How to Properly Storm the Castle - Princess Bride in Dolores Park

I find it interesting re-watching films that we adored in our youth.  We sometimes find that movies do not stand the test of time or survive our ever growing tastes.  Then we have the ones that are just as endearing to us now, if not more so, then they were when we first saw them.  Princess Bride is one of those films that we fell in love with when we first saw it and we will continue to show it to our kids and so on.

We should all know the story, and if you don't, please stop reading and remedy the situation immediately. It has everything - it's got action, "sports", fantastical creatures, romance, true love, torture, and adventure, so I do not know anyone who dislikes the film.  The only thing I worry about it how younger generations will react to it...something I eagerly await to test our on my young nieces when they are old enough to appreciate the movie.

As for the park experience, I have been wanting to checkout movie night in Dolores Park for a couple of years.  A mixture of timing, conflicting schedules with friends, and movie selection has prevented me from attending in the past.  But now, my friends and I were finally able to get everything together!  Because we planned ahead, three of my friends were able to secure a very nice spot with a great view of the inflatable screen.  When I got there after an afternoon of home brewing with some friends, the field was as populated as I would expect for a normal, nice day in SF.  But as we got closer and closer to showtime, it started filling in pretty quick.  At about 7:00p, it got to the point that anyone leaving the safety of the blanketed territory had to navigate a labyrinthine path of how to get out...and probably forgetting the way back and exactly where their friends were.  This was also about the time they started inflating the screen and the first of many attempts at tying it down as the wind picked up later in the evening.  Then finally, the organizers set up a couple of tables to sell popcorn, candy, and sodas for the less prepared.  It's fun being in an environment filled with fans of the film and hear the applause at favorite lines and scenes.  I even usually like when we the audience quote our favorites...especially Princess Bride because it has so many quoted scenes.  

I would definitely check out other film night in the park events, and they have them across the Bay Area.  For those looking to check it out sometime or for those looking to enhance their experience next time, here is some helpful advice:

1. Use Vizzini's Westley's Brains:  Like any event, especially free ones, you'll need to set up a plan of attack.  For Dolores Park , you will already find plenty of people enjoying a nice picnic any relatively nice day in SF.  So when you add a free movie event with an amazing movie, you can't just show up with 10min until showtime with a large floor mat and think you'll get an amazing seat.  We had two brave warriors who could start reserving precious space at about 1:00pm (movie begins around 8:30pm), with the rest of crew showing up throughout the day.
   
2. Use Fezzik's Strength: Unless the parking gods are with you, most events of this Magnitude (POP POP!) usually means you'll have to bring walk a number of block with your supplies.  I walked 7 long blocks from BART.  Might not seem like much, but three 22ox bottles of beer, one six pack, four different kinds of cheeses, 4 different kind of meats, 2 liters of water, blank, sweatshirt, and some picnic equipment.  Our brave warriors carried a full cooler about the same distance as well.
   
3. Use Inigo's Steel (Optional) - The park is not really the place for swords...but having a trusty knife for cutting bread, cheese, and meats is always useful.  A steel bottle opener is another good idea.
   
4. Take stock of your assets: You will need at least one blanket, but two is preferred as one will be used to lay on while the other will help reinforce against cold if the wind picks up.  Food and beverages are also important, and I highly recommend sending your seat savers with plenty of both for their effort.  We went with a selection meats and cheeses, some fruit, plenty of quality beer, chips, and some candy.  Also, bring some bags to help collect trash and keep the park clean.  And if you do not have a holocaust cloak, make sure to bring layered clothing as it can get pretty warm (sunblock wouldn't hurt) and very cold. And finally, while you might want to use a wheelbarrow, a good backpack and/or a rolling cooler will be much better.
   
   
   
5. R.O.U.S. - While in the park, this acronym means something a little different to me than referring to the rodents of unusual size as in the Fire Swamp
1. R: Respect those around you.  This includes, but is not limited to bringing chairs or in one case an inflatable couch that will block the view of those behind you...even more so if they have been there longer than you have.  Also respect the park and cleanup after yourselves.
2. O: Observe your surroundings.  At an event this size, you might spot friends who attended separately from your group.  Or just look out for your friends who are showing up after you or forgot where you camped out.
3. U: Unwind and enjoy the experience.  You will have a much better time if you can relax and leave your worries for later.
4. S: Share with those around you - don't just share within your group, but reach out to those around you.  You'll never know you'll meet.  A couple next to me asked about the Lagunitas "Little Sumpthin WILD" I was drinking.  Instead of trying to describe it, I gave them one of my bottles.  We're all there/here to have fun, so we should share in the experience.