The Angelika Film Center has been the theater most associated with independent films in NYC – a cultural landmark. Although there have been others before it and after it (the Quad Cinema, Sunshine Theater, Film Forum, IFC, PS 122, Village East, and Lincoln Plaza uptown), the Angelika is the most well-known. (They now also have three theaters in Texas.)
Established in 1989, this 6-screen, $4 million project was established by Joseph Saleh. The theater occupies the ground floor and basement of the Cable Building on the corner of Houston Street and Mercer in SoHo. (The Cable Building, designed by McKim, Mead & White, was originally used to store Houston Street cable cars.) The “indiplex” features a 7000-square foot lobby with an espresso bar and cafe, open to non-filmgoers as well, which serves as a hangout before and after films.
Of course, there are many naysayers and disgruntled patrons who complain of the seating, layout, rumbling of subways, etc. In spite of this and all the competition, the theater still draws. In typical New York style, it’s the cinema that filmgoers love to hate. But ultimately, it’s the films themselves that really matter to the serious cinephile, and the Angelika delivers…
the big problem is the line of sight — all the seats are on a level floor, so it really matters when someone taller sits in front of you…but their food from Dean and DeLucca is by far the best in any movie theater anywhere…
I was just talking about this place over Christmas. Never been there myself but I hope to. Must be great to see indy films when they come out, instead of waiting for DVD.
It is definitely a “scene” and you should check it out.
Brian
I like those neon lights.
I’m not sure why but this web site is loading extremely slow for me.
Is anyone else having this problem or is it a problem on my end?
I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.