Watching movies in the great outdoors

As we move into the hottest part of the summer, the nights are long and languorous, perfect for seeing a movie. Outside. Perhaps in a cemetery, with a picnic and a live DJ. This is one of the best reasons to live in film-crazy L.A., and Angelenos have a good selection of outdoor locations and programs to choose from. From Agoura Hills to Hollywood, we’ve got your guide to cinema under the stars.

For 10 years, Cinespia’s Saturday-night screenings at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery have been the gold standard for outdoor cinema in L.A. Besides the never-gets-old novelty of picnicking next to some of Hollywood’s most famous (and now dead) celebrities and civic leaders, Cinespia also amps up the hipster quotient by bringing in some of L.A.’s finest DJs, such as Cut Chemist, Peanut Butter Wolf, the Gaslamp Killer, DubLab and DJ Carlos Nino. All this makes the Saturday cemetery scene a destination for L.A.’s culturally savvy.

A word to the wise: The line to get in usually snakes around the block by 6 p.m. So start out a few hours in advance, bring the picnic and the libations, but leave the Weber and the tall chairs at home.

This Saturday, the Zucker brothers’ comedy gem “Airplane!” is showing, with DJ Jun spinning. Next week, it’s the Bette Davis classic, “All About Eve,” with weekly screenings continuing through mid-September. Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. Gates open at 7:30 p.m., screening is at 9 p.m. $10 donation. www.cinespia.org.

It’s a dream evening for classic film buffs and Hollywood historians alike: The Hollywood Heritage Society reprises its popular “Silents Under the Stars” series at the historic Paramount Ranch with an Aug. 15 screening of “Beggars of Life.” Directed by William Wellman and starring Louise Brooks, Richard Arlen and Wallace Beery, this film was one of Paramount’s first films to incorporate occasional dialogue. Composer for “The Chaplin Mutuals” and master piano improviser Michael Mortilla provides musical accompaniment.

The sunset view is outstanding from the ranch, so bring a picnic dinner — and don’t forget a flashlight (there’s not much lighting after the sun goes down). Paramount Ranch, 401 W. Hillcrest Drive, Agoura Hills. $6 general admission, $3 for children 12 and under. (323) 874-4005; www.hollywoodheritage.org.

For those seeking both eye candy and an amuse bouche, the first Outdoor Cinema Food Festival is just the ticket. Gathering a different collection of the city’s gourmet food trucks each week, the festival has set up in Exposition, Grand Hope and La Cienega parks, erecting a screen 52 feet wide and three stories tall (the largest on the West Coast) for viewing such contemporary crowd-pleasers as “Swingers” and “The Big Lebowski.”

Advance ticket holders get the first chance at seating and at treats such as Calbi BBQ, Papas Tapas, Buttermilk’s Breakfast favorites and Lake Street Creamery ice cream. This Saturday’s selection is Baz Luhrmann’s “Moulin Rouge,” to be followed in the coming weeks by “The Hangover” (Aug. 7), “The Breakfast Club” (Aug. 14) and “The Princess Bride” (Aug. 21). Grand Hope Park, 9th and Hope streets, L.A. $8, or group package of four people for $5 each. 6 p.m. (323) 602-0608; www.outdoorcinemafoodfest.com.

The Devil’s Night Drive-In is rolling the big fuzzy dice Aug. 14 with a screening of “Grease 2.” Moviegoers ready to relive (or experience for the first time) the semi-private pleasures of a real drive-in theater can drive up to the top of the structure at 4th and Broadway, where downtown’s nouveau-hip twentysomethings park beside seasoned bohemians to enjoy cult classics like “Pulp Fiction” and “Donnie Darko.” Burgers and other classic car-hop-delivered fare are served up by the chef, and there’s plenty of room to sit on the Astroturf. It’s BYO blankets — a great excuse to get cozy (or devilish) with your date. Advance tickets are strongly recommended. Devil’s Night Drive-In, 4th and Broadway, L.A. 6 p.m. $10. www.devilsnight.com.

The Westfield Century City mall offers a midweek option for a hump-day date night or a get-together with friends. This series of Wednesday-evening screenings (starting at sunset) is perfectly priced: free. Plus, those who spend $20 in the dining terrace can enjoy a free beer and wine bar (only for mall rats 21 and older, of course). This coming week, it’s Nia Vardalos’ sleeper hit “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” followed in coming weeks by “Babe” (Aug. 11), “Teen Wolf” (Aug. 18), “50 First Dates” (Aug. 25), “Jaws” (Sept. 1) and “Karate Kid” (Sept. 8). Westfield Century City Shopping Mall, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. Wednesdays through Sept. 8. Free. At sunset. (310) 277-3898; www.westfield.com.

ramie.becker@latimes.com