Each summer HBO programs a film series at Bryant Park, showing stuff like Cat Ballou, Funny Girl and obligatory "classics" starring Robert Redford or Jimmy Stewart. But how about a summer film series celebrating the movies that made HBO?
This list started as a joke, then became a reality. The movies were picked by fans of The Sci Fi Screening Room (ballots at shows, emails to me, and votes via Facebook)
Each show starts at 7 PM, with an introduction by Kevin Maher.
Plus cheap beer, trivia-prize intermission and the occasional special guest.
C.H.U.D. (1984)
Monday July 6
7PM
New York City’s homeless population are mutating into homicidal monsters that terrorize the city. The B-Movie horror classic pits Daniel Stern and John Heard against the Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers. (96 minutes)
RED DAWN (1984)
Wednesday July 15
7 PM
It’s the Brat Pack versus the Commies in this insane bit of Reagan-era propaganda where Soviets invade America. The movie holds the record for the highest body count in cinema history. See bloodshed with Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen, C. Thomas Howell, Jennifer Grey and Harry Dean Stanton. (114 minutes)
UNDER THE RAINBOW (1981)
Monday August 3rd
7 PM
Chevy Chase stars in this screwball comedy inspired by the making of The Wizard of Oz. The film features midgets, Nazis, dead dogs, racism and Carrie Fisher in her underwear. It will unlikely be on DVD. (97 minutes)
THE ADVENTURES OF BUCKAROO BANZAI (1984)
Monday August 10
7 PM
Inspired, incoherent science-fiction epic teams the always-creepy Peter Weller with the always-intense Jeff Goldblum as they battle evil creatures from another dimension. Visually referenced by Wes Anderson. (102 minutes)
FLASH GORDON (1980)
Wednesday August 19
7 PM
The best adaptation of Alex Raymond’s comic strip is also the gayest, thanks to its Queen soundtrack and kinky aesthetics. Super-producer Dino Di Laurentiis helmed the Barbarella-esque Space Opera between making King Kong and Dune. (111 minutes)
UNDER St. Mark's
94 St. Mark's Place (beneath the tattoo parlor)
Between 1st Ave and Avenue A
$5 tickets
All shows start at 7:00 PM
with an introduction and intermission.
Plus trivia, prizes and cheap beer.
