer Movie Clubhouse offers fun weekly summer movies for kids at the bargain price of only $1 per show. You can even purchase a punch card admitting you to 10 shows for only $5! 10-show discount punch cards are limited in quantity and must be purchased in advance at the theater box office. All films are rated G or PG. For more info, visit their website here.
Participating theaters in Marin include the Century Rowland Plaza in Novato at 44 Rowland Way, and CinéArts Marin in Sausalito at 101 Caledonia Street. Here's the schedule for this summer:
Century Rowland Plaza, Novato (all films start at 10 am)
Calling all young filmmakers ages 10 to 18: Larkspur's Lark Theater has announced a call for entries for its 7th Annual Youth Film Festival. Local youth can express their creativity and filmmaking skills and share their stories, and selected young filmmakers will have a chance to see their creations on the big screen!
Films may be in one of four different categories—narrative, documentary, music, or green theme—in either 10–13 or 14–18 age groups.
Short films (under 11 minutes long) should be submitted on DVD or in Quicktime (.mov) format by March 9, 2012. The 2012 Youth Film Festival will be held on April 29, 2012, and will showcase films selected for the festival by a jury of industry professionals. In addition to the screenings, the festival program also includes an awards ceremony and a youth filmmaker Q&A.
As a lifelong Tintin fan, I greeted the news that Steven Spielberg was making The Adventures of Tintin, a computer-animated movie version of the boy reporter's escapades, with a mix of delight and dread. Like many Tintin fans, I feel a sort of irrational protectiveness for the stories and characters, and was worried about Hollywood making a mess of things. If you're new to Tintin and wonder what it's all about (he's unfamiliar to many in America), read my earlier blog post about him here.
I've made a point of introducing the Tintin graphic novels to my kids, who are now 8 and 6, and together we've read most of them. They were also excited at the prospect of a Tintin movie, and have been bugging me to take them since they heard about it.
So last week we finally made it to the theater to see The Adventures of Tintin. The Adventures of Tintin is ostensibly based on The Secret of the Unicorn, but it's actually a pastiche of that, another Tintin story The Crab with Golden Claws, and a lot of stuff that's pure Hollywood. Although I had a hard time shaking my feeling of dread, I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised by the movie. (By the way, there may be spoilers ahead, so read at your own risk if you haven't seen the movie yet.)
Pixar's latest offering, Cars 2 zooms into theathers today. Like all movies from the Bay Area's own Pixar, it's usually not a matter of if you and your kids are going to see it, but when. Their 2006 animated feature Cars was a huge hit in our house. While it wasn't my favorite Pixar movie, it certainly struck a chord with the younger members of our household, especially my daughter, who held a long-time fascination with Mater the tow truck after she discovered the movie (she was only a few months old when it came out).
We had a the opportunity to take in an advance screening of Cars 2 last week. Unlike the first film, where the action was confined larglely to the fictional desert town of Radiator Springs, Cars 2 follows race car Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) and his hayseed tow truck buddy Mater (a top-billed Larry the Cable Guy) on an international racing series that takes place in Japan, Italy, and the UK. Complicating matters is a James Bond-style subplot involving British spy cars Finn McMissile (Michael Caine) and Holley Shiftwell (Emily Mortimer).
Here is a the 2013 summer movie schedule for Film Night in the Park, which presents free outdoor movies on a giant screen in various parks throughout Marin and San Francisco. Show time for all the movies is 8 pm, but arrive a little early for music, a raffle, and a cartoon. Reminiscent of the drive-in movies of yesteryear, Film Night in the Park is noted for its audience participation, with cheers for heroes, boos and hisses for villains, sing-a-longs, and hearty applause.
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During the holidays, we're indundated with Christmas-themed movies and TV specials of all different kinds. Being something of a family of movie buffs, we decided to put together our list of favorite holiday movies. Here's what we think is worth repeat watching each December.
by Raymond Briggs, 
is short 27-minute animated film that tells the story of a young boy who builds a snowman on Christmas Eve, only to find that it comes to life later on that night and takes him on a magical journey to the North Pole.
Marin Mommies presents another guest article by Marin Mom and writer Gabrielle Cullen.
Just because school begins this week for many in Marin doesn't mean there aren't plenty of fun summer activities to still enjoy. This Saturday, August 25 from 6 to 9:30 pm, take in an outdoor screening of Pixar's classic Finding Nemo and a family dinner at Novato's Rolling Hills Club at their first ever "Dive In" Dinner and Movie.
This summer, Cinemark's Summer Movie Clubhouse offers fun weekly summer movies for kids at the bargain price of only $1 per show. You can even purchase a punch card admitting you to 10 shows for only $5! 10-show discount punch cards are limited in quantity and must be purchased in advance at the theater box office. All films are rated G or PG. For more info, 
Calling all young filmmakers ages 10 to 18: Larkspur's Lark Theater has announced a call for entries for its 7th Annual Youth Film Festival. Local youth can express their creativity and filmmaking skills and share their stories, and selected young filmmakers will have a chance to see their creations on the big screen!
As a 
, but it's actually a pastiche of that, another Tintin story 
, and a lot of stuff that's pure Hollywood. Although I had a hard time shaking my feeling of dread, I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised by the movie. (By the way, there may be spoilers ahead, so read at your own risk if you haven't seen the movie yet.)
Pixar's latest offering, Cars 2 zooms into theathers today. Like all movies from the Bay Area's own Pixar, it's usually not a matter of if you and your kids are going to see it, but when. Their 2006 animated feature Cars was a huge hit in our house. While it wasn't my favorite Pixar movie, it certainly struck a chord with the younger members of our household, especially my daughter, who held a long-time fascination with Mater the tow truck after she discovered the movie (she was only a few months old when it came out).
