Editorial

Editorial

Go to the movies

S In two weeks, the Academy Awards will be presented on lational television. ■ What does this have to do with Rappahannock County? A Substantial number of the nominated films have been or will be Shown in Washington, Va. by the Rappahannock Association fcr the Arts and the Community (RAAC): “Beauty and the Peast,” “Bugsy,” “JFK,” “Prince of Tides,” “Cape Fear,” ■Fried Green Tomatoes,” “Grand Canyon,” “The Addams family,” “Star Trek VI” and “The Commitments” are scheduled to be shown. Add to that list the eight nominated films that have already graced the silver screen at The Theatre at Washington, Va., and you’ve got an almost-complete list of the fear’s major movies. I Not only are RAAC’s movies timely and high-quality, Ehey’re also a bargain. Where ticket prices in Fairfax and the district are pushing the $10 level, RAAC’s prices are almost |s low as video rentals: $4 for adults, $3 for children. ! It takes a budget of more than $10,000, a team of about 30 rolunteers and, most importantly, a public that supports and [ttends the movies to keep up the film series alive. Unfortunately, many people don’t think of the RAAC movies when waking weekend cinema plans. Copyright laws limit the assojiation’s publicity as a non-profit organization, and the movies |re only shown one day a week, almost always Sunday night or Sunday afternoon. ■ To keep the films coming, you need to attend (hardly puch of a sacrifice). The average film rents for more than (200, and shipping costs and theater rental add another $40[50. RAAC needs to average an audience of about 60 to break }ven, which is not a problem for movies like “101 Dalmatians,” khich attracted 135 people, but is for others, shown in a nearsmpty theater.