Movies arriving at theaters with Force

We’re getting into the time of the year when Oscar contenders start to show up at theaters, although it might be early next year before they all arrive in the Mahoning Valley.

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” will barrel in with the force of an interstellar armada in exactly one week, and will dominate the multiplexes like few blockbusters can. But before it does, “Room” will sneak into the area and inhabit just one, er, room at Shenango Valley Cinema in Hermitage, Pa.

“Room” is adapted from the 2010 novel by Emma Donaghue. It’s told from the point of view of a 5-year-old boy who has spent his entire life in a room. Unbeknownst to him, the boy and his mother are being held captive by a man who kidnapped her.

The boy doesn’t even know the outside world exists.

Directed by Lenny Abrahamson, “Room” opened Oct. 16 in very limited release. But it garnered a 96 score on rottentomatoes.com and could wind up as a Best Picture nominee.

Other Oscar contenders, such as “Bridge of Spies” and “The Martian” opened weeks ago and are still playing. Films on the near horizon include “The Revenant,” “Spotlight” and “Brooklyn.”

While the new “Star Wars” epic undoubtedly will win the box-office battle, sci-fi films generally don’t make the cut among Oscar voters for Best Pic.

SUMMIT RADIO CELEBRATES MUSIC LEGEND GRAHAM NASH

The Summit radio (90.7 FM in the Mahoning Valley) is celebrating Graham Nash with a half-hour program at 8:30 p.m. Sunday.

The British music legend will be interviewed by Summit morning DJ Bill Hall on the show. Nash will discuss his musical influences and the artists who impacted his career.

Nash is best known for his pop group the Hollies and as a member of folk-rock group Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

The exclusive Summit presentation will reveal what led him to explore not only music, but art, photography and social activism.

“Touching the Flame,” an exhibition on Nash, opened in October at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and runs through March 20.

PALADIN BREWING CELEBRATES FOUNDER’S HEROIC BATTLE

Paladin Brewing will celebrate its co-founder, John Chandler, who recently overcame a bout with cancer.

The benefit event will start at 4 p.m. Friday at the brewpub located at 6520 Mahoning Ave. in Austintown. It will include homemade pierogi from the authors of “Recipes of Youngstown,” a silent auction and bake sale, and performances by magician-comedian Eric Thompson. The Old Goats Band will perform at 7:30 p.m.

There also will be plenty of Paladin’s craft beer, brewed on location.

Chandler and his wife, Abby, were close to opening their brewery – which was their dream – earlier this year but were delayed when he was diagnosed with an aggressive tumor in his sinus cavity. After surgery and chemotherapy, the couple opened the brewery in August, and John finished his cancer treatments in October.

DISNEY ON ICE RETURNS

Disney On Ice returns to Covelli Centre tonight through Sunday with its “Treasure Trove” show, an amalgamation of Disney characters from past to present.

All tickets to tonight’s 7 p.m. show are just $12. Performances also will be at 7 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday; and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday. Get tickets at ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-745-3000 and at the Covelli box office.