The National Sports Center in Blaine, MN needed to provide a large scale venue for soccer teams to watch the World Cup Championship match which started at 1:30pm CST. The only way to make it dark enough to show up was to move the event indoors. We set up our equipment in one of the hockey arenas at the adjacent SuperRink. The game was projected 40 ft wide on to a light colored wall inside the arena. Click on link to see video report from Kare11. Kare11 Video | World Cup Viewing Party at USA Cup in Blaine

Twilight Zone Outdoor Cinema fans tell us what they love most about outdoor movie events. These video clips show our 40ft x 22.5ft outdoor movie screen in Lakeville and Red Wing. Twilight Zone has five different screen sizes to accommodate any audience size.

Twilight Zone Outdoor Cinema now in Michigan

Twilight Zone Outdoor Cinema has expanded its territory in the upper Midwest. Starting in the spring of 2010, we are able to service the entire state of Michigan and Toledo, Ohio.  Until now the territory included Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North and South Dakota.

We understand the economic downturn has taken its toll on Michigan. Outdoor movie events are an affordable entertainment option for cities, colleges and corporations trying to make ends meet. Twilight Zone Outdoor Cinema looks forward to bringing the outdoor cinema experience to the Detroit area and the rest of Michigan very soon.

Woodbury, MN

Wow!  August came and went so fast! It was such a blur.  Here in September already.  The TZ crew produced 29 Cinema events during the month.   Our adventures took us as far as  Thief River Falls  MN and Milwaukee WI for another Miller Park Drive-In event where the coolest Mini-Coopers came out in a BIG way.

We made new friends such as Henry Gimble at the Woodbury MN event whose father was one of the original founding creator of Portable Outdoor Cinema.   We connected with some of our friends from last year such as Nicole Krolikowski, M & I Bank Manger of the Chanhassen Branch, who truly cares about her community and the customers she provides banking services for.

We had the pleasure of setting up our movie screens in incredible locations such as Bay Point Park in Red Wing MN (one of my favorite places to watch a movie) and Lake City with breathtaking views of the bluffs.

We watched fun, entertaining movies such as Grease at the Arrowwood Resort in Alexandria MN.  We sighed with relief as the Crew from Madegascar 2 freed the river and saved their friends.  In Lakeville MN we cheered as the dogs from Hotel for Dogs found new homes.  In Burnsville we watched Kung Fu Panda find a treasured secret.  In Shakopee Disney’s Bolt captured our hearts.  These are just a few of the many cinema highlights of August.

With all that said, it has been a fantastic August and September is off to a great start.  This Labor Day weekend has been remarkable already. Friday night under a full moon the kids were singing and dancing at the Nicollet Commons in Burnsville, MN to High School Musical 3. And last night at  Cinema Under The Stars show at Bay Point Park in Red Wing,  MN  we had our first pre-show  marriage proposal  before National Treasure took over the screen.  By the way she said “YES”.  This is a great way to start off September.

Many, many thanks to our clients, friends and audiences.  Simply put, we LOVE what we do and we look forward to our next cinema adventure with you.

Have a great Labor Day.

Michelle

It was a Perfect Night for a movie Wednesday night  in Maple Grove, MN. This picyure says it all.  Many thanks to Corey and the rest of the Maple Grove Branch of  M & I Bank for hosting a fun community event, and having Twlight Zone Cinema to  your neighborhood!

It happens every once in awhile.  Twilight Zone Outdoor Cinema is fortunate enough to show the blockbuster “Twilight”.  Last night at Huber Park in Shakopee  was a perfect night for such an event.   The moon and stars were out.  It was not too hot and not too cold.  It was a perfect!

I am always amazed at the audiences that this movie captures.  I always laugh when the teenage girls scream with delight and the mid 30 somethings (You know who you are- no names mentioned here) that smile with the twists of the tale, and the boys who love a good conflict and a little touch of blood/gore.  This movie has a sense of maturity to it that brings in a wide vast of target audiences.

I can say this movie when it first was released did not pique my interest.  My 11 year old want to see it, so we went.  I was pleasantly surprised at the plot and acting.  I can now say ” I” yes “I” (a 30 something)  can not wait for the second movie in the saga New Moon I will be one of the first to see it!

Thanks Shakopee Park and Recreation Department, as always its a true pleasure for us to come out and show movies!

“Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting”  ( *music*)  Those kids were fast as lightning(*music*)….” Ok maybe not actual fighting but every time time I hear “Kung Fu”  I cant help but think of the Carl Douglas song “Kung Fu Fighting”  Its a great song.  Of course I don’t know the lyrics.  It’s the magic of the song.  Everyone knows the first line of the song, and only a few know the rest of the song because they have taken the time to listen careful and learn.  This is much like the actually martial art of Kung Fu.  You need to believe in what you have, and you need to have expert timing and patience.

We American seem to have a healthy respect for Kung Fu.  We have songs about it, a TV series “Kung Fu” that ran 1972-1975, and now we have Kung Fu Panda. What a great picture for the children( and adults) of today.  In a world of instant EVERYTHING.  Its good to be reminded that we need to be OK with who we are and to have patience.  We need make our “mark’s” on the world when the timing is right.  It’s a great message delivered with great laughs.  The audience young and old were laughing at the various one liners.  My favorite quote in the movie was “There is no charge for awesomeness…or attractiveness”   and Friday night was definitely “awesomeness”.  A crowd of 800 gathered at the Mt. Normandale Band shell to celebrate the community.  The fact that Maui Waui was on site to deliver their signature drinks made the celebration an extra treat for me and my family.

Thank You, M & I Bank ( Bloomington branch) and the Blooomington Park and Recreation for a great community driven event.  You were a fun  and efficient team to work with.  The appreciation for the community you serve was very apparent in every aspect of the event.  It was great to learn about the VEAP organization, and all the assistance they provide to the Southern Metro Communities.

Thanks!

P.S.  Just because…Here are the lyrics to the Kung Fu song.  Enjoy

Everybody was Kung Fu fighting, those kids were fast as lightning

In fact it was a little bit fright’ning, but they fought with expert timing
There was funky China men from funky Chinatown
They were trapping when up, they were trapping when down
It’s an ancient Chinese art, and everybody knew their part
For my friend, ain’t you a stiff, then I’m kickin’ from the hip

Everybody was Kung Fu fighting, those kids were fast as lightning
In fact it was a little bit fright’ning, but they fought with expert timing

There was funky Billy Chin and little Sammy Chong
He said, here comes the big boss, let’s get it on
We took the bow and made a stand, started swaying with the hand
A sudden motion made me stiff, now we’re into a brandnew trip

Everybody was Kung Fu fighting, those kids were fast as lightning
In fact it was a little bit fright’ning, but they did it with expert timing

2009 Boat-in Movie on Lake Minnetonka

The 2009 Boat-in Movie near Big Island made headlines today.  “Top Gun” was shown on the 40ft screen in Cruisers Cove on a barge and help up by a floating crane. Those who subscribe to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune can find it on the front page of the Metro section. Here is link to the full story.

Read full Star-Tribune story about the 2nd Annual Boat-in Movie.

Mickey

I met Mickey( the black lab) last night at the Brooklyn Park  screening of Hotel for Dogs.  Mickey brought the entire crew out to Central Park to take in the blockbuster.  This is easily  becoming a Summer favorite with audiences young, old and furry.  It was a fantastic event.  The Brooklyn Park crowd is definitely a hearty bunch.  They would not let a little cold, wind and drizzling rain distract them from movie night.

Shana Ford the M & I Branch Manager said it best when she welcomed the crowd and said “Movies are met to be watched with family, friends and neighbors. ”  I certainly got that impression walking through the crowd.  We always feel so welcomed coming up to Brooklyn Park, It feels like I am going to an old friends house, which  makes it fun for me.

Many, many thanks to the Brooklyn Park branch of M & I Bank for sponsoring the event and for just being so friendly and outgoing.  You are an awesome bank and always so delightful to work with.  Also to the City of Brooklyn Park.  Thanks for having us to your neighborhood.  Your efforts to bring neighbors together is very apparent.

Until the next time, Your TZ crew!

I LOVE Summer, but when July hits, I have to admit I start thinking of Football!  Yup it is true, in just a few short weeks, Our Viking ( with or without a purple #4 ) will be in Mankato, getting ready to play one of the greatest games EVER!  This will be a fun season to watch with the sparkling new stadium for our Gophers and yes, the always drama filled Vikings.  I have always loved football.  I grew up at the Metrodome watching the Gophers and Vikings and sometimes on those special occasions both teams in one glorious day.  In fact, my family revolved around when College and NFL games would be played, Sunday dinner discussions revolved souly around the ups and downs of our favorite teams!  With all this said I still consider myself a “girly girl”.  And I can say I with all this love for the sport I would never consider playing tackle football.  I might get hurt!  This sediment has not changed since I was a kid.

Since I have this fondness for the sport of football I was really excited to watch The Longshot especially on a great night like Friday night.  The temperature was perfect, we had a cool slight breeze  and the stars peeked out from the clouds.  It was a great night.   The Longshot is based on a true story of Jasmine Plummer.  She was 11 years of age when she had enough guts to  play Quarterback for a Jr. Pop Warner Football team.  She  was able to assist the team in turning around their loosing season to a winning season. The overall theme for the movie is( drum roll please) No matter what, have the heart to do what you want to do, even if its a little “out of the box”.  This is always a good message, and I am always a fan of  ”Girl Power” stories.  I think that girls should be more involved with the NFL or Collegiate Sports.  I think that if girls are tough enough to take it ( or dish it out ) let them play with the boys.  I just know that I will not be one of those girsl.  I’ ll just continue to be a fan  of the greatest sport ever!

Thank You,  M & I Bank and the City of Burnsville for having Twilight Zone Outdoor Cinema at your event.  We always love coming out to see you!