How about “What about Bob?” with Bill Murray & Richard Dreyfuss? It’s funny, has a summertime theme and is silly & gross enough for kids to like it, things blow up so the grownups like it. Win-win.
What about Moon over Parador with Richard Dreyfuss and Raul Julia? Or maybe Funny Farm with Chevy Chase?
It’s funny, but I just got back from a camping trip and I did exactly what you’re talking about. We met a group of friends at this very cool but very out of the way campground in the Sierra’s and I brought along my tv projector, my vcr, speakers, screen and a bunch of tapes. I wasn’t really sure if they would be up to watching a movie in the great outdoors, but, being the movie fanatic I am, I thought I’d give it a try. And, to my surprise, they were all up for it.
I even let them pick the movie, as long as it wasn’t anything past the 60’s. I’m silly that way. Really irritates my wife. Anyway, they chose The Magnificent Seven and we had a very nice evening under the stars and pine trees watching Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen kick ass to the musical score of Elmer Bernstein. Brought back memories of how fun it was going to drive-in movies as a kid.
And the next time they want me to play The Long, Long Trailer with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez. Can’t wait
Thanks all for the input. We think it will be a small crowd and some of the folks may be a bit older and not into hanging out too late after dark. So, the shorter the presentation, the better. Also, with a smaller group, it’s not like you will have one group watching the thing and perhaps another group mingling off to the side somewhere. Everyone will pretty much be doing one thing.
So, that said, we think the skit idea would be best (e.g., SNL: Best of Chris Farley or similar thing) instead of a full movie. Those skit DVDs are only about an hour, and they are easy to talk through without missing much.
If it works out, maybe we’ll do a full movie in the future.
You know how the Academy Awards ceremonies always honor the “Best Short Film” in both live-action and animated categories? Well, lately those have been collated by year on DVD… all the nominated shorts (including the winners, of course). Most of these shorts are light-hearted, often with cheeky or ironic twist endings, and the animated ones are often outstanding, as well as tremendously varied in their style of “animation”. My local library carries them; I dunno about Blockbuster, etc.
Netflix does – I’ve got one in my queue.
I know what movie I’d pick for next year’s summer party – The Dish, a gentle family-friendly comedy about Australia’s role in transmitting the live TV feed from Apollo 11 [the first moon landing, July 20, 1969] to the world. Warm characterizations, witty dialogue, and some great visuals (of both rural Australia and the Apollo mission itself). What nicer way to note the 40th anniversary of that landmark event?
The only movie I’ve seen on a wall outside was Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. That could work for a certain audience. Hey, it’s sort of in the news.
Godzilla vs Mothra
I vote for Captain Ron.
It’s fun for adults and kids, it’s light and well paced. The soundtrack is great and it would go well with BBQ.
I was thinking in the same vein, but National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation/ Christmas in summer. Who doesn’t like attack squirrels?
Outdoor BBQ makes me think Picnic at Hanging Rock, which is definitely not the mood you want!
Maybe Strange Brew would be a good choice
This immediately made me think of Half Baked.