When a gigantic great white shark begins to menace the small island community of Amity, a police chief, a marine scientist and grizzled fisherman set out to stop it.

This is obviously a yearly event, to help cool down during the summer heat by watching ocean scenes on the big screen.

Recently I saw another movie that featured a shark (sort of) — “Soul Surfer” about teenager Bethany Meilani Hamilton who lost her left arm in a tiger shark attack off the Hawaiian island of Kauai — where I used to practice law. It was a 14 foot shark that took her arm suddenly while she was board surfing. I used to boogie board and body surf on that island, but never got into the sport of board surfing, as there were hardly any big waves where I grew up on the Big Island of Hawaii. Lucky those who lived on the other islands where the surf was always up…but there was always the fear of sharks, especially at dusk.

Cinema La Placita is in its 11th year showing classic movies downtown at La Placita Village. Also catch their films on the big screen at the big empty lot on E. Congress (between Stone and Scott) on every 2nd Saturdays Downtown.

And in case the monsoons continue since it did start to rain (finally) this early morning:

RAINOUT PROCEDURE:
We make the decision whether or not to cancel a movie at 7PM, but don’t have a way to update this website from our location. So, after 7PM, call our hotline, 520-326-5282 to hear a recorded message. Or, follow us on Twitter, in order to receive news of a cancellation by Tweet

And coming up next Thursday July 7 (and again for 2nd Saturday Downtown July 9) will be the 1965 classic “Singing in the Rain” starring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor. Maybe the monsoons will continue by then as well, and we will all be singing in the rain…

How can any one of us forget how frightened we were of the Great White Shark after that film? These sharks can grow up to 20 feet and weigh 5,000 pounds. I once visited Martha’s Vineyard (the island off the Massachusetts coast where this movie was filmed) and I was too afraid to get in the water.

And I still hesitantly snorkel in the ocean, glancing over my shoulders (just in case). Although this movie spawned a lot of fear against the great white shark and other sharks, they don’t usually attack humans.

This terrifying film starts at 7:30 p.m. tonight, and the suggested donation is $3, which includes all you can eat popcorn as well. What a deal. And the donations you give help to run this movie series.

Cinema La Placita is located at 110 S. Church in downtown, SW corner of Broadway and Church.

movie poster