Summer moonlight movies in the city
Brooklyn Bridge Park hosts a summer screening series, Syfy Movies With a View, Thursday evenings from July 7 to Sept. 1. Credit: Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy/Julienne Schaer
An air-conditioned movie theater can be a wonderful thing on a hot summer night, but an outdoor screening gives you the best of both worlds. This year, you'll find cinema alfresco all over New York City, with movies ranging from family fare to French films. Showtime is usually dusk; check websites or call ahead to find out whether you'll need chairs or blankets. And remember that many screenings take place at public parks, where alcohol is prohibited.
'ROOFTOP FILMS'
WHAT This traveling, inter-borough series hops from rooftop to pier to parking lot, often with live music and after-parties. The edgy lineup includes "Bellflower" (July 15), a drama set in a violent California subculture, and "Falling Overnight" (July 22), a pre-surgery romantic comedy.
INFO Most screenings are $10. 718-417-7362, rooftopfilms.com
A FRENCH ACCENT
WHAT Who better to sponsor a program of French musicals than the French embassy? The "Films on the Green" series takes place at city parks and includes Eric Rohmer's "A Summer's Tale" (June 17) and Jean-Luc Godard's "Contempt" (June 24).
INFO Admission is free, 212-439-1425, frenchculture.org
'BRYANT PARK SUMMER FILM FESTIVAL'
WHAT Show up a good 90 minutes ahead of time (and bring a blanket) if you want a decent spot on the grass at one of these hugely popular screenings. The anything-goes lineup ranges from the emotional drama "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (June 20) to the giddy spoof "Airplane!" (Aug. 8).
INFO Admission is free. 212-512-5700, bryantpark.org
SYFY, WITH A VIEW
WHAT The Harbor View Lawn of the newly renovated Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park is now home to the "Syfy Movies With a View" series, which comes with music from local DJs and food from Calexico and Blue Marble Ice Cream, among others. Oh, the movies? They include "Ghostbusters" (July 14), "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (Aug. 11) and "Rosemary's Baby" (Aug. 25).
INFO Admission is free. 718-802-0603, brooklynbridgepark.org
CONEY ISLAND FILM SERIES ON THE BEACH'
WHAT The revitalized boardwalk area is launching its first outdoor movie series with mostly crowd-pleasing fare on a 40-foot screen on the beach near West 10th Street. Among the highlights are "Saturday Night Fever" (July 11), "Annie Hall" (Aug. 8) and "Moonstruck" (Aug. 15).
INFO Admission is free, 212-484-1222, thecidc.org
