Cinebarre opens its fifth location in Salem

A hybrid of a Regal cineplex and a venue like Northern Lights Theatre Pub, Cinebarre opens on Nov. 6 in the old Movieland location downtown at 501 Marion St. NE.

"Although we've heard from some people that there's nothing to do downtown, it's actually a really vibrant market," Victoria Karol, Pacific Northwest district manager said.

The two-year-old company currently has locations in Washington, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Colorado.

Cinebarre shows first-run movies and offers a wide variety of homemade food in addition to alcoholic beverages for guests 21 and older.

There are children's movie shown, but anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Expanded well beyond the typical snack-bar, Cinebarre has on their menu pizza, salads, sandwiches, fries and much more. They also have a lunch menu for afternoon patrons.

"We're trying to bring the pleasure back to dinner and a movie, rather than being rushed," Karol said.

Equipped with seven theaters, Cinebarre has on the marquee for opening night new releases "2012," "Christmas Carol," and "The Fourth Kind." In addition, they may play "This Is It," "Saw IV," "Paranormal Activity," and "Law Abiding Citizen."

Tickets cost $7 for matinees and $9 for evening shows.

For more information, visit www.cinebarre.com

A Festival of French Film

Normally foreign film lovers have to find a small art house theater nearby in hopes of finding any selection. Breaking away from big screen blockbusters, Western Oregon University's Film Studies program presents their Tournées Festival with four screenings in November.

On Nov. 7, "Eldorado" is presented. Photographed by Jean-Paul de Zaetijd, this film tells the story of a Belgian car dealer named Yvan who waits through the night to capture the intruder that ransacked his home. He forms an unlikely bond with Elle and drives her back to his parents, meeting a cast of outlandish characters along the way.

Following "Eldorado" on Nov. 10 is "Les Plages d'Agnes." This film is an autobiographical look into the life of filmmaker Agnès Varda. Included in the documentary are clips from her and husband Jacques Demy's films. The self-taught photographer and filmmaker remarks on her 55-year career.

Further spanning the range of genres, on Nov. 17 is a screening of "Peu(s) du noir." This animated anthology comprised entirely of black and white imagery tells six interlocking stories. French comedians narrate the movie.

Rounding out the selections on Nov. 24 is "La graine et le mulet." A North African immigrant family must pull together to help make a floating couscous restaurant a success when their patriarch loses his job as a dockworker. Set in the southern French city of Sète, writer and director Abdel Kechiche combines cinematography and editing to make the characters distinct.

Each of the film screenings are free and start at 7 p.m. The films are shown in room 211 of the Instructional Technology Center, except on Nov. 17 when "Peu(s) du noir" is shown in room 103 of the Natural Science Building.