Annual Chicago Outdoor Film Festival

It is sad that they have decided to give this awsome event the ax. I know a thing or two about outdoor movie events, I run a local company producing these events all over Illinois. Sponsorship can and most often completely pay for an event, so the city can cry all they want about it being a cost issue its just not true or they ran it poorly.
I’m working on a new facebook page and website that will have as many of the 2010 Movies in the Park events as I can find listed for everyone to find. My plan is for it to be a quick resource so folks can go get their fix, they won’t be in Grant Park with the awesome skyline, but any movie in a park, under the stars, with friends and family is good enough for me!

I can’t believe this is canceled. What a disappointment!

i’m so sad that this has been canceled!
i had every movie wrote out in my planner and attended nearly EVERY week!
we are protesting!

I won’t go into details because others have done great already.
THE BEST THING TO DO DURING THE SUMMER IN CHICAGO. Wait, it WAS the best thing to do during the summer in Chicago.
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Reason for no «fuller» review is: sadly there will be no more outdoor film festival until further notice. What on Earth were you thinking Daley when you canceled my favorite thing about Chicago summers? WHY?!!

By far… my FAVORITE thing to do in Chicago during the summer. I have been every year since it started.
I always try to get there before 6:00 and stake out a space big enough for everyone I’ve invited. Honestly, it’s my favorite part of the experience… sitting around, snacking, reading or playing cards with who ever has decided to hold down the fort with me.
Some tips:
— bring chairs. Everyone has them and you won’t be able to see over the tops of them if you’re sitting on the ground. Stop being such a cheapskate and get to Target.
— you are technically not allowed to drink in the park… however… people do. Cleverly disguise your adult beverages if you wish to partake.
— bring food… there’s not much to be had there.
— if you’ve got a big party or people who like to pee a lot, make sure you sit to the side so you don’t step on everyone trying to get to the bathrooms.
— no pets or bikes allowed.
For the love of God, people… if you’re going to show up late, don’t cram yourself in the 2 by 3 foot space of grass we left to give our neighbors space!!! So rude. It never ceases to amaze me how inconsiderate people can be. There’s a reason you need to get there early!

I’m a tad late on this. My first movie at Grant park was Carmen Jones, several years ago. This past summer I got to catch Born Yesterday (a hilarious and highly recommended bit of that old style innuendo and creativity that no longer exists now that they can just have the two attractive leads strip off their clothes and go at it in the first 10 minutes) and Psycho, which was enormously fun — what energy! Even if there was a constant seat of d-​bags tromping around and blocking the screen. This venue gets packed quickly, especially for big name flicks, so you should pack a group of friends and a dinner picnic and arrive a good two hours before the show starts if you want to get a good seat and thus minimize your lousy view experience. But overall it’s just a fun experience and one of those many things that makes Chicago a nice spot in the summer time.

So I finally went to a Grant Park movie for the first time in many years, seeing Tootsie last night with a friend. Back in the early 2000s, I used to come for movies here much more often, so it was great to finally return here again. Especially due to how fun it is to hear the audience reaction throughout the movie. As Tootsie was the last movie of the summer here (and one I hadn’t seen), and my disappointment in missing Psycho (one of my fav Hitchcock movies) 2 weeks back, I’m glad I got to see at least one movie here this summer. It saddened me that they got rid of the shorts that used to play before the movies here.
My tips, from my past experiences here:
–Come early to stake out a place, as the only spaces that’ll remain right when the movie starts tend to be in areas where the sound is almost non-​existant, or on the side where your view of the screen will likely be blocked by trees off the side. We both got lucky, and found a place on the right side of the screen, and some ways back where at least we could actually see the screen (by LSD), and hear the sound. That seems to be the best place to try finding a place on the lawn, if you come late.
–As always, the grass throughout much of Butler Field isn’t in the greatest of shape, due to all the summer festivals held at Grant Park. I’d advise looking carefully at the condition of the grass, before sitting down. I was surprised that it wasn’t in as bad of a shape as I thought, so hmmm, perhaps the Park District has a slightly better handle on this problem than they used to?
–Bring a blanket if you’re sitting on the lawn, or you’ll either have to stand on the sidewalk to the left or right of the screen, or find one of the benches off the sidewalk, where the screen is often blocked by trees. And be prepared to creatively readjust your seating angle in the lawn, if there are people with chairs near you.
My biggest pet peave last night, moreso than either the sound being non-​existent in some parts of Butler Field or the condition of the grass, was easily the fact that the Chicago Department of Transportation was poorly doing Lake Shore Drive construction at an early part of the movie, and restarted before the movie ended. Couldn’t the Chicago Park District have communicated to CDOT in advance to put off LSD construction till after the movie ended, or do it another night? I did see that I wasn’t the only Unilocaler complaining of nearby drifting sound problems, as someone else complained about a helicopter flying over Butler Field during a movie. Both the drifting sound problems, and LSD construction, sadly ensure that me and my friend will have to rent Tootsie in the future, to watch what we missed last night. Thanks a lot city department heads, for not being mindful that a movie was playing here yesterday night!
EDIT: I realized after some thinking, I will give it 4 stars, as I should be fair, and give credit that it was ran extremely well in my past experiences. Not to mention, they manage to always have at least a few decent movies on the schedule every year. However, the park district must learn to coordinate road construction with the CDOT to avoid interrupting movies next summer, and try improving the sound system in Butler Field, or I will revert back to the rating I initially gave it.

Open air, the feel of grass beneath your hiney, a large movie screen allowing you to see classics, and enough drinks to make your heart content (as long as you bring them yourself)…
I had the best time and will continue to have the best time watching whatever movies they play!
Grab some blankets, bring some picnic food and drinks, don’t sit behind people in their annoying chairs, and enjoy the movies in the park!

Kind of like Ravinia, but with movies and free!
400 reviews is a milestone of sorts and I wanted to review something worthy. I can’t believe in its 10 years of existence that this is the first time I’ve been a movie in the park. I was fortunate to lose my Chicago Outdoor Film Festival virginity to «Born Yesterday.» What a great flick; funny, romantic, William Holden ((sigh)).
Bring your friends, your blankets, your bug spray, your food and your bevvies and head over to Monroe and Lake Shore Drive for a movie. Bring some cards, games and friendly conversation to pass the time before the movie starts. Movies start at dusk so the start time will change from week to week, but get there early if you want a primo spot.
You won’t find new or recent releases at the Festival, you’ll get classics. I’m glad they show classics, I think they have broader appeal and I know it sounds corny, but it’s true «they don’t make ‘em like they used to.» What makes the evening so fun is the general camaraderie among the movie buffs, laughing, shrieking, etc. like a group (a really big group) of old friends.
The festival has a sister event, Movies in the Park, but the Outdoor Film Festival at Grant Park’s Butler Field should be done at least once. Unlike the Film Festival, most of the Movies in the Park movies are newer, family friendly releases.
Next time you’re grumbling about the price of movies, being low on funds, needing something fun to do, or are just plain bored head over to a movie in the park. Laying back under the stars with 1,000 of your friends and neighbors is an amazing way to pass the evening.
Hurry up while you still can! The film festival runs for 7 weeks from mid-​July to late August.
TIP: If weather cancels a movie you’re SOL, but you may luck out and be able to find a of the movie at a different park.
TIP: Film Festival movies are shown near the park bathrooms; granted, it’s not the Ritz, but it’s better that fumbling around a porta-​potty after dark!
* Adult beverages aren’t allowed, but I didn’t see anyone checking bags, etc.

This is pretty cool! The Outdoor Film Festival and Movies in the Park remind me of the days when I watched movies at the drive-​in on Cicero. I only wish they had a section where chairs and tents are not allowed.
Also, who is the idiot that kept flying a helicopter back-​n-​forth over Butler on 07÷28÷09?!!

i’ve been coming to these movies since i was 16 years old
i heart movies in grant park!
i hate chairs i cant see over
i hate people who talk! SHUT UP
i hate people who smoke! yuck-​STINKY
i hate people who smoke, talk, and sit in chairs — why do you come here?
this is an awsum date night, evening with friends, or family
I LoVE it — i wish they went in to the fall and started in late spring
MORE MOVIES MORE MOVIES
omg my all time favorite memory from this place was this past summer when they showed THE BLUES BROTHERS omg… WHEN IT STARTED RAINING EVERYONE WAS DANCING
IT WAS AMAZING!!!

The best way to spend a tuesday night during summer here in beautiful Chicago. They may not play many movies that I like but I usually end up going to two or three of these. Best part is the night time atmosphere and just seeing an older movie on «big screen».
Go early to ensure that you have a good spot. Sit close if you want or near the speakers but above all avoid the sitting behind the path. People will constantly be in the way, standing there or just walking by. I always here remarks from people that end up sitting there. I’ll always be here every summer.

This is one of the reasons that living in Chicago is living in one of the greatest cities on Earth. The Chicago Outdoor Film Festival is a huge event for eight all too short weeks every summer.
The movie is only part of the enjoyment. It’s the people and the skyline around the movie as well. Picture a concert at Taste of Chicago except instead of a band or artist, there’s a classic movie (and you’re facing the other direction) and you have the recipe for a truly Chicagoan Tuesday night.
With this many people and such a small screen, there can be some issues. People, usually engaging in under cover drinking, often have to get up and go to the bathroom, sometimes blocking the screen. The sound can sometimes be a bit muffled (it rained during «Blues Brothers» and the audio couldn’t make it through) as well.
It’s not the greatest place to see a movie you’ve never seen before due to all of the distractions. But much like movies at the Vic, if it’s one of your all time favorites and want to be around other people who love the movie as much who will sing along with the songs, laugh at all the jokes, and spout out classic lines, it’s perfect.

The best way to see an iconic Chicago film like «The Blues Brothers» or «Ferris Bueller» is in Grant Park surrounded by fellow Chicagoans and the illuminated skyline. If you do plan to see a more popular film, make sure to come early for a prime spot (although there is plenty of space for all in the park). Time will fly while waiting for the move if you bring a picnic with friends.
Kudos to the park district for turning up the volume loud enough for all to hear. A few people will talk throughout the movie, but this seems to be the exception instead of the rule.
Don’t let a threat of rain keep you away. This actually made my recent viewing of «The Blues Brothers» more festive and memorable — I felt like a kid again.

How surprised was I that several thousand Chicagoans could sit through a movie without major issues (at least that I saw)! Last night was my first time to the Outdoor Film Festival and I was pleasantly pleased. While the movie of the night, «All About Eve» is older so it might have attracted less of a crowd, I was impressed with the booths from vendors, CPD directing traffic and crowds, and others picking up trash and patrolling the area for pets (no pets allowed!). They even have chair rentals for $ 5, if you decide you don’t want to sit on the hard ground. We arrived at about 8pm and while it was crowded we could still see the screen just fine.
All you have to do is plop down a blanket or some chairs and relax. Some groups had ultimate picnics with little tables, and I will most definitly bring food next time (I stuff myself at Italian Village beforehand, Unilocal on that later). The weather was perfect. Surprisingly, everyone stopped talking for the most part when the movie started so it was pretty easy to hear.
What I did not like: ComEd is one of the sponsor’s for the festival. They were giving away free popcorn to everyone. Super… I would of even had some if I had not just eaten. However, how about they skip the free popcorn and not increase our electricity bills instead?! I know its completely unrelated, but if they have enough money to give away free popcorn, they obviously should have enough for their inflated CEO’s salaries!
Despite that, I’m excited for other movies later this summer like – Blues Brothers, Grease!

It was just about the perfect summer evening: being outdoors; great weather; wonderful friends; ample food and beverage; and a fabulous flick. I was treated to «All About Eve» last night, although it didn’t matter what was showing when I looked around and saw my city’s skyline as a backdrop to a giant movie screen [insert movie-lover’s sigh].
My favorite quirky plus? Your feet won’t stick to the floor when you leave. That is, unless you use one of the port-​o-​potties, but that’s another review entirely.

I can’t believe in my 9 years here last night was the first time I went.
It is free, plenty of room, and ComEd gave out free popcorn (but I didn’t try it) and Robinson’s had a rib stand (didn’t try it either).
Just bring your own blankets, food, drink and friends, and a good time is to be had.
Here is the remainder of the 2008 schedule:
The Odd Couple — College Night
July 22 @ 8:51pm

The Blues Brothers
July 29 @ 8:44pm

The Day the Earth Stood Still
August 5 @ 8:35pm

Touch of Evil
August 12 @ 8:25pm

An Affair to Remember
August 19 @ 8:15pm

Grease
August 26 @ 8:03pm

One of those ideas that sounds perfect in theory, but is hit or miss in practice.
Pros: picnicking in the park on a warm summer night, watching a good movie, though often those older movies are super sappy.
Cons: crowds, crowds, crowds… spotty sound, talking, disruptive ADD-​stricken teens & kids, suburbanites in lawn chairs blocking your blanket-​based view, the need to chug your 40/​wine/​beer discretely and, did I mention, crowds?
Bottom line: You’ll never avoid those people who annoy you at the megagigante-​plex. So satiate your picnic fix at Ravinia, or grab a portable DVD player and snuggle with your honey on Northerly Island.

I remember the year this started! What a wonderful idea it is too.
Roger Ebert (Gene Siskel used to curate as well) picks a collection of films to view over the course of seven weeks. It’s usually announced around May.
And every year, two of them usually suck. Two of them are classics. Two are just movies you only want to see because you will never have a chance to see on an enormous screen. And one is just fair, but how can you deny a gorgeous night in the park with thousands of people all picnicking?
The film begins right at dusk on Tuesdays during summer months. People gather all around the screen in Butler Field, diagonal from the Petrillo Music Shell. It’s FREE too. All you need are some snacks, a blanket (I’ve seen couches), friends and some wine. And turn that damn cell phone off. Biking down there is the most encouraged form of transportation and also it’s the easiest way to get out of traffic once it the movie has ended.
Hint: The farther away from the screen you sit, the worse the sound since it echos from the Music Shell.
I hope this festival continues long after Roger Ebert is gone.

Imagine this: It’s your 26^th birthday (I’m a Leo) and you’ve never seen E.T.
What’s a girl to do?
Grab a blanket, some friends, some beers, and a birthday cake and head on down to Butler Field!
Popular movies get VERY crowded so get their early and stake your claim. Also, bring lawn chairs or the people with lawn chairs that come late and plop down in front of you will step on your blanket, knock your beer over, and block your view.