Make It Pop! 

In the summer of 1983, I was 8 years old, and there was one movie that mattered to my friends and me: Return of the Jedi. We cared so much about Jedi that we didn't mind it when Jason Smalls saw it May 25—opening night—then came to school the next day and told us in art class that Yoda died.

Jason told us the Ewoks were dumb. It didn't matter. No, we had to see, hear, ingest Return of the Jedi, no matter how many spoilers came our way. Everyone else was seeing it, and we needed to, too. Little League games would suck if your teammates were in the dugout saying they had a bad feeling about the other team and you had no idea what they meant.

We didn't know or care about any other movie that year. We were too innocent to be excited about Flashdance and too young to understand The Outsiders. We didn't think about Trading Places because kids our age didn't watch Eddie Murphy on Saturday Night Live and Dan Aykroyd was some old dude our parents liked.

So when my dad took my brother and me to the absolutely enormous (and long since closed) Holiday Theatre in Fort Wayne, Ind., to see Return of the Jedi on a Saturday in June, it was, up to that point, one of the greatest days of my life. The auditorium was sold-out. Some of the kids had seen Jedi a couple times before. Some, like me, were first-timers. I know Return of the Jedi isn't the first movie I saw in a theater, but it's the first I remember.

What I didn't remember at the time was Star Wars or The Empire Strikes Back. It made no sense to me that, as Jedi opens, Han Solo was frozen in carbonite or that Leia and Lando were disguised, but that didn't keep the experience from being totally thrilling. Even when the film crapped out during Luke and Darth Vader's lightsaber duel, the crowd didn't freak or go bananas—I just talked to my older brother about how cool the speeder chase was—even if the five minutes it took for the projectionist to splice the reel back together seemed interminable. The experience was singular and there are few other cinema experiences I remember so vividly.

For kids these days—yes, kids these days—life is much, much different. It's not better or worse, but it's different. So far in 2016, there have been at least six blockbusters—Captain America: Civil War, The Jungle Book, that crap-train Batman v. Superman: Dawn of My Butt, Kung Fu Panda 3, Deadpool (though hopefully most 8-year-olds haven't seen it) and Zootopia. I can't imagine knowing I had to see six blockbusters at the age of 8. My head would have exploded. At 41, the thought of seeing that many summer special-effects fests makes me want to down a dozen Percocet, pound a tallboy and sleep until the autumn prestige films see release.

And six movies is just the beginning. There are more gigantic studio flicks being unleashed upon us before the end of August. This weekend alone, there are two—count 'em, TWO—giant sequels hitting the screens: X-Men: Apocalypse (see p. 41) and Alice Through the Looking Glass (see p. 42). How will anyone keep this baloney straight? By reading my snark- and hate-filled list of upcoming picture shows, that's how! Here's what's coming to a giant multiplex of corporate greed near you. As always, release dates are subject to change.

MAY 27
X-Men: Apocalypse

This movie screened for critics ages ago because it's already showing in Europe, but it's not like we Americans read their press. But here's a spoiler: It's a terrible movie. Sorry. The worst thing studio executives did was give the X-Men franchise back to Bryan Singer, who's a hack if there ever was one. Singer hasn't made a watchable movie since X-Men 2, and between now and then he helmed X-Men: Days of Future Past, Jack the Giant Slayer, Valkyrie and Superman Returns. All too long, all crummy, especially Jack, which is one of the muddiest looking major releases in a long time.

Alice Through the Looking Glass

Is it just me or does Johnny Depp look like Elijah Wood in this series? That's not a complaint, but why not just hire Wood?

JUNE 3
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows

The first film wasn't execrable, just close. But did anyone demand a sequel? In stranger news, Laura Linney is in this movie. LAURA LINNEY! What the hell kind of world are we living in? This must be how my grandparents felt when they saw Alec Guinness was in Star Wars. There are worse prophecies than the mothman's, I guess. Anyway, you can't not make a sequel to a movie that grossed nearly a half-billion dollars worldwide during its original release. I mean, just think of the merchandising potential!

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping

The Lonely Island has a place in my heart for "Lazy Sunday." There's also the song from SNL with the Andy Samberg character super high on coke, and Hot Rod is underrated. That aside, I don't know that mining movies such as Katy Perry: Part of Me can provide comedy, unless the awkward Russell Brand moments are inspiration.

JUNE 10
Genius

Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Thomas Wolfe were drunks, and Max Perkins (Colin Firth) was their editor at Scribner. Wanna guess how many gin-soaked nights these guys spent together? Hemingway called Perkins "his trusted friend" and outlived him by 14 years, so who knows exactly how this movie ends? Plus, Hemingway is played by Dominic West, best known to American audiences as McNulty on "The Wire," so you can bet Hemingway won't be boring on screen. Be warned: For every good movie about writers (Naked Lunch, Barton Fink), there are two bad ones (Agatha, The Words, Secret Window, Finding Forrester).

The Conjuring 2

Not-super-scary ending aside, The Conjuring was creepy as shit, and a little horror goes a long way in a summer full of superheroes and sequels. Of course, this movie is a sequel, but it's a horror sequel, and those are never bad or never-ending.

Now You See Me 2

Ladies and gentleman, step right up and watch $12.50 disappear from your pocket! Oy. You may remember Now You See Me as the movie everyone saw but nobody liked, but studio executives remember it as a cash cow. Hence Now Your See Me 2 (originally called Now You See Me, Now You Don't, a much better, but still not great, title). Isla Fisher has taken a powder, Lizzy Caplan fills her shoes and Daniel Radcliffe doesn't play Harry Potter. Let's hope the magic movies evaporate into thin air after this one ends its run.

Warcraft

My God. No.

JUNE 17
Finding Dory

I'm a big believer in not sequelizing Pixar movies. For each Toy Story 2 or Toy Story 3, there's a Cars 2 or Monsters University. Still, Finding Nemo is delightful, and Ellen DeGeneres' Dory is arguably the best part of that film, so why not give her a story of her own? But can we get Idris Elba into a live-action role in 2016 that isn't a Star Trek movie? Is Bastille Day ever going to make it stateside?

Central Intelligence

The Rock and Kevin Hart star in this wacky madcap caper in which The Rock is a former nerd turned muscled CIA agent, and Hart is a nerdy accountant. If it sounds like Hart's role is similar to the roles he played in Ride Along, Ride Along 2 and Get Hard, that's because it sounds like Hart's role is similar to the roles he played in Ride Along, Ride Along 2 and Get Hard. But the trailer looks not-terrible and I have faith in most things Dwayne Johnson. Until I saw the marketing, which features the immortal line, "Saving the world takes a little Hart and a big Johnson." Har har.

JUNE 24
Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words

I know. I'm the only person who wants to see this documentary.

Independence Day: Resurgence

Is it cheating to write, "My God. No," on two capsules? The only reason we like Independence Day is because we're starting to fondly remember the 1990s. But I can assure your initial thoughts were correct: Independence Day was, and still is, a piece of shit. I guess after Stonewall, Roland Emmerich figured anything was an improvement.

JUNE 29
The Shallows

Blake Lively. Surfing. A shark. Uninspiring special effects in the trailer. I'm not convinced, especially after its release date was pushed back, presumably to avoid getting crushed by Independence Day: Resurgence. But Lively proved with The Age of Adaline she can carry a movie, so maybe the shark won't have such easy pickins, eh?

JULY 1
The BFG

In gaming, a BFG is a Big Fucking Gun. As someone who has played games with such guns, imagine my dismay when I discovered that not only was this BFG about a big friendly giant, but a big friendly giant conceived by Roald Dahl, who I always thought dispatched children in nasty ways and wrote inferior James Bond films (You Only Live Twice). Furthermore, said big friendly giant is not Andre the Giant. But I have a 1-year-old, so I'll probably see this eventually. I hope it's better than eating snozzcumber. The BFG is a Steven Spielberg movie, so it will probably also be quietly cruel in addition to being sweet and charming, just like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the book) and The Witches (both the movie and the book, but the book has a truly knotty ending).

The Purge: Election Year

Yep, they're still milking it.

The Legend of Tarzan

Yep, they're still trying to make Alexander Skarsgård a star.

Our Kind of Traitor

Yep, Stellan Skarsgård is still more compelling than his son, even if this Russian Mafia vs. British Secret Service tale sounds more contrived than Hardcore Henry but without the first-person camera gimmick. John Le Carré, who wrote the novel on which the screenplay is based, is part of the old spy novel vanguard, so perhaps I shouldn't be so persnickety.

JULY 8
The Secret Life of Pets

Any pet fans will probably be suckers for this one. But be warned: The Despicable Me gang is behind this one, so if absolute zaniness and throw-a-million-gags-at-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks filmmaking isn't for you—and those people exist—you may want to skip it.

Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates

And I need a movie in which Anna Kendrick is not trying to prove she always plays the straitlaced, uptight square. First Happy Christmas, then Digging with Fire, and now this. At least it's not a Joe Swanberg movie. It is about two party guys who need wedding dates and find women who are nuttier than they are. Maybe it'll be fun, but, to paraphrase Gene Siskel, what would be more interesting? This movie or a documentary of the stars and director eating lunch?

Captain Fantastic

Don't judge a book by its cover, goes the saying, but do judge a movie by its poster. The Monkees in Head? Yes! The cast of Captain Fantastic looking a lot like the cast of Little Miss Sunshine? No!

JULY 13
The Infiltrator

Bryan Cranston gets a second starring vehicle but he forgot to remove the Dalton Trumbo make-up. Must have been a budget thing. The story of a U.S. Customs wonk getting the inside dope on Pablo Escobar's money laundering operation, one hopes it will be better than all the other Pablo Escobar-type movies, such as Blow, Paradise Lost and that movie-within-a-movie in "Entourage" when Vinny Chase and crew were still mildly entertaining on HBO.

JULY 15
Café Society

Let's place bets on 1. how many white people are in Woody Allen's new movie, 2. how out-of-touch it is with current social norms and 3. how much it resembles older, better Woody Allen.

Ghostbusters

I don't quibble with remaking Ghostbusters with an all-female cast. All four of the leads are varying degrees of funny—Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon often screamingly so. But I do quibble with remaking a movie that's perfect. No one has ever made a better origin story, or sci-fi comedy, or Bill Murray vehicle. So what's the point? I guess they hate us. They like to torture us.

JULY 22
Star Trek Beyond

My patience is beyond tested with this series. First J.J. Abrams takes the trouble to blow up the Star Trek universe and start over with Star Trek (2008). Then he goddamn remakes Wrath of Khan with Star Trek Into Darkness. Who are these bums? Can we throw them out? And have you seen the trailer? It looks as if director Justin Lin has turned this into a Fast & Furious movie. Of course, I'll still see it. But I reserve the right to gripe about it openly and often.

Ice Age: Collision Course

It was funny for a hot second 14 years ago, guys.

Lights Out

If only this were a movie based on the song "Lights Out" by Peter Wolf. Instead, it's a horror movie. And depending on how you feel about Peter Wolf, this alternate movie I just made up could have been a horror show, too.

Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie

As opposed to "The Theme Park Ride," "The Water Slide," and "The Cocktail." I suppose it's necessary, as Jennifer Saunders has rebooted the television show roughly 1 million times, and it's best to let the punters know they're not getting recycled shtick. My aforementioned brother is very excited about this movie—I hope, for his sake, that it's wonderful.

JULY 29
Jason Bourne

You know his name, and it ain't Jeremy Renner, so look up the number. And he knows your name. It's Benjamin. As in it's all about the AMIRITE?

Bad Moms

I'd take the studio to task for the lazy title of Bad Moms, but the trailer features Kathryn Hahn (yay!), Kristen Bell (double yay!!) and Mila Kunis (eh) going absolutely fuggin' nuts, so I'll pony up the cash. Hahn is one of the great underused comedic talents.

Aug. 5

Suicide Squad

Expectations are so high after the trailer cut to Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," the movie must be a disappointment. And I'm not buying Jared Leto's Joker. Plus, writer and director David Ayer is either great (Fury), or terrible (S.W.A.T.). Still, we're all going to see it. Right?

The Founder

It's about McDonald's founder Ray Kroc. Wanna get to the heart of the obesity epidemic? Maybe start here. Or don't. Director John Lee Hancock has a history or making exciting subjects boring (The Alamo) or inspiring stories trite (The Blind Side).

 

That's quite a list of movies, and that's quite literally not the half of it. If you're looking through that list and thinking, "This guy is really angry," you're not wrong. If you're also thinking, "Isn't there some place I can go to watch a movie to feel good? Someplace like the Holiday in Ft. Wayne, Indiana?"

Why, sure! And I'm so glad I asked your hypothetical question just so I could answer it. There are lots of free, fun, family-friendly movies showing all over Salt Lake City and its environs. Take a look at the ones below and see if anything floats your boat—or more appropriately, makes you want to pack a blanket and a picnic. You'll notice that lots of these events have similar names (and movies), but that's actually a good thing. Miss Minions in Ogden? Catch it in St. George. It should go without saying, but we'll say it here just to be transparent, that all movies and start times are subject to change because of weather or other exigent circumstances.

DRAPER CITY
Outdoor Movie Night
There are two movies showing June and July and—bonus!—live music before each show.
Draper City Amphitheater, 944 E. Vestry Road, Draper.
June 18: Norm of the North, with Mad Annuals Band kicking things off at 8 p.m.
July 14: Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip, with The Endless Summer Band playing at 8 p.m. Movies begin between 9 and 9:15 p.m. The screen is 40 feet—like in the olden days!—and there will be food available, but you're free to bring your own.

HEBER CITY
Summer of Movies II
Here's the deal: Buy a summer punch pass at either the Avon (94 S. Main, Heber City) or the Ideal (113 N. Main St., Heber City). The pass lets holders see all the movies listed below for $20, plus you get $1 credit for concessions. For all the rules (which, frankly, seem a little complicated, check the flyer on Heber City Theatre's Facebook page).
And here are the movies:
June 8: The Lego Movie. June 15: How to Train your Dragon. June 22: How to Train Your Dragon 2. June 29: Hotel Transylvania 2. July 6: Minions. July 13: The Lorax.
July 20: Shaun the Sheep Movie. Absolutely do not miss this adorable Aardman Animations adventure, starring a farmer with amnesia, a plucky sheep, his sheep pals, a couple of dogs and various buffoonish humans. It's clay and there's no dialogue, and there's nothing else like it.
July 27: The Peanuts Movie.

KEARNS
Friday Night Flicks
Kearns Oquirrh Park Fitness Center is showing three movies at Chomper's Party Cove, three at Park Pavilion. The first 200 Facebook fans to arrive get free popcorn, says KOPFC's marketing and events director Steve Cook.
5624 S. Cougar Lane, Kearns.
Chomper's Cove
June 3: Kung Fu Panda 3. June 24: Star Wars: The Force Awakens. July 15: Inside Out.
Park Pavilion
June 10: Eddie the Eagle. June 29: The Good Dinosaur. Aug. 12: Zootopia.

LAYTON
Family Movie Night at Layton F.E.S.T.
It's Star Wars: The Force Awakens at Layton Commons Park (437 N. Wasatch Drive) on Friday, Sept. 2. The presentation is free and begins "as soon as it gets dark enough to start it," says recreation coordinator Michelle Howard. So bring blankets and chairs and watch Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Finn (John Boyega) kick some galactic ass along with Han, Leia and (spoiler alert!) not Luke. And yes, there will be food trucks.

MILLCREEK
Venture Out!
There's a veritable bumper crop of movies showing Friday nights at dusk this summer, so let's skip the shenanigans and get right to it:
June 3: Tangled, Canyon Rim Park, 2900 E. 3100 South, SLC.
June 10: Minions, Eastwood Elementary, 3305 S. Wasatch Blvd., SLC.
June 17: Kung Fu Panda and Best in Show, Evergreen Park, 2266 E. Evergreen Ave., SLC.
June 24: Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Big Cottonwood Park, 4300 S. 1300 East, Millcreek.
July 1: Goosebumps, Canyon Rim Park, 2900 E. 3100 South, SLC.
July 8: Jurassic World, Eastwood Elementary, 3305 S. Wasatch Blvd., SLC.
July 15: The Avengers, Evergreen Park, 2266 E. Evergreen Ave., SLC.
July 22: Finding Nemo, Big Cottonwood Park, 4300 S. 1300 East, Millcreek.
July 29: Aladdin, Canyon Rim Park, 2900 E. 3100 South, SLC.
Aug. 5: The Martian, Eastwood Elementary, 3305 S. Wasatch Blvd., SLC.
Aug. 12: Pee Wee's Big Adventure, Evergreen Park, 2266 E. Evergreen Ave., SLC.
Aug. 19: The Good Dinosaur, Canyon Rim Park, 2900 E. 3100 South, SLC.
Aug. 26: Zootopia, Big Cottonwood Park, 4300 S. 1300 East, Millcreek.
For more details, visit VentureOutUtah.org.

OGDEN
Monday Night Movies at the Ogden Amphitheater
This is a family-friendly docket. Doors open at 7 p.m. and movies start at dusk. Guests can pack picnics, but don't bring alcohol. All movies are screened at the amphitheater.
343 E. 25th St., Ogden.
June 13: Minions.
June 20: Goosebumps.
June 27: The Sandlot. This movie often gets left in the dust by other baseball movies, but it's considerably better than Little Big League or Angels in the Outfield (the remake). Scotty, the new kid, moves to town. He wants to learn baseball but thinks Babe Ruth is a woman. But the other kids like him and eventually they all face up to a nasty baseball-eating dog. It's goofy. It's fun.
July 11: The Peanuts Movie.
July 18: Inspired by Australian bush poet Banjo Anderson's piece of the same name, The Man from Snowy River is often overlooked because it focuses on derring-do instead of, say, bloodlust (which plenty of other Australian westerns focus on). The scenery is beautiful, the accents florid—except for Kirk Douglas'—the horses brumbies. It's grand.
July 25: The Book of Life. Aug. 1: The Princess Bride. Aug. 8: Inside Out.

PARK CITY
Summer Kids Movies at the Redstone 8
On Tuesdays at 10 a.m. from mid-June to mid-August, the Redstone 8 has $2 admission for kids on a bunch of kid-friendly flicks.
6030 North Market St., Park City.
June 14: Despicable Me. June 21: Mr. Peabody & Sherman. June 28: The Lego Movie.
July 5: Despicable Me 2. Of note: The bad guy wants to use evil minions to destroy, among other cities, Hoboken, N.J., and that gag is worth the price of admission alone.
July 12: Kung Fu Panda 2. July 19: Minions. July 26: The Peanuts Movie. Aug. 2: The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water. Aug. 9: Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip. Aug. 16: Hotel Transylvania 2.

Park City Film Series
Only one film was confirmed at press time, but it's Sherpa, a documentary about the worst tragedy in Mt. Everest's history. Sixteen sherpas were killed in April 2014 when a block of ice fell through the Khumbu Icefall. The screening is July 8 at 8 p.m. in the Jim Santy Auditorium (1255 Park Ave., Park City). There's a second movie at the Jim Santy Auditorium on Aug. 6.
The July 30 movie isn't confirmed, but it will be a drive-in at Prospector Square, in Parking Lot K. There will be spots reserved for pedestrians and cyclists.

PROVO
Provo Movies in the Park
At press time, Mary Dunn, the event coordinator for PMITP (my initialization), said the movies would be decided by public vote, "kind of like an NCAA bracket," and the final decision would be reached by the end of May. What we can tell you: Movies screen on Mondays in August at dusk at Rock Canyon Park (2620 N. 1200 East, Provo) and screenings are free.

RIVERTON
We got your family movies and your food trucks right here! Fridays in June, July, August and September, show up at 6:00 p.m., throw down a blanket, eat some food and wait for dusk to get the pictures rolling.
June 10: Lilo & Stitch. July 1: Max. July 8: Shaun the Sheep Movie. July 15: Minions. July 22: Tomorrowland. July 29: The Good Dinosaur. Aug. 5: Inside Out. Aug. 12: Pan. Aug. 19: Big Hero 6. Sept. 16: Zootopia.
All movies screen at Riverton City Park (1452 W. 12800 South, Riverton), except Lilo & Stitch, which screens at Intermountain Riverton Hospital Lawn (3741 W. 12600 South).

SALT LAKE CITY
Friday Night Flicks
Comic-Con is coming to Salt Lake, at least in the forms of the movies playing during this nifty late-spring/early-summer outdoor film series. They're shown on inflatable screens, popcorn is free while it lasts (aside: DON'T BE GREEDY), plus the good people in charge tell me there will be food trucks. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair. No alcohol. Movies start at around 9:15 p.m.
June 3: Jurassic Park at Liberty Park. June 10: Back to the Future at Lindy Gardens (does dressing as Lorraine Baines count as cosplay?). June 17: The Avengers at Jordan Park (definitely Comic-Con friendly). June 24: Guardians of the Galaxy at Reservoir Park. July 1: Raiders of the Lost Ark at Riverside Park. July 8: Maleficent at Fairmont Park. July 15: Big Hero 6 at Wasatch Hollow Park.

Monday Night Movies at the Gallivan Center
Picking up where Friday Night Flicks leaves off. As of press time, Monday Night Movies didn't have its listings pinned down, though marketing and advertising events manager Kristen Young tells me the films will have a "Russell Mania" theme. I hope that means they're showing Kurt Russell in The Thing, because there's nothing like Antarctic terror on a hot summer night.
Movies are free and show at 8 p.m. on July 11, July 18, July 25 and Aug. 1. Concessions are available, and—this is a quote—"BEER!"
The Gallivan Center, 239 S. Main, SLC.

Brewvies
The only movie Brewvies could confirm at press time was X-Men: Apocalypse. I kinda crapped on it in the upcoming releases section, so ... enjoy? Or get drunk and enjoy?
Brewvies, 677 S. 200 West, SLC.

Utah Film Center's Damn These Heels
Because of the fire at the Utah Film Center, there will be no film programming in June. Damn These Heels, however, is in July, so it's full speed ahead.
At press time, the center could only confirm that Strike a Pose will close the festival on July 17 at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. The film, a documentary about the young male dancers (one straight, six gay) performing with Madonna on the Blond Ambition Tour, has been a talker since its premier at the Berlin International Film Festival. It's 25 years after the tour—how do they feel about the experience, Truth or Dare and everything that came after?
The other movies playing at Damn These Heels will be announced soon. Check UtahFilmCenter.org. The series runs from Friday, July 15 to Sunday, July 17.
Red Butte Garden
At press time, the films weren't finalized, but the screening dates are July 27, Aug. 3, Aug. 23 and Aug. 31. Everything starts at dusk in the amphitheatre (2280 E. Red Butte Canyon Road, SLC). And it's free!

Salt Lake Film Society
The SLFC website has the words "Dates are HIGHLY subject to change" right at the top of its "Coming soon" webpage, so in the interest of not misleading you, here are the highlights:
May 27: A Bigger Splash at Broadway Centre Cinemas (111 E. Broadway, Salt Lake City). Critics are calling it a loose remake of La Piscine, but it has a nearly identical plot, so what's with the coy descriptors?
June 17: Dark Horse at Broadway. As my editor pointed out to me, this is not the Cliff Curtis movie about chess. It's the documentary about the race horse. Be careful. Those Welsh accents can cut a person.
July 8: The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble at Broadway. No word on whether Ma leaves his cello in a cab in this one.
For more information (and a longer list of upcoming films), visit SaltLakeFilmSociety.org

SANDY
Movies in the Parks
The print on the website is pretty wee, so let us do the magnifying for you. The city has a 30-foot movie screen that it will set up at different parks in Sandy on Fridays beginning in June and continuing through September (yowza!). Bring blankets and chairs. They'll have popcorn, candy and drinks for sale. Movies begin at dusk.
June 10: Inside Out at Buttercup Park. June 17: Minions at Storm Mountain Park. June 24: Adventures of Tin Tin at Hidden Valley park. July 8: Hotel Transylvania 2 at Grandpa's Pond Park. July 15: The Good Dinosaur at Highpoint Park.
July 29: Wreck-It Ralph
This movie made a ton of money during its 2012 run, but most people I know haven't seen it. That's anecdotal, but if that trend holds for larger population groups, that's a shame. Wreck-It Ralph has a surprisingly serpentine plot, and it's one of those animated flicks that's just as much for adults as it is for kids. The 1980s video game theme alone should have you reaching for a bag of nostalgia chips, and John C. Reilly is superb as Ralph. Plus, he lives on a pile of garbage. It's just tops. At Flat Iron Park in the upper area.
Aug. 12: Brave at Bicentennial Park. Aug. 19: Aladdin at Falcon Park. Aug. 26: Up at Bell Canyon Park. Sept. 2: Michael Jackson: This is It at the Sandy Amphitheater.

SNOWBIRD
Family Flicks on the Snowbird Center Plaza Deck
Every Friday starting June 24, you can find a free family friendly movie at Snowbird Center. Bring a lawn chair and a cooler. Popcorn, cotton candy, root beer floats and more will be for sale. Movies begin at dusk, approximately 30 minutes after sunset.
9600 Little Cottonwood Canyon Road, Snowbird.
June 24: Minions. July 1: Pan. July 8: Max. (This is the movie about the dog who suffers PTSD after serving in Afghanistan with the Marines, not the movie in which John Cusack doesn't prevent Noah Taylor from becoming Hitler.) July 15: Aladdin. July 22:
Inside Out. July 29: Guardians of the Galaxy. Aug. 5: Tomorrowland.

SOUTH JORDAN CITY
Sights & Sounds of Summer
Hey, movies have sights and sounds (most movies made after 1927, anyway), and South Jordan is showing five free movies on Friday nights throughout June, July and August.
June 3: Inside Out at South City Park. June 17: Goosebumps at Heritage Park. July 1: Minions at Holt Farmstead. July 15: The Good Dinosaur at Oquirrh Shadows Park. Aug. 5: Star Wars: The Force Awakens at Heritage Park.
All movies start at 9:30 p.m., except Star Wars, which starts at 9 p.m. Screenings are outdoors, so bring a blanket or lawn chair. Each show will have 50-cent popcorn and pop available.

SPRINGVILLE
Movies in the park
The June 6 screening (The Good Dinosaur), and the June 10 screening (Captain Phillips) are part of Art City Days. And keep in mind, Captain Phillips is more of a teen movie (and a good one at that).
June 20: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. June 27: Hotel Transylvania. July 11: The Box Trolls. July 18: Big Hero 6.
Gates open at 7 p.m. and movies start at dusk. These screenings are free, but—again, you know how this works—bring a blanket or folding chair. Concessions will be available but no alcohol or dogs are allowed. Just good dinosaurs!
All the movies are shown at Spring Acres Park (700 S. 1300 East, Springville), except Captain Phillips, which runs at Bartholomew Park (1090 S. 2900 East, Springville).

ST. GEORGE
Sunset on the Square Summer Movie Series
It's the third annual summer movie series. By this time, you know the drill: Bring blankets, lawn chairs and whatever else you need. All movies are free and shown in the town square on the second and fourth Fridays starting May 27 with If I Had Wings. For times and more information, visit SGCity.org.
June 10: The Good Dinosaur. June 24: Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. July 8: Minions. July 22: Cool Runnings. Aug. 12: Aladdin. Aug. 26: Inside Out.

THANKSGIVING POINT
Outdoor Movie Series at Ashton Gardens
Bring a blanket and a picnic. Movies are free for members. Everyone else, check the price list available on TP's website.
3900 N. Garden Drive, Lehi.
July 1: The Lego Movie. July 8: Kung Fu Panda. July 15: Wreck-It Ralph. July 22: Mary Poppins. July 29: Inside Out.
Aug. 5: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. There are people out there who prefer Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystall Skull to Last Crusade. Those people are not to be trusted. Enjoy Sean Connery and remember your Charlemagne.

Enjoy your summer, everyone! I hope you have a Jedi experience during the dog days of the movie season.