Published November 30th, 2016
Lamorinda Theatres Celebrate the Season with Unique Films and Fun
By Derek Zemrak
Jan Wahl will co-host a lecture on holiday movies on Dec. 10. Photo provided
The Rheem Theatre will get people into the holiday spirit at 7 p.m. on Dec. 2 with the Psychotronix Christmas Film Festival. This crazy, fun-filled evening will include some of the weirdest, wildest and wackiest Christmas short subjects all projected on 16MM film. The shorts will include vintage cartoons, TV commercials, stop-motion animation and oddball clips. Amazing Melanie will host these wild short films, commercials, TV promos and movie trailers.
The modern-day Christmas classic, "Home Alone" will be the FREE movie of the month at the Orinda Theatre at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8. "Home Alone" is now 26 years old and tells the tale of an 8-year-old troublemaker who must protect his home from a pair of burglars when he is accidentally left at home when his entire family flies off for their Christmas vacation. Bay Area resident Chris Columbus directed the film that stars Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern. Did you know that "Home Alone" was nominated for two Academy Awards in 1991 for Best Music, Original Song, "Somewhere in My Memory" and Best Music Original Score? "Home Alone" is one of my favorite holiday movies.
Speaking of holiday movies, KCBS Entertainment Editor Jan Wahl and I will be presenting a lecture at 4 p.m. on Dec. 10, at the Orinda Theatre entitled "Hollywood Does the Holidays." Learn how Hollywood has portrayed the holidays throughout the years, from the Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, to Christmas and Hanukkah, Jan and I will cover it all. The lecture will include film clips, behind-the-scenes stories, a whole lot of laughs and holiday refreshments. Tickets are $20 and proceeds will benefit the Moraga Community Foundation.
Do you miss the good ole holiday television specials with Dean Martin, Andy Williams, Perry Como or The Osmonds? Well wish no more! Adam Reeves and Patti Liedecker will be recreating that feeling in the best holiday musical special ever at 7 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 10 at the Rheem Theatre. The evening will include amazing performers, singers, live music, sing-alongs and comedy. Wear your zaniest holiday sweater and win a prize; ™bring an unwrapped toy for the Toy for Tots program. Come join the fun with Patti, Adam and friends for the warmest holiday special ever. Tickets are $20
The Silent Movie Night series at the Rheem continues at 7 p.m. Dec. 17 with two delightful versions of the Charles Dickens classic novel, "A Christmas Carol." The first short will be from 1913, a 40-minute film entitled "Old Scrooge," followed by the 30-minute, 1922 version, "Christmas Carol." Pianist Liedecker will be performing the live musical score and I will be doing a lecture on the history for the Dickens classic on the big screen, from the silent period to 2009's Robert Zemeckis version. Santa Claus will also be in attendance for the youngsters and the young at heart! Tickets are $15.
Tickets for all shows at the Orinda and Rheem Theaters can be purchased online at www.lamorindatheatres.com or the theaters' box office.
I would like to wish everyone the happiest of holiday season. See you at the movies!






Reach the reporter at:

back
Copyright Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA