As the seasons prepare to transition from summer to fall, the Noblesville Parks and Recreation Dept. is moving past its summer concert season and into outdoor movies.
“We’re looking for ways the community can celebrate the arts. Coming off the concert series, now we head to the cinematic side of things,” Parks Director Brandon Bennett said.
The seven-title series includes newer movies that were released in theaters in the past year. The films will be shown at Forest Park Shelter 1, 701 Cicero Rd., Noblesville, starting Aug. 30.
“They’re general, family-friendly movies that families can bring little kids out to,” Assistant Parks Director Mike Hoffmeister said. “We certainly try to bring in everybody.”
This year’s series includes: “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” on Aug. 30, “Man of Steel” on Sept. 6, “Frozen” and “Now You See Me” on Sept. 13, “Despicable Me 2” on Sept. 20, “Iron Man 3” on Sept. 27 and “Monsters University,” which will be shown during the Oct. 3 Fall Festival First Friday celebration on the downtown square.
“They have an expensive list of movies that we go through and try to keep for families and children,” Hoffmeister said, adding the entire park staff participates and reviews are taken into consideration. “We had one change (from ‘Gravity’ to ‘Now You See Me’) because of some bad reviews.”
All films are rated PG-13 or under.
This year’s films follow a theme of family-friendly action, adventure and comedy. Films like “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” starring Jennifer Lawrence, and “Frozen,” voiced by Wicked’s Idina Menzel and Kristin Bell, feature young heroines battling against the forces of evil and personal limitations.
The superhero films like Marvel’s “Iron Man 3” and Warner Bros.’ “Man of Steel” contain heavy amounts of action and fantasy violence. “Iron Man 3” continues the popular Marvel film series and picks up the storyline of Tony Stark after The Avengers saved the world. “Man of Steel,” a modern retelling of the Superman origin story, stars Henry Cavill and Amy Adams.
“We certainly try to bring in everybody. There are movies for older adults who don’t want to come out to the animated films,” Hoffmeister said. “(The schedule) brings in different crowds.”
Hoffmeister said the movies have no set start time and will begin at dusk.
“The movie series is a unique one. It’s kind of serene. The tree cover provides more darkness. That kind of helps it be its own little theater,” he said.
Families are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and picnic dinners to the movies. Concessions will be available on site. For more information, visit www.cityofnoblesville.org/parks.
The outdoor movie series begins at dusk Aug. 30
Forest Park Shelter 1
701 Cicero Rd., Noblesville
For all ages
