So the most eagerly awaited movie-going moment of the year for me - the grand opening of the Alamo Drafthouse in Brooklyn - turned out to be less than I had hoped due to the high cost of the theater, at least in comparison to its Yonkers location. I'd be willing to go back there, but it would have to be for something super-special, not on a semi-regular basis as I had hoped. Still, all movie lovers should see a movie at the Alamo at least once. I have no problem recommending it to the uninitiated. Just be prepared to unload some dough.
At any rate, I still had some wonderful moments seeing movies at other venues this year. And here are the best:
5. Spaceballs at Syndicated Bar. Other venues are starting to replicate the Alamo experience, and Syndicated, also in Brooklyn, is one of them. It's a repertory house and not a first-run, but I enjoyed their food and drink, their seats are very comfortable, and they're a whole lot cheaper. Seeing a great movie like Spaceballs with my friend Alicia was the icing on the cake. I hope to go back there this year.
4. Lust for Life on video at Vija's place. If for no other reason than seeing her cat and Chris' dog interact, which was pretty funny. It would've been nicer to have had a DVD that didn't act up, too, but the company and the food more than made up for that. Also, Vija didn't find the DVD at first. I had told her that was okay, I'd watch something else, but she kept on looking until she found an available copy. This is why she has been my friend for over twenty years. I'm so lucky to have her in my life.
3. Nosferatu/Dracula's Daughter at the Loews Jersey City. With Aurora, no less! Halloween at the Loews is always a special time. This wasn't on October 31 exactly, but it was close enough for another huge crowd to turn out for this sweet vampire twin bill.
2. Run Lola Run at Prospect Park. In case it wasn't apparent, none of the versions of the story I told about seeing this movie at Celebrate Brooklyn was 100% accurate. I was aping the storytelling style of the movie itself. The stuff about the music - the musical guest, Joan as Police Woman, and the band live-scoring the film, The Bays - that was true. Most of the time, CB makes excellent choices with the films they show, and this was no exception.
1. Star Trek Beyond in New Paltz with Bibi & Eric. Yeah, this is a pretty easy choice. A Trek movie, during the 50th anniversary year, in a slightly peculiar-shaped theater, outside of NYC, with two of my favorite people in the world. It simply does not get any better than this. And I got to hang out with them three times last year! Highly unusual for us. What luck!
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Previously:
2015 top five
2014 top five
2013 top five
2012 top five
2011 top five
Sounds like an awesome year of movie-going! That Halloween double feature would be awesome. In 2015, I went to what was probably one of those Fandango events...a double feature of the Bela Lugosi Dracula and the Spanish language version that was filmed on the same set at night. It was great. :)
ReplyDeleteI've heard of the Spanish-langauge Dracula. I wouldn't mind giving it a look one day.
ReplyDeleteYou know how to combine your movies and your friendships like nobody else.
ReplyDeleteJust lucky, I guess. I never gave it much thought until I started this blog.
ReplyDeleteRich, I just spent half an hour on the Alamo Drafthouse website, thanks to you. But that's a good thing! After initially reading your post, I realized I'd never heard of Alamo, so I went to their website...and lost track of time. What a wonderful experience! I hear what you said re: the cost, but it would be a terrific thing to do on a special occasion. Thanks for giving me the heads up about this one. If it ever comes to Canada, I'm in!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't rule out the possibility.
ReplyDeleteI've talked about the Alamo for so long, it never occurred to me not every film fan knows about them. Glad I made you curious.