Soccer is starting to catch on across the USA, especially after the American team beat Spain 2 to 0 in the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa. With this victory fresh in our minds (no matter what happens over there next, at least we beat Spain), the Kicking & Screening Film Festival starts in New York City on Tuesday, July 14.

This soccer-themed event will air four soccer movies and a soccer game for five nights at several soccer-friendly venues around Manhattan. And some soccer stars, like Alexi Lalas, will even make an appearance.

Among the films you'll have the opportunity to watch, Les Yeux dans les Bleus is a documentary about the French team as they play and win the 1998 World Cup. This exciting movie will kick off the whole festival when it airs for an audience at Opia Restaurant. Come for a half hour of cocktails at 7 pm, stay for the movie immediately afterward and the after party, which starts at 11 pm. Tickets to this first event are $11.

The price for the other screenings will also be $11 but if you'd like to catch the LA Galaxy play the New York Red Bulls on a big screen (immediately following a panel discussion with the aforementioned Alexi Lalas and two other soccer experts), you'll be able to do it for free at Slainte. The discussion starts at 7:15 pm and game kick off is at 8 pm.

The final night of the festival, attendees will have a chance to see In The Hands Of The Gods, a coming-of-age story of five young soccer players who travel from London to Argentina to find Diego Maradona. The film will screen at Central Bar. Come for cocktails at 6:30 pm and stay for the movie which will start at 7:30 pm

If you're in town, make sure you come out to see a little bit of this festival. If you haven't already caught soccer fever, you'll sure have it when you leave.

For a full schedule, click here.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Now that the sun is coming out and the snow has melted (well, almost ...), it's time to start thinking about summer movies - or more specifically, where to watch them. You could go to a boring old movie theatre and see the latest blockbuster, but why not mix it up a bit and hit up an outdoor venue?

Chicago has an Outdoor Film Fest that takes place Tuesday nights during the summer. Hang out in Butler Field with several hundred of your friends as you watch fab flicks like Sunset Boulevard and Tootsie.

Bethesda, Maryland also has an outdoor film fest on the lawn at Strathmore Music Hall, and often shows a mix of recent family, action and comedy releases. (The '09 schedule hasn't been released yet, but it's coming.)

Bryant Park in New York is the site of the HBO summer film festival, an awesome spot to hunker down with a blanket and picnic basket while you watch movies under the glow of Manhattan's lights.

L.A.'s Cinespia takes the outdoor movie concept in a unique direction with their Cemetery Screenings in the Hollywood Forever cemetery. Hang out among the deceased greats like Cecil B. DeMille, Jayne Mansfield, Rudolph Valentino and Douglas Fairbanks, just to name a few, while watching classic films old and new.

If you're really searching for that old drive-in feel, MobMov is a great place to start. With chapters all over the nation, MobMov takes the drive-in concept and works it guerilla style by finding a makeshift screen, gathering enthusiasts, and screening the flick of choice from a portable projector.

And last but not least, Drive-ins.com has a comprehensive listing of drive-ins that are still rocking and rolling across the U.S.

Happy summer movie season!

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

If you haven't had a chance to see the acclaimed documentary Bama Girl from director Rachel Goslins, this may be your chance. The film, which originally premiered at SXSW last year, is currently touring through several Southern theaters.

It kicked off this week at Florida Community College of Jacksonville on Tuesday but you still have eight chances to catch it.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

One of the great many benefits of living in Los Angeles is the American Film Institute holds monthly screening events at the ArcLight that both introduce you to new flicks, and reacquaint you with old ones in a way you've never experienced before.

April's Director's Screening on the 14th at ArcLight Hollywood is of Every Little Step, directed by James Stern and Adam Del Deo, both of whom will be on hand for a Q&A following the screening.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Marking itself as the first and largest film fest dedicated to Indian culture, the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles is set to take over from April 21st to 26th, with a celebration of entertainment that showcases Indian cinema.

This year's fest includes five feature films making their world premiere, five features making their U.S. premiere, and five making their L.A. debuts.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Fast and Furious

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments