GREAT ADAPTATIONS Series Screens At Museum Of Moving Image May 21

School's almost out, but it's always a good time to hit the books. From May 21 through July 3, 2011, Museum of the Moving Image presents Great Adaptations, featuring some of the best book-to-screen adaptations of recent years, combining great literature with big-screen entertainment.

Great Adaptations opens Saturday, May 21, with a special preview screening of Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer featuring stars Jordana Beatty (Judy Moody) and Parris Mosteller (Stink Moody) and author/screenwriter Megan McDonald in person for introductions and discussion. The advance screening is courtesy of Relativity Media which will open the film in theaters on June 10. A book and poster signing will follow in the Museum store. Tickets for this event are $15 ($10 for Museum members / Free for Red Carpet Kids members and above). Join Red Carpet Kids and receive six complimentary tickets and invitations to the VIP pre-reception with special guests and photo ops with the stars. More info at 718 777 6800.

For children five and older, the series also offers A Little Princess, Alfonso Cuaron's 1995 screen adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic tale about a young girl at boarding school who is forced to live a life of servitude when her father disappears on the battlegrounds of World War I. For tweens and teens, the series includes the new version of True Grit, starring Academy Award-nominated Hailee Steinfeld and directed by the Coen brothers; Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis; the underrated comedy Flipped by Rob Reiner, based on the novel by Wendelin van Draanen; Wes Anderson's meticulously crafted stop-motion animation Fantastic Mr. Fox, based on the Roald Dahl story; and the comic book adaptation Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. The series has been organized by Rachael Rakes, Assistant Curator of Film.

GREAT ADAPTATIONS FAMILY MATINEES, MAY 21-JULY 3, 2011
Unless otherwise noted, film screenings are included with Museum admission. All screenings take place at Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35 Avenue (at 37 Street) in Astoria, New York.

SPECIAL PREVIEW SCREENING
Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer
Saturday, May 21, 1:00 p.m.
With author Megan McDonald, stars Jordana Beatty and Parris Mosteller, and other special guests in person
Dir. John Schultz. 2011. 88 mins. PG. DCP projection courtesy of Relativity Media. With Jordana Beatty, Parris Mosteller, Heather Graham. Based on the series by Megan McDonald. Judy Moody sets out to have the most thrilling summer of her life, with the help of her little brother Stink and fun-loving Aunt Opal. Author and co-screenwriter Megan McDonald and the child stars Jordana Beatty (Judy Moody) and Parris Mosteller (Stink), will be present. The screening will be followed by a book signing.
Tickets: $15 public/$10 Museum members/Free for Red Carpet Kids, Silver Screen members, and above. Tickets may be purchased online at http://movingimage.us or by calling 718 777 6800. To join Red Carpet Kids and receive 6 complimentary tickets and invitation to the VIP pre-reception with the film's stars, call 718 777 6800 or email lmoran@movingimage.us.

Persepolis
Saturday, May 28, 1:00 p.m. and
Sunday, May 29, 1:00 p.m.
Dirs. Vincent Paronnaud and Marjane Satrapi. 2007. 96 mins. 35mm. PG-13. English version. With the voices of Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve, Gena Rowlands, Sean Penn. Based on the graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi. Satrapi's autobiographical animation follows headstrong teen Marji as she comes of age in turbulent 1970s and '80s Iran. She is sent to school in Vienna, leading to an uprooting of everything she knows.

Fantastic Mr. Fox
Saturday, June 4, 1:00 p.m. and
Sunday, June 5, 1:00 p.m.
Dir. Wes Anderson. 2009. 87 mins. 35mm. With the voices of George Clooney, Meryl Streep. Based on the novel by Roald Dahl. In Anderson's utterly delightful stop-motion animation, the crafty Mr. Fox, unable to resist just one more raid, finds himself and his community targeted for death by three slow-witted but menacing farmers fed up with losing their chickens. PG