Going to the cinema is such an important childhood experience. While few now remember rolling jaffas down wooden aisles, we still have memories of sharing our popcorn with those we love and losing ourselves in stories that have stayed in our hearts and minds.
Which is probably why Palace Cinema's Flashback series has been so incredibly popular. It is a chance to take your children to see the films you loved as a child. Although you don't need children as an excuse to go. There is no shame in revisiting precious childhood memories.
Palace Cinemas are screening Season 2 of their incredibly popular Flashback Films. The season runs from 15 February - 20 April, 2014.
The first to romp onto the screen is Disney's
Lion King (1994). Can it really be almost twenty years ago than Simba leapt onto our screens and into our hearts. It is of course a retelling of Shakespeare's Hamlet but kids don't know that. But it is probably why the story seems so familiar and the themes so universal.
The next screening is
The Little Mermaid (1989) Ah, the beautiful red-headed Ariel. This film is based on the Danish fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen and tells the story of a beautiful mermaid who dreams of becoming human. Gosh, if you didn't end up with an Ariel doll back in the 90s life wasn't worth living.
Disney's
Aladdin is up next. The well known and much loved story of a boy, a magic lamp and a genie who has bit of an attitude problem. Again it is part of the Disney
Disney Renaissance when after a hiatus the Disney production company returned to making blockbuster films in the 1990s.
Image Wikipedia
is a real blast from way back yonder as it is the 1950s version. With the vibrancy of early technicolor it launches these much loved characters back into our lives.
Muppet lovers are sure to enjoy Kermit and his adventures in New York with
The Muppets Take Manhattan. This is a 1984 musical comedy film directed by Frank Oz, who also performs Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, and Animal.
Image Wikipedia
While personally I never found
The Addams Family (1991) a patch on the original TV series, this film is great way to introduce a new generation to such eccentric characters as Gomez, the love of his life Morticia, Uncle Fester and Thing. Gothic humour at its best.
Roald Dahl is now part of a couple of generation's literary childhoods.
Matilda (1996) is a re-working of the Roald Dahl classic children's book Matilda who just happens to be a genus despite her woeful parents and the world's worst school principal.
Matilda Wormwood is played beautifully by Mara Wison with just the right amount of sauciness and wickedness.
Image Wikipedia
In
Gremlins (1984) a boy breaks some rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of mischievous monsters onto a small town. This fast-paced film has the Speilberg magic. Tad bit scary.
Annie (1982) is a family classic adapted from the Broadway musical based on the comic strip Little Orphan Annie. Based during the Great Depression in New York City it is the story of a plucky red-haired orphan who wins through despite the insurmountable problems. A redeeming movie.
The fabulous movie
Princess Bride closes the season with a few encore screenings. This beloved classic fairytale begins with a grandfather reading his favourite book to his grandson. He promises that it will provide him with everything from giants and magic to true love. As he reads the story it takes shape before the boy's eyes.
Flashback Films are on at the following Palace Cinemas.
Melbourne
Address: 231 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn
Phone: (03) 9817 1277
Sydney
Palace Norton Street
Address: 99 Norton Street, Leichhardt
Phone: (02) 9564 5620
Brisbane
Palace Barracks
Address: 61 Petrie Tce, Brisbane
Phone: (07) 3367 1954
Canberra
Palace Electric Cinema
Address: NewActon Nishi, 2 Phillip Law Street (Corner Edinburgh Ave and Parkes Way), Canberra
Phone: 02 6222 4900
Films will be shown on the following dates:
Feb 15 & 16 - The Lion King [G]
Feb 22 & 23 - The Muppets Take Manhattan [G]
Mar 1 & 2 - Annie [G]
Mar 8 & 9 - Matilda [G]
Mar 15 & 16 - Alice In Wonderland [G]
Mar 22 & 23 - Gremlins [PG]
Mar 29 & 30 - The Little Mermaid [G]
Apr 5 & 6 - The Addams Family [PG]
Apr 12 & 13 - Aladdin [G]
Apr 19 & 20 - The Princess Bride [PG]
SCREENING DETAILS
10:30am Saturdays and Sundays
All tickets $8 Palace Movie Club Members $10 full
For bookings
click here
