Florida Museum begins free monthlong movie series with ‘King Kong’

June 14, 2013

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Get ready to pop some popcorn and break out your favorite blanket.

The Florida Museum of Natural History will show free movies each Saturday in July beginning with “King Kong” on July 6 as part of the University of Florida “Creative B” program. The museum is open to the public from 6 to 10 p.m. and UF students receive free admission to the “Titanoboa: Monster Snake” exhibit each movie night with a valid Gator 1 ID.

The series includes a guest panel question-and-answer-discussion on the art and validity of each film’s science content. The programs start at 7 p.m. and movies begin at 7:30 p.m.

“We are using science fiction movies to teach and discuss different science topics,” said Tiffany Ireland, Florida Museum education assistant. “Using this summer’s theme of cryptozoology we will discuss the need and use of scientific inquiry, research and discovery.”

Cryptozoology is a pseudoscience involving the search for animals whose existence has not been proven.

Other films include “Harry and the Hendersons” July 13, “Creature from the Black Lagoon” July 20 and “Trail of the Skunk Ape” July 27. Parental discretion is advised.

The “Creative B” summer program combines resources and talents from various UF departments. Participants may choose from courses with an artistic edge, a variety of live cultural performances and a wide range of interdisciplinary activities during the summer B term.

For more information on the Florida Museum movie series, call 352-273-2061.

Panelists include:
July 6, “King Kong”
● Ian Breheny – Florida Museum exhibit designer
● Tim Lawrence – special effects artist and concept sculptor. Credits include: “Thriller,” “Ghostbusters,” “Jurassic Park” and “Shrek”
●Terry Harpold- UF associate professor of English, film and media studies

July 13, “Harry and the Hendersons”
● Tim Lawrence
● Candace McCaffery – Florida Museum mammalogy collections manager
● Ian Breheny

July 20, “Creature from the Black Lagoon”
● Tim Lawrence
● Rob Robins – Florida Museum ichthyology collections manager
● Ian Breheny

July 27, “Trail of the Skunk Ape”
● Ian Breheny
● Candace McCaffery
● Mike Boulware – Florida Museum living exhibit specialist