Those who want to relive the fun of a drive-in movie, those who missed that era and want to see what all the hoopla's about — and those just looking for a nice, family outing — can find it at Sully District's Starlight Cinema.
Beginning this Saturday, Aug. 5, and continuing each Saturday all month long, free drive-in movies will be presented at dark at 5875 Trinity Parkway in Centreville. It's in the Trinity Centre, just off Route 29, past the Route 28 intersection, in the parking lot in front of the Trinity Office Building.
And prior to each movie, at 7:30 p.m., will be a multitude of children's activities and entertainment. According to Sousan Frankeberger, events and volunteers manger with the Fairfax County Park Authority, there'll be a moonbounce, plus storytellers and people who sing children's songs.
There'll also be six or seven children's games such as tic tac toe, beanbag toss and egg roll. And four vendors — Moe's Southwest Grill, Domino's Pizza, Paradise Ice Cream and a kettle corn provider — will have refreshments for sale.
The Aug. 5 movie will be the animated feature, "Madagascar," with the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett-Smith and David Schwimmer. It's a comedy about the adventures of a lion, zebra, hippo and giraffe who leave New York's Central Park zoo and end up in the wilds of Madagascar.
On Aug. 12 will be "Babe: The Gallant Pig," about an intelligent pig whose sheep-herding abilities might save his life. The blockbuster, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" will be shown Aug. 19, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Ralph Fiennes. Young Harry continues his wizard training at Hogwart's School, but faces danger and challenges at every turn from his evil nemesis, Lort Voldemort.
Then on Aug. 26 will be the Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith hit, "Men in Black." While keeping a sharp eye on alien activity on earth, this sharply dressed duo must find a terrorist and save the world from destruction.
Supplied by Cox Communications, the drive-in movies are being presented by the Park Authority in conjunction with Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully), KSI Services Inc. and Clark Real Estate Advisors (who own Trinity Centre). If there's a threat of rain, call 703-324-SHOW (7469) after 6 p.m. for cancellation information.
And this summer's movies will be even bigger and better than last summer's. "It was such a huge success last year that we got a much larger screen," said Frankeberger. "It's huge — 52x38."
She said movie-goers may either remain in their cars to watch the show or sit outside. Said Frankeberger: "Some space will be reserved in front of the screen for people who want to bring lawn chairs and blankets and sit outdoors to see the movies, truly under the stars."