Monday evening's second installment of the "Screen on the Green" series far surpassed the first. That's not to say that "The Thing (From Another World)" is somehow a better film than "Annie Hall" but in a way, that's exactly the point. When I'm sitting on blankets 100 yards from our nation's capitol, surrounded by 1000 other people, and downing booze-filled dixie cups, you can bet your ass that I'm not interested in Academy award-winning high-culture. And you'd win that bet.

Somewhat resembling a low-budget Ed Wood flick, "The Thing" is 1950s Cold War, UFO scare-culture in its purest form. There's the team of rowdy yet courageous Air Force men, the two sexy dames in charge of supplying coffee and any clerical work, the innovative scientists, the compliant journalist, and last but not least, that threatening, plant-like alien creature that crashlands its flying saucer in the Arctic. All the actors speak in monotone, and the dialogue sucks, not to mention the antiquated special effects.

It's films like these that need no built-in comedic relief for they are parodies of themselves. Think "Mystery Science Theater 3000."

Monday evening did impart a few practical lessons however. First, Smirnoff and Red Bull is not the ideal choice of drink for an outdoor screening, especially without any ice on hand. Consider wine or possibly whiskey instead. And secondly, when you get up during the movie to take advantage of the porta-potties along the edge, be sure to locate several landmarks for finding your way back through the crowd. Otherwise you'll end up standing in front of the screen looking for familiar faces in the dark like a drunken fool.