Could you watch a movie under the starry sky every night of the summer somewhere in Southern California? Beyond your own backyard, so in a group, with other people?
Practically, these days. What once was a hearty but not out-sized movement -- show films in parks and public places -- now rivals our indoor theaters for breadth, variety, and frequency.
And there's still more to come this summer. Next up? The Old Pasadena Film Festival, which is, it is worth mentioning from the outset, as free as free can be (which is pretty free). It happens mainly outdoors -- Central Park, One Colorado, and Hugus Alley are just three of the cinema-ready settings -- and it happens around the weekends through the end of July.
Around the weekends=mostly Thursdays through Mondays, ish, but check before you go.
And on the docket? Perhaps "Gravity" is worth the first mention, since the Crown City is home to the skyward-dreaming Jet Propulsion Laboratory. "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad," which is full of Ray Harryhausen's stop-motion talents. And "Guest of Cindy Sherman," a documentary set to unspool at the Armory Center for the Arts.
Call attending the fest a good way to get an ogle at various locations around the city with a free cinematic treat on the side. Or call it the other way 'round, if you prefer. Either way you'll land somewhere interesting and you won't pay a quarter to do so. (Well, parking and taking Metro are other matters, but then you know that.)
- Read: Parades for the Fourth
Oh, how could we flitter away without mentioning "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" is on the roster? Should a summer pass without some undiluted B-movie enjoyment? (Answer: no.) (Suggestion: You'll also probably want to pack a picnic involving tomatoes, right?)
The Scene
Want to find new things to do in Los Angeles? The Scene's lifestyle stories have you covered. Here's your go-to source on where the fun is across SoCal and for the weekend.
Okay, outdoor movies, you've won over SoCal. And the free part of the Old Pas presentation? Even sweeter.
