Since any New York City cinephile has a nearly suffocating wealth of theatrical options, we figured it’d be best to compile some of the more worthwhile repertory showings into one handy list. Displayed below are a few of the city’s most reliable theaters and links to screenings of their weekend offerings — films you’re not likely to see in a theater again anytime soon, and many of which are, also, on 35mm. If you have a chance to attend any of these, we’re of the mind that it’s time extremely well-spent.
Film Society of Lincoln Center
This weekend, it’s all about Bowie. The thrilling series “Watch That Man: David Bowie, Movie Star” begins with a Friday (8/2) midnight screening of Tony Scott‘s debut, The Hunger, on 35mm. Saturday (8/3) packs quite the punch, bringing Nagisa Oshima’s wonderful Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, Christopher Nolan‘s The Prestige, Jim Henson‘s Labyrinth, and Alan Clarke‘s little-seen filmed play, Baal. But that’s not the end of it: this Sunday (8/4), one can see Nicolas Roeg‘s The Man Who Fell to Earth, D.A. Pennebaker‘s classic concert picture Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars — alongside a rare documentary, Cracked Actor — Bowie-as-Warhol in Basquiat, and Absolute Beginners. What a lineup!
Anthology Film Archives
John Boorman‘s Catch Us If You Can will be screening Saturday (8/3), while Sunday (8/4) brings three feature-length Charlie Chaplin programs, all on 16 or 35mm.
Film Forum
Intolerance is back in theaters, beginning a one-week restoration run. Griffith‘s film is essential cinema; on a theater screen and with a new score, the experience should be overpowering.
A different (but no less enticing) offer runs the same time, as René Claire‘s Beauty and the Devil comes around with its own restoration.
IFC Center
It may not be properly restored just yet, but David Byrne‘s True Stories will have 35mm screenings this Friday and Saturday (8/3, 8/4) at midnight. It’s not only a rare cinematic opportunity, but the sound of a brand-new world.
Morning and night, Bonnie & Clyde screens. What else do you need to hear?
Escape from New York continues its midnight presentations all through this weekend, for those who haven’t yet seen Snake Plissken in a large format.
Nitehawk Cinema
Sleaze classic Maniac Cop will be seen (when else?) at midnight on Friday and Saturday (8/3, 8/4), under the banner “I Heart New York Horror.”
The same nights and same times, another sleaze classic, Wild Things, plays on 35mm as part of both “The Works: Bill Murray” and “Nitehawk Naughties” — probably the only time those two will cross over.
One of Woody Allen‘s funniest movies, Sleeper, has a 35mm engagement Saturday and Sunday (8/4). It marks the first entry in their brunch selection, “We Can Be Heroes.”
If the future-set comedy isn’t your speed, Coal Miner’s Daughter comes around the same time — not only with brunch, but also “live pre-show serenade by Lil’ Mo and the Monicats.”
Landmark Sunshine
The Great Muppet Caper can be seen at midnight, Friday and Saturday (8/3, 8/4), while The Room is, again, rearing its head the latter day.
What are your weekend watching plans?