See the rest of the Outdoor Movie Screening Schedule here.
June 1: "Stand By Me" (1986) NoMa Summer Screen (Wednesdays at 7pm)
Not sure I can say anything negative about this film. By far one of my all time favorites and completely disregarded by the Academy Awards with only one nomination for Adapted Screenplay. The film certainly starts from a strong script based on the novella "The Body" written by Stephen King. Perhaps it didn't receive any acting nominations because of how the story is told without one true lead, but Rob Reiner directs the young boys superbly in the emotional story that is beyond their years. The sensitive one is Wil Wheaton (Gordie), the tough guy is River Phoenix (Chris), the flamboyant one is Corey Feldman (Teddy) and the coward is Jerry O'Connell (Vern) who have together set out on a journey across the Willamette Valley of Oregon to find a dead body. They sneak smokes, tell stories, use foul language and discover the strength of friendship along the way. Stand By Me is a special film about friendship and growing up. In the 25 years since this film was released, it certainly stands the test of time and gets 5 Quacks from me.
June 2: "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981) Capitol Riverfront Front Flicks (Thursdays at 8:45pm)
The start of an amazing franchise for Indiana Jones and one of the pillars that cements Stephen Spielberg and George Lucas as two of the greatest ever. As a kid I wanted to be Harrison Ford, but I decided to study accounting instead of archeology. The supporting cast is also one of the best with Karen Allen (Marion), John Rys-Davies (Sallah) Denholm Elliott (Marcus Brody) and young Alfred Molina who dies early in the film. The Nazi challengers include Paul Freeman, Wolf Kahler, and Ronald Lacey. I never quite understood as a kid why the Nazi element was necessary and especially wondered why Hitler would ever want a religious artifact. However, as a kid what did I care since the movie had action. Indiana Jones, and Harrison Ford, were cool with his hat, whip and leather jacket. It has been 30 years, and because of the special effects near the relative beginning of Industrial Light & Magic the movie still holds true to me. I still give this one 5 Quacks.
June 3: "Anchorman" (2004) Rosslyn Outdoor Film Festival (Fridays at 8pm)
Probably the weakest of the three Outdoor Movie Screenings this week, but that isn't really fair because of who the "Anchorman" is being matched up against. You could also say that it is a perfect week for Outdoor Movies with three all time favorites and hope that the weather holds up for us and we can enjoy them all. Will Ferrell is one of the best to ever be on Saturday Night Live (SNL) and his continuation to the big screen has been equally enjoyable. The rest of the cast includes Christina Applegate, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, David Koechner, Fred Willard, Chris Parnell, Seth Rogan, Fred Armisan and many others. With any of the movies featuring an SNL regular they seem to always find a way to get their friends involved in the film as well. The jokes will probably always be funny and is why I will give the film 3 Quacks. The first lines just seem like the best way to go out...
"There was a time, a time before cable. When the local anchorman reigned supreme. When people believed everything they heard on TV. This was an age when only men were allowed to read the news. And in San Diego, one anchorman was more man then the rest. His name was Ron Burgundy. He was like a god walking amongst mere mortals. He had a voice that could make a wolverine purr and suits so fine they made Sinatra look like a hobo. In other words, Ron Burgundy was the balls."
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