earned runs vacation 2019: summer films

Screen capture of #1 movie on https://www.listchallenges.com/the-top-100-coming-of-age-movies

LET’S ALL GO TO THE MOVIES… SCIENCE FICTION, KID FLICKS, DRIVE-INS, AND STREAMED COMING-OF-AGE CLASSICS.  THREE YEARS ago, Earned Runs featured science fiction movie viewing as a potentially fun vacation Friday activity. There were links to several lists of films judged to be the very best of this genre, with some lists covering many decades and including classics made as far back as the 1930’s.  If movies that push the limits of science understanding and credulity appeal to you check out the VACATION WEEK FRIDAY 2016 post to help plan a 2019 vacation.
 
Later, in 2017 Earned Runs suggested that Wednesday, clearly falling midweek and not occupying a weekend slot, could be a great day to see kid flicks that even adults would enjoy. The vacation week blog posting that year linked to several lists with delightful titles, like “movies to watch before you turn 12”, or a slightly later age of 13 or 14 years.  The sentiment behind such lists seemed to be a huge improvement on so-called “bucket list” versions, which focus in what to do before life ends. Too depressing. Check out the discussion that year if films designed to delight children seems like a good bet for your vacation this year.
 
Last year we explored the possibility of a DRIVE-IN Movie vacation activity. Travelandleisure.com published a list of the “Best Drive in Theaters in America”, which can be of help if one is nearby.  Midwestliving.com highlighted those operating in the middle of the country.  A 2016 article from Mentalfloss.com featured an interactive map that located every active drive-in in America. Yellow stars were used to mark spots where currently operating drive-in theaters could be found!
 
The best resource in 2018, in Earned Runs opinion, was the “Drive-ins” updated, searchable site. I entered my home zip code and found 6 theaters within a 100-mile radius. Clicking on the link of each listing took me to a fact page about the theater that had a link to the theater’s website. All 6 near me in West Michigan were operational. I found first run movies at these theaters including one showing movie double features on 4 screens!

Is it necessary to wait until vacation week to enjoy a drive-in movie? Clearly the activity is a great “stay-cation” option that could be fun on any night of any week in which the weather cooperates. My childhood memories of going to the drive-in include playground fun at the base of the large screen until sunset arrived, when the sky was dark enough to permit movie viewing.  Car headlights would be flashed, the parental signal to return to the car.  My brothers, plus a friend or two, and I would rush to the concession stand to get popcorn just as the movie started.  In my mind’s eye, I remember seeing the swing-set’s silhouette against the indigo of the darkening sky on a crystal-clear night and almost shivering with excitement at the thought of the fun to come.
 
But the effort involved in locating and getting to an outdoor theater, with or without a family in tow, makes it an inconvenient venue for movie-viewing during summer vacation and most other times.  Streaming is the modern answer to busy schedules and travel issues.   Coming-of-Age movies are newer classics that might be considered for this season’s enjoyment, perhaps after the little ones are asleep?
 
Regardless of viewing location and genre, movies, like s’mores, seem to be made for summertime.
 
RUN & MOVE & VACATION HAPPY!
 
[Updated from 2018 post]

https://www.travelandleisure.com/culture-design/tv-movies/best-drive-in-theaters-in-america
 
http://www.bengies.com/Home.php
 
http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/around-the-region/last-screens-standing-a-night-at-the-drive/
 
https://sunsetdriveinsouthwestmi.com
 
http://www.capridrive-in.com
 
http://mentalfloss.com/article/74017/interactive-map-shows-you-every-active-drive-america
 
http://drive-ins.com/theaters (LIST OF ALL Drive-ins)
 
https://www.listchallenges.com/the-top-100-coming-of-age-movies
 
Vacation week 2016 Post
Vacation week 2017 Post