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.

Christmas Movies at World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX in December

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World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX® Theater to Feature Two Holiday Family Favorites
“The Polar Express” and “Santa vs. the Snowman”

The Polar Express
An inspiring 90-minute animated holiday adventure based on the Caldecott Award-winning book by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express tells the story of a boy battling with the belief of Santa Claus’ existence. The film takes audiences on the boy’s extraordinary journey to the North Pole with the train’s conductor (voice of Tom Hanks) where he receives an extraordinary gift only those who still believe in Santa can experience. Ticket prices for the special engagement film are $10 for adults, $9 for military, seniors and students and $8 for children 3-12.

Santa vs. the Snowman
This movie tells the story of a lonely Snowman who at first is swept away by the magical wonders of Santa’s Village, only to become jealous of Santa because he is adored by children everywhere. An all-out, riotous battle for Christmas ensues, with the Snowman and his minions squaring off against Santa and his elf army for the rights to be Santa and receive all the love, good tidings and friendship the jolly man in red has all to himself. Tickets to the 35-minute film are $8 for adults with discounts for military, seniors, students and children.

The two holiday films will screen at the IMAX theater through Wednesday, Dec. 24. Tickets to both films can be purchased at the theater box office or on-line at www.wgv.com.
A complete film schedule as well as additional ticket information can be obtained on-line at www.wgv.com or by calling 904-940-IMAX (4629).

The Tuskegee Airmen – Charleston, SC

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Have house guests over the Thanksgiving weekend? Bring the crew down to the Museum for a visit to From Slave to Sharecropper: African Americans in the Low country after the Civil War, then watch The Tuskegee Airmen. This movie picks up at the end of our exhibit period and tells the remarkable World War II story of the U. S. Army Air Corps Fighting 99, the first squadron of African American combat fighter pilots. Did you know the Tuskegee Airmen had a Low country connection? Over 500 Tuskegee Airmen received advanced combat training at Walterboro Army Air Field from 1944-1945 before they were sent into action in the European theater. RATED PG-13.

FREE for Charleston Museum members and FREE with admission ($10/adults, $5/children, under 3 free) Call (843) 722-2996 for more information!

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa – St. Augustine, FL

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Audiences will join their favorite characters from the Central Park Zoo for another incredible adventure when Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa opens as a special engagement at the World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater Friday, Nov. 7. Guests to the film Mondays through Thursdays will enjoy special pricing of $8 per person at the largest IMAX screen in Northeast Florida (standard special engagement pricing will be applicable to guests Fridays through Sundays).

On Saturday, Nov. 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., a spokesperson from The Jacksonville Zoo will be at the IMAX Theater joined by live animals, some of which are represented in Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cold Stone Creamery at the Avenues will be serving special Madagascar 2-themed creations to all guests (while supplies last). Additionally, the Jacksonville Museum of Science and History (MOSH) will offer $1 off admission to all individuals presenting a Madagascar 2 ticket stub from the World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa has been digitally re-mastered through IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) technology. With crystal-clear, larger-than-life images and state-of-the-art digital surround sound, IMAX puts audiences in the movie for the largest, most immersive cinematic experience around. Madagascar Escape 2 Africa: The IMAX Experience will debut concurrently with the nationwide release in conventional theatres from DreamWorks Animation on November 7.

Says the film’s co-director Tom McGrath: “This movie was so much fun to make – we loved getting back together with all our friends from the first Madagascar and adding a whole new batch of incredibly talented voice artists to bring our new characters to life.” Adds co-director Eric Darnell, “We know that the giant IMAX screen is the best way for audiences to get as close as possible to all their favorite characters.”

In the highly-anticipated sequel to Madagascar, Alex, Marty, Melman, Gloria, King Julien, Maurice and the penguins and the chimps find themselves marooned on the distant shores of Madagascar. In the face of this obstacle, the New Yorkers have hatched a plan so crazy it just might work. With military precision, the penguins have repaired an old crashed plane — sort of. Once aloft, this unlikely crew stays airborne just long enough to make it to the wildest place of all — the vast plains of Africa, where the members of our zoo-raised crew encounter species of their own kind for the very first time. Africa seems like a great place…but is it better than their Central Park home?

DreamWorks SKG Presents Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, a Paramount Pictures release featuring the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer, Andy Richter, Bernie Mac, Sherri Shepherd, Alec Baldwin and will.i.am. The film is directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath, who helmed the original “Madagascar,” which earned more than $500,000,000 in worldwide box office. The screenplay is written by Etan Cohen, Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath. It is produced by Mireille Soria (“Madagascar”) and Mark Swift (“Bee Movie”).

Ticket prices for Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa at the World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater are $8 for all age groups Monday through Thursday, and regular special engagement pricing of $12 for adults Friday through Sunday (with discounts for children, military, seniors and students). Released through Paramount Pictures, the film has been rated PG for some mild crude humor.

The 2D World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater offers unique movies and entertainment enhanced by state-of-the-art, specially-designed cinematic technology. Located at World Golf Village, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary throughout 2008, the 300-seat IMAX Theater is the largest IMAX screen in Northeast Florida, housing an 80-foot-wide by 60-foot-high screen. The theater shows a variety of entertaining and educational movies and is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas. For tickets and show times, call 904-940-IMAX or visit www.wgv.com.