Hana hou: Potterthon and ‘Back to the Future’
Sometimes it takes time and a bit of golden hindsight to make a film a classic, but we pretty much knew from the get-go that "Back to the Future" had that status nailed.
When Bob Zemeckis’ sci-fi retro-adventure was released in 1985, I gave the film a perfect score, and later, when two sequels were released, it was obvious that Zemeckis was attempting nothing less than a modern version of "A Christmas Carol," one of the great mythological story arcs of our time.
Seriously, is there anyone who doesn’t like "Back to the Future"?
For the film’s 25th anniversary last year, Universal gave it a digital makeover and cleanup and modernized the sound. This version will kick off Consolidated Theatres’ new "Hana Hou Picture Show" series, in which classic films that haven’t been screened in years are brought back for a one-night stand.
Receiving a digital big-screen copy of a film, Consolidated shows it in its state-of-the-art TitanXC theater at the Ward 16 location.
"Back to the Future" shows at 7 and 10 p.m. Monday. Admission is $14.25 — the usual for special screenings — and yes, you can buy tickets in advance, either at the box office or through Fandango.
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"Hana Hou Picture Show" is spun out of the unexpected success Consolidated had last month with a revival of 1986’s "Top Gun," which packed the theater.
"Essentially, this is the people’s program," said Consolidated’s promotions director, Lindsey Chun-Hori. We had fans and customers suggest names for the program through Facebook and Twitter, and the logo is being designed by a member in our social media community."
In this case the overwhelming response from Honolulu movie fans was for "Back to the Future."
What’s next?
"Tell us what film you’d love to see on the big screen again — or for the first time," said Chun-Hori. "If the studios have it available, we’ll do our best to make it happen. Follow us on Twitter, ‘Like’ us on Facebook or fill out a comment card in the lobby to get in on the conversation. … The ‘Hana Hou Picture Show’ series is programmed by our friends and customers."
And we’ll track it on HonoluluPulse.com as well. Early votes are trending toward "Jurassic Park," which is interesting, since the Spielbergian dinosaur movies haven’t yet been digitally remastered (they will supposedly be released on Blu-Ray this fall). They’ll have ballots at the "Future" screenings.
Me, I’d like to see "Tora Tora Tora" on the big screen this December. Who’s with me?
"Hana Hou Picture Show" is on hold in July, however. That’s because Consolidated is hosting a Harry Potter-palooza in anticipation of the theatrical release of "Harry Potter and the Dealthy Hallows Part 2," the final film in the wildly successful Warner Bros. franchise.
For the four days prior to the opening, for $35, you can get a Potterthon Pass to all seven previous "Potter" movies, or individual films for $7 each.
Passes can be bought in advance at the Ward 16 venue until July 11.
All films screen back-to-back at the Ward location. The schedule is:
» July 11: "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone" and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets."
» July 12: "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" and "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."
» July 13: "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" and "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."
» July 14: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1."
The exact screening times are still being worked out by the theater. The concession stand will also feature "Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans," just that week.
The second, concluding part of "Deathly Hallows" is not part of the package, but Potterheads know that it will screen at midnight, July 14, all over the muggly world.
Information: (www.consolidatedtheatres.com) or 594-7044.
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Read Burl Burlingame’s "FilmSlashTV" blog at honolulupulse.com.