Drive-ins are an important part of cinema culture. Not only are they a part of the viewing experience they are also a staple of films themselves. Drive-ins have been featured in a number of films from “Twisters” 1996 to “Grease.” Sources say that there are only between 330-285 drive-in movie theaters left in the United States. Bloomington is home to one of the remaining–The Starlite Drive-in–which has been open since 1955.
The Starlite opened for its 2026 season under new ownership on May 1st, showing “The Devil Wears Prada 2” and “Project Hail Mary.” While I didn’t go opening night I did go opening weekend. I noted one significant change, they charge per person instead of per vehicle now. It’s still affordable and with the cost of businesses rising I can understand the change. The most important thing about any drive-in are the movies they chose to show, here’s my review of “The Devil Wears Prada 2” and “Project Hail Mary.”
“The Devil Wears Prada 2” :
“The Devil Wears Prada 2” is a sequel to the beloved 2000s movie “The Devil Wears Prada.” “The Devil Wears Prada” follows journalist Andrea Sachs (Anne Hathaway) through her time at famous fashion magazine Runway and her experience with editor in chief Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). While the second movie is far from the masterpiece that the first one is, it fixes my biggest issue with the first–the ending. In the end Andrea or Andy as she is more commonly referred to quits her job at Runway under the influence of the Devil–who certainly isn’t in Prada–Nate (Adrian Grenir) Andy’s boyfriend. Despite the movie’s attempt to villainize Miranda she’s far more likable than Nate. The second movie however rights this wrong and brings Andy back to Runway. While at Runway she reconnects with Nigel (Stanley Tucci) and Emily Charlton (Emily Blunt). Together they must save Runway from dying in the modern era. The second movie was primarily A. fixing the horrible ending and B. shoe-horning in every possible reference ever. If you love the first and like me, hate the ending “The Devil Wears Prada 2” might be a fun watch though it is far from a good movie if you lack the nostalgia.
“Project Hail Mary” :
“Project Hail Mary” is a movie adaptation of Andy Weir’s novel by the same name. The movie follows Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) as the only living astronaut on board a ship with no recollection of how he got there. Throughout the movie his memory begins to come back to him when he realizes he is on a mission to save Earth. On this mission he meets an alien that he names Rocky (voiced by James Ortiz). This movie truly was a wonderful viewing experience. I don’t frequently cry at movies, but this one had me in tears. I have not read the book so if you have it may be a different experience for you. I think this movie deserves all of the praise it has been receiving.
Not only is the drive-in the perfect summer movie spot, it’s also an important part of cinema culture that we need to keep alive. The weekend of May 15, 2026 The Starlite is showing “Top Gun” and “Top Gun Maverick” on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th and “Stand By Me” one of my personal favorites on Sunday 17th.
