The Bay Area's quirky, one-of-a-kind movie events—think sing-a-longs, al fresco flicks, and docs with drinks—are just the sort of thing that makes our out-of-town friends jealous. So we say skip the summer blockbusters and check out these cooler, outside-the-box screenings around the Bay this summer.
"Wes Ander-Thon" Weekend
The Roxie is breaking out the popcorn to celebrate 20 hilarious years of Wes Anderson flicks with a 10-Film Festival weekend that begins with Rushmore and closes with Anderson's latest, Grand Budapest Hotel. With the purchase of a VIP ticket, you'll score a copy of The Wes Anderson Collection: Bad Dads Art, a new book curated by Spoke Art Gallery. // $14 per movie,Friday, Aug. 12 through Sunday, Aug. 14, various times, at Roxie Theater: 3117 16th St. (Mission),roxie.com
Terror Tuesdays at Alamo Drafthouse
Tuesdays mean terror at Alamo Drafthouse, where choice horror films span from cult classics to little-known treasures—think 1985's Silver Bullet starring Corey Haim and Gary Busey—drawing genre freaks to congregate amongst their kind. Order dinner and drinks, just don't toss your popcorn. // $5, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 10:15pm, at Alamo Drafthouse: 2550 Mission St. (Mission),drafthouse.com
Midnight Screenings of The Room
"You're tearing me apart Lisa!" With what feels like hour-long sex scenes in addition to terrible dialogue, The Room has become a cult classic of sorts. Written and directed by the film's star Tommy Wiseau. This black comedy grapples with life's most serious question: "Can you really trust anyone?" Catch it late nights at the Clay. // $10, Saturday, Aug. 13, 11:55pm, at Clay Theater: 2261 Fillmore St. (Pac Heights), landmarktheater.com
Film Night in the Park
What could be better than laying your blanket out on the grass and cracking open a bottle of wine for a movie beneath the stars? Make it a date nigh at one of several local parks participating in this beloved summer series. On August 13th The Goonies will light up Dolores Park while The Devil Wears Prada makes its Union Square debut on September 10th. Admission is free, and chairs are discouraged. Arrive early to soak up the party atmo. // Saturday, Aug. 13 through Wednesday, Sept. 24, various times and locations, sfntf.squarespace.com/filmnight
Star Wars Marathon
Audiences were first introduced to Luke, Leia, and Han Solo 39 years ago. Now, the Paramount Theatre in Oakland fetes George Lucas' masterpiece series with a screening of the original three Star Wars films: A New Hope, Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. Brush up on your Jedi factoids and Leia braids for costume contents and trivia. May the force be with you. // $30-$65, Saturday, Aug. 20, 4pm, at Paramount Theatre: 2025 Broadway (Oakland), paramounttheatre.com
Summer Cinema Series: Wente Vineyards
Wine tasting and a movie? Yes, please. Wente Vineyards in Livermore is hosting three outdoor movies this summer: Inside Out (Aug. 19), Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Sept. 9), and Under the Tuscan Sun (Sept. 23). Admission to the event is free, and with amazing wine and food on hand, there's no need to bring your own. // Friday, Aug. 19 through Friday, Sept. 23, gates open at 6:30pm and the movie starts at 8pm, at Wente Vineyards, 5565 Tesla Rd. (Livermore), wentevineyards.com/events/2016/cinema-at-wente-vineyards
The Princess Bride Quote-Along
"Inconceivable!" The Retro Dome and San Jose's Camera 12 present the annual Princess Bride Quote-Along! Costumes are strongly encouraged and you may or may not run into an R.O.U.S ("I don't think they exist"). Reservations include designated seating and a fun pack of props. Go early for the pre-show with a costume contest, trivia, and singing. // Friday, Aug. 12 through Sunday, Aug. 14, 7pm, at Camera 12 Downtown: 201 S Second St. (San Jose), theretrodome.com
Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation
This wonderfully odd fan film is the result of a group of pre-teens who became obsessed with Raiders of the Lost Ark and set out to create their own shot-by-shot adaptation of the Harrison Ford classic. After several years of making their own costumes and doing all of their own stunts, the kids caught the eye of director Eli Roth. The film is now making its way around the film festivals circuit. The New Parkway Theater in Oakland is showing both the adaptation and the documentary that tells the story behind the making of the fan film. // $8, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 9:20pm, at The New Parkway: 474 24th St. (Oakland), thenewparkway.com
David Bowie Is
He may be gone, but we'll never really forget the impact David Bowie had on the world. Three years before his death, an exhibition was created by the V&A Museum in London to chart Bowie's success as an artist. The subsequent documentary takes us through the sell-out global exhibition David Bowie Is. The film includes special guests including legendary Japanese fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto, Pulp front-man Jarvis Crocker and other collaborators. // $12, Monday, Sept. 19 and Tuesday, Sept. 20, 6:30pm, at Smith Rafael Film Center: 1118 Fourth St. (San Rafael),rafaelfilm.cafilm.org
