AMAZING movies right now… and we’re not just saying that

1 Jul

Hey everyone!  Hope the approach of the holiday weekend finds you feeling great and excited for whatever festivities you have planned.  If you get a chance, take a couple hours out of the weekend and come see a movie here at the Grand.  We have an AMAZING lineup of great movies with stories to be told.

‘Beginners’, starring Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer opens today.  We just screened it, and believe me, it will make you laugh and cry in the span of minutes.  It’s based on a true story, and is beautifully acted.  It’s a drama, comedy, and romance wrapped in a simply wonderful package.

If you’re feeling like you want some inspiration this weekend, you might want to consider ‘Buck’.  It’s the story of Buck Brannaman, who goes from an abused young boy to a man who can “speak to” and miraculously transform horses.

Have you already seen ‘Midnight in Paris’?  If not, you must.  If so, see it again.  Yours truly saw it for the second time this week, and if you can believe it, it’s BETTER the second time.  Knowing the story allows one to really pay attention to the witty dialogue and the beautiful costumes and scenery.  Take my word for it.

We also have the enthralling ‘Incendies’ and the dreamy “Tree of Life’ starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn.  Hope to see you all here this weekend!  And next week, and the week after, and so on and so forth.

Any artists out there?

22 Jun

Hey everyone!

It’s been a while!  We hope that all of you are well, and enjoying the great movies we’ve been showing here at the Grand!  If you haven’t yet, be sure to come check out Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris, and The Beaver!  The Tree of Life, starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn, is opening this Friday, so make plans to see it this weekend with friends and family.

We also want to tell you about an exciting opportunity we have for all those artists out there…

Feeling artistic?  Want to have YOUR poster artwork all over Tacoma?  Boost your portfolio and show the Grand some love by creating our poster for the Tacoma Film Festival.  Did we mention that $350 is on the line?  Here are the details:

* Prize: $350 + Joint Membership to the Grand Cinema + two (2) VIP passes to the 2011 Tacoma Film Festival.

(We will also be asking the winning artist to assist in creating some print ads and miscellaneous other uses of the artwork.)

 Deadline: June 30, 2011

Please provide an 11 x 17 pdf or jpeg to the email address: rachel@grandcinema.com

 The poster must include:

2011 Tacoma Film Festival

October 6-13, 2011

www.TacomaFilmFestival.com

Theme/Tagline: “CATCH IT FIRST”

 Please make sure to leave space for sponsor logos on the poster. Other than that, have fun and be creative. All entries will receive two (2) complimentary Grand Cinema movie passes.

Looking forward to seeing all of your designs, you amazing artists!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

10 Jan

Where has the time gone? Sorry there has not been a post on this blog for WAY TOO LONG! We are happy to report from the Grand Cinema that all of our movies are doing great and if you haven’t been down here to see King’s Speech, Black Swan, True Grit or I Love You Philip Morris – you better get down here! All these films are going to get Academy Award nods and you want to see them now so you can have your opinion:-)

See you soon at the Grand Cinema:-)

NOVEMBER CLEARANCE SALE

3 Nov

We are doing a little bit of Fall cleaning around the Grand Cinema and we found some great stuff to pass on to you.   Here is what we have to offer during the month of November:

MOVIE POSTERS

3 for $15 (Grand Members)

2 for $15 (non members)

List of available Movie Posters:  http://www.grandcinema.com/page.php?id=101

FILM FESTIVAL TEES:  $7.50

GREY CREWNECK SWEATSHIRTS:  $20

Purchase these great items now before supplies run out! 

www.GrandCinema.com

or Stop by the Grand Cinema 606 S. Fawcett Tacoma, WA 98402

THANKS:-)

THANK YOU – TACOMA FILM FESTIVAL

18 Oct

The Tacoma Film Festival staff would like to say –  THANK YOU – to everyone who attended the 2010 Tacoma Film Festival or supported the event in some way.  We had record attendance at the films, fantastic sponsors and of course wonderful volunteers that all together made it happen.

 Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

The Opening Night Gala crowd

 It is so hard to believe another Tacoma Film Festival has come and gone.  It is already time to start planning for the 2011 Tacoma Film Festival.  With that being said, we welcome any and all feedback from this year’s event.  Please comment here or send us an email:  tacomafilmfestival@gmail.com.  We learn something new every year and hope to capitalize on each failure and success.  The festival continues to grow because of loyal patrons like yourselves and the amazing filmmakers who produce great films. 

Filmmaker Kevin Tomlinson, of the award-winning Best Documentary Back to the Garden, spoke to the Opening Night Gala crowd.

 Oh, what a festival!

Plenty of food provided by Jonz Catering – everyone was full!

Tacoma Film Festival NEXT WEEK!

29 Sep

I can’t believe that the 2010 Tacoma Film Festival is next week – starting Thursday, October 7th!  There are so many great films to see AND opportunities to immerse yourself into the world of film:  meet filmmakers, learn about filmmaking, after hours parties, post film discussions, etc. 

www.TacomaFilmFestival.com

Opening Night Gala is Thursday, October 7th @ Annie Wright School.  Gala begins @ 6:00 p.m. and the film Cold Weather starts @ 7:45 p.m. in the Kemper Theater (Annie Wright).  Over 30 filmmakers are attending the Opening Night Gala along with the lead actor from the Opening Night Film Cold Weather, Cris Lankenau!  This is a MUST attend event, so purchase your tickets now!  Gala is limited to 100 more guests, but you can always see the movie and take part in the post film Q&A if the Gala sells out.  Gala & Movie – $20 ($17 members); Movie $11 ($9 members).

We look forward to seeing new faces at the festival this year along with our loyal faces:-)

WIN 2011 SUNDANCE CONDO OR $500 CASH

16 Sep

WIN A FREE CONDO @ THE 2011 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL or $500 CASH!

The Grand Cinema is proud to partner with the Harmon Taproom, The Hub and The Harmon to bring you a great fundraiser for the 2010 Tacoma Film Festival.  Here is how it works:

*$25 entry fee/raffle ticket – purchase them @ the Grand or on-line at www.GrandCinema.com (look under the events on the right side)

*ONLY 120 entries/raffles will be sold – GREAT ODDS of winning

*10 Total prizes to be given away:  First Prize – Sundance Condo or $500 CASH; Second Prize – Whistler Condo; Runner Up Prizes – dinner & a movie packages, pamper package and a “surprise” package

(with only 120 tickets sold you will have a 1 in 12 chance of winning, for only $25, therefore buy as many as you want to increase your odds)

*All monies raised are to support the 2010 Tacoma Film Festival

ULTIMATE RAFFLE WINNER

2 Sep

CONGRATULATIONS, DAVID ELLIOTT!

The Grand Cinema just wrapped up its first ever Ultimate Raffle and is proud to announcement the lucky winner.  David was very excited when he found out he just won:

*Two free movie passes

*Two free Grand Cinema t-shirts

*One free bucket of popcorn

and

*A bunch of candy

The package was worth over $60 and all he did was buy one $5 raffle entry.  What a great deal!

Not to mention a great way to help raise money for YOUR ONLY LOCAL non-profit movie theater. 

Thank you to everyone who participated.  Look out for our next Ultimate Raffle that will be coming out mid-September.  This is a big one – think Sundance Film Festival!

You could win…

9 Aug

*Two free movie passes

*Two free Grand T-shirts

*A bucket of popcorn

*Lots of YUMMY CANDY

All you have to do is purchase a $5 raffle ticket the next time you stop by the Grand Cinema!  This ULTIMATE RAFFLE PACKAGE could be yours or given to someone as a gift.

AND THE WINNER IS….

29 Jul

 

CONGRATULATIONS, JASON LARCHE! 

This is the winning graphic designer of the 2010 Tacoma Film Festival Poster Contest. 

Holy Moly!  After looking at 195 poster submissions the Grand Cinema is proud to announce the winning poster design for the 2010 Tacoma Film Festival by graphic designer Jason Larche – see attached design.    

It was no easy task selecting this year’s winning poster.  Entries were received from all over the world (Istanbul, Germany, Colombia) and the talent was incredible.  Thank you to the panel of judges along with our loyal Grand Cinema patrons for giving us your feedback that ultimately led to the winning choice.

“The poster is clean, simple and does a good job of mixing film and Tacoma,” says Philip Cowan, Grand Cinema’s Executive Director.  “With so many talented entries it was really difficult choosing just one winner.” 

Thank you to each and every artist who submitted a design.  The Grand Cinema is very lucky to have such great supporters that are willing to share their talent.  

About the Artist:  Jason Larche is a  25-year-old graphic designer and illustrator based in Norwalk, Connecticut. He graduated from Syracuse University in 2008 with a degree in Communications Design, and chose to pursue a career in branding and packaging. He has always had a great appreciation of film, and hopes to further his involvement in the industry.  Visit Jasonlarche.com to see more.

About the Design:  My goal with this design was to boldly announce the festival by establishing a reputable and contemporary look. I wanted to convey Tacoma’s character in a classical manner through a high-contrast color palette. It was important for me to show my appreciation of traditional film in what has increasingly become a digital art form.

About the Tacoma Film Festival:  The 2010 Tacoma Film Festival begins Thursday, October 7 with the Opening Night Reception at the Annie Wright Great Hall followed by the Opening Night Film at the Annie Wright Kemper Theater.  The evening begins at 6:00p and the film will start at 7:45p.  Films will continue through Thursday, October 14 playing at the Grand Cinema, Tacoma Art Museum and the Tacoma School of the Arts.  The official Tacoma Film Festival program is scheduled to be ready by Thursday, Sept. 16.  For more information visit www.TacomaFilmFestival.com.