South Loop Movies In The Park: Bigger and Better Than Ever

The Greater South Loop Association (GSLA) and the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance (PDNA) are underwriting two movies each in the park this summer. The movies will be shown at Daniel Webster Park and Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens. All four movie presentations are part of the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks with the support of Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Arts programming in neighborhoods across the city advances the goals of the Chicago Park District and the Chicago Cultural Plan.

July 21 Paddington (2015) – Starring Huge Bonnevile, Julie Walters, and Nicole Kidman. From the beloved novels by Michael Bond, comes the story of a Peruvian bear as he travels to London in search of a home.When he finds himself lost at Paddington Station, he is taken in by the kindly Brown family. Movie critic Bilge Ebiri, vulture.com, called Paddington “absolutely, positively delightful. This big-screen adaptation of Michael Bond’s classic, adorable children’s-book character — an exceedingly polite, klutzy, talking bear from ‘darkest Peru’ — takes what could have been an easy cash-grab and turns it into a generous, fun, ingenious little comedy. It’s the kind of movie that turns critics like me into advertising copywriters: Go see it! Your kids will love it! Fun for adults and children alike! Et cetera! This big-screen adaptation of Michael Bond’s classic, adorable children’s-book character — an exceedingly polite, klutzy, talking bear from “darkest Peru” — takes what could have been an easy cash-grab and turns it into a generous, fun, ingenious little comedy. It’s the kind of movie that turns critics like me into advertising copywriters: Go see it! Your kids will love it! Fun for adults and children alike! Et cetera!”

Paddington received a 98% rating from the movie site Rotten Tomatoes.

Underwitten by the GSLA, Paddington will be shown at Daniel Webster Park, 1401 S. Indiana Ave. 8:45 – 10:45 p.m.

July 28 BIG HERO 6 (2014) – Featuring the voice talent of Scott Adsit, Ryan Potter, Damon Wayans Jr., James Cromwell, and Maya Rudolph. From Walt Disney Animation Studios, BIG HERO 6 is an action-packed comedy adventure that introduces Baymax, a lovable, personal companion robot, who forms a special bond with robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada. When a devastating turn of events catapults them into the midst of a dangerous plot unfolding in the streets of San Fransokyo, Hiro turns to Baymax and his diverse group of friends — adrenaline junky Go Go Tomago, neatnik Wasabi, chemistry whiz Honey Lemon and fanboy Fred — who transform into a band of unlikely heroes.

BIG HERO6 received a 89% from the movie site Rotten Tomatoes.

Underwritten by the PDNA, BIG HERO 6 will be shown at Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens, 1801 S. Indiana Ave. 8:30 – 10:30 p.m.

August 11 The Princess Bride (1987) – Starring Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Robin Wright, Peter Falk, Billy Crystal, Carol Kane, and Fred Savage. This modern-day classic, directed by Rob Reiner, is a fairy tale adventure about a beautiful young woman and her one true love. He must find her after a long separation and save her. They must battle the evils of the mythical kingdom of Florin to be reunited with each other. Based on the William Goldman novel. This movie’s reputation grows with each passing year. So popular is The Princess Bride that it has its own Web site!

The Princess Bride received a 97% rating from the Web site RottenTomatoes.

Underwritten by the GSLA, The Princess Bride will be shown at Daniel Webster Park, 1401 S. Indiana Ave. 8:00 – 10:00 p.m.

August 27 The Incredibles (2004) Featuring the voice talent of Craig T. Nelson, Jason Lee, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, and Samuel L. Jackson. In this lauded Pixar animated film, married superheroes Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) and Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) are forced to assume mundane lives as Bob and Helen Parr after all super-powered activities have been banned by the government. While Mr. Incredible loves his wife and kids, he longs to return to a life of adventure, and he gets a chance when summoned to an island to battle an out-of-control robot. Soon, Mr. Incredible is in trouble, and it’s up to his family to save him.

The Incredibles received a 97% score at the movie Web site RottenTomatoes.

Underwritten by the PDNA, The Incredibles will be shown at Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens, 1801 S. Indiana Ave. 8:00 – 9:55 p.m.