A new monthly screening event takes audiences out of the theater and into the community. The Sunset Cinema Series — a traveling outdoor picture show hosted by Tampa Theatre — kicks off at River Tower Park with The Princess Bride. Based on the book of the same name by William Goldman, the classic comedic fantasy stars a young and elegant pre-Penn Robin Wright as the rich and spoiled Buttercup, who, like the little girl in the schoolyard who hits the one she loves most, takes great pleasure in verbally abusing her handsome, devoted farm hand, Westley (played by a young and pre-bloated Cary Elwes). When the two finally acknowledge their undying love for each other, Westley departs to seek his fortune so they can marry. What follows is a humor-laced adventure complete with a suspenseful abduction, a mysterious man in black, fencing and fighting and a battle of wits, lost and found love, revenge via a life-sucking torture machine, an unexpected death and plenty else. The movie will be projected onto a giant, inflatable 40-foot-wide screen. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner and come early; Tampa Theatre will offer concessions — popcorn and candy ($3), soft drinks and bottled water ($2) and $1 juice boxes for the kids. Sat., April 26, gates open at 6 p.m., movie starts at 8 p.m., River Tower Park, 701 E. Bird St., Tampa, free, 813-274-8981, tampatheatre.org.
This article appears in Apr 23-29, 2008.