Film Forum
209 W. Houston Street,
New York,
NY
10014
209 W. Houston Street,
New York,
NY
10014
44 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 50 of 205 comments
It appears that the formally renowned Film Forum in NYC is becoming renowned for crappy presentation.
Last Friday, they ran Taza, Son Of Cochise in 35mm Dual Print 35mm. They ran the first half with the two prints about a second out of sync, causing any horizontal motion to have a ghosting trail, and everything to be blurry. One of my friends went out to complain, and he was told, and I quote, “it is a lateral issue” which is a bullshit answer. It was that one print was extremely out of sync with the other. They fixed it for the second half.
Last Sunday, they ran Revenge Of The Creature in Dual Print 35mm, and the entire film was about a second out of sync. Again, people went out to complain, and were told “It is just a movie, have a sense of humor” before the manager just walked away. What utter contempt for their customers. The second feature, The Glass Web was synced perfectly.
If the Film Forum can not find competent people to run 3D, they should not run 3D.
Oh well, scratch another classic film venue off the short list of theatres that I was willing to give my hard earned money.
I know what you mean, RHETT52. Those summer series (such as the Universal 100 or the fantasy/Sci-Fi series) were always a great time at the FF. A wonderful reason to take “mini-vacations” in the city.
I’m “keeping the faith” that they will someday return.
Moviebuff82…..Are you aware of the Landmark Loews Jersey in Jersey City? They have been presenting monthly “classic” film weekends for quite some time now. The only drawback is that the theater has to put those film presentations “on hold” during the warm summer months due to a lack of air-conditioning. Their film weekends return in the fall.
Too bad there’s no theater in NJ that shows classic movies only. The Rosebud in Westwood closed down awhile ago.
No way! Those are gimmicks that belong in the cookie-cutter big box theaters only!
they should renovate this place with recliners and reserved seating
Yep, another foreign series and two weeks of “Blood Simple” (really? two weeks?) Guess I won’t be spending much time at the film forum this summer
I hope they have a great revival series for the Summer. I was overjoyed at the Universal 100 and Sci-Fi series. It made me go into the city many times but sometimes FF will devote summer to obscure foreign series or something (for me at least) not worth taking the trip to NYC for.
Are there any thoughts as to what the future might hold with Film Forum beyond the month of May and into the spring and summer? FF is a true “city resource”.
Yes, in fact they’re one of the very few theaters anywhere that runs 3D revivals using 35mm left/right prints on dual interlocked projectors.
Has the filmforum shown 3d movies?
not sure. With the closing of the Ziegfeld, the only way to see classic movies around manhattan in true HD will be this one, as well as Symphony Space, Walter Reade, and others.
moviebuff82 – do you know if all three screens have 4K projector’s (and what brand)?
I myself am grateful for the place. Bruce is a wonderful programmer and Steve Sterner should be in every issue of New York magazine’s The Best of New York.
I just will not see wide screen films there because they seem pointless. But then there isn’t one wide screen in NY that can do justice to old wide screen films while it seems there are several on the west coast which sadly enough I can’t get to.
Oddly enough the old Film Forum had a very good wide screen in the right side cinema which hit you head on. Too bad they couldn’t design a similar one for this space.
Another big caveat. Too many old films getting 1 to 3 week runs. And much fewer double bills. It wasn’t like this years ago. Most of these single film runs you would see on double bills that ran a day or two. I don’t care if they are DCP restorations they are a waste of time for those of us who have memberships and have already seen these films in excellent prints which Film Forum would often present anyway. Very frustrating.
Film Forum has a small screen for Cinemascope, to be sure…but quality careful projection (and of 35mm prints often), good sound—and the fact that a revival screen exists at all anymore, programming by smart folks with solid connections to archives and studio vaults worldwide…I’m grateful for the place.
Given the nature of New York real estate, its a small miracle that Film Forum exists at all. I guess the price to pay is the small screen. I would die to see films there BIG, but I’m willing to pay that price. The only other non-profit theater in Manhattan is Anthology Film Archives, and that’s because they own their building.
Presentation of films here is always top notch. Though I believe they squeezed in more seats in the revival room(can’t really call it a theater) because my knees now hit the seat in front of me which didn’t happen before.
My only problem is the size of the wide screen which is really a joke. They might as well set up a flat screen tv in front of the audience and show it on dvd.
They are showing Spartacus for a week. They might as well be showing a three strip This Is Cinerama for all the sense that makes.
Exterior and lobby photographs from July 2015.
At least for this 6'3" person, I find the seats comfortable enough, if not up to stadium seat standards. The screens are relatively small, but the projection is consistently high quality. And no 10 minute stream of ads before the movies. And top-notch baked goods and popcorn and coffee beverages.
Programing is great here but the theaters have small screens and extremely uncomfortable seating.
I read in the NYT that this theater has 4k projection.
The discussion between Ryan and his girl friend was about the Film Forum. The marquee also appears in an early scene.
The ticket stub wasn’t from the Film forum
This theater is prominently featured in first part of the new film “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.” The auditorium shots may have been filmed in a studio, though.
Praise and a heart-felt thank-you to Film Forum for bring back The “Sci-Fi Festival” this year. I hope it was a big money-maker for you. Love to see this come back every summer, again.
Thanks Tim. “The Tingler” was digital and “Homicidal” was 35mm. I just checked the website and was amazed at this months line up of horror/sci-fi classics. Even “Village of the Damned”(1960) is scheduled. Time to vacation in NY for the next two weeks.