What Could Be Better Than Free Movies?

Free movies and free popcorn!  Each Thursday night from June until August at the Temescal Street Cinema.  There's even live music to listen to while you enjoy your popcorn.

SOoooo, I know that some of you think that Montclair, Rockridge and now Temescal are their own private entities and not part of Oakland (or through some weird magical link, connected to Berkeley) but not true.  Aahh, the power of branding...

But Temescal offers something very special.  Since 2008, the neighborhood has supported a free outdoor movie series.  With free popcorn.  They even put out chairs, but I recommend bringing your own.  Then if the movie is, well, not to your taste, or you get too cold, you can quietly fold up your chair and creep away into the night.  Or stop by Scream Sorbet or Tara's Ice Cream for dessert.  Goes great with popcorn.

Over the past few years, we've seen some wonderful films and occasionally a few rather lame ones.  Oh, I mean, ones not to our taste.  Which can make the dessert option seem like it was worth the bother to wander around the neighborhood with a folding chair tucked under your arm.

One of my favorites from last year was Man on the Land (1951), a 15-minute history of agricultural progress as told by the American Petroleum Institute. Featuring fine animation and wonderfully hokey music, it has a clear message:  "progress" equals more gas-powered machinery and chemicals. Oh yeah, and somehow it's closely related to the American Way and Freedom (they were almost able to work Superman into the movie too, but he had a scheduling conflict).  Those who disagree with the plot, umm plan, are simply foolish, and left in the (pesticide) dust.  And if it weren't so deadly, deadly serious, it would be laugh-out-loud funny.

This year's season opens with The Waiting Room, a documentary by Peter Nicks of a day-in-the-life at the emergency room of Highland Hospital, Alameda County's public hospital.  The film also will be screening at various locations around the country this summer and fall. Highly recommended.

Just remember... free popcorn at Temescal on Thursdays.