Just because it’s New York City doesn’t mean you have to commit solely to live entertainment. The Big Apple also is an unparalleled destination for cinephiles. Here are some of the places to go:
If you’re a fan of the classics, you’re in luck. Film Forum (tel. 212/727-8110; www.filmforum.org) will delight the romantics among us who still love a good Hepburn-Tracy flick, or one from local-boy Martin Scorsese, in addition to first-run and foreign films.
Classic, indie, and arthouse films screen daily at Brooklyn’s BAM Rose Cinemas (also known as BAMcinématek; tel. 718/636-4100; www.bam.org), which usually themes its week- or month-long revivals by director or actor.
The Museum of the Moving Image (tel. 718/784-0077; www.movingimage.us) has such fine offerings that most don't mind the trek to Astoria, Queens (it's only about three subway stops from midtown Manhattan). The museum presents in-depth famous-filmmaker talks and other one-of-a-kind events, in addition to new and historic film-related exhibits and special screenings.
IFC Center (tel. 212/924-7771; www.ifccenter.com) brings indies and classics to the Village’s renovated Waverly theater.
For first-run foreign and independent films, it's hard to beat Angelika Film Center. Its theaters are in the basement. Upstairs is a nice, counter-service cafe and a lot of couches and chairs.
Anthology Film Archives (tel. 212/505-5181; www.anthologyfilmarchives.org), MoMA Film (tel. 212/708-9400; www.moma.org), and 92YTribeca (tel. 212/601-1000; www.92ytribeca.org) screens impressively obscure retrospectives and foreign films daily.
Film at Lincoln Center (tel. 212/875-5600; www.filmlinc.com), host of the autumnal New York City Film Festival and several others, presents diverse documentaries and themed film series that span silent, horror, musicals, animated, and more.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
