Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Free Holiday Family Matinee – Savannah

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SCAD celebrates holidays with free, family-friendly movies and seasonal refreshments

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Savannah College of Art and Design invites the local community to SCAD Presents Holiday Matinee, a family-friendly celebration of holiday spirit, Saturday, Dec. 20, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The free event, open to the public and held at SCAD’s historic Trustees Theater, 216 E. Broughton St., features screenings of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” at 11 a.m. and “The Polar Express” in 3-D at 2 p.m. Guests also may enjoy complimentary popcorn and beverages, sing-alongs of favorite holiday classics and more.

“Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer” (47 minutes), featuring the vocal talents of Burl Ives, recounts the tale of a shy, young reindeer whose shiny red nose has made him the laughingstock of all Christmastown. Frustrated by their inability to fit in, Rudolph and his friend Hermey, the elf who wants to be a dentist, set out on their own. However, they soon find themselves pursued by the Abominable Snowmonster. They flee to the island of Misfit Toys in the Arctic wilderness, where prospector Yukon Cornelius comes to their rescue. Returning to Christmastown, they learn that bad weather may cause Christmas to be canceled. But Rudolph’s headlight—his illuminated nose—saves Christmas by serving as a beacon to guide Santa’s sleigh.

“The Polar Express” (99 minutes) in 3-D showcases the Academy Award-winning team of Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis (“Forrest Gump,” “Cast Away”). This inspiring adventure is based on the beloved Caldecott Medal children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. Trustees Theater will provide 3-D glasses to all attendees.

Children of all ages will delight in the festivities, which begin at 10 a.m. and last throughout the afternoon. In addition to the free film screenings, guests can take pictures in a snowy winter wonderland, join a sing-along of classic holiday tunes and enjoy a visit with Santa Claus.

The following day, Sunday, Dec. 21, SCAD will serve complimentary apple cider, hot cocoa and holiday cookies at its two retro diners, the Streamliner Diner, 120 W. Henry St., and Bobbie’s Diner, 1402 Habersham St. This event, which takes place from 1-3 p.m., is also free and open to the public.

Cracker – The Last Cowboys of Florida Film Screening at MOCA

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Cracker: The Last Cowboys of Florida is screening at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Jacksonville.

Yes, there are cowboys in Florida! Real live roping and riding cowboys, and they have been on the scene for over 250 years. In fact, Florida vies with Texas as the number one cattle-producing state in the USA. Filmed over a course of three years, the director, Victor Milt, soon realized that the life of the Florida cowboy was changing, disappearing before our very eyes. The explosion of land values has forecast an end to large scale ranching and a major loss of wilderness in Florida. This Jacksonville Film Festival favorite, captures the beauty of the old ways, many of which have not changed in hundreds of years with the drama of encroaching civilization. It’s a beautiful and important film documenting America in the throes of change. Receiving standing ovations at festivals everywhere, it is a must-see for any Floridian.

The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville has partnered with the Jacksonville Film Festival to give Northeast Florida residents the opportunity to see award-winning independent and foreign films from national and international film festivals. The Fall film series concludes this Thursday night at the Museum of Contemporary Art located at 333 N Laura Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. FILMS AT MOCA will continue in February featuring the best in international cinema.
Victor Milt 2008
Run time: 75 min. | USA

The Museum Of Contemporary Art – Jacksonville
333 North Laura Street
Jacksonville, FL, 32202 USA

$6 for Members; $8 for Non-Members
For more information about MOCA including programs and hours, please visit on-line at http://www.mocajacksonville.org

Award-winning Documentary Screening – Jacksonville, Fl

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The Award-winning Documentary “Africa’s Daughters” is screening on December 7th at the San Marco Theater in Jacksonville.
This documentary is the winner of the Atlanta Film Festival’s Grand Jury Prize for Best Short Documentary, “Africa’s Daughters” . The film captures the inspiring journey of two Ugandan girls with one big dream: to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.

Local filmmaker Natalie Halpern will be present at the screening and available for a Q&A afterwards.
Tickets are $10, and the money will go to help Ruth and Hoctavia, the two girls in the film, pay for college in Uganda. Visit the website for more information.

Straight outta Puerto Rico film – Jacksonville, FL

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film stripThis film will be played at The New Jacksonville Landing Cinematheque, admission is $8.00 per person. From its early roots in the impoverished barrios of Puerto Rico to its domination of the American urban music scene, Straight Outta Puerto Rico charts the rise of Reggaeton, a brazenly sexual and compellingly danceable mix of old-school rap, reggae, dance hall and in-your-face Spanish lyrics that galvanized the Puerto Rican economy and became an unstoppable force in urban music scenes around the world.

The film includes interviews and performances by Reggaeton’s biggest stars including Daddy Yankee, Tego Calderon, and Luny Tunes.

For more information please visit our website at www.filmfestival.jacksonville.com