This year is in full swing and now Macon is getting prepared for all the fun that comes with spring and summer. We get an early jump on our festivities with the Macon Film Festival, or MAGA, which starts Thursday. For more information on the festival, visit www.maconfilmfestival.com.

I decided to celebrate the film festival by watching a few movies that feature Macon music. Here are my picks.

• “Broken Flowers” (2005) features the Allman Brothers’ “Dreams I’ll Never See.” Bill Murray plays Don Johnston, a fellow who has terrible luck with women. After his latest love interest dumps him, he finds out that he has a son who is searching for him. Johnston then heads out on a cross-country trip to find old flames in search of answers to the mystery of this son he never knew he had. Fans of Bill Murray, I’m sure, are already familiar with this film. Murray plays the awkward yet lovable role that he does so well. He is joined by Sharon Stone and Jessica Lange and the film is directed by Jim Jarmusch.

• “Soul Men” (2008) features Otis Redding’s “Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay.” Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac play Louis Hinds and Floyd Henderson, respectively, two backup soul singers who have agreed to travel across the country together for a reunion show -- even though they haven’t gotten along in 30 years. The duo is a reminiscent of Sam & Dave, who were Stax label mates with Otis Redding. This was Mac’s last motion picture performance, as he died shortly before the release of the film. The soundtrack was the first release on the newly revived Stax label.

• “Predator” (1987) features Little Richard’s “Long Tall Sally.” I hope you find the fact that “Long Tall Sally” is in “Predator” as surprising as I do. Most people know this movie. It’s an action/science fiction cult favorite and features Arnold Schwarzenegger in one of his iconic ’80s roles. Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, and a group of commandos battle an alien warrior in the jungles of Central America. You can’t go wrong with this film. It’s full of great “bad” quotes, and hunting for “Long Tall Sally” will make for a fun night with friends.

Now you can pre-game for the Macon Film Festival with these fun selections. Then on Thursday head downtown to be a part of the opening ceremonies! The film festival continues through Feb. 17. Happy watching!

Contact Roger Riddle at roger.riddle@gmail.com.