Movies

We officially canceled cable last year, the final step in moving to a completely on-demand cinematic lifestyle. OK, "cinematic lifestyle" is a stretch, but since we certainly enjoy movies on the tube, and given the availability of (legal) movie download sources on the web, we thought we'd take the plunge, maybe even save a few bucks in the long run. Last year, as my husband hooked up our Mac Mini to the TV and viola! Who needs live TV? Even our demanding Friday night movie crowd (e.g, our kids) adjusted nicely. Call it an experiment, but it's been a successful experiment.

It seems like only yesterday I was a wee Dorothy gluing red glitter on my patent leather Mary Janes much to my mom's dismay.

Harry has finally arrived. In honor of the boy-wizard Instructables has put together some of their favorite Harry Potter inspired how-tos for you to make. The Instructables guide to all things Harry Potter is a nice compilation of costume-y doodads and tasty drinks.

It was an afternoon made in movie-going heaven for me last Sunday at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood. My 3 year old daughter cozied up in my lap...a bucket of popcorn nestled in hers...her best friend strategically situated between us and her mommy constantly peeping sideways at my daughter to catch her eye and share a giddy giggle or two...and me, heart-skipping beats...sobbing in silence behind my 3D glasses.

The Aero Theater in Santa Monica will be hosting a double feature this Friday, May 22nd of Joe Dante's classic scary puppet flicks Gremlins and Gremlins 2: The New Batch. Beginning at 7:30pm with the movie that started it all. A special discussion with director Joe Dante and actor Glynn Turman will take place in between films.

If you believe in fairies or happen to be raising a petite pixie of your very own come to the Grove in LA this Sunday for a full day of "magically delicious" fun. This free family event is sponsored by The Grove, Barnes & Noble, Faeryworlds, and Noesis Publishing and boasts activites galore including contests, author readings, magic, music, fairy parades, puppets, a free screening of Labyrinth (go Bowie) and more. Check this out:

This Saturday, December 21st American Cinematheque is holding a very special free Family Matinee screening of 1970 holiday musical classic "Scrooge" The event will be at Hollywood's Egyptian Theater and has been made possible through a generous grant from Hollywo

Star Wars has been a bonding experience for my son and myself for many years (like geeky father, like geeky son I guess). While the movies certainly compete for attention with the myriad of others out there (not like when I was a kid -- there was ONLY Star Wars), few can provide such a wonderful opportunity to discuss how the imagination of one man has truly helped shaped the world--and the future--like Star Wars.

Devil's Night is back with an Angel City Drive special Family Night screening of 1990 Burton classic "Edward Scissorhands" this Saturday, December 13th. Treat your kids to this strange and beautiful story of a fish out of water thrust into the middle of suburban hell. Laugh, cry, fall in love with Johnny Depp all over again on a 24ft by 18ft screen in the perfect outdoor movie venue atop a downtown LA parking structure.

The Grove in Los Angeles understands that outdoor movies aren't just for summer. Something I always wondered about being a native Southern California girl myself. I mean, really, fall comes with it's gorgeous weather and early sunsets. What a great opportunity to go see an outdoor movie and not have to wait until 8 or 9pm for it to start. And perhaps your kids will actually get to watch the movie for once.