City shows movies under the stars

For all film fans who have grown tired of watching movies in the frigid darkness of a movie theater, the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department has just the solution in their annual Evening with the Stars Movie Series. \nThe Parks and Recreation Department, in conjunction with the Ryder Film Series, have been showing movies as part of the series every Thursday night at Bryan Park. \nThe series, which began in 2000, has evolved from a monthly showing in the early years, to a weekly showing from June through July. In addition, the Parks and Recreation Department shows two movies a summer at the Bryan Park Pool, which Director of Recreation Services Paula McDevitt says is always a great source of entertainment.\n"The screen is set up so you can float in the pool and watch the movie, which is always a lot of fun," McDevitt said. \nThe films included in this summer's series range from such classics as "Some Like It Hot" and "Field of Dreams" to more recent blockbusters like "Spiderman" and "Shark Tale."\nThe films are selected by the Performing Arts Series staff at the Parks and Recreation Department in cooperation with the Ryder Film Series, who provide the movies and most of the equipment. \nMcDevitt said the film series has become one of the city's most popular programs, as evidenced by the high attendance at the showings.\n"It's easily one of our most popular programs, and we have great attendance for the movies," he said. "We consistently have several 100 people at the showings."\nMcDevitt attributes the success of the series to the fact that it's a creative way to allow people to come together. \n"It's a great summer activity and a great way to spend a summer evening," said McDevitt. "People bring their blankets and sit under the stars and watch a great movie and have a lot of fun."\nThe Evening with the Stars Movies Series concludes this Thursday evening with the showing of "American Graffiti", directed by "Star Wars" creator George Lucas and starring Richard Dreyfuss and Ron Howard as high school buddies who spend one final night with their friends before heading off to college in 1962's America. The film begins at 8:30 p.m. at Bryan Park. The showing is sponsored by Bloomingfoods and admission to all movies in the series is free.