Free Al Fresco Cinema Nights

With summer's blockbuster duds in full season (Miami Vice, World Trade Center) and no upcoming movies enticing me to the theater anytime soon (although I have hopes for The Science of Sleep and The Last Kiss hopefully?), I've decided to get my movie fix outside of the local multiplex--literally "outside" the local cineplex.

L.A.'s warm summer nights are perfect for al fresco movie watChing and these three outdoor cinema series around town make a nice alternative with actual good movies, free admission and even a BYO option (even if you have to sneak it in). The Hollywood Forever Cemetery asks for a $10 donation but the other two cost $14 less per person than the $14 ArcLight movie ticket (and that's before popcorn and a slurpee!) Yup, they're free!

CINESPIA @ HOLLYWOOD FOREVER CEMETERY: Every Saturday night during the summer.
This has been on my to-do list for a couple summers but for some reason, I've never got around to it (maybe it's the rumored long lines or the hard-to-organize-for-a-Saturday-night activity). Playing everything from Pyscho (last weekend) to Pee Wee Herman's Big Adventure (July sometime) and The Warriors (September 2nd), the films are a mix of cult classics and grandious movies fitting to watch under the stars. And above them too. (Many of the stars you're watching on screen are also buried there; Rudolph Valentino, John Huston,Jayne Mansfield to name a few.) This weekend is the John Wayne classic, The Searchers. Movies start at 8:30pm with gates open at 7pm for pre-flick wine and cheese picnicking and DJ-tunes. Since I haven't been there, check out Metrobogging LA's experience for a first-hand account and tips.

www.cinespia.org

SANTA MONICA 'DRIVE IN' AT THE BEACH: Every Tuesday night during August and September at the SM Pier.
The weekly summertime series isn’t your typical drive-in—leave your car at the lot and cozy up on the sand with a beach lounger instead. Noteworthy remaining films on the calendar—“Rocky” (August 22nd), “Anchorman” (September 5th), the 1927 Fritz Lang classic, “Metropolis” (September 12th), scored by a live orchestra and the closing film, "An Inconvenient Truth" on September 26th. Screenings start at sundown (around 8PM) but come early to catch the sunset and a prime sandy spot. Admission is free (although tickets are required), but gain karma points by donating to the Arts Fighting Cancer charity. Proceeds from beach chair rentals and tasty concessions (caramel corn, funnel cake) also support the cause.

www.smff.com
Pick up free tickets at any Santa Monica Visitor Center: 1920 Main Street, 1400 Ocean Ave, Kiosk at 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica

SAN GENNARO PRESENTS CINEMA AL FRESCO: Every Friday night during Month of August at Hancock Park @ the La Brea Tar Pits.
This one I found accidently while randomly looking up italian restaurants "just because" (me? obsessed with food? shocker). Doors open at the 6pm for live italian music with screenings starting at sundown around 8pm. We've already missed two great films, 'Cinema Paradiso" and "Il Postino", but the remaining two films are "Pinnochio"" (August 18th) and "The Italian Job" (the original one with Michael Caine) on August 25th. Italian-themed picnic dinners are available for purchase or you could come with some mozarella breadsticks and chianti for a make-your-own italia noche.

www.sangennarofoundation.org/cinema.html