Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CheapAMsatAMC
Although it's a little ridiculous settling into a theater seat when most folks are still finishing up their
first cup of coffee, we should be thankful to American Multi-Cinema for giving us half-price entry to the latest flicks. Just $6
gets you into prenoon shows at their theaters all across the city (weekends and holidays at some theaters, daily at others).
NYC's Drive-In: Outdoor Summer Screenings
We may be too cheap for insurance, garages, tickets, tolls, and all the other joys of car ownership, but New York-
ers do know how to enjoy their own kind of drive-in movie. Come summer, the parks roll out the big screens
and the locals trundle in with blankets and picnic dinners. Each festival has its own identity, with movies ran-
ging across the decades and the genres, assuring something for every
cinéaste
's taste. As dusk settles over the
city, around 8:30pm or so, the crowd hushes and the reels spin. Lie back and be transported by the magic of the
movies under the starry skies. Well, skies.
Central Park Film Festival
Central Park has been lending atmosphere to films since 1908 (a silent version
of
RomeoandJuliet
was the first movie shot here). The park celebrates its long starring career with this late-sum-
mer fest, which puts themed fare on successive nights.
BreakfastatTifany's
and
Tootsie
are among past players,
many of which have had major scenes filmed here. Admission is free, in the landscape between the Sheep Mead-
ow and the 72nd Street Cross Drive. Usually over 5 nights (Tues-Sat) at the end of August. Gates open at 6:30pm;
screenings are at 8pm.
Central Park.
212/310-6600.
www.centralparknyc.org
.
Subway: 6 to 68th or 77th sts.; B/C to 72nd St.
Films on the Green
The Cultural Services department of the French Embassy tries to cut through our
reflexive disdain for all things Gallic by giving away these summer flicks. “The green” in the title refers to a ro-
tating selection of parkland (Central, Riverside, Tompkins, and Washington Sq. are the usual suspects). The film
series are often themed, like '12's run through French and American literature. Projectors whirl Friday evenings
in June and July at sunset (around 8:30pm).
Wear your reading glasses, as movies are in French with
English subtitles.
Various locations.
212/439-1400.
www.frenchculture.org
.
That's the Ticket: Giveaways
To fan the flames of early buzz, some films and plays give seats away early in their runs. If your inbox can handle more junk
mail, you can sign on with
NewYorkShowTicketsInc.
(
www.nytix.com
)
and hope to win big in their daily Broadway
ticket lottery. You can also find the occasional giveaway on Craigslist, and there's more on offer at the
Village Voice
and
Time Out New York
websites. Both latter sources have dedicated sections (
www.villagevoice.com/promotions/freestuf
and the “Free Flix” button at
www.timeout.com/newyork/promotions
)
where you can vie for a movie premiere or two. It's a
lottery and the odds are on the long side, but hey, the price is right. A sharp eye can also reward a person with preview
seats. Check
Time Out
and the
Village Voice
for advertisements of newly opening productions. In addition to specials
on tickets for the first few weeks, sometimes you'll spot an offering for a preview. You'll get something halfway between a
dress rehearsal and the final polished show, but it won't cost a cent.
Habana Outpost
This Fort Greene restaurant is the city's first “eco-eatery,” a restaurant dedicated to
Earth-friendly practices (you can save a buck on your brunch margarita by powering the bike blender yourself).
The converted-parking lot spread couldn't be more laid-back, with a menu of moderately priced Cuban and
Mexican food. On Sunday nights from May through October, camp classics
TheLastDragon,SaturdayNightFever,
and
Shaft
are projected on a big back wall. There's no charge or minimum, and it's cheap here ($2 for a hot dog;
$2.75 for the famous grilled corn or a draft beer) anyway. Films start at 8pm.
757 Fulton St., at S. Portland St., Fort Greene,
Brooklyn.
718/858-9500.
www.ecoeatery.com
.
Subway: C to Lafayette St.; G to Fulton St.
Hell Gate Social
This arty spot behind an unmarked door ladles on the incentives to get folks to an obscure
stretch of Astoria Boulevard. Sunday nights in warmer weather feature BBQ afternoons capped of with free
