Cinematically inclined freshmen will likely be wondering what movie theaters will soon become their filmic hot spots. New York City has a wide variety of movie theaters, with films ranging from independent to mainstream, and spread out across all five boroughs. A few select names, however, deserve attention for their contributions to the New York film community and must be acknowledged by any film-obsessed student.
For those in the immediate area of Washington Square Park, it’s a cinematic must to check out the IFC Center. Home of the old Waverly Theater, this independent mecca hosts a litany of repertoire screenings, midnight showings and exclusive Q&As with celebrities, from Fred Armisen to Christopher Nolan, all while displaying the latest in independent and foreign cinema. It’s $13.50 for a single admission; however, student memberships can lower that price by a whopping $5. It may not sound like much, but every dollar counts in this city.
If you’re looking for mainstream hits as well as the occasional indie, look no further than the Regal Union Square. By far the biggest theater in regard to the number of screens in the immediate NYU area, this four-story behemoth specializes in the latest that Hollywood has to offer. Nestled on Broadway and 13th Street, the theater’s location is also extremely convenient. It also offers fine dining options such as hot dogs and burgers, and even onion rings. For a mainstream theater, the indie films it often carries can be pleasantly surprising.
Despite its location all the way across the East River, film fans must check out the Brooklyn Academy of Music. While the name of the institution doesn’t explicitly indicate a film presence, make no mistake — it has one of the best film repertoires in the city. Located a few minutes away from the Barclays Center sports and entertainment arena, the film division splits itself across two massive venues: the Peter Jay Sharp Building and the Harvey Theater. Both of these buildings house the latest and greatest in independent cinema as well as an impressive array of director interviews and foreign classics. In addition to its movie screenings, the BAM is as passionate about other arts as much as it is about cinema.
Of course, there are many other great theaters in New York City — other notable names include the Nitehawk Cinema in Brooklyn, which serves food and alcohol directly to your seat, and the Landmark Sunshine Cinema in the East Village, another hot spot for indie titles. Thankfully, with four long years of college, students have the opportunity to take advantage of them all.
A version of this article appeared in the Sunday, Aug. 25 print edition. Charlie Spector is a contributing writer. Email him at [email protected].
