“Jack the Giant Slayer” is a rousing, original and thoroughly entertaining adventure. ~Roger Ebert

Playing the Palace Friday, March 22 through Thursday, March 28 at 7 pm, and Monday, March 25 at 2 pm, is “Jack the Giant Slayer in 3D.”

“Jack” is directed by Bryan Singer, whose credits include the first two X-Men movies (which makes this film a must-see if you’re one of the Horst kids). My interest is piqued by the fact that Ewan McGregor and Stanley Tucci round out the cast, led by Nicholas Hoult who plays Jack.

This movie is a fairly fast ride, with a running time of 115 minutes. Rated PG-13 for intense scenes of fantasy action violence, some frightening images, and brief language, our youngest patrons are probably best left with a sitter.

Moms, daughters and sisters, the storyline also features an adventurous princess as Jack’s love interest, giving this giant-battling movie a bit more redemptive value!

APRIL

Spring refuses to grace us with her sunny presence, but our upcoming April calendar brings a breath of fresh air. And will give you a great excuse to come in out of the cold!

“Silver Linings Playbook,” “The Call,” “Snitch,” “OZ: the Great and Powerful,” “Burt Wonderstone,” and “The Croods” offer something for every age and type of patron. I think these movie selections are the perfect lead-in to an awesome summer box office season.

You remember summer, right? That’s when we’ll be cranking the air conditioning, watering the flowers, and slathering on the sunscreen. Oh please, oh please!

Turns out the critics don’t know everything – but we knew that, didn’t we?

Patrons loved “Safe Haven.” “Identity Thief” opens Friday, March 15 through Thursday, March 21 at 7 pm, and Monday, March 18 at 2 pm. This film, also panned by critics and loved by audiences, is rated R for very crude language and lots of it.

If you liked “Bridesmaids” and the “Hangover” movies, you will like “Identity Thief,” starring the very popular and talented actors, Melissa McCarthy and Jason Bateman. I have it on great authority (one of our Monday Matinee regulars who has already seen “Identity Thief”) that you should “bring a towel to the movie, because you will pee your pants laughing!”

I can’t think of a more profound sentiment or better recommendation. Except, I’m really glad we now have leather seats! See you at the movie!

The latest Nicholas Sparks offering, “Safe Haven,” plays Friday, March 8 through Thursday, March 14 at 7 pm, and Monday, March 11 at 2 pm.

A mysterious young woman (Julianne Hough) arrives in a small North Carolina town. Her reluctance to join the tight-knit community raises questions about her past. She slowly makes friends, and gains the courage to start a relationship with Alex (Josh Duhamel), a widowed shopkeeper and father of two.

Dark secrets intrude on her new life with such terror that she is forced to rediscover the meaning of sacrifice and rely on the power of love in this deeply moving romantic thriller.

After checking out the critics, I’m anxious to see this film for myself. www.rottentomatoes.com, who samples critics across the nation, gave “Safe Haven” a mere 13% on the Tomatometer. However, audiences rated this movie 71%. That is quite a discrepancy!

For $3, Palace patrons can afford to make up their own minds!

Rated PG-13 for thematic material involving threatening behavior, and for violence and sexuality, this movie is not for young children.

Let me know where you land on the tomato scale. NOTE: I think next week’s movie, “Identity Thief,” rated similarly.

See you at the Box Office!

What astonishes me is how much I love the use of 3-D in “Life of Pi.” I’ve never seen the medium better employed, not even in “Avatar,” and although I continue to have doubts about it in general, Lee never uses it for surprises or sensations, but only to deepen the film’s sense of places and events. – Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert, avid hater of 3D, gives “Life of PI” 4 out of 4 stars and enthusiastically praises the movie’s storytelling and visual effects. He’s not the only one – critics and patrons alike give this supposedly unfilmable film rave reviews. Check out rottentomatoes.com/m/life-of-pi/.

“Life of PI 3D” plays the Palace Friday, February 8 through Thursday, February 11 at 7 pm, and Monday, February 11 at 2 pm. This epic adventure is rated PG for emotional thematic content throughout, and some scary action sequences and peril.

NOTE: Yes, the Palace calendar says “Pi” is PG-13, but it is not! I think Frank the Booker forgot to make rating changes when he sent me the February calendar. FYI – next week’s “Parental Guidance” is also PG. Interestingly, after a recent note about the lack of children’s and family movies at the Palace I checked and realized that since December 1, 2012, there have been 27 R-rated films released, 10 PG-13-rated movies, 2 PG shows, and no G-rated movies. Tough to be a family friendly theatre these days!

“Life of PI,” the dramatic and emotional story of a courageous young boy who is swept away on high seas, alone in a boat with a Bengal tiger, is appropriate for families, but not your youngest children. I wish I could tell you more, as I’ve had this book by French-Canadian author Yann Martel, on my nightstand for weeks, but still have not read it.

BAGS OR TUBS

What I can tell you is that the votes are in! Tubs won out, but there were several patrons who emailed to keep the bags due to the reasons cited in my previous column – mainly cost and environment.

Here’s the plan – the Palace Theatre will be going back to popcorn tubs very soon. For most sizes, as soon as this Friday night! And, thanks to some innovative suggestions from my Friday night volunteers, we will NOT be raising the prices!

However, we do strongly encourage patrons to take time to crush their popcorn tubs before placing them in the trash so the theatre does not have to add a second garbage pick-up to our week.

As always, thanks for your input and constructive criticism. Making your movie-going experience the best it can be is our highest priority at the Palace.

Hardcore Jack Reacher fans, those who have devoured all 17 books by Lee Child, are already skeptical, even disappointed, to find Tom Cruise cast as their favorite protagonist. The Reacher of Child’s books is 6’5”, 250 pounds, with sandy blond hair.

So, why was Cruise cast as the ex-military hero in this movie based on Child’s 2005 novel, One Shot? He bought the rights and produced the film.

That said, “Jack Reacher,” rated PG-13 for violence and language, opens this weekend at the Palace, and will play Friday, February 1 through Thursday, February 7 at 7 pm, and Monday, February 4 at 2 pm.

Despite casting concerns, I’ve had many requests for “Jack Reacher.” I expect big crowds for this fast-paced thriller, including my dad and sister, who have been grousing all summer about Tom Cruise playing the role, and concessions volunteer Mary Hanson and Palace regular Drew Sallee who have also voiced their dismay.

Face it, Tom Cruise does not disappoint. He is a master of the suspended reality thriller. And if Tom wants to pretend to be a 6”5’, 250 pound macho ladies’ man, well, that’s Hollywood, baby!

Come judge for yourself for just $3 at the Palace!

POPCORN TUBS or BAGS

The following is an email I received last week:

“I would like to give the Vinton Theatre kudos for providing a nice avenue for inexpensive entertainment during these tough economic times. You’ve raised lots of money to provide astounding seating and a nice deluxe balcony option and yet still keeping the prices MUCH lower than the big city prices of going to a movie and providing a much nicer environment. When we want to splurge and see a movie, we drive from the big city of Cedar Rapids. The bathrooms are much cleaner! The staff is exceptional (and they’re not even paid to be nice! They volunteer!) So nice! It seems a lot of thought has been put into providing this pleasing environment. Much appreciated! What puzzles me is why you haven’t changed the containers you provide for the popcorn. Maybe no one has complained or commented before. So please count this as a big one. The paper sacks are ANNOYING! They are noisy and very distracting for this pleasurable environment! Please do something! I’d gladly pay an extra $.25 or $.50 for popcorn.”

Those of you long-time patrons will remember when we served popcorn in the tubs. We converted to the bags a few years ago on the recommendation of our supplier because they are cost-effective, easier to store, environmentally friendly, and create a lot less waste.

Here’s your opportunity to weigh in ~ keep the bags, or pay more for the tubs? Email Marcy at managers@vintonpalace.org. Alan Woodhouse, no need to reply. I already know what you think.