The Denver Film Society (DFS) announced today its lineup for the 19th annual "Film On the Rocks" movie and concert series at Red Rocks Amphitheater. The season kicks-off on Tuesday, May 15 with a screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi and continues through Monday, August 13 with a presentation of Black Panther.
"Denver Film Society continues to celebrate not only the best of film, but also the fun of film with this year's "Film On the Rocks" series," says Festival Director, Britta Erickson. "Kicking off with Star Wars: The Last Jedi, directed by Denver's home-grown talent in Rian Johnson, is the perfect way to take audiences on exciting adventures in the most scenic of places." Founded in 1978, the Denver Film Society (DFS) is a membership-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural institution that produces film events throughout the year, including the award-winning Denver Film Festival and the popular, summertime series "Film on the Rocks". With a vision to cultivate community and transform lives through film, the Film Society provides opportunities for audiences to discover film through creative, thought-provoking experiences. Each night "Film On the Rocks" pairs a hit film with a band, comedian and more to present an evening of entertainment starting each night at 6pm. General admission tickets are $15 and go on sale this Friday, April 20. Tickets and additional information can be found at denverfilm.org. The lineup of bands performing this season will also be announced on the denverfilm.org website.
This year, in addition to "Film On the Rocks", DFS has partnered with the DCPA to bring another unique outdoor cinematic experience right to the heart of Downtown Denver. Sunset Cinema is an outdoor film series at the Denver Performing Arts Complex that is produced by Denver Arts & Venues and The Next Stage NOW. After the Wes Anderson poll to select The Grand Budapest Hotel for the 2018 Film On the Rocks season, Sunset Cinema will present the best of the rest of Wes Anderson's much-celebrated catalogue with the films Moonrise Kingdom, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and The Royal Tenenbaums. Sunset Cinema begins in mid-June and continues through August.
The 2018 FILM ON THE ROCKS SCHEDULE:
Tuesday, May 15 STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI Director: Rian Johnson Directed by Denver’s own Rian Johnson, this latest entry into the Star Wars saga finds Rey developing her Jedi skills under the tutelage of Luke while the Resistance continues to battle the First Order. The Denver Post quoted Johnson saying upon the film’s release, “Denver, in my head, is defined by one horizon always being the mountains. There was always something about looking at those mountains, and this is a little cheesy, but it’s a little like Luke Skywalker looking at the distant two suns in the original (1977 Star Wars). I’d stare at those mountains and feel like there was adventure out there.” I trust while sitting under the stars as John William’s score reverberates off the Rocks that you’ll feel the same.
Monday, June 11 THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL Director: Wes Anderson Winner of the "Film On the Rocks" Wes Anderson poll, The Grand Budapest Hotel finds many of the auteur’s closest collaborators (including Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Edward Norton and Tilda Swinton) filling out his patented ensemble casting. A delightful romp in the snowy mountains of the fictional Republic of Zubrowka, Grand Budapest is an ideal setting for Anderson’s Red Rocks debut. Ralph Fiennes starts as M. Gustave, the legendary concierge, who along with the lobby boy, Zero, must clear his name of murder.
Monday, June 18 HEATHERS Director: Michael Lehmann At long last Heathers makes its Red Rocks debut just in time for the film’s 30th anniversary. An 80's teen rom-com with more bite than your typical John Hughes flick, Heathers launched the careers of Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. So, get your clique of Heathers together and catch up with the original before the TV reboot hits the small screen later this year.
Monday, July 9 THE BIG LEBOWSKI Director: Joel Coen The fan favorite repeat offender, The Big Lebowski returns to Red Rocks for its 20th anniversary! This Coen brothers classic evolved into one of the most beloved cult films of all time over the last twenty years. Grab your favorite robe and catch up with "The Dude", Donny and Walter. Naturally, Red Rocks will be serving White Russians for to celebrate the evening!
Monday, July 23 HAPPY GILMORE Director: Dennis Dugan A true cinematic masterpiece, Happy Gilmore stands the test of time as a textbook example of golf course etiquette. Who could possibly discuss classic 90's comedy without the inclusion of the great Adam Sandler? Go to your “Happy Place”, get the ball in the hole and remember people, this is golf, not a rock concert!
Tuesday, August 7 THE GOONIES Director: Richard Donner One of the greatest adventure stories of all time, The Goonies returns to "Film On the Rocks" for a special evening of childhood wonderment and 80's Spielbergian nostalgia. In a sense, The Goonies is a fore-bearer to Spielberg’s latest pop-culture bonanza, Ready Player One. A pack of adventurous boys on a journey, pirates, a disfigured monster and a set straight out of Disney’s "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride, The Goonies is full of classic cinematic references. The Hollywood Reporter said, “The Goonies is a ‘movies movie’”.
Monday, August 13 BLACK PANTHER To say Black Panther is 2018’s runaway success is an understatement. The film is as much of a movement than any other entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Black Panther is a shining example of the role movies can play in our lives. It inspires children, empowers the marginalized, promotes dialogue for complex issues, and all while being one hell of an entertaining thrill ride. The "Film On the Rocks" season concludes with what has quickly become one of the greatest superhero films of all time. Wakanda forever!