Chicago outdoor films light up the night
The Chicago Outdoor Film Festival offers a variety of films throughout the summer.The Chicago Outdoor Film Festival offers a variety of films throughout the summer.
Summer should be a season of relaxation. After a long year of erratic weather and work, we should all reward ourselves with at least a little bit of fun. Even though Robert Morris College pushes right on through the summer months, there are still cook-outs, the beach, and al fresco dining to provide some escape. There is also the annual outdoor film festival that is sure to attract plenty of eager park-goers. In only its eighth year running as a once-a-week free movie screening, the film festival is all ready engrained as a tradition of the city.
“Going to the drive in has always been one of my favorite things to do in the summer. With the option now of having movies playing for free on an open lawn like in Grant Park, I couldn't think of a better way to spend a nice evening,” said Brian Kirouac.
The location is Butler Field, situated along Lake Shore Dr. near its intersection with Monroe Street in Grant Park. The field is a sprawling piece of grass with a baseball diamond on one corner and a 50 foot by 34 foot movie screen on another. As the sun sets, one gets the good ol’ feeling of going to the drive-in with the family, minus the cramped car. Instead of tuning into a fuzzy radio station to hear the movie, the screen is equipped with an impressive state-of-the-art sound system. In the months of July and August, when nights are humid and television is forgotten in its rerun wasteland, what more could one ask for? How about not having to pay a cent for any of this? All that a movie buff needs to bring to the fest is a blanket for lounging and perhaps a picnic basket stocked with dinner. If the skies look cloudy, count on the movie to play, because unless there is thunder and lightning, the show will go on.
Every Tuesday night from July 17 through Aug. 28, a movie will play just after sunset. Every film to play is a classic, ranging from comedy to suspense, from musicals to westerns. Opening night of the film festival was welcomed by film critic Richard Roeper, as he offered a short discussion before introducing the first movie.
The premiere movie to play this year was Young Frankenstein, Mel Brooks’ hilarious 1974 send up of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein horror novel. Gene Wilder, who everyone remembers from the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory movie, brings the main character of Dr. Frederick Frankenstein. He brings laughs throughout the film, especially as he makes his monster creation, played by
Everybody Loves Raymond’s late Peter Boyle. The film is a perfect introduction to the film festival, and sure to raise interest in all looking to attend.
“Young Frankenstein is one of my all-time favorite movies. I really grew up with it. It's awesome that a film festival is opening with such an outstanding piece of comedy history,” said Nadia Garbosky.
The Awful Truth plays on Aug. 7, followed by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid on the 14. Aug. 21 features the Sweet Smell of Success. Considered by many to be the greatest film of all time, The Sound of Music closes the festival as an appropriate grand finale on the 28.
“I am really excited about the movies playing this year. They are all worthy classics, and I would definitely consider some of them to be on my all time favorite films list,” said James Savage.
Nothing to do on a long summer night? Longing for that sense of nostalgia? Got a group of friends and family looking for a place to unwind under the night sky next to some cool drinks and popcorn? Chicago’s 8th Annual Outdoor Film Festival is the place to be.