The Angelika Film Center has been the theater most associated with independent films in NYC - a cultural landmark. Although there have been others before it and after it (the Quad Cinema, Sunshine Theater, Film Forum, IFC, PS 122, Village East and Lincoln Plaza uptown), the Angelika is the most well known. (They now also have three theaters in Texas.) Established in 1989, this 6 screen $4 million project was established by Joseph Saleh. The theater occupies the ground floor and basement of the Cable building on the corner of Houston Street and Mercer on SOHO (the Cable Building, designed by McKim, Mead & White was originally used to store Houston Street cable cars.) The "indiplex" features a 7000 square foot lobby with espresso bar and cafe - open to non-filmgoers as well which serves as a hangout before and after films. Of course there are many naysayers and disgruntled patrons who complain of the seating, layout rumbling of subways etc. In spite of this and all the competition, the theater still draws. In typical New York style, it's the cinema that filmgoers love to hate. But ultimately, it's the films themselves that really matter to the serious cinefile and the Angelika delivers ...
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Angelika Film Center
The Angelika Film Center has been the theater most associated with independent films in NYC - a cultural landmark. Although there have been others before it and after it (the Quad Cinema, Sunshine Theater, Film Forum, IFC, PS 122, Village East and Lincoln Plaza uptown), the Angelika is the most well known. (They now also have three theaters in Texas.) Established in 1989, this 6 screen $4 million project was established by Joseph Saleh. The theater occupies the ground floor and basement of the Cable building on the corner of Houston Street and Mercer on SOHO (the Cable Building, designed by McKim, Mead & White was originally used to store Houston Street cable cars.) The "indiplex" features a 7000 square foot lobby with espresso bar and cafe - open to non-filmgoers as well which serves as a hangout before and after films. Of course there are many naysayers and disgruntled patrons who complain of the seating, layout rumbling of subways etc. In spite of this and all the competition, the theater still draws. In typical New York style, it's the cinema that filmgoers love to hate. But ultimately, it's the films themselves that really matter to the serious cinefile and the Angelika delivers ...
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4 comments:
the big problem is the line of sight -- all the seats are on a level floor, so it really matters when someone taller sits in front of you...but their food from Dean and DeLucca is by far the best in any movie theater anywhere...
I was just talking about this place over Christmas. Never been there myself but I hope to. Must be great to see indy films when they come out, instead of waiting for DVD.
It is definitely a "scene" and you should check it out.
Brian
I like those neon lights.
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