Central Florida Green Guide

I’m a child of the 80’s. I endured the MTV revolution, Atari frenzy, the requisite celebrity crushes on the Brat Pack, John Hughes movies, jelly bracelets, and new wave.

One of my fav movies at the time and still a fav today is WarGames.

I admit that at the time I had a thing for Matthew Broderick, but what keeps it a fav for me is the clear message that is just as valid today as it was then…

The only way to win at war is not to play the game.

What also makes it especially vivid for me is that as I child living overseas in the 80’s, I witnessed war unfurling around me. I got the message in my head and at gut level in a way back then that I hope my daughter never has to experience. I only wish she wasn’t four, so I could take her to go see WarGames on the big screen!

LOCATIONS

To my utter delight, WarGames is on for a one night special screening — July 24th! Locally you can catch it at

Winter Park Stadium 20
510 NORTH ORLANDO AVE
WINTER PARK, FL 32789
407-628-0163

Waterford Stadium 20
541 NORTH ALAFAYA TRAIL
ORLANDO, FL 32828
407-207-4603

AMC Pleasure Island 24
1500 BUENA VISTA DRIVE
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL 32830
407-827-1311

The Loop Stadium 16
3220 N. JOHN YOUNG PARKWAY
KISSIMMEE, FL 34741
407-343-0652

PLOT SUMMARY

It’s rated PG, and the description from IMDB reads:

A young computer whiz kid accidentally connects into a top secret super-computer which has complete control over the U.S. nuclear arsenal. It challenges him to a game between America and Russia, and he innocently starts the countdown to World War 3. Can he convince the computer he wanted to play a game and not the real thing ?

You can get a more extensive description and other screening locations in Florida at fathomevents.com.

A TEACHABLE MOMENT

The look of WarGames is dated of course. 1983 was a long time ago. We’ve long grown used to swankier special effects, sleeker computers, new teen idols.

But we’ve kept it around our home library waiting for the day when daughter is ready to start thinking about war and peace and why it is important to try to resolve conflict without resorting to war. As the world she grows up in becomes more and more interdependent, learning to get along as global citizens is going to be pretty darn important!

Those of you with older children who are ready to start tackling the “war and peace” issues, you can grab the teachable moment and go check out WarGames as a family.

Enjoy!

Cat