Tragedy in Colorado

We as the members of the North Centers Film Association wish to express our condolences to those affected by the tragedy that took place at the midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises on Friday, July 20th in Aurora, Colorado.  It saddens us to hear how one person would seek to sully the communal experience of moviegoing.  However, we also know that the community and the nation as a whole will not give in to that individual's goal to discourage us from that experience which can otherwise be fun, magical, and awe-inspiring.  Please know that they are in our thoughts and prayers.   

Animated Films Forum Recap

On Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at the Madera Community College Center, the NCFA instructors participated in the Animated Films Forum. Paul Kaser served as moderator for the event, allowing the panelists to share their choices for the best animated films and to participate in a Q & A session from the audience regarding their choices and animated films. 

Below are the lists for each of the instructors who participated:

Cynthia Elliott

The panelist gave a presentation on animation in place of compiling a list.

Paul Kaser (from one to ten)
1. Gertie the Dinosaur
2. The Adventures of Prince Achmed  
3. "Night on Bald Mountain" (Fantasia) 
4. Grave of the Fireflies
5. Pinnochio  
6. Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas 
7. "Punch and Judy"  
8. Triplets of Belleville  
9. Who Framed Roger Rabbit?     
10. Dumbo  
 
Jay Leech (in no particular order)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

The Secret of NIMH

Charlotte's Web

Watership Down

Wizards

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Toy Story

Spirited Away

Chicken Run

Gregory Ramirez (in alphabetical order)

Chicken Run

Finding Nemo

Kung Fu Panda

The Little Mermaid

The Secret of NIMH

The Simpsons Movie

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

Up

Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Animated Films Forum

Sci-Fi Forum

On Monday, October 24, 2011 at the Madera Community College Center, the NCFA instructors participated in the Sci-Fi Forum.  Gregory Ramirez served as moderator for the event, allowing the panelists to share their choices for the best science-fiction films and to participate in a roundtable discussion about the genre.  Then, there was a Q & A from the audience regarding their choices and science-fiction films.

Below are the lists for each of the instructors who participated:

Cynthia Elliott (in no particular order)
Wall-E (2008)
Abre Los Ojos (1997)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
Moon (2009)
District 9 (2009)
Planet of the Apes (1968)
The Truman Show (1998)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Men In Black (1997)
Contact (1997)

Paul Kaser (from one to ten)
1. THX 1138 (1970)  
2. Forbidden Planet (1956)  
3. Dune (1984) 
4.  Brazil (1985) 
5.  Metropolis (1927)  
6.  Planet of the Apes (1968)  
7.  2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)  
8.  Star Wars V:  The Empire Strikes Back (1980)  
9.  Star Trek II:  The Wrath of Khan (1982)    
10.  Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy (1981)
  
Jay Leech (in no particular order)
Metropolis (1927)
Blade Runner (1982)
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
THX 1138 (1970)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Brazil (1985)
The Matrix (1999)
. . . and films worthy of honorable mention . . .
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
District 9 (2009)

Gregory Ramirez (in alphabetical order)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)
Blade Runner (1982)
Children of Men (2006)
Dark City (1998)
District 9 (2009)
E.T. the Extra Terrestrial (1982)
The Matrix (1999)
Robocop (1987)
The Running Man (1987)
Star Wars: Episode V-The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Time After Time (1979)

Sci-Fi Forum

Romantic Films Night

On Friday, March 18, 2011 at the Willow International Community College Center, the NCFA instructors participated in Romantic Films Night.  Jay Leech served as moderator for the event, allowing the panelists in attendance to share their choices for the best romantic films.  Then, there was a Q & A from the audience regarding their choices and romantic films.

Below are the lists for each of the instructors who participated:

Cynthia Elliott (unable to attend; films in alphabetical order)

Adam's Rib (1949)

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)

All That Heaven Allows (1955)

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Casablanca (1942)

Harold and Maude (1972)

The Princess Bride (1987)

. . . and three films that are not romantic . . .

Grease (1978)

Pretty Woman (1990)

Twilight (2008)

Paul Kaser (in alphabetical order)

Adam's Rib (1949)

An Affair to Remember (1957)

Breakfast at Tiffany's (1957),

It Happened One Night (1934)

Min and Bill (1930)

Moonstruck (1987)

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

Private Lives (1931) 

Sabrina (1954)

Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

Gregory Ramirez (in alphabetical order)

The Bridges of Madison County (1995)

Casablanca (1942)

Defending Your Life (1991)

The Family Man (2000)

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Life is Beautiful (1998)

The Little Mermaid (1989)

Marty (1955)

Out of Africa (1985)

The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)

Singin' in the Rain (1952)

Somewhere in Time (1980)

Up (2009)

Wings of Desire (1987)

Romantic Films Night

The North Centers Film Association will be holding its forum titled "Romantic Films Night" on Friday, March 18th from 7 to 9 p.m.  It will be held in AC2-178 at Willow International Community College Center.

The following instructors will be participating in the forum: Cynthia Elliott, Jay Leech, Paul Kaser, and Gregory Ramirez.  These instructors will share their ideas about romantic film.