Look out, aliens

The Roland Emmerich/Dean Devlin film Independence Day is a chest-thumping, cheer-inducing paean to patriotism, loud special effects and the belief that America will save the world. So what better film to show on America's birthday? Sure, it's got plot holes large enough for an alien cruiser to comfortably fly through, and Randy Quaid's last-minute heroics are hokey, and it's a bit unsettling to watch the White House explode considering our current political climate — but Independence Day has an exuberant spirit of fun, and the good guys win in the end. Plus, Jeff Goldblum gets to be weird and charming. Front Yard Features brings a free screening of this modern classic to the Lake Stage at St. Louis Union Station (1820 Market Street; www.fyfstl.com) at around 8:30 p.m. tonight. And there will be an intermission so you can watch the riverfront fireworks. PHOTO COPYRIGHT 20th CENTURY FOX
Fri., July 4, 2008