How do you feel about summertime movies? Are you escapist, angry, reflective, or sentimental? Everything mentioned above? Fortunately, film programmers have a similar tendency to swing like you do. Get a healthy dose of art from the Boston Lyric Opera if you’re not a big movie buff.
The Body Snatchers’ Invasion
Somerville Theatre, August 4
This double feature of the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers and the remake directed by Philip Kaufman encourages you to become a pod person at Somerville’s big screen. The 1956 movie was, in fact, one of the best cinematic critiques of Joe McCarthy’s Red Scare. However, the 1978 version features Leonard Nimoy, Jeff Goldblum, and one of the most chilling conclusions ever. View both of them. The pods have adequate space for everyone!
The Lebowski
Coolidge Corner Theatre, August 11
To truly bring everything together, the Coolidge’s yearly showing of the Dude’s Homeric Quest includes, as the theater puts it, pre-show celebrations. This entails Lebowski-themed prizes, bowling, and costume competitions. If you’re not into the whole brevity thing, grab a drink and come celebrate His Dudeness, Duder, or El Duderino.
Satire Summer
Brattle Theatre every Wednesday
Think it’s crazy these days? You’re correct, though. However, the Brattle welcomes you to explore Melvin Van Peebles’ uniquely American take on Kafka’s Metamorphosis, Jean-Luc Godard’s vision of a collapsing society in Weekend (Aug. 13), and Dr. Strangelove (Aug. 20), where the protagonists quit worrying and love the bomb. Wednesdays during the Summer of Satire provide even more lunacy to explore.
Dirty and Footloose Dancing
Misquamicut Drive-In Theater, Westerly, RI, August 29 and 30
Travel by car! Why not spend a weekend in picturesque Westerly, Rhode Island, if you truly want to escape everything? Oh, and if you happen to be in the mood to strip naked, kick off your Sunday shoes, and have a wild time while you’re there, stop by the drive-in and make sure no one puts a baby in a corner.
Movies with a 90s soundtrack
Criterion Channel for the entire month
Hip hop, punk, metal, indie rock, and electronica all became popular without smoothing down its edges during the musical revolution of the 1990s, which had not been observed since the 1960s. With a lineup of movies that includes Pump Up the Volume, Singles, and Trainspotting, the Criterion Channel transports you back to a time of flannel, noise, and disobedience. Essential listening and essential viewing.
The BLO Street Stage’s Free Opera
20 and 23 August Boston Lyric Opera
The BLO does indeed have a 28-foot truck trailer that doubles as a pop-up stage. Yes, you may listen to our city’s best vocalists perform American Songbook numbers, Broadway songs, and opera arias for free. Moakley Park will host the show on August 20 at 5:30 p.m.; on August 23, at 6:30 p.m., the movable stage will travel to Charlestown Navy Yard.
