(Photo: Daniel Maurer)
While we’ve been packing our picnic baskets for SummerScreen, Rooftop Films, Nitehawk’s Summer Series, Films on the Green, and the films at Socrates Sculpture Park, one of our favorite outdoor movie series has remained relatively mum about its plans. But the folks behind Films in Tompkins recently wrote in to tell us that, yes, they’re once again bringing a big screen to Tompkins Square Park this year. Not only that, but in the spirt of Greta Gerwig’s forthcoming film fest in Rockaway, series founder Darin Rubell (owner of Forrest Point and Boulton & Watt) has tapped some celebs to pick the flicks.
Last night’s opener, The Pink Panther, was chosen by Christie Brinkley. The next one, Big Night on July 23, was picked by her ex Billy Joel. It’ll be preceded by a live set from — sorry, not the Piano Man — Hawthorne, at 7 p.m. And for July 30, James Franco has selected Chinatown, preceded by the “post-hipster smooth jazz” of Todd Gaynor. Hopefully he’ll bust out his smokin’ sax cover of Weezer’s “Say It Ain’t So.”
This year, the inflatable screen is positioned where the park’s bandshell used to be, rather than on the grass. So bring less bug spray and more blankets. Or come early to snag one of the park benches facing the screen. The “gates” open at 6 p.m., with movies starting at sundown.