Melbourne has a number of open air cinemas showing modern films and classics through the summer and into early autumn. The weather isn’t always on their side with shows often cancelled due to rain, but recently we’ve had a run of serious sun and warm clear nights, perfect for a spot of outdoor movie going.

Tonight I went to see ‘Midnight in Paris’ at the Rooftop Cinema in the heart of the city. This particular venue remains my favorite place to catch a movie under the stars. It was actually sold out, but after working a little magic I was able to get the box office clerk to squeeze a couple more tickets out of the ticket stock. She told me I was very lucky, and that luck continued when I then won a pair of shoes from Volley, one of the venues sponsors.

Other open air venues include the Moonlight cinema in the Royal Botanic Gardens (I’m going there tomorrow night), the St Kilda Open Air cinema right on the beach, The Shadow Electric at Abbotsford Convent, plus the occasional free movie shown at Federation Square. Not too far from the city you can also catch a movie under the stars in a Vineyard or at the Dandenong Ranges.

I’m hoping the warm dry weather will continue so that I can watch the movie ‘Senna’ at the rooftop cinema on Sunday night after the first Formula One Grand Prix of the year that takes place right here in Melbourne.