Head back to the ’80s with Awesome Fest

Meet Charles Fleischer, the voice of Roger Rabbit in the 1988 film, during Awesome Fest.
Credit: Neal Public Relations

It’s the revenge of the ’80s nerds with Awesome Fest, a 10-week film festival serving up all the 1980s movies you know and love — or love to make fun of. You’ll be sitting pretty in pink with free weekly movie screenings in Drexel Park, plus more films, from “Die Hard” to “The Princess Bride,” playing all around the city. Some will be shown at traditional venues like the Ritz, with others in more offbeat spots, including presenting sponsor Parx Casino.

Harkening back to the ’80s is often a crowd-pleasing theme, whether we’re talking parties, costumes, music or film. But the decade’s popularity isn’t the only reason it’s the foundation of the festival.

“The ’80s speaks to a time of pure, unadulterated fun,” says the founder and director of Awesome Fest, Josh Goldbloom. “Yet it’s still means something different to everyone.”

Whether you’re a movie buff in search of undiscovered cinema gold or you just want to watch the “Spaceballs” again, Awesome Fest will have the movies you’re after. And for those who dig campy horror flicks, “Fright Night,” “Child’s Play” and “Nightmare on Elm Street” will all be making appearances in the lineup.

Keep an eye out for special awesome events, like the Psychedelic Furs at the Troc on opening night. Check out the throwback prom that will follow “Pretty in Pink,” or the screening of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” Actor/comedian Charles Fleischer, the voice behind Mr. Rabbit himself, willl be in there for a meet and greet, a Q&A session, and even a standup performance.

“I love what I do,” says Fleischer. “I feel privileged and blessed to be in the industry I’m in. If you’re lucky enough to be in a film that’s in a film fest — who’s going to complain about that?”

Be sure to catch Fleischer’s standup before revisiting his famous animated character at Parx Casino.

Awesome Fest

Check out www.theawesomefest.com for a complete schedule of movies and locations. Or head straight to Drexel Park at 32nd and Powelton for these free screenings, which begin at dusk:

June 20: ‘Revenge of the Nerds’
June 27: ‘Adventures in Babysitting’
July 11: ‘Spaceballs’
July 18 ‘Pee-wee’s Big Adventure’
July 25: ‘Die Hard’
August 1: ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors’
August 15: ‘The NeverEnding Story’