FiIm Buffs, Start Your Engines: The New York Film Festival Hits the City

Film lovers, rejoice: The 47th annual New York Film Festival is in the city. The Festival takes place at the newly spiffed-up Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center from September 25-October 11. (Call 212 875-5050 for information about purchasing tickets.)
The Festival offers film buffs, couples looking for a cool date night and the just plain curious a chance to see the breakout hits, indie films, small documentaries and foreign entries that pepper the more-than-two-week event. Some will make it to the mainstream; others will pop up at your local independent cinema or go straight to DVD.
Films include “Antichrist,” from the almost-always-controversial director Lars von Trier, about the repercussions of a tragic event on a couple; (Oct. 2; 9 pm; Oct. 3; 1 pm); “The Art of the Steal" (Sept. 29; 9:15 pm); a documentary about the famous Barnes collection of art and the foundation set up to protect it; and “Crossroads of Youth” (Oct. 3; 11 am), the oldest surviving Korean film (1934). It’s the story of a brother and sister who encounter life in the city; the film will have live musical accompaniment as well as a live offscreen narrator.
The Festival will end with “Broken Embraces” from director Pedro Almodovar, focusing on a blind screenwriter. It stars Almodovar muse Penelope Cruz, and will screen on Oct. 11 at 5 pm and 8 pm.
Created in 1969 to bring international films to an American audience, the festival screens around 28 movies and 12 shorts; it has no categories and no prizes are given.
It’s film for film’s sake, pure and simple.

Ding Dong, The Witch is Dead: The Wizard of Oz is 70!

Some movies become more beloved and iconic as the years pass (and no, we don't mean “Ishtar.”) "The Wizard of Oz” falls squarely into that category, however, and this year, the film celebrates its 70th anniversary. Events have already been celebrated throughout the year, but New York is joining in the fun next week with a concert and showing of the film in Central Park.
The concert and screening will take place on Tuesday, September 29 at 7:30 pm in Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield. (Don’t follow the yellow brick road, but do enter the park at 69th Street and 5th Avenue; seating is first come, first served.)
Singer Jennifer Hudson (“Dreamgirls”) and “Dancing with the Stars”’ Julianne Hough will be on hand to serenade spectators with modern (no, we don't really know what that means) versions of the classic Harold Arlen/E.Y. Harburg songs from the movie. A restored, high-definition version of the film will roll on a giant screen after the concert ends, presented by Netflix and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
(FYI, a special 2-disc collector’s edition of the film will be released on Blu-ray DVD on Sept. 29 as well; and Netflix is also offering free online viewing of the film on October 3.)
In addition, the movie will be screened again this Saturday, Sept. 26, as part of this year’s New York Film Festival.
Flying monkeys and ruby slippers forever!

Free Popcorn and a Mischievous Monkey: Riverflicks for Kids

August in New York can seem like a slow descent into unbearable temperatures and not enough air conditioning--which is why the city’s Hudson River Park’s “Riverflicks for Kids” comes as such welcome relief.
This is the last Friday (August 21) to catch part of this free film series for families (there's also one for adults that takes place at Pier 54; 14th Street and the Hudson River) that screens new and classic films for kids. This summer’s batch has included “Kung Fu Panda,” “The Wizard of Oz," and “Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa.” It finishes off with "Curious George” (not sure why, or if there's any significance to its being last), the 2006 animated film based on the classic H.A. Rey book about the mischievous monkey from Africa and the Man in the Yellow Hat (voiced by Will Ferrell). It’s rated G, and other voices include Eugene Levy, Dick Van Dyke, and Drew Barrymore.
Purists beware: An elaborate back story has been added.
Screenings start around dusk (usually between 8:00 and 8:30 PM these days) and popcorn is free (other snacks and beverage are also available for purchase.)
Movies are shown at Pier 46 (Charles Street/Hudson River); limited seating is available.
Call (212) 627-2121 for more information.
So forsake those hot city streets for a river breeze--and a riverflick.