Presented by the UA Humanities Seminars Program

Humanities and Science Collide! See the Apes with UA professor Richard Poss!

“Smart, fun and thoroughly enjoyable, it’s a model summer diversion that entertains without insulting your intelligence.” – Kenneth Turan,Los Angeles Times

Can Rise of the Planet of the Apes tell us anything about our current world? Veteran UA Humanities Seminars instructor Richard Poss will help us see how a 2011 science-fiction movie can illuminate our lives and concerns, in commentary before the screening. In this blockbuster prequel to the original 1968 Planet of the Apes, Will Rodman (James Franco), a scientist at Gen-Sys, is trying to find a cure for Alzheimer’s, a disease which is slowly pulling his father (John Lithgow) away from him. When a baby chimp at the lab is orphaned, he takes him home and raises him, but this single act of both compassion and arrogance leads to a war unlike any other — and to the Rise of the Planet of the Apes!
Richard Poss has an academic background in comparative literature and currently serves as Associate Professor in Astronomy at the University of Arizona. As such, he brings dynamic, multifaceted perspectives to even the most popular cultural products of the day — such as the Planet of the Apes flicks. He promises to respect the thriller excitement of this perfect “Saturday afternoon movie” but also to probe into the compelling ethics and moral quandaries of this film. He’ll also talk about technology and literature, and acting and sequels — more than enough to look at the Planet series with more critical and understanding eyes. So, come share and afternoon of popcorn, entertainment, and illumination with a talented guide. (Dir. by Rupert Wyatt, 2011, USA, 105 mins., Rated PG-13)

Tickets are $10 and available at The Loft box office and on-line at www.loftcinema.org.  This event is open to the public.