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Some movies are so popular they get their own festivals, conferences and guided tours. Here are few to check out this year:
‘Groundhog Day’
It’s a classic Bill Murray flick in which he portrays TV weatherman Phil Connors, who is forced to live the same day — Feb. 2 — over and over again until he gains some insight into his life. Much of the movie was filmed in Woodstock, Ill., which now offers a walking tour and a yearly Groundhog Day event including showing of the film.
‘Somewhere in Time’
This time-traveling fantasy film has become a romantic favorite and features superb roles for Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. The movie was filmed at The Grand Hotel on Michigan’s Mackinac Island, and in 2015 Jane Seymour visited for the 25th anniversary of Somewhere in Time Weekend. This year’s 27th-anniversary festival is set for Oct. 27-29. The rooms are a little pricey, coming in at $1,099 per couple for a standard room and $1,449 for a room with a view of the lake. The weekend includes a screening, discussions of the movie’s production process, and appearances by returning cast.
‘The Big Lebowski’
The Coen brothers made a cult classic out of this 1998 movie about a pothead bowler who is mistaken for a deadbeat philanthropist. The Big Lebowski Fest will be held in Los Angeles on March 3 and 4 and will include music by the Kyle Gass Band (of Tenacious D fame) and a screening of “The Big Lebowski” plus special guests Leon Russom, Jim Hoosier and Robin Jones. Come in costume and join the Bowling Party, trivia contests and more.
‘Twilight’
Forks, Wash., is the place where Stephenie Meyer’s movie “Twilight” came to be. This year’s weekend festival to honor the fan’s love of the movie will be held Sept. 14-17.
‘Star Trek’
Creation Entertainment’s 16th Annual Las Vegas Official Star Trek Convention takes place Aug. 2-6 in Las Vegas. This year Trek legend William Shatner will appear Aug. 5.
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Lisa Iannucci, travelpulse.com
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