Central Park presents an outdoor cinema series every summer. Most of these films usually feature a New York theme and they are a great way to enjoy a summer evening in the park. This year’s lineup features some interesting choices – this year’s theme is “Be Cool” featuring five films with actors or actresses who epitomize “cool.”  Hmmm.  I guess the definition of cool is relative.  While the remake of Ocean’s 11 is certainly an entertaining film, I’m not sure exactly sure what it has to do with New York City.  Same for Goldfinger, although there is no denying the Sean Connery cool factor – besides I’ll vote for it just to hear Shirley Bassey belt out the title song on a warm summer night.

2009 Central Park Film Festival Schedule

Tuesday, August 18: Sex & The City Get Carried away! A New York writer (Sarah Jessica Parker) on sex and love is finally getting married to her Mr. Big. But her three best girlfriends must console her when one of them inadvertently leads Mr. Big to jilt her. (2008)

Wednesday, August 19: Shaft John Shaft (Richard Roundtree) is the ultimate in suave detectives. A cool private eye, Shaft is hired by a crime lord to find and retrieve his kidnapped daughter. (1971)

Enchanted in Central Park

"Enchanted" in Central Park

Thursday, August 20: Ocean’s 11 Hollywood’s A list stars come together to pull off the most daring heist Las Vegas has ever known…11 men, 3 casinos, 150 million dollars, 1 chance to pull it off. (2001)

Friday, August 21: Twilight When you can live forever what do you live for? A teenage girl risks everything when she falls in love with a vampire. (2008)

Saturday, August 22: Viewer’s Choice! – Visit www.7online.com to vote between July 15 and August 15, 2009.

Men in Black Will Smith & Tommy Lee Jones are protecting the earth from the scum of the universe. (1997)

Goldfinger Investigating a gold magnate’s gold smuggling, James Bond uncovers a plot to contaminate the Fort Knox gold reserve. (1965)

Desperately Seeking Susan A bored suburban housewife, seeking adventure to her life, accidentally gets hit on the head, wakes up with amnesia, and is mistaken for a free-spirited New York City drifter named Susan (Madonna). (1985)

All screenings are FREE and start at 8:00 pm. Gates open at 6:00 pm. To find Rumsey Playfield, enter the Park at Fifth Avenue and 69th Street. Rain or shine.

Rumsey Playfield
East 72nd Street off Fifth Avenue