Summer fests heating up
Hot movie events
By Phil Villarreal
Pvillarreal@azstarnet.com
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.15.2008
Tucson has plenty of hot film series set to light your cinematic fire this summer.
Back Alley Film Festival
backalleyfilmfestival.com
• For the 10th year, the parking lot at Bison Witches Bar & Deli, 326 N. Fourth Ave. will turn into an impromptu outdoor movie theater. The event, at 7 p.m. May 24, shows films from around the world on a screen on the side of a building. Free, but donations are accepted.
Fox Tucson Theatre
17 W. Congress St.
foxtucsontheatre.org
• "Spirit of the Marathon" (2007), a documentary about runners preparing for and taking part in the Chicago Marathon will screen in its Tucson premiere at 7:30 p.m. June 7. The screening is in conjunction with the Meet Me Downtown 5K Night Run and Walk. Admission is $5, but event participants with a race bib get in free.
• Classic film series. Screenings are at 7:30 p.m. Saturdays. General admission is $8. Films include "Frankenstein" (1931) June 14, "Dracula" (1931) June 21, "The Mummy" (1932) July 12, "The Wolf Man" (1941) July 26, "Creature From the Black Lagoon" (1954) Aug. 9, and "The Blob" (1958) Aug. 16.
• Children's film series. General admission is $5, and screenings are at 11 a.m. Saturdays. Films include "Benji" (1974) June 21, "The Black Stallion" (1979) July 12, "Babe" (1995) July 26, and "Free Willy" (1993) Aug. 9.
• On June 28, the Fox has a full lineup of Mars-themed events to celebrate landing of the Mars probe. At 10:30 a.m. there will be free activities, including science displays and experiments, as well as a live online look at Mars.
Also, two films will screen: "Earth vs. The Flying Saucers" (1956) at 11 a.m., and "The Angry Red Planet" (1960) at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $8.
The Loft at Cinema La Placita
Southwest corner of Broadway and Church Avenue, Downtown.
cinemalaplacita.com
• Classic films screen outdoors at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, May through October.
• "The Omega Man" (1971) tonight, "The Odd Couple" (1968) May 22, "Elmer Gantry" (1960) May 29.
Program director Erika O'Dowd said she schedules films on a month-by-month basis. The Web site will be updated on the 15th of each month.
The Loft Cinema
3233 E. Speedway.
loftcinema.com
• 48-Hour Film Shootout awards screening. At 7 p.m. June 12, competitors who had two days to shoot short films screen their work and vie for a $500 grand prize. Admission $5.
• At 7 p.m. May 30, there will be a screening of "Aren't You Even Going to Kiss Me Goodbye?" (originally called "A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon") (1988). Writer/director William Richert and actress Meredith Salenger will attend. Admission $8.50.
• At 7 p.m. June 7, the new film "The Gene Generation" screens. Director Pearry Reginald Teo, a former Tucsonan, and star Bai Ling will attend, and viewers will get a free copy of the film's comic book adaptation. Admission $10.
• At 7 p.m. June 13, the Loft will hold a six-film horror marathon that ends at 7 a.m. Actress Linnea Quigley ("Return of the Living Dead") will be there. $15.
• At 7 p.m. June 21, the Loft holds its third annual charity event based on the film "Serenity." The film will screen along with the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" film from 1992. Admission is $12 for both films, $10 for "Serenity" alone and $5 for "Buffy" alone.
• At 7 p.m. June 25, Armistead Maupin appears to talk about, sell and sign his book "Michael Tolliver Lives." Free.
• At 9 p.m. June 28, there's a singalong to "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" (2001), and ABBA songs, complete with a costume contest. Admission is $5.
• At 6 p.m. July 4, a singalong to "Team America: World Police." Admission $5.
• At 10 a.m. daily July 26- Aug. 2, the Tucson International Children's Film Festival will include movies from here and abroad, plus cartoons and popcorn. Free.
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