New movie theaters in NYC
Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center at Lincoln Center. (May 5, 2013) Credit: Charles Eckert
Movie theaters have been popping up across New York over the past few years, and the latest -- the city's first "all documentary, all the time" theater, the DCTV cinema -- broke ground this month.
The theater, expected to open in 2015, joins last year's MIST Harlem Cinema and Williamsburg Cinemas, 2011's Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center and Nitehawk Cinema, and 2010's reRun Gastropub Theatre in DUMBO.
Austin, Texas' popular Alamo Drafthouse is set to open outposts in Manhattan and Brooklyn after opening a Yonkers theater in July.
Matthew Viragh, executive director of Williamsburg's Nitehawk Cinema, said city theaters are booming because New York "has been the backdrop for generations of filmmakers, and it's such a great city for film lovers because you have access to a full spectrum of film programming here."
"Even with this rich history and passionate population, it's still an underserved city in terms of population versus movie screens," he said.
Some New Yorkers agreed that a night at the theater is worlds better than staring at a small TV on the couch, even if ticket prices in the city can be as high as $20.50 (for IMAX 3-D).
"New Yorkers are more social, you move to the city to be social, to be around people, and not to just be at home," said Jessica De Los Santos, 24, who recently saw "Graceland" at Village East Cinema."It's expensive, but I love it," she added.
Moviegoer Rennie Sharp, 51, who lives in the Bronx and recently saw "G.I. Joe: Retaliation," said: "It's part of the culture of New York -- you want to be out and about. Any big metropolitan city, there's always something to do outside, whether its free or you pay, like the movies."
CITY'S NEW SCREENS
Williamsburg Cinemas
WHAT Shows first-run Hollywood flicks such as "The Great Gatsby" and Iron Man 3."
WHERE 217 Grand St., Brooklyn
INFO 718-210-2955, williamsburgcinemas.com
MIST Harlem Cinema
This cinema is part of an African-American/Latino cultural center.
WHERE 46 W. 116th St.
INFO 646-688-5886, myimagestudios.com
Nitehawk Cinema
WHAT Indie films and cult classics, with a bar and cafe.
WHERE 136 Metropolitan Ave., Brooklyn
INFO 718-384-3980, nitehawkcinema.com
Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center
WHAT A new theater for the Film Society of Lincoln Center, designed by David Rockwell.
WHERE 144 W. 65th St.
INFO 212-875-5601, filmlinc.com
Videology
WHAT Classics and cult favorites, plus movie trivia and bingo nights.
WHERE 308 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn
INFO 718-782-3468
reRun Gastropub Theater
WHAT In the same space as reBar restaurant, an indie screening room and bar.
WHERE 147 Front St., Brooklyn
INFO 718-766-9110, reruntheater.com
