A Lawnchair Theater First: A Fundraiser for Gary's softball team, August 20.

Date: August 20, 2011

Party time: 6pm

Movie Time: 8pm

Closing Time: 11pm

Feature: "A League of Their Own"

In a first for Lawnchair Theater, we're turning over the backyard to my softball team, the Minneapolis Titans of the Goodtime Softball League, for a fundraiser to help finance our trip to the Gay World Series in Chicago, August 27-Sept. 1.

The movie, as always, is free, but we will be asking for a small donation of a few bucks to support our efforts. We will also be selling raffle tickets for some prizes, selling popcorn and soda and having an old-fashioned bake sale. Bottom line: We're not looking for a lot from each guest, but every little bit will help.

I love playing softball and the Titans, under the direction of our coach, Jathen, has been the most accepting, encouraging, entertaining team I've ever played for. (Where else can a 53-year-old softball player be seen not as too old, but just one of the guys?) So when we got this opportunity to play in a World Series, I couldn't pass it up. But it's not without it's financial hardship. Everyone is taking a week away from work, traveling to Chicago and paying Chicago room rates for this opportunity. So we all could use a little help to make it happen.

This is going to be a fun and memorable event, so we hope you can make it. The movie is also a real treat, so you won't want to miss that. (If you have any comments or questions, be sure to leave them here.)

Also, if you'd like to watch a short, one-minute video about this event, click here.

Please join us for a special FRIDAY presentation of "The Simpsons Movie" July 8

DATE: FRIDAY, July 8
MINGLE TIME: 8pm
MOVIE TIME: 9:15ish

The Simpson's Movie was released on July 27, 2007--almost four years ago to the day--and if you haven't seen it (or you wouldn't mind seeing it just one more time) Friday's your chance!

After last week's German art film, "Wings of Desire", we thought this would be a good chance to sit back, NOT read subtitles and enjoy some good old American laughs.

Special note: The mosquitoes got a little ravenous around dusk, but for those with good bug spray and a little patience, they eventually gave up (or just became so engorged they could no longer fly).

Remember Lawnchair Theater is FRIDAY NIGHT, not our usual Saturday night showing. We hope you can make it.

Sticking around over the 4th? Join us in celebrating Peter Falk with a showing of "Wings of Desire" July 2nd.

MINGLE TIME: 8:30pm
MOVIE TIME: 9:20ish
DATE: July 2, 2011

"Wings of Desire" (1987, Directed by Wim Wenders) is certainly not a work that Peter Falk will be remembered for. In fact, he's not even the central character of the movie. But I was so impressed when I saw this film when it came out, I always promised myself I'd see it again. And now, Pam and I get to show it to my friends in neighbors in our backyard.

It's described as a "romantic fantasy film" about angels in Berlin who bring quiet comfort to the people of the city. But one angel longs for the things only humans can experience, like love and pain.

No, it's not a real laugh riot like "Cedar Rapids", but we like to mix things up in the back yard. And I feel pretty sure you'll leave feeling good after seeing this film.

Another good thing: The weather looks like it's going to be ideal for an outdoor film. After a couple of days of temperatures flirting with the 100 mark, the movie time temperature will be between 75-78 degrees. Perfect for a night out with friends and a sweet movie.

It's summer (sort of)! Time for some laughs with "Cedar Rapids" June 25.

It's a bit spitty out today, but the weatherman says it'll clear up in plenty of time for our first comedy of the summer: Cedar Rapids!

DATE: Saturday, June 25
MINGLE TIME: 8pm
MOVIE TIME: 9:15pm-ish

Summer days have been tough to come by so far this year, but the laughs come fast and furious in this bawdy, but surprisingly sweet comedy, written by former KARE-11 TV field reporter, Phil Johnston. The movie also includes a cameo performance by a fellow local voice actor (we have the same agent) and my facebook friend, Tracey Maloney as the sensitive flight attendant.

It should be fun!

"True Grit": Out on DVD, so it's out in our backyard, Saturday, June 11

Celebrating St. Louis Park natives Joel & Ethan Coen's latest effort, we present "True Grit".

MINGLE TIME: 8pm
MOVIE TIME: 9pm-ish

It's going to be a bit of a cool night, so don't forget a jacket, sweatshirt or blankie. Pam and I have heard good things about this movie and look forward to sharing it with you.

Finally! Our 17th season begins with the 2006 documentary, "Afghan Star"!

A cold and rainy spring have set back the launch of our 2011 season, but finally beautiful weather has arrived and our movie series can begin again for its 17th year!

We held a vote for our opening film and the documentary "Afghan Star" won. It's the story of the "American Idol"-style singing competition that is trying to bring this country into the 21st Century--but not without some resistance from more traditional members of the society. As the website, afghanstardocumentary.com, says: "After 30 years of war and Taliban rule, Afghan Pop Idol is taking the nation by storm. But this is more than just a TV show. In Afghanistan, you risk your life to sing."

As you'll see in the trailer, a lot of the country is excited about this singing competition. But many of the more traditional Afghans--largely men, it would appear--still think women should stay covered up and out of sight. And if they do sing, they should be killed.

From what I've read, this is a gripping, yet uplifting documentary. At this time, Rotten Tomatoes has given it a 100% rating. So far, no one has written a less than positive review of it. It has 57 "thumbs up" reviews and 0 negatives. Read more here.

Lawnchair Theater returns on Pam's birthday (May 20) with "The Kids Are All Right"

It's been a long time coming, but finally it looks like it's going to be warm enough and (hopefully) dry enough for the first Lawnchair Theater of 2011. And on top of that, May 20th is Pam's birthday! Whoo hoo!

MINGLE TIME: 7pm
MOVIE TIME: 8:30pm
FEATURE: The Kids Are All Right
( Rated R – See Full Rating for strong sexual content, nudity, language and some teen drug and alcohol use)

Starring Annette Benning and Julianne Moore, "The Kids" was one of the top-rated comedies of 2011, according to Rotten Tomatoes. It's the story of two moms whose teenage kids decide to seek out and find their biological father. According to Rotten Tomatoes, "The movie combines comedic surprise with poignant emotional truth in a funny, vibrant, and richly drawn portrait of a modern family." You can see some of the reviews and watch the trailer here.

So join us for some laughs, wish Pam a Happy Birthday and enjoy a fun evening of outdoor cinema on the first showing of our 17th season! We hope to see you Friday night!