Bob's Take: Films keep viewers feeling ‘Forever Young'

Classic movies aren't just for adults.

Neither are movies that contribute to the art of filmmaking, or that have a place of honor in cinema history.

Film Streams, Omaha's art-house nonprofit cinema, is recognizing this in a big way, starting July 4, with a new “Forever Young” series of screenings.

Every Saturday and Sunday, plus one weekday afternoon, Film Streams' Ruth Sokolof Theater will present a matinee of a family or children's classic film. Screening times, generally between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on weekends and either 2 or 4 on weekdays, will vary as the theater learns what people prefer.

Unlike other series retrospectives at Film Streams, this one is here to stay — year-round — if audiences support it.

“We want to play some films this generation of kids might not be familiar with,” said Rachel Jacobson, Film Streams' director.

Jacobson, who is 30, said many of her friends and co-workers are at an age when they have children of their own. So it made sense that 30-somethings' favorite childhood films would be unfamiliar to their kids.

Many classic animated films belong to the Disney catalog, and Disney tightly controls the re-release and screenings of those. They're simply not available to a place like Film Streams.

“We had to get creative in putting this list together,” Jacobson said. Whether she was at a party or an art gallery opening, she found that when she asked, people were eager to offer suggestions and talk about their favorite childhood movies.

“We also wanted to select a few that are really entertaining for adults as well as children,” she said.

And, she added, everyone needs to see “The Wizard of Oz” on a big screen at least once. It may air on television a lot, but the chance to see it in a theater doesn't come every year.

There's one more reason for the forever young series. Most movies screened at Film Streams are not appropriate for kids. But Jacobson is always looking to expand her audience and give people who haven't stopped in yet a reason to check out the theater.

Here are seven good reasons:

“The Wizard of Oz,” July 4, 5, 11 and 12: The 1939 movie based on L. Frank Baum's book won Oscars for best score and song (“Over the Rainbow”). It was nominated in four more categories, including best picture. Judy Garland is Dorothy, who rides a cyclone from Kansas to the strange land of Oz, where new friends teach her about brains, heart and courage while keeping her one step ahead of the Wicked Witch of the West. The older you get, the more layers you discover in this timeless story.

“The Never-Ending Story,” July 18, 19, 25 and 26: German director Wolfgang Petersen knows a thing or two about suspense, scoring two Academy Award nominations for the World War II submarine movie “Das Boot.” He has since directed “The Perfect Storm,” “Poseidon” and “In the Line of Fire.” In 1984's “Never-Ending Story,” a troubled boy dives into a fantasy world through the pages of a mysterious book.

“The Princess Bride,” Aug. 1, 2, 8 and 9: Rob Reiner's 1987 movie has lines many adults can quote. Plus, what a great fairy-tale story and what a hilarious cast! Who doesn't love Cary Elwes and Mandy Patinkin dueling atop the cliff? Or Peter Falk reading to his grandson, Fred Savage? BIlly Crystal and Carol Kane are a scream as an ancient tree-dwelling couple, while Peter Cook is a bumbling clergyman. A brand new print of the film is coming to Omaha.

“The Secret of NIMH,” Aug. 15, 16, 22 and 23. In director Don Bluth's 1982 charmer, a mother field mouse with an ill son must turn to a colony of superintelligent rats for help. Can wise old Nicodemus help Mrs. Brisby escape the path of the plow? Not before several secrets are revealed.

“Pee-Wee's Big Adventure,” Aug. 29 and 30, Sept. 5 and 6. Jacobson sees innovation and even postmodern brilliance in this wacky story that led to a 1986 TV series. Paul Reubens stars as the strange, bow-tied kid with the bike. Look for Pee-Wee to return to the big screen in 2011. Can Large Marge be far behind?

“The Iron Giant,” Sept. 12, 13, 19 and 20: Before he became famous for Oscar winners like “The Incredibles” and “Ratatouille,” director Brad Bird made this 1999 animated story of a boy who befriends a giant robot that a government agent wants to destroy.

“Babe,” Sept. 26 and 27: Director Chris Noonan parlayed this live-action story of a talking pig into a 1995 best-picture nomination. Bah-ram-ewe. Plus it's the movie in which many of us discovered actor James Cromwell (Farmer Hoggett), who's been popping up in great character roles ever since.