The Madison Public Library is hosting a mini-film festival of films directed by Ron Howard. The library at 39 Keep St. is screening four films in all directed by Howard at 1 p.m. Fridays in August in the library’s Chase Room. The series is free and open to the public. No registration is required. The first film in the series, Splash, was shown Aug. 6. Still coming up:
• The Paper, released in 1994, will be presented at 1 p.m. this Friday, Aug. 13. Michael Keaton, Robert Duvall and Glenn Close star in the story of a workaholic newspaper man whose work habits are having a negative effect on his life. In addition, his nemesis, played by Close, is hired to cut costs at the paper, which adds more stress to his life. The film is rated “R.”
• Parenthood will be shown at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20. Steve Martin, Diane Wiest, Jason Robards Jr. and Mary Steenburgen star in the comedy, in which three generations of the Buckman family face the trials and tribulations of family life. The film, released in 1989, is rated “PG-13.”
• The final film in the series, A Beautiful Mind, will be screened at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27. Starring Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly, the film is based on the true story of mathematical genius John Forbes Nash. As Nash was making tremendous strides in the early days of his career, his life suddenly began to unravel. Diagnosed with schizophrenia, Nash eventually triumphed over tragedy and went on to win the Nobel Prize. The film won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Screenplay. It is rated “PG-13.”

Source: Recorder Community Newspapers