Summer Movie Festivals in Atlanta, Georgia for 2010

Though many of us work just as hard in the summer, these months do offer their fair share of relaxation. Atlanta is no exception to the rule. In turn, a number of Summer Movie Festivals are scheduled to take place here through August.

Residents who live in or near Midtown will definitely want to drop by Atlantic Station, not only for its shopping and dining, but also its Movies and the Market event. This series of free summer films takes place every Thursday night around 8:15 PM, in Central Park (located at the corner of Central Park Place NE and Linden Avenue NE). The first of the films in this series is The Wizard of Oz, (obviously) starring Judy Garland, and featuring such classic songs as "Over the Rainbow" and "If I Only Had a Brain."

Fans of sci-fi and fantasy will likely enjoy Sci-Fi Summer Con Atlanta, which takes place Friday, June 11, through Sunday, June 13, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Atlanta Perimeter NW. The hotel is located at 6345 Powers Ferry Road, Atlanta, 30339.

Friday, the first night of the Con, viewers will see Iron Man (2008), starring Robert Downey Jr., at 7 PM; The Incredible Hulk (2008), starring Edward Norton, at 9:05 PM; and following a brief break, Watchmen (2009) at 11:15 PM.

Saturday, the Con takes place throughout the day, starting at 10 AM with Pixar's The Incredibles (2004). Other featured films include Animatrix (2003); Ringers - Lord of the Fans (2004); and Mission to Mars (2000), starring Gary Sinise. After 11:27 PM on Saturday, "adult" sci-fi films will be shown, including Poultreygeist Kereoke, Space Nuts, featuring adult film stars Stormy Daniels, Evan Stone, Randy Spears, Devinn Lane, and Kaylani Lei; and Bikini Girls from the Lost Planet, starring adult film actresses Nicole Sheridan and Christine Nguyen.

Finally, on Sunday, such films as The Thunderbirds (2004), Stephen King's The Mist, and Stardust (2007), based on the novel by Neil Gaiman and starring Claire Danes, Ian McKellen, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Robert De Niro will be shown, ending at 5:15 PM, at which time short films and trailers will end the convention.

A warning to parents: the above convention has a number of films that are not suitable for children (in addition to the "adult" films, such features as Animatrix and Watchmen). Therefore, the Sci-Fi Summer Con is recommended for viewers 18 and up.

Never fear, however! The Mall of Georgia, located in Buford, is also hosting its own festival, entitled "Movies Under the Stars," through July 31. The event takes place every Saturday starting at 6:30 PM in the Village Amphitheater.

Featured flicks include: Hook, starring Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman; Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, featuring the voices of Bill Hader (Aqua Teen Hunger Force), Andy Samberg (Saturday Night Live and satirical rap group The Lonely Island), and Neil Patrick Harris (Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog). Also being shown is Michael Bay's Transformers, starring Megan Fox and Shia LaBeouf. Local bands and singers will open the event, performing at the Village Pavilion.

Finally, and perhaps most prominently, Piedmont Park is once again hosting its Screen on the Green this year. Although on June 3, the first night of the event, some violent incidents took place which caused this week's showing to be postponed, Screen on the Green is expected to continue the following week, on the 17th.

For more information on these events, visit some of the links under "Resources" at right. Here's to great summer cinema!