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March movie highlights in the Arena District

March 12, 2013

There’s never a shortage of great entertainment in the Arena District. To get the inside scoop on the best March movies from action and comedy to SciFi and family, we talked with the general manager of the Arena Grand Theatre, Kara Bodle. So grab your friends, grab your family and head down to the Arena District–and don’t forget the popcorn.

“Oz the Great and Powerful” – March 8.


Directed by Sam Raimi, this Disney film imagines the origins of Oscar Diggs, the beloved wizard character of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. When small-time circus magician Oscar (James Franco) finds himself flung from Kansas into the fantastical Land of Oz, he believes he’s found it all. Fame and fortune are his, until he meets three witches by the names Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glenda (Michelle Williams), who are not so easily convinced. Finding himself entangled in the problems of the Land of Oz and its occupants, Oscar must decipher who is good and who is evil before time runs out.
“It’s wonderful because it’s visually stunning, very whimsical and family friendly with lots of action, so there’s something everyone can relate to. It appeals to all ages,” Kara said. “It’s just gorgeous. It will whisk you away to a magical place we don’t see every day.”
“Oz the Great and Powerful” is available in both 3D and 2D technology.

“Admission” – March 22.


This comedy/drama stars Tina Fey as Princeton admissions officer Portia Nathan alongside Paul Rudd, her former college classmate turned idealistic teacher. When Portia hits the road on her annual recruiting trip, she reconnects with her iconoclastic mother Susannah (Lily Tomlin) as well as John Pressman (Rudd)–who has recently discovered that Jeremiah (Nat Wolff), a gifted yet very unconventional student at his high school, might actually be the son that Portia secretly gave up for adoption years ago. Jeremiah is about to apply to Princeton.
Now Portia must reconsider her relationships and goals, as she finds herself bending the admissions rules for Jeremiah, putting at risk the future she thought she always wanted at Princeton–and along the way discovering an exhilarating life and romance she never imagined.
“Anything with Tina Fey is really good stuff. This is just a good weekend movie to relax, forget about everything and get away for a while,” Kara said.

“The Host” – March 27.


Based on the eponymous book by the Twilight Saga author Stephenie Myer, “The Host” tells the story of Melanie Stryder (Saoirse Ronan) and her fight for humankind and true love. When an unseen enemy begins taking over human bodies and erasing their memories, Melanie is of the last remaining in the human resistance.  She must risk everything to protect the people she cares most about — Jared (Max Irons), Ian (Jake Abel), her brother Jamie (Chandler Canterbury) and her Uncle Jeb (William Hurt).
“‘The Host’ of reminds you of everyday people in an everyday town, but secretly they are host to another being,” Kara said, adding that the film’s edge will capture the imagination of SciFi and Twilight fans alike.

“G.I. Joe: Retaliation” – March 27.


This follow-up to 2009’s $300-million-grossing “G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra” finds the team not only fighting their mortal enemy, Cobra, but also facing threats from within the government that threaten their very existence. Outnumbered and out-gunned, the crew formulates a plan with the original G.I. Joe, General Joseph Colton, to overthrow the Cobra Commander and his team of allies.
Kara called “GI Joe: Retaliation” a “very action packed, edge of your seat kind of movie.” With Bruce Willis, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Channing Tatum, you can’t go wrong.

Arena Grand Theater

Don’t forget that the Arena Grand has reserved seating available for bigger movie openings, a full bar and bistro and $1 attached parking. Before your movie, grab some food and drink at a popular Downtown Columbus restaurant or bar like bd’s Mongolian Grill or Rodizio Grill.