by Janet Grischy

Created on: June 30, 2010

What’s playing? That’s often the best way to choose a movie theater in the San Jose area, where there are dozens to choose from. However, some theaters do stand out for quality or special offerings. Here are some very personal recommendations for good places to see movies in or near San Jose.

Outdoors

Starlight Cinemas

The city of San Jose puts on free outdoor movies on Wednesdays throughout the summer. They are held at three different downtown locations. These are the coming attractions for 2010, but more are promised for each year.

Second Wednesdays, San Pedro Square, on San Pedro St. near Santa Clara Street. San Pedro Square is a dining and nightlife hub, so it's easy to stretch out your evening if it's going well.

6/9    Raiders of the Lost Ark
7/14  Batman
8/11  The Goonies

Third Wednesdays. Post Street Alley between Market and First. San Jose calls this area the historic district for some reason.

6/16 It Happened One Night
7/21 An American in Paris
8/18 Creature From the Black Lagoon

Fourth Wed. South First and Williams These films are shown in a parking lot in the SoFa Arts district.

6/23 This Is Spinal Tap
7/28 Rocky Horror
9/25 Zombieland with Woody Harrelson

Bring a chair or air mattress and a blanket. Movies begin at dusk, and live entertainment precedes them.

The Drive In

The West Wind Capitol, 3630 Hillcap Avenue at Capital Expressway, is an actual drive-in. It is also right next to the Southern Pacific tracks, and trains do go by at times. This theater is more famous for its weekend flea markets than for its movies. The swap meet is not a chichi farmers' market either, but the real deal.

Vintage

The Stanford Theater 221 University Ave. Palo Alto

This theater is beautifully restored. Before most performances, a small organ rises up through the floor. An expert plays some appropriate music, and then the organ sinks slowly away, as the curtain slowly opens and the show begins. There is also a museum of posters and memorabilia occasionally open to the public. This is the place to see The Blue Dahlia or Strangers on a Train. They have festivals frequently, and never show a new film.

Essanay Silent Film Museum 37417 Niles Blvd., in the Niles district of Fremont. Charlie Chaplin made films in Niles for Essanay Studios. Silent movies are often shown at the museum on Saturday nights. Check the site to see what's on.

The Retro Dome, 1694 Saratoga Avenue and Prospect, has a variety of old films under a dome roof that looks

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