Cinema entertainment in Boston
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A
Harvard Film Archive
For retrospectives of distinguished actors, screenings of rare films, thematic groupings (eg Dialogues in Boston Documentary Filmmaking ) and special events where filmmakers (Angela Ricci Lucchi, James Benning) appear to discuss their work, head to Le Corbusier’s Carpenter Center. Tickets for most screenings are sold at the Cinematheque 45 minutes ahead of show times, which often sell out.
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B
Somerville Theatre
This classic neighborhood movie house dates from 1914 and features plenty of well-preserved gilding and pastel murals of muses. On offer are first- and second-run Hollywood hits, live chamber music, the Chuck Norris Film Festival and the Independent Film Festival of Boston screenings. The main theater is the biggest, best and oldest and has the added treat of a balcony.
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C
Coolidge Corner Theatre
An art-deco neighborhood palace, this old theater blazes with exterior neon. Inside, view select Hollywood hits, cult flicks, popular independent fare and special events such as ‘open mic for movies’ where you bring self-made masterpieces (less than 10 minutes in length) for a pastiche of amateur weirdness. Fifty cents of every ticket goes to upkeep of the building.
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D
Brattle Theatre
The Brattle is a film lover’s ‘cinema paradiso.’ Film noir, independent films and series that celebrate directors or periods are shown regularly in this renovated 1890 repertory theater. Some famous (or infamous) special events include the annual Valentine’s Day screening of Casablanca and occasional cartoon marathons.
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E
Simons IMAX Theatre
At the New England Aquarium, this IMAX bad boy plays lots of educational films on a six-story screen, in 3D. That way, when you have a gander at Sharks, you’ll actually feel like you’re about to be eaten. Try not to poop your pants. They occasionally play IMAX versions of popular fare (eg The Black Night).
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F
AMC Fenway 13
This Loews is one of the only multiplexes that has a decent student discount – which is great, unless you don’t want to be surrounded by students, who sometimes interrupt viewings with lame witticisms. The place has all the bells and whistles, including superior sound and reclining stadium seats.
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G
Mugar Omni Theater
For total IMAX immersion, check out the space- and natural-science-oriented flicks at the Museum of Science’s theater. A sweet sound system will help you believe that you’re roving around Mars.
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3-D Imax Theater, New England Aquarium
The aquarium’s 3-D IMAX theater features films with aquatic themes. The aquarium also organizes whale-watching cruises. Combination tickets are also available.
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Comcast IMAX 3D Theater at Jordan’s Furniture
For a surreal experience, rent a car and allow yourself 45 minutes to an hour to drive to this suburban nospace. It’s in a friggin’ furniture store on a fake street (Underprice Way!?).
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H
AMC Loews Boston Common
For first-run blockbusters, this generic megaplex offers big screens, plush seats and a central location opposite the Common. Though it has 19 screens, popular weekend shows sell out.
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I
Landmark Kendall Square Cinema
This cinema screens popular foreign films and the usual collection of hits from the Sundance Festival. Seats are steeply sloped and the concession stand serves cappuccino.
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J
AMC Loews Harvard Square
This Loews screens a blend of somewhat mainstream independent movies and major-studio releases.
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K
Museum of Fine Arts
If you packed your thinking cap, the MFA screens highbrow film events (ie retrospectives of Syrian cinema focusing on surrealist narratives, documentaries and social commentary) where visiting artists often attend screenings to discuss their work. Recent showings include a series of films by Werner Herzog and the animated film Sita Sings the Blues by Nina Paley. The MFA also hosts film festivals dedicated to every ethnicity on the planet (Jewish, Iran, African, French, etc) as well as a gay and lesbian film festival and the Human Rights Watch film festival.
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