Now in its seventh year, the Point Fish Fry and a Flick series has become a staple of Milwaukee’s summer movie season. The joint effort of Pabst Theater Group, Bartolotta Restaurants, Discovery World and Stevens Point Brewery, FF&F brings a series of crowd-pleasing films to the lakefront on four Friday evenings, drawing thousands of locals for each installment. Augmented by a Bartolotta’s-catered fish fry and free Point Brewery beer tastings (if the alcohol and adult-skewing film choices don’t make it clear, this is one outdoor movie program that doesn’t cater to children), this year’s slate is arguably one of the strongest yet:
July 10: Beetlejuice
Tim Burton’s 1988 gothic fantasia kicks off this year’s programming and it has aged very well. With the threat of a sequel looming over twenty-five years after the fact, it’s high time to reacquaint yourself with Michael Keaton’s Betelgeuse (does anyone else realize that Keaton just reprised this role as Dogberry in 1993’s Much Ado About Nothing?) and Winona Ryder’s hero to weird boys and girls alike Lydia Deetz.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hovKm9oFiM
July 17: Wayne’s World
Until 2010’s MacGruber, Wayne’s World was the clear-cut winner of the “SNL properties converted into films” derby, and it wasn’t even close. Taking a one note premise and stretching it out delightfully, director Penelope Spheeris and stars Mike Myers and Dana Carvey spun gold out of this story, even bringing back Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” to the pop culture forefront where it has remained ever since. Also, a brief side journey to Milwaukee early on in the film should rile up the crowd plenty.
August 14: Guardians of the Galaxy
I liked James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy quite a bit. Smart-assed and action-packed, with enough crazy ideas and character designs to immolate any sci-fi-inclined brain, it proved Marvel’s utter dominance of the modern film landscape (it’s safe to say even a lot of comic book fans weren’t overly familiar with this group of heroes) and announced Chris Pratt’s ascendence from comic ringer on Parks and Recreation to full-blown matinee idol. The film’s soundtrack comprised of hits from the late 60’s through the 70’s should have the audience groovin’ on their blankets and lawn chairs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B16Bo47KS2g
August 28: Mad Max: Fury Road
Oh, what a choice, what a lovely choice! Mad Max: Fury Road is a lock to land on my favorite films of 2015 at the end of this year, and gains immediate entry on the action filmmaking Mount Rushmore. A breathlessly-paced two-hour chase sequence, Fury Road is filled with some of the most eye-popping stuntwork and vehicular carnage you could ever hope to see. Of all the films programmed, this is the one I’m most excited for, as it deserves an ever-widening audience as witnesses. Note that you will have to bring your own silver spray paint if you wish to be greeted at the gates of Valhalla.
Find more at pointfishfryandaflick.com, and check out the new promo video below.
