REEL LIFE / FILM & VIDEO FILE : Why Snack on Popcorn When There’s Lutefisk : After last month’s special dinner, the Sons of Norway have a surplus of the pungent preparation, which may be served at a showing of a travel film.

Forget Sensurround, that megaphonic complement to 1970s disaster films, and prepare for what might be called Scent Surround.

The debut, if it comes off, will be at the screening of “We Norwegians,” this week’s offering in the Ventura College travel film series. The Sons of Norway, Ventura chapter, might offer filmgoers a sample of lutefisk (pronounced LOOT a fisk), a pungent preparation of dried, salted cod. It’s prepared by boiling the dried fish, and the resultant white viscous substance is a staple on Norwegian holiday tables. This rare opportunity comes because the Sons of Norway has a surplus from last month’s annual lutefisk dinner.

“We get it shipped from Minnesota in 50-pound barrels,” said Elaine Stinson, editor of the club newsletter. “There’s still some in our garage.”

Stinson said she will mention the possible cinematic sampling to club officers; however, it is doubtful that boiled cod will ever become a staple at movie concession stands. It has one thing going for it, though. The traditional lutefisk topping is hot butter.

Ventura College is at 4667 Telegraph Road. Show time is 7:30 p.m. tonight. Admission is $4.50. For information call 654-6459.

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Bright Ideas Productions of Westlake Village has released “Karate for Kids II,” the second in its series of instructional children’s videos.

A group of trained karate kids takes viewers through more than 30 minutes of self-defensive blocks, kicks and yells. In addition to the physical instruction, the video teaches important values such as respect and perseverance.

Lisa Marie Nelson, an independent producer of children’s music and videos, started the series after seeing the positive effect karate had on her own children.

“My son started taking karate when he was 4. I think he got into it because of the turtle craze,” Nelson said, referring to the martial arts of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. “I wanted him to practice at home, but I had no way of knowing if he was doing things correctly.”

Nelson looked around for instructional videos and found none.

In addition to the video’s instructional value, she said it’s a good way for parents to see if karate is something their kids will enjoy before they invest time and money in going to classes.

Nelson hosts “Positive Parenting” on KADY-TV. She can also be heard on KNJO-FM hosting another show called “One of a Kind.”

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“Ryan’s Daughter,” the almost epic 1970 film from director David Lean, will be this year’s last presentation by Thousand Oaks Classic Cinema.

The British love story set during the 1916 Irish revolt stars Robert Mitchum, Sarah Miles and Trevor Howard.

The real star is the cinematography, though. The Irish landscape was exquisitely photographed and won an Oscar for cinematographer Freddie Young.

The original release was a marathon at 206 minutes long, but it was edited down to 176 minutes. You may still find numbness creeping into your feet--or worse. The Thousand Oaks Library, where the films are shown, offers only molded plastic chairs, said representative Amani Fliers.

Her advice: “Bring a pillow.”

The movie will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday at the library, 1401 E. Janss Road. Admission is $2.

Pancho Doll compiles Reel Life each week for Ventura County Life. If you have information on local film, television or video events or personalities write to him at 5200 Valentine Road, Suite 140, Ventura, 93003 or send faxes to 658-5576.