The Hope College Knickerbocker Free Family Film Series will continue with three more free movies on the next three consecutive Thursdays: July 31, August 7 and August 14. All the films are at 7:30 p.m. and are free of charge.
“Howl's Moving Castle,” by the acclaimed artist and director Hayao Miyazaki, will show on Thursday, July 31. Sophie, a quiet girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she meets Howl, a handsome, but mysterious, wizard. The vain and vengeful Witch of the Waste, jealous of their friendship, puts a spell on Sophie. In a life-changing adventure, Sophie climbs aboard Howl’s magnificent moving castle and enters a magical world on a quest to break the spell. This animated feature was nominated for an Academy Award, and is one of the most successful Japanese films ever. The film is rated PG.
On Thursday, Aug. 7, Tim Burton's “Big Fish” will be featured. Throughout his life, Edward Bloom (Ewan McGregor) has always been a man of big appetites, enormous passions and tall tales. In his later years, portrayed by five-time Best Actor Oscar nominee Albert Finney (Best Actor in a Supporting Role, “Erin Brockovich,” 2000), he remains a huge mystery to his son, William (Billy Crudup). Now, to get to know the real man, Will begins piecing together a true picture of his father from flashbacks of his amazing adventures. The film is rated PG-13.
The final film in the free series is Steven Spielberg’s “Hook,” starring Robin Williams. When Captain Hook kidnaps his children, an adult Peter Pan must return to Neverland and reclaim his youthful spirit in order to challenge his old enemy. The 1991 hit film also features Dustin Hoffman, Maggie Smith, and Julia Roberts. It is rated PG.
The Knickerbocker Theatre opened in 1911 as a venue for live performances. By the 1920s it had been renamed the Holland Theatre, and it featured films for several decades. The college purchased the theatre with support from an anonymous donor and returned it to its original name in 1988. The theatre features primarily art and foreign films as well as special series like the summer family films, and also hosts live community and college events, including Hope’s Jack Ridl Visiting Writers Series, dance concerts and portions of the Great Performance Series.
The Knickerbocker Theatre is located in downtown Holland at 86 E. Eighth St.