This bank holiday weekend saw West Londons Ravenscourt Park invaded by film fans of all ages to enjoy three nights of cult classics screened on a pop up (inflatable) screen. A combined 1000 people, all armed with blankets, cushions, sleeping bags and picnic baskets took to the park and enjoyed three classic comedies from the past three decades. On Friday night it was
Will Ferrell and
Adam McKays Anchorman. Since 2004, the zany comedy has become the movie of choice for university students who would surely get firsts and go straight into high salaried jobs if they entailed quoting Ron Burgundy and his boys. In addition to the selection of beers and wines on sale, Burgundys signature scotch was available for consumption with popcorn and burgers of Buffalo, Ostrich, Springbok, Wild Boar and Wildebeest from Tuckers Exotic meets and Saturday saw Dudes and Dudettes sporting the shades, dressing gowns and long hair of the eponymous character brave the rain to watch
The Big Lebowski, while sipping on the mans signature drink - the White Russian, of course. Naturally, Hey, careful, man, there's a beverage here! was spouted at any given opportunity, and greeted with cheers! And for Sunday, Twinkies were the novelty cuisine up for grabs. Thankfully they were not 35 feet long, nor did they weigh 600 pounds, because I would have devoured one of those, and ultimately lived to regret it; or perhaps just died. As it was, I settled for four normal twinkies and watched messrs Venkman, Stantz, Spengler and Zeddmore bust some ghost butt in
Ivan Reitmans 1984 box office smash
Ghostbusters, which captivated the crowds, but is still lost on me. Nevertheless, my lack of taste, as my friend put it, did not mar a fine Sunday evening in the park, or an amazing weekend of film fun in a park that conjured up memories of drive in theatres of which I know only from film and TV. For their next venture the organisers are looking at screening
The Goonies in a cave in Kent. If that doesnt get you excited about a trip to Kent then nothing will. I for one would love to see Jaws at a lake or simply with a bring your own paddling pool along suggestion if the lake is not feasible. And if that doesnt get a chill running down your spine, how about
Friday the 13th in the woods? To make your own suggestions or to show your support for more pop up screenings of classic cinema, be sure and visit
www.popupscreens.co.uk.