San Juan movie nights add to outdoor fun in SBC
The idea of outdoor movies is nothing new. In fact, an outdoor
movie made an appearance in the 2001 film
”
The Wedding Planner,
”
as Mary (Jennifer Lopez) fell for Steve (Matthew McConaughey).
Venues in the greater Bay Area have been doing it for years as a
way to bring more foot traffic into downtown areas on weeknights.
San Jose’s outdoor movie series has grown into a multi-venue event
with comedies shown at San Pedro Square, classics in the Historic
district neighborhood and other series cropping up around town.
There are plenty more outdoor options around the Bay Area
– and just a few years ago I wrote about them in a movie column
in the pages of the Pinnacle.
San Juan movie nights add to outdoor fun in SBC
The idea of outdoor movies is nothing new. In fact, an outdoor movie made an appearance in the 2001 film “The Wedding Planner,” as Mary (Jennifer Lopez) fell for Steve (Matthew McConaughey). Venues in the greater Bay Area have been doing it for years as a way to bring more foot traffic into downtown areas on weeknights. San Jose’s outdoor movie series has grown into a multi-venue event with comedies shown at San Pedro Square, classics in the Historic district neighborhood and other series cropping up around town. There are plenty more outdoor options around the Bay Area – and just a few years ago I wrote about them in a movie column in the pages of the Pinnacle.
With most of the movies playing on weekend nights at least an hour’s drive from town, it’s unlikely most residents made the trek. But the outdoor movie revolution has finally come to San Benito County – and it appears to be a success.
The Hollister Downtown Association launched its “Movies Under the Stars” series May 28 and it will run Thursdays through Sept. 3. The first outdoor showing, “Grease,” drew more than 400 guests to the evening event at the corner of Fourth and San Benito streets. Though the second film of the series was cancelled because of a threat of rain, the movies resumed in full-force June 11 with a showing of “Shrek” that drew in more than double the participants – about 800.
The San Juan Bautista State Historical Park has also gotten on the outdoor movie bandwagon and is showing one outdoor movie a month this summer. The next event is Friday, June 26, with a showing of “The Mask of Zorro.” The San Juan programs begin with a presentation about the history of the Mission or the historic park, and then the movie begins at 8:30 p.m.
The outdoor movie phenomena started just when drive-in movies were at the verge of extinction. Unlike drive-ins, however, this new movie movement is more about trying to connect people with their community than just showing them a movie under the stars.
Nationwide, the majority of outdoor movie series are shown in downtown areas – just as in Hollister and San Juan Bautista. Organizers generally pick a weeknight, when foot traffic is likely to be light. In some areas of San Jose, restaurant owners reported a 25 percent boost to sales on film nights.
Hollister and San Juan’s series are too new to know what kind of impact they might have on local businesses, but the turnouts show that people are excited to have a chance for a little free entertainment with their neighbors.
So this summer, bring out a blanket and a lawn chair, dress warmly and bundle up for a movie int he park or under the stars.
Movies in the Park
The San Juan Bautista Historic Park is hosting a movie series in the park once a month through August. Movies start at 8:30 p.m. A short presentation on the history of San Juan or related to the movie will start at 8:15 p.m. The viewing is free to the public, and any proceeds will benefit the Plaza History Association.
For more information, call 623-4526.
June 26: The Mask of Zorro
In 1820, the son of a California nobleman comes home after a visit from Spain to find his land under villainous dictatorship. He takes on the role of the masked avenger Zorro, but hides his identity by acting like a useless aristocrat most of the time.
July 24: Wagon Master
John Ford directed this 1950 Western about a group of Mormons who are trying to found a new colony in San Juan River country with the help of horse traders Travis (Ben Johnson) and Sandy (Harry Carey Jr.) as their guides and wagon master.
August 21: Stagecoach
Another film from John Ford, this 1939 film follows a stagecoach when its travels are interrupted by contact with Geronimo. John Wayne stars as Ringo Kid, with Claire Trevor, John Carradine and Louise Platt.
Movies
Under the Stars
The Hollister Downtown Association’s outdoor movie series plays Thursdays half an hour after dusk through Sept. 3 (no showing June 25 due to Saddle Horse Show Parade). The event is free to the public. No alcohol or pets allowed.
For more information, visit www.downtownhollister.org or call Jeana Arnold at 636-8406.
June 25: No showing due to Saddle Horse Parade
July 2: Nacho Libre, PG
Nacho (Jack Black) grew up in an orphanage and now works as a cook there. But all his life he has dreamed of being a masked wrestler in the lucha libre tradition. He enters a tournament to win the respect of others and to help the children at the orphanage. Starring Ana de la Reguera as Sister Enarnacion and Darius Rose as Chancho.
July 9: Ghost Busters, PG
They ain’t afraid of no ghosts in this 1984 comedy starring Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd and Harold Ramis as the three out-of-work parapsychologists decide to set up a ghost removal company. Starring Sigourney Weaver as Dana Barrett and Rick Moranis as Louis Tully.
July 16: Journey to the Center of the Earth, PG
Professor Trevor Anderson (Brendan Fraser) is obsessed with the idea that there is a lost world at the center of the earth. When he and his nephew Sean (Josh Hutcherson) travel to Iceland to research some mysterious quakes they find themselves lost in just such a world with their guide Hannah (Anita Briem). But now that Trevor has made his discovery, how will they find their way out?
July 23: Kung Fu Panda, PG
Po the Panda (voiced by Jack Black) wants to be a kung-fu master, but mostly he is just good at making noodle bowls. Po finds himself in the midst of the Furious Five when he is chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy. The other kung-fu masters don’t want him around, but their guru Master Shifu (voiced by Dustin Hoffman) encourages him to believe in himself.
July 30: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, PG
The New York zoo animals decide to leave the island of Madagascar only to find themselves in the wild of Africa, where Alex the lion (voiced by Ben Stiller) meets his family but has trouble communicating with them after a pampered life in a cage. Other voices by Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith.
August 6: E.T. – the Extra-terrestrial, G
In this 1982 classic directed by Steven Spielberg, three children (Henry Thomas, Robert MacNaughton and a very young Drew Barrymore) of a single mom bond together when the middle son, Elliott (Thomas), finds an extraterrestrial living in their shed. E.T. is a gentle alien who just wants to find a way to get back home.
August 13: Over the Hedge, PG
RJ (Bruce Willis) is a raccoon who wants things the easy way. He persuades a group of forest friends that they can find food by scavenging from humans rather than by hunting and gathering in the woods. Voices by Garry Shandling, Steve Carell and Wanda Sykes.
August 20: Twilight, PG-13
Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) is an ordinary teenager when she finds herself in an extraordinary relationship after moving to a sleepy Washington town with her father. She finds herself attracted to the gorgeous Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), but there is something about him that isn’t quite right – he’s a vampire.
August 27: Hairspray, PG
Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) just wants a chance to dance on the Corny Collins show in this musical set in 1950s Baltimore. Her mother Edna (played by a cross-dressing John Travolta) wants her daughter to aim low, while father Wilbur Turnblad (Christopher Walken) encourages her to pursue her dreams of dancing on an integrated show with whites and blacks alike. Starring Zac Efron, Michelle Pfeiffer and Amanda Bynes.
September 3: Mamma Mia!, PG-13
All Sophie Sheridan (Amanda Seyfried) wants before she gets married is to have her father walk her down the aisle but her mother (Meryl Streep) has always been secretive about her past. When Sophie finds an old diary she decides to invite all three of her mother’s beaus to the island hotel they run in Greece so she can discover which is the real deal in this musical inspired by the music of ABBA. Starring Stellan Skarsgard, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth.
