The blockbuster movie has become a summer tradition, as millions of moviegoers travel to theaters across the country to see a new batch of movies each year. While movie theaters remain comfortable places to catch a new movie, an increasing number of widely available home projectors have made watching movies at home a popular alternative. With just a little work, it’s easy to set up a projector and screen anywhere there are a few free outlets, making watching movies under the summer night sky a pleasant alternative.
“Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back”
There is always room for a family meal with summer night movies. One of the movies that easily passes the family test is an old favorite that continues to garner fans more than 20 years after its initial release. The second film in the Star Wars franchise, “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back” is often considered the best of the six Star Wars films released. The film follows the adventures of the young Jedi Luke Skywalker, played by Mark Hamil; Han Solo, played by Harrison Ford; and Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia. The film focuses on the biggest battles of the heroes and the Rebel Alliance against the Empire. There are plenty of large-scale battles, demonstrations of the mystical powers of the Force in the hands of the Jedi, and character growth as the main characters move from planet to planet in personal combat against the Sith Lord Darth Vader. The movie is perfect for a summer night, with a story that is interesting enough to hold the interest of adults combined with enough action to satisfy younger audiences.
“The dark knight”
Few movies contain the same level of action as the second movie in the Batman franchise, “The Dark Knight.” This Christopher Nolan-directed film stars Christian Bale as Batman against the penultimate villain of the Batman universe, The Joker, played by Heath Ledger. “The Dark Knight” is dark and moody, with wall-to-wall action and brilliant performances from the lead actors. Bale’s Batman is a wonderful combination of vulnerability in his Bruce Wayne persona combined with a staunch champion of justice in his masked persona. Ledger’s Joker, on the other hand, is one big ball of madness, with Ledger showing real skill in bringing the character from the comics to the big screen without a hitch. Throw in the usual batch of gadgets for Batman, a strong supporting cast, and an intriguing plot and you’ve got yourself a midsummer night movie sure to appeal to teens and adults alike.
“Toy Story 3”
A summer night movie can be a real treat for younger audiences. However, keeping children’s attention throughout the duration of a movie can be difficult. With “Toy Story 3,” short attention spans aren’t an issue. The fast-moving film starring the voices of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen zip through scenes fast enough that kids don’t falter. The plot is simple enough for younger kids to easily follow, and the comedy is broad enough to keep older siblings entertained as well. The story revolves around the toy’s journey from a day care center where it was left for children to play after its owner left for college, back to the home of its former owner. The outside world is full of obstacles for the toys to maneuver, offering plenty of hazards to keep the suspense going throughout. The film’s animation also stands out, bringing the toys to life right there on the screen. “Toy Story 3” is 90 minutes of fun-filled action, perfect for kids to watch early at night.
“Scary Movie”
Summer nights at the drive-in were often filled with the screams of scary movies, but for a modern summer night movie, the “Scary Movie” parody is a great choice to bring a comedic twist to the night. “Scary Movie,” directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans, is a mash-up of cinematic parodies that takes elements from a variety of actual scary movies to present a funny and sarcastic approach that pokes fun at traditional horror movie tropes. The actors display perfect comedic timing as they play through the film’s typical horror movie plot, complete with a masked killer, bumbling teenagers running around, and a plot that’s as full of surprises as it is genuinely hilarious moments.
“The Avengers”
The latest Midsummer Night movie on the list is the 2012 blockbuster “The Avengers,” directed by Joss Whedon. This is the second superhero movie on the list, but unlike other superhero movies, “The Avengers” focuses on a group of heroes rather than the actions of a single individual. It’s this group dynamic that makes “The Avengers” a great movie worth watching, as typically independent heroes like Iron Man, Thor, and the Hulk come together to fight a common enemy, Loki. Like most comic book hero movies, “The Avengers” is packed with action, providing plenty of attractions for audiences to enjoy. What makes it extraordinary, however, is the great performance from Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man to Scarlet Johansson as Black Widow, with the actors managing to bring the comic book heroes to life for an entertaining 143 minutes of screen time.