East Side Movie Venues Offer More Than Mainstream Fare

Sick of the aggressive commercialism of the modern multiplex, but looking for quality films, and not just a DVD on a computer screen? From special film exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art, to the historic single-screen Paris and Ziegfeld theaters, the Midtown cinema scene provides a satisfying balance between film’s artistry and old-fashioned grandeur.

Regardless of when you find yourself in Midtown, the MoMA has daily film screenings. Of special note, this weekend the museum is featuring a retrospective on the films of Columbia alumnus Ramin Bahrani, CC ’96. The MoMA lauds the “consistency and integrity” of Bahrani’s work, highlighting it as a pure example of humanist cinema that “focuses on individuals at the margins of society who are vulnerable, under pressure, and determined to cope.”

The exhibition, titled “Filmmaker in Focus: Ramin Bahrani,” kicked off Wednesday with a screening of Bahrani’s film Man Push Cart, followed by a showing of the director’s newest film Goodbye Solo on Thursday. The retrospective continues Friday and Saturday with screenings of Man Push Cart and Chop Shop.

If the sterile white walls of the MoMA leave you yearning for something a little more nostalgic, Midtown is also home to the famous Paris and Ziegfeld theaters. Not only are these iconic theaters among the last remaining single-screen theaters in Manhattan, they are also home to every major premier in the city.

For art house cinema devotees, The Paris, which celebrated its 60th anniversary last year, offers mostly foreign and independent films, screening only one per week and eliminating irritating pre-show commercials. Best of all, at the Paris you can indulge your desire for an old-school film screening without worrying that the sentiment you’re paying for is kitschy or manufactured.

If you’re looking for something a little more flashy and plush, The Ziegfeld might be more your fare. Not only does it have more seating, but its interior is also dripping in red velvet and gold accenting. The one trade off to the Ziegfeld’s authenticity is that, unlike The Paris, it only traces its history back to the late 1960’s when it was built as a semi-revival of an old Broadway theater. Nonetheless, The Ziegfeld is a recognizable landmark, hosting the New York Film Festival last fall.

Catering to a wide variety of tastes with its blend of substance and panache, Midtown provides a fix for even the pickiest cinephiles, looking for quality in both film and presentation.

The MoMA is located at 11 W. 53rd St. (between Fifth and Sixth avenues), the Paris is located at 4 W. 58th St. (off Fifth Avenue), and the Zeigfeld is located at 141 W. 54th St. (between Fifth and Sixth avenues).