This Friday through Sunday, the Coney Island Film Festival celebrates its 13th year with 88 films, some food, some wine, and, of course, some burlesque. Programs include “Coney Island Films,” which are films based in or about Coney Island; “The Jules Verne Project,” a story about a shipwreck and survival; and of course “The Warriors,” which needs no explanation.
The festival’s opening night party is Friday at 9:30 p.m. at the Freak Bar and Sideshows by the Seashore, with a two-hour beer-and-wine open bar and finger foods. A full festival pass is $50, day passes are $10-$15, and individual shows are $7. All proceeds are going to Coney Island USA’s ongoing Sandy Recovery.
While you wait for the weekend, here are some other films we’re Reel Psyched about this week.
MONDAY
For The Records: The Legacy and Lessons of Bleecker Bob’s + a discussion with director Emily Judem.
The closing of Bleecker Bob’s marks an end of yet another NYC era, alongside other closings like Mars Bar, Max Fish, Motor City, CBGBs, and hell why not mention it, Coney Island High (though that was a long time ago). The film explores the closing of Bob’s, and the aftermath of sudden change and development in urban areas — something NYC is very familiar with.
The New School- Theresa Lang Community and Student Center, 55 West 13th St.; West Village; 6:30 p.m.; Free w/RSVP to rsvp@gvshp.org
TUESDAY
Goldfinger + Morricone Youth
Morricone Youth will kickstart the night by performing spy-inspired music in front of spy scenes from classic spy movies. Then the ultimate spy, 007, takes the screen on a hunt for a gold smuggler, appropriately named Goldfinger, and his henchmen Pussy Galore and Oddjob.
Havemeyer Park, 54 S. 3rd St., Wiliamsburg; 6:30 p.m.; Free
WEDNESDAY
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (Nitehawk Cinema Presents: Beer, Dinner and a Movie with Lagunitas Brewing Company)
An ‘80s classic staring Sean Penn as the unforgettable pizza-ordering, weed-smoking Spicoli, and a young Nicolas Cage, when he went by Nicolas Coppola (good call on the name change, Nick). You’ll be served a select Lagunitas beer and food (including a Spicoli’s Pizza) at designated spots during the movie.
Nitehawk Cinema, 136 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg; 7:15 p.m.; $65
Chinatown – Part of John Zorn Selects
We’re sure you haven’t forgotten it’s John Zorn Month, and for a week and a half Anthology is hosting a selection of films curated by Zorn featuring some of his favorite soundtracks. For Chinatown Jerry Goldsmith composed and recorded the score in only 10 days. Not to mention this is a Roman Polanski film starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in a detective flick full of twists.
Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Ave., East Village; 6:45 p.m.; $10.00
THURSDAY
Dream Theater: Live at Luna Park
Captured live over two nights at the Luna Park Stadium in Buenos Aires and featuring one of the biggest prog metal bands in the world, this doc includes live performances of hits like “The Root of All Evil” and “The Silent Man” plus 18 other tracks and behind-the-scenes footage.
Village East Cinema, 189 Second Ave., East Village; 8 p.m.; $20
FRIDAY
Haute Cuisine
Hortense Laborie is a great cook living a relatively quiet life in Périgord until she’s recruited by French President François Mitterand because she makes dishes that remind him of his childhood. Based on a true story, the film depicts the jealousy and fighting surrounding the first woman hired to cook in the Élysée Palace.
Sunshine Cinema, 143 E. Houston St, Lower East Side; $13.50
Ip Man: The Final Fight
Because two Ip Man movies directed by Wilson Yip and starring Donnie Yen aren’t quite enough, here’s another! Anyone with an interest in Ip Man and his Wing Chun kung fu, or simply kung fu movies themselves, can’t get enough — so here’s another biopic to help sate that appetite.
Cinema Village, 22 E. 12th St., Greenwich Village; $11
SATURDAY
Blokes You Can Trust
Cosmic Psychos are Australia’s answer to Seattle’s grunge bands- although they do sound a bit more punk rock than Soundgarden or Pearl Jam, and pre-date them by about a decade. Currently on their first US tour in ages, the film documents the band’s 30 years of ups, downs, lineup changes and intense drinking. The film features appearances by Eddie Vedder, Mudhoney, The Melvins and more. This is the only NYC screening.
Videology, 308 Bedford Ave., Williamsburg; 6 p.m.; $5
Kids
The controversial 1995 film penned by Harmony Korine (Spring Breakers) about Telly (a teenager who doesn’t know he has HIV and is obsessed with sleeping with virgins) and Jennie (who is trying to find him to tell him she thinks he infected her). Director Larry Clark decided to cast real NYC street kids for the film. It depicts graphic scenes of sex, violence and drug use and was released without a rating.
BAM Rose Cinemas, 321 Ashland Pl., Ft. Greene; Various; $13