Award season is upon us, which means the national spotlight is keenly focused on Hollywood. Which, for both New Yorkers, is just fine. After all, who needs a bunch of limos, paparazzi, tourists and red carpet-trampling celebrities blocking the sidewalk?
But while you may be perfectly content honoring this year's achievements by stuffing the office ballot box, the Film Society of Lincoln Center is giving New York a piece of Oscar action on March 5-7 by showcasing 10 films that were filmed in New York and have received the prestigious recognition.
Beginning with Broadway Melody from 1929, "And The Winner Is ... New York" packs five decades and of award-winning film making and acting from all genres into the three day festival. From Brooklyn to the Upper West Side, a quick glance reveals the films to be as diverse as the City itself: Robert De Niro gives it everything he's got in Martin Scorsese's 1980 boxing movie Raging Bull, while the Jets and the Sharks duke it out in West Side Story on the very same blocks that later became Lincoln Center. Also on the UWS, Woody Allen's anxiety ridden character navigates a relationship with Diane Keaton in Annie Hall while Francis Ford Coppola establishes the Italian's grip on the City in The Godfather.
Sure, you could fire up your Netflix que for a do-it-yourself festival, but consider this: The Film Society has secured writers, producer and directors including Frank Gilroy, the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer of the play and screenplay for The Subject Was Roses and Stanley Jeff, producer of the five-time Oscar winner Kramer vs. Kramer -- starring Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep -- to introduce, discuss and answer questions.
And when Sunday night rolls around, don't think pajamas and popcorn is your only option. Watch the big show live on the 150-inch projector screen at The City Winery for just $6 where you can also drink nominee-inspired cocktails like the bourbon-based Hurt Locker.
If only the red carpet will do, put on your black-tie and head to Alica Tully Hall in Lincoln Center for New York's first ever "official" (it's sponsored by NYCgo) Oscar-viewing gala. Tickets are $125, which will buy you a seat and access to the open bar, but if you really want the treatment, get the VIP tickets for $225 (Okay, so it is not clear why these are better, but proceeds go to charity, so why not?).
