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Uploaded: Tuesday, July 7, 2009, 4:56 PM
Updated: Thursday, July 9, 2009, 7:21 AM
Free outdoor movies start tonight in downtown's Delucchi Park
'Kung Fu Panda' leads off four popular films as city launches summer series
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by Jeb Bing
Pleasanton Weekly Staff
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 | Drive-in movies are coming back to Pleasanton, but this time you don't need a car and can just walk into a park for an evening of free outdoor entertainment downtown.
And you'll probably need a blanket or two as temperatures stay moderate during the day and dip into the 50s again tonight.
Starting at 8:30 p.m. tonight, the sunset willing, "Kung Fu Panda" will be on the silver screen that will be set up in Delucchi Park on First Street between Angela and Neal streets. The film, which was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Animated Films, is rated PG and promises to offer enjoyment for viewers of all ages.
This is the first of four outdoor movies the city of Pleasanton will offer this summer, part of the effort the city government and merchants are making to attract more residents downtown. The area in front of the screen will be cordoned off in sections, with blanket lounging in the front, low lawn chairs in the center and camp chairs and other higher positioned seating in the rear.
Viewers are welcome to bring their own food or take-outs. One of the downtown's newest businesses, Thriving Ink, will provide free popcorn. All that's asked of viewers for a free night at the outdoor movies is that everyone cleans up their space after the show. Delucchi is often filled again on Friday nights by overflow crowds listening to the concerts in Lions Wayside Park, and, of course, it's a popular pet adoption center during Farmers Market on Saturdays.
Thursday night's movie, "Kung Fu Panda," is set in ancient China. The plot of this 2008 animated film revolves around a bumbling panda who dreams of being a kung fu master.
On Thursday July 23, Pleasanton's movies in the park series will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the 1929 classic "The Wizard of Oz." The entire family can enjoy this G-rated musical fantasy on the big screen, as it was originally intended to be shown. Follow Judy Garland in her signature role as Dorothy from Kansas on her adventures over the rainbow and along the yellow-brick road to the Emerald City.
Then on Thursday, Aug. 4, Jack Black will be back with the ultimate Battle of the Bands movie, which is rated PG, "School of Rock." Named one of Bravo's 100 funniest films "School of Rock" follows the antics of Dewey Finn (Black), loser extraordinaire, as he attempts to liberate a group of talented prep school musicians. The film also features Joan Cusack and Sarah Silverman.
The 2009 free film series wraps up on Thursday, Aug. 20 with "Raiders of the Lost Ark," Steven Spielberg's box office smash that took five academy awards when it opened in 1981. Also rated PG, this is the first in a fast-paced trilogy of movies about archaeologist Indiana Jones, played by Harrison Ford who asks the question, 'Snakes, why did it have to be snakes?' in one of the movie's more memorable scenes.
For more information, please call the Parks and Community Services Department at (925) 931-5340.Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.
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Posted by Seems Simple to Me, a resident of the Castlewood neighborhood, on Jul 8, 2009 at 8:19 am I love the outdoor movie idea. How about changing locations occasionally? There are lots of great family neighborhoods (Birdland or?) that have parks perfect for an outdoor viewing. This would provide a great venue for getting the neighbors together...does everything have to always be downtown?
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Posted by Clear to me, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Jul 8, 2009 at 8:36 am The reason behind this location is:
"This is the first of four outdoor movies the city of Pleasanton will offer this summer, part of the effort the city government and merchants are making to attract more residents downtown"
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Posted by Seems Simple to Me, a resident of the Castlewood neighborhood, on Jul 8, 2009 at 9:35 am Got it. Still would be nice...at a future time...to change the venue.
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Posted by Claudette McDermott, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Jul 8, 2009 at 1:56 pm I think some people just don't realize how important a thriving downtown really is. I selected my home based on the ability to walk to the downtown area. If there was no downtown I probably would have selected to live elsewhere. I appreciate that my city tries in many ways to keep the downtown alive and community oriented. I don't want to see any more merchants leaving due to the lack of sales.
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Posted by Get the facts, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Jul 8, 2009 at 5:05 pm Don't beleive that a lack of sales is the sole culprit to the empty storefronts downtown. High rents is another cause. Many landlords take not only rent, but a percentage of the gross. One landlord I know has no vacancies at this time because he does not do this, and charges a fair rent. He beleives that it is better to have paying tenants than squeezing every possible dollar out of them and risk having them leave.
Owners need to look in the mirror and see what it is they can do to help.
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Posted by All Riled up, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Jul 8, 2009 at 5:32 pm I believe all the problems downtown are a result of the Bush administration and perpetuated by the Obama administration.
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Posted by Ken, a resident of the Bridle Creek neighborhood, on Jul 8, 2009 at 6:58 pm Knowing Pleasantonian behavior from Shakespeare in Amador Park, you can count on high-backed chairs up front.
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Posted by movie fan, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Jul 8, 2009 at 9:48 pm Thank you Mayor Hosterman, I heard that this was your idea. One suggestion...would appreciate G movies since this is a family outing.
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Posted by GO GIANTS, a resident of the Pleasanton Valley neighborhood, on Jul 9, 2009 at 10:46 am Speaking of Kun Fu Panda...VOTE FOR PABLO! Go to mlb.com or sfgiants.com today by 1pm to vote Pablo Sandoval aka Kung Fu Panda to the All-Star game!
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Posted by PG Okay, a resident of the Foothill Place neighborhood, on Jul 9, 2009 at 4:34 pm Since the movies can't start until dark, it is fine that they are PG. Many kids who would enjoy a G rated movie will be sound asleep by 8:30. Not everything has to be geared toward young kids, there are many older kids in Pleasanton too. Thanks to Pleasanton officials for planning a great outing for families in Pleasanton.
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Posted by Resident, a resident of the Vintage Hills Elementary School neighborhood, on Jul 9, 2009 at 6:24 pm I too think PG is appropriate for the time of evening. Before or after the movie this aged child could grab a snack downtown and enjoy a full family outing. Younger children would be fast asleep. This way the goal of bringing families downtown to have fun and perhaps purchase can be achieved. I think it's a great idea and kids in this age bracket truly do need something to do. My praises for the idea. I hope attendees are considerate of each other over the course of the evening and tend to their trash when the fun has ended.
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Posted by Love P-Town, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Jul 9, 2009 at 7:46 pm I think it's a great idea. Doesn't have to be all about kids. People without them would like to enjoy their night too.
Hopefully people will come and have fun, spend money and be nice.
It's all about downtown. Plan your own neighborhood events if you want but don't take away from the City trying to boost Downtown sales.
<3 P-Town!
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Posted by P-Towner, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Jul 10, 2009 at 7:59 am Wow, that was fun! Thanks for the free pop corn, Thriving Ink!
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Posted by jenelle dronkers, a member of the Amador Valley High School community, on Jul 25, 2009 at 7:22 pm Thanks to everyone who came out and waited in line for the popcorn! We just can't seem to find a big enough popcorn machine! :) Last thursday we gave out 400 bags of popcorn! Cannot wait for School of Rock! See ya'll downtown!
Jenelle
Thriving Ink
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