Review: Film on the Rocks is a “Perfect Date Night”

Red Rocks Amphitheatre has been a staple of the Colorado music scene since 1906, but did you know that the venue also hosts movies? Denver Film, the operator of the Sie FilmCenter, and Denver Arts & Venues launched the Film on the Rocks series on August 7, 2000, with a screening of “Casablanca,” which has since become a Morrison staple.

Back now for its 26th season of movie screenings among the stars, Film on the Rocks has mastered the art of making it more than just any old screening. On Monday, June 9, the summer series began with “2001: A Space Odyssey,” directed by Stanley Kubrick. 

Because the venue was not nearly as full as regular Red Rocks shows, parking was much easier. I got a spot at one of the lots on the top part of the venue. Like most shows, bags were checked and everyone was required to go through metal detectors before their tickets were scanned. 

You are allowed to bring your own food in, which I did not know until I saw everyone walking in with their favorite Trader Joe’s snacks and got jealous. Although the venue does sell popcorn, candies and drinks, the selection was not nearly as large as your typical AMC. 

The Film on the Rocks crowd was a great mix of ages. It was surprising to see how many families came to the screening, as I would not classify “2001” as a children’s movie. I brought my girlfriend to this, and it was the perfect date night. Because I was given a VIP ticket for the event, I was given a pack of Skittles and a seat cushion, which definitely helped! 

The ticket indicated doors were at 6:30 p.m. and the movie would start at 8 p.m., but there was no set time for when the openers would be. That being said, I got there at 6:50 p.m. and by the time I got into the venue (right about 7 p.m.), the Big Dopes were just starting their first song. 

Big Dopes is a Denver-based band with a decent following. The four bandmates wore matching blue NASA jumpsuits, each customized with their names on it. I liked how they began their set with a cover of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity,” or at least a portion of it, before incorporating the song into their own improvisation.

With music self-described on their Spotify as “loose” and “lighthearted” with a “feel of 90s alternative and indie,” the band was easy listening for all ages. To further add to their space theme, the voice of HAL from “2001” would occasionally talk on the PA system as the band performed. This made them feel like the perfect choice for a sci-fi movie. 

The stage was decorated for the occasion with silver satellite cutouts scattered about a mix of instruments and people. The band played several songs before addressing the building crowd. Big Dopes frontman Eddie Alexander told the crowd that the band graduated with GEDs in space school, although he admitted they mostly “got B’s and C’s.” 

Regardless of whether one knew the band’s music, they were fun to watch. Not only were the Big Dopes charming, but it was clear that the front of the theater was packed with friends and family of the band, making it all the more wholesome. Guitarist Paul Simmons even got the crowd to sing “Happy Birthday” for his mom in the front row. The set in total was a little over half an hour and ended with the band taking a picture with the audience. 

About ten minutes after the Big Dopes, Janae Burris, the host of the evening, introduced Denver comedian Al Jackson. I missed her introducing the Big Dopes, but an audience member confirmed she came out for that as well. 

Jackson was funny, but it felt a little random and out of place to have a comedian open for a space movie. None of the jokes had anything to do with the movie, and it felt like he was too upbeat for the philosophical space drama we were about to watch. 

Jackson spoke for about 15 minutes about fatherhood, Girl Scout cookies and how expensive college is. Overall, Jackson was funny, but it was an odd segue from music to movie, and felt too quick a set to give the audience a good feel of Jackson’s work. 

Around 8 p.m., the advertised start time, Burris thanked both openers and encouraged the audience to get some last-minute food and drinks. During this time, the screen displayed trivia questions about the film. Burris then returned to the stage and provided some background on “2001,” such as how it first debuted in theaters in 1968.

From there, the film began. Watching “2001” at Red Rocks felt especially unique because the wild desert at the beginning of the film resembles Morrison’s actual geological makeup. 

Kubrick’s film is broken into four segments: Dawn of Man, Mission to the Moon, Mission to Jupiter and Re-Birth. The crowd cheered loudly for each part, which was a nice reminder of the power of watching media in a crowd. The audience was a bit rowdy in the opening sequence, “Dawn of Man,” which, in fairness, was slow. However, as the night went on, the crowd seemed more locked into the viewing experience. 

In Kubrick’s original adaptation, the movie included a three-minute intermission, which this screening honored. While it was nice to have a brief break, given the size of the amphitheater and how many people were in attendance, three minutes was not nearly enough time for the audience to get out of their seats, much less grab another drink. 

It’s hard to explain what “2001” is about. The two-hour and 30-minute movie took the audience through a whirlwind of colorful, symmetrical spacecrafts and vintage dystopian futures. With themes of human innovation and space exploration, much of the movie felt open to interpretation for the viewer.

I had never watched this film before, and I loved the experimental aspect of it! The trivia told us that when it came out, “2001” won best visuals, which makes sense because all of it held up so well to today’s standards.

Another part I liked about the movie is that many shots felt like stuff that I have since seen referenced in newer movies. For example, one of the opening scenes that showed early humans in the desert was replicated in “Barbie” a few years ago.

Although it’s a slower movie by today’s standards, I happily sat back and took it all in. The careful pacing made sense for such a philosophical and futuristic movie.

Between the music, the comedian and the film, Film on the Rocks was an excellent experience. It’s perfect for a family gathering, a date, or a group of friends, especially on a warm summer night with a gentle breeze and no rain. General admission tickets cost $25 per person and VIP tickets are $50 each.  

One final pro tip to avoid a trip to the chiropractor: the Red Rocks benches are quite uncomfortable after a long time, so please, for your sake, bring a seat cushion or something with a back. Your spine will thank you later!