new york city Tagged Articles at Cinematical

I know this isn't film-related, but by now I'm sure you're all well aware of the plane that crashed earlier today in the Hudson River in New York City. Apparently, word has it that everyone on board was able to escape with minor injuries. That said, a friend of a friend who was on one of the rescue ferries sent along this image to me and it absolutely blew my mind. This is a photo of the folks exiting the place in the icy waters around NYC. Unreal. Check out a larger version below. Thankfully everyone is safe.



(image taken by JKrums)

Since Sex and the City has screened around the world and critics have weighed in, it's time for a little nitpicking -- and nobody seems more up to the task than that unflagging beacon of urban gossip, Page Six. Today, the New York Post column reports that New Line Cinema and Radio City Music Hall are facing off in a blame-fest following the mistake that lead to 1,000 ticket holders getting turned away at the New York City premiere. At the close of the piece, however, the article gets into some of the details of the plot: "Those who've seen Sex and the City are buzzing that its story owes much to widely reported episodes involving Jonathan Tisch and Ellen Barkin," it reads, and that's just one of the alleged rip-offs. There's also a supposed reference to Tisch's canceled engagement to Jill Swid, and a "scene where Carrie freaks out about having a 347 area code seems just like one in an old Seinfeld episode."

Not having seen the movie, I can only judge from afar, but this sounds like two very separate complaints. That Sex and the City would use real life incidents to inspire its metropolitan plot shouldn't bother anyone (except the real life inspirations, of course). But borrowing from Seinfeld? Now that's a low blow.

Who wants to see the Watchmen newsstand come to life? Here it is. And guess, what? That's not really New York City. No, fortunately (and unfortunately, kinda), 42nd Street no longer looks like that. Instead, that's a custom backlot built up in Vancouver. And there's more photos to whet your appetite, too, over at Warner Bros.' official site for the film. Looking at the pics, I feel like I'm seeing an establishing montage of the NYC of Watchmen. There's a grimy bus stop with the Treasure Island store behind it. There's the pun-named Gunga Diner. And best of all, there's a re-election campaign poster of Richard Nixon, with Rorschach walking by and some graffiti asking, "WHO WATCHES THE WATCHMEN?" nearby (see image above). This new update also includes interesting facts about the backlot, such as information on its design, construction ("20,000 donuts were consumed by the construction crew") and requirements ("Street had to work for 1938, 1945, 1953, 1957, 1964, 1974, 1975, 1977, and 1985"). Of course, someone might complain that all this work and money could have gone to a Mars set (which director Zach Snyder said they couldn't afford to build), and real New York locations should have been used instead.

I may be a die-hard supporter of New York films actually being shot in the Big Apple, but there are numerous occasions where I'm forgiving. For instance, I completely get that Watchmen can't film here. Aside from the fact that the story takes place in the 1980s -- an alternate 1980s to be exact -- and aside from the fact that until the end of the graphic novel there is no significant use of any necessary NYC locales or landmarks, the movie is based on a comic book. And it's important for it to look like a comic book movie, because it is a story that's very much centered on a comic book world. I don't mean it should look like a cartoon. It actually should look gritty and realistic at times. But I think having the characters dropped into the actual streets of Manhattan -- even if those streets were dressed up (or down, as it would be) -- it would look even more fake than a constructed set, which might be able to compliment the characters and their costumes better. If Watchmen were shot in the real NYC, my beloved city might look as artificial and lame as it does in Enchanted.

Remember the crazy restrictions that the New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting (MOFTB) created to control photography and filmmaking in the Big Apple this past summer? The regulations stated that two or more people who use a camera in a public place for more than half an hour, or five or more people who use a tripod for more than 10 minutes, would need to get a permit and a $1 million liability insurance policy. Obviously, that was a pretty strange set of restrictions, and while the city claimed that they weren't meant for amateur photographers and filmmakers, there was nothing in the regulations to protect that claim, until now.

According to MOFTB, the restrictions will go back to permits being necessary for shoots that have production equipment and vehicles that create an obstruction, rather than "productions that only use hand-held cameras or tripods that don't cause an obstruction." The permit-needing equipment includes things like film cameras, lights, and sets, but doesn't include the hand-helds and tripods. Commissioner Katherine Oliver says: "our intention has always been to balance the needs of filmmakers working in New York City with concerns about congestion in public places, traffic flow, and public safety."

I don't know. If they gave any thought to the wording of the previous proposal, it would've been obvious that those parameters were most definitely not about safety and transportation flow. Don't these people sit down, examine, and question their wording and policy? It seems like back-tracking, arse-covering to me, but whatever the case may be -- we no longer have to worry about trouble with the men in blue if we walk around recording the sights in the Big Apple.

[via IndieWIRE]

When I woke up this morning, the wife (as almost any New Yorker does) had on NY1 for all the latest news, weather and traffic updates. I don't know about you, but there's just something about hearing "sunny skies" coupled with "at least two people are dead from the shooting" that gets me all set to go at 7am. While still slightly comatose, I remembered hearing something about an explosion near Madison Square Garden -- but thought nothing of it, as random explosions have become quite the daily norm here. It wasn't until halfway through the day that I realized this explosion was pretty big news, and that it occurred right outside a studio owned by actor Michael Imperioli (aka Christopher from The Sopranos). My first reaction: "Holy crap, did someone just try to whack Christopher ... like, for real?"

Studio Dante, as it's called, is described as "an unexpected jewel-box that was built to house progressive new plays," so says The Hollywood Reporter (via the studio's official website). After realizing that the bomb went off at 1am, and that it was pretty safe to say Imperioli was nowhere near the place at that time, I took comfort in knowing the actor wasn't harmed. And neither was anyone else, apparently, as Mayor Michael Bloomberg stated that the bomb, which was "some kind of small explosive device," blew out "windows of a van parked in front of the building, and thankfully no one was injured." Apartments in and around the area were evacuated, and as of now terrorism has not been ruled out (although I can't imagine Imperioli would be an enticing target for them). Now that everyone is safe, I guess it's time to figure out why in the world someone would detonate a device in that area. Heck if I know ... maybe they're still pissed about that mysterious final episode.

Welcome to The (Mostly) Indie Film Calendar. Each week, we'll give you a round-up of what's going on in indie film (and sometimes just cool film news and screenings) in cities near you. If you know of cool stuff happening that's related to film -- a local fest, a series of classic restored films, lectures, workshops, open calls for casting of an indie film -- send your tips to me at kim(at)cinematical(dot)com and we'll add them to the calendar.

Here are this week's happenings in film from New York to LA and points in between ...

New York City: This weekend brings New Yorks the Independent Features Film Festival at Tribeca Cinemas. The fest, whose 21 selections were chosen by viewers who watched the films over the internet, runs July 27-29, starting with tonight's red carpet premiere of audience pick alleyball.

At Film Forum, you can still check out Live-In Maid (showing through July 31). Starting today, there's also a fest going on at Film Forum: the NYC Noir Fest, a spectacular five week, 46-film exploration of the dark side. You can check out the full schedule right here -- I have to note that it includes one of my fave bad movies ever, Cat People, which I used to revel in watching every time it showed on the late-night movies on the local UHF channel when I was a kid (UHF? Yeah, that was pre-cable, thanks for noticing and making me feel old). You can also catch films like Midnight Cowboy, Taxi Driver, Panic in Needle Park, Rope, and Rear Window, if Cat People isn't your thing. As a part of the fest, Film Forum also has a series called "The Silent City: New York in the Movies, 1898-1928."

As if a fest full of noir wasn't enough to make your cinepheliac heart go all a-flutter, Film Forum also has screenings of the very excellent No End in Sight this weekend, with director Charles Ferguson on hand for Q&As following the 8PM screenings. I saw No End in Sight at Sundance, and attended a pretty impressive panel discussion of the film as well. The film rocks -- don't miss it. You can get more insight into the film as well with James Rocchi's interview with Ferguson, which we just posted today.

Over at the Walter Reade Theater, we have yet another film fest: Scanners: The New York Video Festival. You can see the full fest program right here.

Los Angeles: If you didn't make the trip down south to San Diego to hang out with all things geekerific at Comic-Con, never fear, there are plenty of things to do in that other southern Cal city. As usual, American Cinematheque's got you indie film fans covered. Mods and Rockers is still going on there, and on Sunday you can get all classic with a screening of For Whom the Bell Tolls. Coming up August 2 (and running through August 27), it's the Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror Fest, just in time to get you past those post-Comic Con blues.


Seattle: Seattleites can get their film fest jones satisfied at NW Film Forum: starting this weekend, NWFF brings you "From the Tsars to the Stars: A Journey Through Russian Fantastik Cinema." Tonight through August 2, you can catch a screening of fest fave The Trials of Darryl Hunt, which won best doc at the 2006 Seattle International Film Festival.

The Seattle International Film Festival may be long over, but the SIFF group is still bringing Seattleites great films all summer long with their SIFF Cinema Summer Series. Through August 2, they're showing Apachatpong Weerasethakul's Syndromes and a Century, Mahamat-Saleh Haroun's Daratt, Bahman Ghobadi's Half Moon, and Tsai Ming-Liang's I Don't Want to Sleep Alone.

Also this weekend in Seattle: On July 28, The Film School brings Oscar-nommed director Alex Gibney (Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room) into town to sneak-preview his latest doc, Taxi to the Dark Side, which played at the Tribeca Film Festival. Taxi is about torture practices used by the United States in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, told through the story of an innocent taxi driver who was tortured and killed in 2002. Gibney's a sharp guy and a solid filmmaker -- that one's a must-see for you Seattle film buffs. Tix available at Warren Etheredge's website, The Warren Report.

Toronto: Heading north of the border, Toronto film fans can head over to Yonge-Dundas Square on Tuesday, July 31 to catch Terry Gilliam's Brazil.

Austin: This weekend at The Alamo Drafthouse at Lake Creek brings you a screening for the kids (or those of us who haven't quite grown up yet, Dark Crystal. Coming up August 3 and 4 -- midnight screenings of Jackie Chan's Drunken Master! At the South Lamar location, bring the kids to free screenings through August at Kids Summer Movie Camp. Films will include Nanny McPhee, Holes, and one of my own faves, Howl's Moving Castle. Plus: The Village location has Rocky Horror Saturday night at 11:55 PM, so break out your corsets and fishnet stockings!

Dallas: Coming up in Dallas, the Dallas Video Fest runs July 31- August 5. The fest is surprisingly affordable -- all-day passes range from $10 weeknights to $25 weekends. Check out the full schedule and start making your plans now.

Oklahoma City: This weekend at the Oklahoma CIty Museum of Art: Ten Canoes and Susan Hayward in Tulsa (one screening only on Sunday). Upcoming in August: Summercamp!, Bound for Glory, La Vie en Rose, and The Outsiders. And mark your calendars NOW for Sarah Polley's remarkable Away From Her, screening starting August 16.

Want your city covered? Send your film news and links to me at kim(at)cinematical(dot)com ...

Earlier this week, I was fortunate enough to land a spot on the black carpet for one of the most exciting premieres to hit New York City in a long time. Only, this bad boy wasn't in the heart of Manhattan -- nope, they decided to take the premiere to Peter Parker's hometown, Queens. Not only was the black carpet a mile long, but there were fans screaming everywhere; I guess it could be compared to being on the field during a football game ... except, tack on about 700 screaming teenage girls. Though there was a lot of space for the stars to cover, Cinematical did manage to snag a few shots of the man himself, Tobey Maguire. Also included in the video is Spider-Man 3 director Sam Raimi, and I ask him what the chances are of him returning to direct a Spider-Man 4.

These events are pretty draining; although this video is roughly four minutes long, I was actually on the red carpet for about four hours. Yes, four hours. Tack on another two and a half hours for the actual movie, and I've spent an entire work day with this damn superhero. But it was a cool event, an exciting film and it was all worth it to see a ton of little kids lined up, excited to catch a glimpse of the guy they dress up as for Halloween each year. My favorite part of this video, however, is when I ask director Ang Lee whether he would be interested in taking on another comic book character. By the look on his face, you can tell how excited he was to answer that question. All in all it was a fun time; Spider-Man 3 officially arrives in theaters tomorrow, and you can check out my review of the film here.

For five million smackers you could probably put together a darn fine "low-budget" film or two -- or, you could film one sequence for the latest Will Smith action flick. It's being called "the most expensive scene ever shot in New York," and it might have cost even more than the $5 million the studio is quoting. Producers required tons of permits, approvals, consultations and extra-thick winter apparel ... All this to make one sequence in Francis Lawrence's I Am Legend -- and it's a flashback scene! (It's a massive evacuation scene, probably similar to the one Spielberg put together in War of the Worlds.)

In order to pull off the scene properly, the second-time director needed the assistance of one bridge (Brooklyn!), 6 nights, 14 government agencies, 160 National Guardsmen, 250 crew people, one thousand extras and probably 10,000 cups of coffee. Oh, and about five million bucks, although apparently some internet folks* believe the sequence cost a whole lot more than that. No word yet on how lengthy this sequence might be, but for that kind of money (and effort) it better be pretty impressive. At the very least, I'm sure the six nights spent on the Brooklyn Bridge will make for one really nifty featurette on the I Am Legend DVD.

(* Both Yahoo and The Hollywood Reporter cite anonymous "internet" reports while claiming that the sequence may have cost a lot more than $5 million, but I was unable to track down any such reports. Cite your sources, journalists!)

It's official: Spider-Man 3 will be taking over New York City for one full week of movie marketing, before premiering -- as we expected -- at the Tribeca Film Festival. "Spider-Man Week in NYC" will run from April 30 through May 6, and will feature all kinds of different Spidey-related activities. From -- I kid you not -- Spider-Man inspired raps at the Apollo Theater in Harlem (I wonder how many of those raps will include a number of different definitions for the word 'Mary Jane') to Spidey Chats at the Central Park and Bronx Zoos -- The Big Apple will turn, well, webbed later this month.

The actual Spider-Man 3 premiere will most likely take place mid-week and, according to reports, will take place in Queens -- home to Peter Parker. Now, I could be wrong (and correct me if I am), but isn't Peter Parker from Forest Hills? Or did they just shoot scenes in Forest Hills? Either way, I live in Forest Hills -- and so it would be a real fun treat to be able to catch the flick in Spidey's hometown, and not have to spend two hours on a train commuting back home. If you're not able to catch the premiere in Queens, apparently there will be several different screenings taking place throughout the city. Some other stuff taking place that week: You've got a street festival and cast appearance at Rockefeller Center on April 30, original Spidey comic books will be on display at the New York Public Library, and there will be some Green Goblin mask-making at the Children's Museum of Manhattan, as well as lots more. So put in for time off now folks, cause Spidey is coming to town.

Cinematical was invited to Sony Pictures on Saturday for a top-secret screening of several scenes from Spider-Man 3. Needless to say, they didn't have to ask me twice. I would have spent several days after I'd gotten the invitation building web-shooters if I needed to. Although Peter now uses organic webbing in the movies, so I'd have to try and genetically splice spider-DNA onto my own, which would have been too time-consuming. Thankfully, they weren't that demanding. OK, before we proceed any further, I should wave the giant spoiler alert flag. If you don't want to know anything about the plot of Spider-Man 3, then you should read no further. You especially don't want to find out from me that Aunt May is actually Galactus. Whoops. Sorry, but you've been warned. Just wait until you see a 300-foot tall May stomping on New York. It's not pretty. Although imagine the size of the cookies she could bake.

Anyhow, onto the screening and into the swanky Cary Grant theater. Sony, if you're not using that theater all the time, mind if we use it for movie watching and playing video games? OK -- here's what happened. Sam Raimi himself (dressed in his ever-present suit) came out and introduced the footage to us and called it a "super ... sneak .... preview ... scenelet." He told us the footage was brand-new, hadn't been seen outside of Sony, had a temporary score, and that some things had been shortened a bit for this preview. He then had to run off to do some audio recording with Stan Lee, who was next door, so we begrudgingly let him go. I mean, no one makes Stan "The Man" Lee wait, even if he does have yet another scene in this Spidey flick.