Grand Readership,
I'm looking forward to the new year, and hopefully some regularity here at X RETICENT REVIEWS. While I'd much prefer this entry to be a recap of the year, I suppose it's only natural (and fair) to respond first to NYC VENUE review. For this chapter, I'll be discussing the independent release houses scattered across (at least two) boroughs. While some will point out the list is incomplete, each venue is on here for a reason, and like PART I, the venues are in no particular order. Enjoy!
PART II: THE INDEPENDENT RELEASE HOUSES
INDEPENDENT FILM CENTER (IFC)
It's hard not to begin with this house, which you'll find right on 6th ave just beneath Greenwich Village. If its name wasn't enough, the crowd you'll find there (a mash of hipsters, fashionistas and academics) should tip off any movie goer they won't find the latest rom com with Jennifer Garner in the lineup. IFC is recently renovated and three of it's screens boast luxury seating and projection. Ultimately though, it will be it's unique slate of pictures, it's weekend throwback screenings and it's midnight cult classic series (an idea they may or may not have stolen from SUNSHINE...) that make it the quintessential indy house. Also in the plus column is IFC's proximity to a PAPAYA DOG - where you'll find a maybe okay hot dog and some delicious orange drink!
ANGELIKA FILM CENTER
On paper, the ANGELIKA would be hard to dislike. What, with it's release slate always including that hard to find foreign flick, an in-house cafe to satisfy all those enthusiasts who just can't wait to scrutinize the details over a cup of joe... heck, even it's location - right at Houston and Broadway - puts it on of the more accessible list. But in reality the theaters are cramped, at best. The projection isn't great, but not nearly as bad as the sound proofing - where over hearing conversations from people in the concession lines (separated in some instances by a scant curtain) is more the norm than the exception. Perhaps worst of all though? The sludge of pretentiousness it's patrons boast.. a sludge I warn is quite unavoidable. On principle, I avoid this theater - but that's not to say I haven't occasionally broken my own rules - I mean, where else could I have seen LAURENT CANTET's brilliant THE CLASS?
SYMPHONY SPACE THEATER
This may be the truest of all the independent theaters - stressing the theater part of that sentence. To be fair, SYMPHONY SPACE really isn't a theater at all, rather a performing arts center that will occasionally run a film series alongside a variety of literature, music, theater and dance shows. This becomes instantly clear as one enters the theater, which is a crude combination of permanent seats and folding chairs - none closer than 30ft or so from where the image is projected. It's small, but endlessly endearing. The popcorn is delightful and there's a small cafe (they are used to dealing with an intermission). In fairness it's hard to keep this venue on the radar, it's lineup never exceeds more than one picture (unless of course they're running a double feature) and outside of the months they're featuring a film series, one may go weeks without seeing show time listed. SYMPHONY SPACE is on Broadway at 95th street in the Upper West Side - make an evening of it and catch a drink with a friend just a block away at DIVE BAR - over on 96th and Amsterdam.
BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF MUSIC (BAM)
The only theater in this review outside of Manhattan (but I had to make good on my promise to include venues from multiple boroughs, didn't I?). As one may guess, BAM is located in Brooklyn - a short walk from the ATLANTIC/PACIFIC train terminal where just about every subway and even the LIRR have station stops. Briefly, BAM is gorgeous; an above average venue with high ceilings and an ever evolving lineup. They usually run one picture at a time - a delightful myriad of smaller releases, cult favorites and treasured classics (for example this month we go from NINE to MISSION TO MOSCOW). Of the proximate neighborhoods, Boerum Hill and Fort Greene, I'd choose the latter to poke around in for a drink (THE HIDEOUT) or dinner (OLEA).
FILM FORUM
Taking us back into Manhattan would be the FILM FORUM. There's a decidedly soft spot in my heart for this picture house, it was the first "indy" house I'd been to and remains my favorite. Sure, they got plenty of variety - have a great monthly mailer... even the popcorn is top notch. But it's the surprises and details that catapults FILM FORUM atop this list as my undisputed favorite. It could be that they have unannounced Q&A sessions - with anyone from the lead wardrobe artist, to the director of photograph or even, producer! Of course FILM FORUM has regularly announced Q&As as well, but that they'd place such faith in their patrons to have unannounced opportunities deserves applause. Of the smaller details: when replaying a beautifully restored BOND print - they'll tack on original, untouched theatrical trailers - a fascinating time capsule of the release's period. If you're not careful you may walk right past it's box office - between Varick and 6th ave on Houston.
LANDMARK'S SUNSHINE CINEMA
Last but certainly not least is the SUNSHINE. Was it's claim to fame the midnight cult classic screenings? Or was it winning award after award for consumer satisfaction? Regardless - the auditoriums are remarkable for an "art house" venue and both the popcorn and the people serving it -great. Something unique? DVD and BLU RAY editions of your favorites at the box office (granted it's not as cheap as your local Best Buy but infinitely more satisfying). SUNSHINE isn't the most accessible, down on HOUSTON past 2nd Ave, but the walk there is well worth it. And if it's your fancy, I seem to have more celeb sightings at this theater than any other... maybe the only downfall of this theater is the tickets are printed on (I'm cringing as I type) ... receipt paper!
