Film Forum

I finally broke down and bought a membership to Film Forum. I don’t know why I didn’t do it years ago. But with the upcoming Spaghetti Western series, I know I’ll be hitting this place up at least ten times so why not join and get the tickets for less. And honestly, it’s great to support a robust independent theater. Even if their three screens are small and cramped.

I’ve had many wonderful experiences at Film Forum over the years: meeting Werner Herzog at a screening of White Diamond was a particular favorite but I also really enjoyed seeing Battle Of Algiers, Days of Heaven, Aguirre: Wrath Of God, and Fat City in 35mm revivals.

In light of so many theater closures and the push to DCP, it’s great to see Film Forum do well. I know they are incorporating DCP and I don’t really have an issue with that so long as they continue showing other formats as well.

and of course we can’t forget Frank DeVol’s score for “The Busy Body”

Sorry Gary that you didn’t get to sit in the wired seats. My being seated in them made it worth waiting in line for about an hour to get in!

The showings of “The Tingler” were in fact sold out. I can’t speak for the other shows.

One of the strangest things that came from the festival was it seems to have brought William Castle back from the grave.

There’s a blog up now on “WilliamCastle.com” and William Castle is adding friends on Facebook and he’s even on the Twitter.

hdtv, I was there for the first showing of “Sardonicus” and “Haunted Hill” on Sunday. I originally saw these films when they played in my neighborhood theaters in Brooklyn when I was a kid. I haven’t had a better time all summer. I enjoyed the fact that the older audiences (like myself) were laughing and chuckling at some of the scenes that scared us silly as kids. I also enjoyed the fact that some people brought their own young children to see Castle’s films. I’m sure that they were a lot more entertaining than most of the garbage that passes as horror films today.
I went last Sunday to see “The Tingler” and missed sitting in the wired seats for the second time in 50 years. Oh well, wait til next time. I’m not sure if you were there but it was hilarious to see the skeleton from “Haunted Hill” make a re-appearance during the LSD sequence in “The Tingler.” I had such a great time that I’m only sorry that this Castle tribute didn’t last another week.

Bruce and crew did it again with ‘the Tingler"

The respect and care they gave to William Castle’s movies and the gimmicks contained there in was just amazing.

Even though it is small in stature, it is a true “Cinema Treasure”

Nice shot Chuck.

@ bolorkay.

That is the 2nd time you’ve asked that question. If you look at the top of this entry, you’ll find the website for the Film Forum, on there is the contact information.

Do you think that your questions might better go directly to someone at the Film Forum than here?

Saw “Hidden Fortress” last Saturday morning as part of the Kuroswa fest.

Had not been to the Forum in years and, for better or worse, little has changed:

1. Tiny screen.

2. The support column!

3. Flat floor.

4. Seats designed by the Marquis de Sade

5. The resident hipster doofus who yelled out “Start the f***ing movie over” when they started the film out of frame.

That said, taking your daughter to see a good print of an influential film the way it was meant to be seen: PRICELESS

The Film Forum recently installed a new projection system. I only wish that they would sell iced tea again. Love the sea salted popcorn, and the lobby. Gary C is right about the chairs. Outside of Turner Classic Movies, the only venue that shows films, most restored, that are not on dvd.

I’ve been to this theater twice, once to see the revamped “Major Dundee” and once during the United Artists retrospective to see “The Magnificent Seven” and while I appreciate being able to see these classic films on the big screen again, this is one of the most uncomfortable theaters I’ve ever been in. The seats are uncomfortable, the screens are tiny, the space between rows too small and since I saw these films on fairly warm days in April and May, the theater was very hot. I cannot even imagine watching a very long film in this theater. I considered seeing “The Great Escape” there during the UA retro. I’m glad I didn’t. It would take a really great movie to get me back there again.
By the way, wasn’t there a Forum theater previously located on Broadway in Midtown Manhattan? I seem to recall seeing some films at a theater with that name during the 1960s.

Here is a recent photo.

I agree with all the comments about screen size at FF. But with real estate prices the way they are in Manhattan, I’m sure the staff had a business plan for costs/size that would allow them to do what they do. They are a non-profit after all, and seem to be a well run one at that. And for all the sell-out shows, I’ve also been to many sparsely attended in those small theaters.

mhvbear, is it the Watts Street location?