The American Museum of the Moving Image is dedicated to the art of film and television production by collecting and preserving moving image-related artifacts.  The museum is housed on the same block as the legendary Kaufman Astoria Studios.  The studio was home of the Marx Brothers and Cosby Show and currently receives regular visits from Woody Allen and is the home studio of Sesame Street.   

The museum’s core exhibition, Behind the Screen, has been praised as being the most comprehensive exhibit of its kind.  Behind the Screen covers the process involved in making the moving image, from production to marketing.  The exhibition displays artifacts from the museum’s permanent collection and employs the use of interactive exhibits.      

The museum is undergoing a renovation and expansion resulting in the theater being closed, however, all of the galleries will be open from July 8-August 29, 2008.  The museum’s renovation is scheduled to be complete in late 2009.  

Location:  35th Avenue at 36th Street, Astoria, Queens (map)        718-784-0077

Subway:  R, V to Steinway Street; N, W to 36th Avenue

Hours:  Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 10am-4pm; Friday 10am-6:30pm.  Closed Saturday and Sunday. 
Fridays: 10:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (Free after 4:00 p.m.)
Saturdays and Sundays: Closed

Cost:  Adults $7; seniors and students $5; children (5-18) $5; children under 5 Free.  Admission to galleries is free on Fridays from 4-6:30pm. 

The weekly “Museum Monday” posts celebrate the over 100 museums that are in New York’s five boroughs.  Check out last week’s Museum Monday post on the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art.  Museum Monday continues next week with a post on El Museo del Barrio.

Photo credit: flickr; ___________________________________________________________________

Post from: The New York City Traveler

Dalí: Painting and Film

The exhibition is in conjunction with a selection of weekly film programs featuring Salvador Dalí: Creator Collaborator, Dalí Laughs, Salvador Dalí and Three American Surrealists, and Salvador Dalí: Consumer/Consumed.  Other works, such as the 1930 film by Luis Buñuel and Dalí, “L’Age d’Or,” is on continuous display in the gallery.

Location: MoMA, 11 West 53rd (between Fifth and Sixth Avenues) map (212) 708-9400

Subway: E or V to Fifth Avenue-53rd Street

Hours: 10:30am -5:30pm Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun; 10:30am-8pm Friday; Closed Tuesday.  Dalí: Painting and Film on exhibit through September 15, 2008.     

Cost: $20 adults; $16 65+; $12 full-time students; under 16 free (with paying adult); free to all Fri 4-8 pm.  Cost includes admission to film programs.  Save your MoMA ticket for free admission to P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center in Long Island City, Queens.

All photos courtesy of MoMA: Salvador Dalí (Spain, 1904-1989), The Persistence of Memory 1931, Oil on canvas 24.1 x 33 cm, The Museum of Modern Art, New York Given anonymously, © 2008 Salvador Dalí, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York; Luis Buñuel (Spain, 1900-1983) and Salvador Dalí (Spain, 1904-1989), Film still from Un Chien andalou 1929, France, 35 mm print, black and white, silent, The Museum of Modern Art, Gift of Luis Buñuel, © 2008 Salvador Dalí, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

The film festival is entering its 16th year and will feature classic American films like Superman and Bride of Frankenstein.  For a full movie schedule, visit the Bryant Park film festival calendar.

Location: Bryant Park, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues at 42nd Street (map)

Subway: 7 to Fifth Avenue; B, D, F, V to 42nd Street-Bryant Park

Dates and Time:  Every Monday from June 16th until August 18th, 2008.  Lawn opens at 5pm for blankets and films begin at dusk (between 8 and 9pm). 

Cost:  Free

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

The 19th Annual Human Rights Watch International Film Festival will feature 19 full-length films and 13 shorts from 20 countries, including 31 New York premieres. This year, nearly half of the films are by women.

The central theme of the film festival is human rights, but the festival features films that focus on rights issues from around the world:

• Calle Santa Fe examines the brutal Pinochet regime in Chile.
• American Outrage follows two sisters in their fight against the American government’s attempt to take their land.
• China’s Stolen Children (photo left) shows how the one-child policy has created a human-trafficking problem in China.
• Letters to Anna tells the story of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya’s life and tragic death, which is believed to have been ordered by her government. 

For a full schedule of the films, visit the Human Rights Watch International-New York 2008 site.

Location: Walter Reade Theater, Lincoln Center, 70 Lincoln Center Plaza (map) 

Subway: 1 to 66th Street-Lincoln Center

Dates:  Festival runs from June 12-26, 2008. 

Cost:  Single screening tickets are $11 for adults, $7 for students with a valid photo ID, and $8 for seniors

Photo courtesy: China’s Stolen Children, TrueVision Productions, via Human Rights Watch

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

There are a number of free events virtually everyday.  Highlights of the summer festival include:

• Otis Clay and Ryan Shaw June 11  Free
• Sonic Youth  July 4  Free
• Folk Music Festival on Governors Island  July 26  Free
• The Big River Project: The Music of Johnny Cash  July 26  Free
• Seaport Music Festival  August 8   Free
• Latin Giants of Jazz  September 3  Free

For more information, a full list of events, and to sign up for mobile alerts, check out the River to River event sight.    

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Screenings take place at a number of outdoor locations across the boroughs of New York, including Open Road Rooftop on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the rooftop of El Museo del Barrio in East Harlem, and on the pier at Solar One at 23rd Street and the East River. 

The season begins this Saturday, May 31 at Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn with a free screening of the documentary At the Death House Door, a film by Steve James (Hoop Dreams) and Peter Gilbert (Vietnam: Long Time Coming).  The film introduces viewers to Pastor Carroll Pickett, who presided over 95 executions while acting as the prison chaplain at the infamous “Walls” prison in Huntsville, Alabama.  The film also introduces the audience to Carlos De Luna, a convict who was counseled by Pastor Pickett and whom Pickett believed was innocent.  The film follows the developments of Chicago Tribune reporters, who later compiled evidence to suggests De Luna was, in fact, innocent and wrongly convicted.     

Rooftop Films continue at various locations every weekend through September 27, 2008.  Tickets cost $9 at the door and $6 online in advance for select shows.  For a full list of the scheduled films as well as more information, check the IFC’s Rooftop Films 2008 Summer Series.

Photo credit: Flickr

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Amazônia Brasil – Main Exhibit:  South Street Seaport, Pier 17

South Street Seaport has been transformed into a re-creation of the Brazilian rainforest.  In the 13,000-sq.-foot experience, visitors can see the sights and sounds of the Amazon and walk through a replica of a Amazon village.  Lending even more credibility to the experience, visitors may interact with indigenous shamans and artisans also in attendance.  Click here for more information.  Ends July 13th.     

Fashion & Design Exhibit: World Financial Center Courtyard Gallery  FREE

Focusing on mixing sustainability with fashion and design, I thought this exhibit was fascinating.  The exhibit begins with a display of ten dresses, designed by Brazil’s finest clothing designers, that were made with natural, organic materials.  Among my favorite was the beautiful tilapia fish skin dress by Patricia Viera, the organic cotton and linen dress by Clô Orozco (Huis Clos), and the tucumã straw dress by Nadia Pires.  The exhibition also presents furniture and houseware designs, many made from recycled PET.  Click here for more information.  Ends July 13th.    

Photography & Video:  National Museum of the American Indian  FREE

This National Museum of the American Indian, affiliated with the Smithsonian Institute, opens the “Guardians of the Forest” exhibit tomorrow, May 1st.  This free five day event will offer daily screenings videos which showcase award-winning productions by indigenous filmmakers of the Amazon as well as discussions with some attending filmmakers.  After the New York stop, this exhibition will be heading south to Washington D.C. from May 7-11.  Click here for more information.  Ends May 5th.        

Climate Change Exhibit:  United Nations Visitors Lobby  FREE

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

As I sit here in a Tribeca coffee shop, cinemaphiles to my left and right are are pouring over the 2008 TFF Official Guide, trying to decide which films they want to put on their list.  Here is a short list of films that the feel are noteworthy:    

Friday, April 25th

• Eden (Ireland)   Adapted from an award-winning play, this film captures the slow demise of a 10-year relationship.  Also screened on Sunday
• Trucker (USA)   A tough, no-nonsense truck-driver is faced with raising her 11-year old son when his father is hospitalized.   
• Lost Indulgence (China)   Described as visually stunning, a monther an her teenage son face complications in their relationship after they invite a secretive young women to into their home.  Also screened on Saturday
• My Marlon and Brando (Turkey, Netherlands, UK)   Based on the true story.  She is a Turk living in Istanbul and he, Kurd living in Iraq during the US occupation,  meeting and falling in love.  Also screened on Saturday
• Newcastle (Australia)   Rich with action and surfing footage, this film follows Jesse, a 17-year-old surfer, and his surfer buddies, as they walk the line between adventure and disaster.   Also screened on Sunday.

Saturday, April 26th

• Love, Pain, and Vice Versa  (Mexico, Spain, USA)   Two strangers are linked when their recurring dreams begin to destroy their reality.     
• The Aquarium (Egypt, France, Germany)   Calls into question both sexual and political repression, as an anesthesiologist and a late-night talk show host have secrets revealed to them.  
• Somers Town (UK)   This comedy follows the unlikely friendship between two boys– one runaway and the other, a Polish immigrant.  
• Quiet Chaos (Italy)   After his wife unexpectedly dies, Pietro muse face his grief in this film about spiritual rebirth.
• Let the Right One In (Sweden)   Based on a  Lindqvist bestselling novel, this film captures the first romance of a 12-year old girl with her next-door vampire neighbor.  

Sunday, April 27th

• 57,000 Kilometers Between Us (France)   Follows a teen who is caught between her real father, a transexual, and her stepfather when records the family’s “perfect” life online. 

Also, don’t forget the Tribeca Drive-In, a free outdoor screening event at the World Financial Center Plaza, which continues this Friday and Saturday evening.

For more information including theater locations and tickets visit the Tribeca Film Festival website. 

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Thursday, April 24th

• Thriller  Filmmaker and “Thriller” video director John Landis will be on hand for a special 25th anniversary screening of Michael Jackson’s 1984 music video, plus the classic Making of Thriller.  Attendees will learn the Thriller dance and take part in the world’s largest zombie disco.  Face painting stations will transform you into a zombie and there will be a Michael Jackson look-alike contest.

Friday, April 25th

• Meerkat Manor: The Story Begins   The Lion King’s Timon introduced the world to meerkats nearly 10 years ago and these furry critters quickly became the desire of every child.  Directors Chris Barker and Mike Slee  bring us amazing footage of wild African meerkats while telling the story a young female named Flower.  Engaging narration by Whoopi Goldberg, a traditional South African soundtrack, and footage of South Africa’s beauty make this a great event for the entire family.

Saturday, April 26th

• Fans’ Favorite Football Flick   We Are Marshall  beat out 15 other classic football movies to win the Tribeca/ESPN Fans’ Favorite Football Flick competition.  After a plane crash claims most members of the Marshall University football team, its coach (Matthew McConaughey) must rally and unite the survivors in this 2006 movie. 

Location:  World Financial Center Plaza, between Vesey Street and Liberty Street, by North Cove Marina on the Hudson River (map)

Dates and Times:  Thursday, April 24th through Saturday, April 26th.  Doors open at 6:30 pm, with programs beginning at 7:30 and screenings at 8pm.

Subway:  A, C, J, M, Z, 2, 3, 4, 5 to Fulton Street/Broadway-Nassau; E to World Trade Center;  R, W to City Hall; 1 to Rector Street; PATH to World Trade.

Cost:  Free   

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

There is something for everybody at this year’s TFF.  The festival will feature films from Latin America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, as well as from New York.  Such special interests as Women’s Issues, Environmental Issues, Political lssues, Health Issues, and Social Issues will be covered in films.  There will be films for the family, for teens, and for children.  Independent films will be featured as well as major Hollywood productions.  In addition to the films, there will be a number of panel discussions with directors and actors.  Ticket prices for screenings and panels are as follows:

• $15 for screenings that begin at 5pm or after, Monday-Friday and all screenings on Saturday-Sunday. 
• $8 for Matinee and Late Night Film screenings.  (beginning prior to 5pm, Monday-Friday, or beginning at 11pm or after everyday.)
• $25 Tribeca Talks Panel Ticket
• $25 Conversations in Cinema Panel Ticket (Special screenings followed by discussion.)
• $25 Behind the Screens Panel Ticket (TFF film screenings followed by discussion.)
• $8 Tribeca Talks Industry Panel Ticket (Panel discussion on film industry and business.)

A limited number of tickets are available to screenings and panels.  Once those tickets are sold out, it will be listed as “Rush Tickets.”  Rush ticket lines will form approximately 60 minutes prior to scheduled event times at the listed venue. Admission will begin, based on availability, approximately 15 minutes before program start time. 

Tickets are available online, by calling (866) 941-FEST (3378), or at two walk-up Manhattan locations: 

• Main Box Office, 15 Laight Street (between Varick St. and Sixth Ave, one block below Canal St.), 11:00am – 7:00pm, 7 days a week
• AMC 19^th Street East,  890 Broadway (between East 19^th St. and East 20^th St.), 3:00pm – 8:00pm, 7 days a week.

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Post from: The New York City Traveler