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CINESPIA - HOLLYWOOD CEMETERY MOVIE SCREENINGS - "UP IN SMOKE" 7-26-2009
 
The open lawn fits a few hundred people, and apparently it's a completely different crowd every week depending on what movie's showing.

Back in 2002, some film buffs here in L.A. started up "Cinespia", a weekly screening of classic movies in the "Hollywood Forever Cemetery" that's gotten pretty popular over the years. You literally just show up with your picnic blanket, some food and drinks, and some friends to lay out on a nice, big lawn and watch a movie projected on a big, white wall. Anne and I have talked about going for years, but only just checked it out for the first time a couple Sundays ago. The movie the night we went was Cheech and Chong's first film, "Up In Smoke", which was absolutely a perfect film for the venue.

 

All I had with me was our little Canon powershot, but we got some decent pictures to share here so you can get a pretty good feel for what it's like. Enjoy!

 
Here's the lawn where everyone sits to watch the movies. We were lucky enough to be let in early thanks to our friend Clarissa who's step-brother is the founder of Cinespia, so this was just before the gates opened to let in the rest of the crowd. This shot was taken through a stone sculpture right on the edge of the grass, and that's my wife Anne walking back towards our little picnic blanket.
 
Here's Anne, Steve and I reflected on one of the cool headstones nearby.
 
The obligatory black cat wandering the cemetery.
 
Johnny Ramone's grave.
 
Steve dealing up a friendly game of gin rummy while we listened to the DJ play great music before the movie started.
 
Anne contemplating her next move....
 
...and then tossing down her cards with what appears to be great joy and confidence.
 
I was clearly happy to be there. And behind me, you can see the wall that the movies get projected onto.
 
Our whole crew for the night. Up top are Steve and Clarissa, and down at the bottom are Anne and I.
 
Once the sun finished setting, the movie finally began!
 
This picture makes me laugh. Looks like Steve is already denying anything he may eventually do wrong after we finish polishing off the bottles of wine we took with us...
COMMENTS
Wildthing said at 6:32 a.m. on Aug 4, 2009:
Sounds a great way to spend an unusual evening. Steve fits right in, looking a lot like Bruce Willis:)
Chilla said at 3:31 p.m. on Aug 4, 2009:
What a great way to spend an evening. Thank you for the commentary that makes the event come alive here! Lovely sunset shots!
Grandbrother said at 6:34 p.m. on Aug 4, 2009:
Ha! I'm going to have to tell Steve that you said that, Mike. I think he'll appreciate being compared to Bruce Willis...

And thanks Celia. I wish I had thought to bring my SLR camera so I could've gotten some better shots of stuff like the sunset, but the little powershot did a decent job.
ConnieL said at 10:56 p.m. on Aug 4, 2009:
That looks like a fun evening.
Tishfish said at 8:41 a.m. on Aug 6, 2009:
I think you and your camera done an excellent job, well captured and lots of fun.
Nestorinacio said at 11:47 a.m. on Aug 22, 2009:
Very cool place and people funny.
Rod38 said at 10:06 p.m. on Aug 27, 2009:
Good story line for an outing to the movie. I like the shot with the talllllll palm tree. This is a wonderful set, Sean.
Pkeener said at 5:01 p.m. on Aug 30, 2009:
Very nice dutch treatment on the last shot. I love your reportage and serendiptious feel of this!
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