From Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy:
The beloved outdoor summer film series, Movies With A View, presented by the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, is back for its 23rd season, across eight consecutive Thursday evenings in July and August at Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn in Brooklyn Bridge Park.
This year the theme of “We Are Family” brings together a wide range of films celebrating family and relationships in all of their diverse forms. From dynamic work buddies engaged in friendly competition to a heartwarming tale of a newfound friend with a penchant for Reese’s Pieces, to thrilling stories of criminal enterprises and a mother’s epic journey through the multiverse to save her daughter, there are movies for all to enjoy. Guests are invited to immerse themselves in the enchanting world of cinema under the starry sky at Brooklyn Bridge Park for free. Each evening, the lawn opens at 6:00 PM on a first come, first serve basis, and the movie begins at sunset. Ahead of the film, guests can enjoy a special guest DJ courtesy of Brooklyn Radio, film shorts curated by BAM Film, and of course a gorgeous sunset overlooking the river!
The 2023 Movies With A View line-up presents:
July 6: E.T. Extra Terrestrial a 1982 sci-fi/family/adventure favorite, rated PG (profanity and some depictions of violence). The story follows a young boy named Elliott, who befriends an extraterrestrial creature stranded on Earth known simply as E.T.. Elliott helps him navigate the new, unfamiliar world of Earth and search for a way home, all while keeping his existence a secret. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film cast includes Dee Wallace, Henry Thomas, Peter Coyote, Robert MacNaughton, and Drew Barrymore. Pre-show music by DJ Edica+. BAM Film short: Nighty Night by Matt Porter.
July 13: Smoke Signals a 1998 coming-of-age drama and indigenous themed film, rated PG-13 (violence). It tells the story of two young Coeur d’Alene Native American men, Thomas Builds-the-Fire and Victor Joseph, who embark on a journey from their reservation in Idaho to collect the ashes of Victor’s estranged father, Arnold Joseph. The film explores themes of identity, family, and forgiveness, as they travel together and confront their shared past and the complex relationship each had with Arnold. It won the 1998 Filmmakers Trophy, Audience Award, and Grand Jury Prize at Sundance Film Festival, 1998 Best Artistic Contribution Award and Tokyo Grand Prix at Tokyo International Film Festival, and 2018 National Film Registry by National Film Preservation Board, among other awards and nominations. Directed by Chris Eyre, the cast includes Adam Beach, Evan Adams, Irene Bedard, and Gary Farmer. Pre-show music by DJ Ayanna Heaven. BAM Film short: Bisonhead by Elizabeth Lo.
July 20: Top Gun the 1986 military action classic, rated PG (action sequences, language and some sexual content). Tom Cruise stars as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a talented United States Navy fighter pilot who is selected to attend the prestigious Top Gun Naval Flying School. Maverick, along with his co-pilot Goose, navigates the intense and competitive world of aerial combat training. Not just a thrilling action film, Top Gun is also a story of personal growth and self-discovery. Directed by Tony Scott, the cast includes Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis and Val Kilmer as Maverick’s rival, “Iceman”. Pre-show music by DJ LionDub. BAM Film short: Land We Love by Douglas Bernardt and Filipe Zapelini.
July 27: Psycho the classic 1960’s black-and-white psychological horror/thriller flick, rated R (violence). It is regarded as a groundbreaking film that revolutionized the horror genre, introducing elements of psychological terror and subverting audience expectations. The film begins following on-the-run embezzler, Marion Crane, who has stolen a large sum of money. On the run, she checks into the isolated Bates Motel, managed by the strange and peculiar Norman Bates. Marion soon discovers she’s gotten herself into more than she bargained with in this simple twist of horrifying fate. Directed by the Master of Suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock, the cast includes Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, and John Gavin. Music by DJ: Carter Van Pelt. BAM Film short: Staycation by Zach Fleming.
August 3: GoodFellas the popular 1990 crime/drama film, rated R (adult material, sexual material, violence, language, use of drugs). Directed by Martin Scorsese, and based on the true story of former mobster, Henry Hill. The movie follows Henry’s life as he gets involved in organized crime and rises through the ranks of the Italian-American Mafia in NYC. Told across several decades, this audience favorite starsRobert De Niro, Ray Liotta, and Joe Pesci in his Oscar-winning performance as the manic Tommy DeVito. Pre-show music by DJ 100dbs. BAM Film short: Enough by Anna Mantzaris
August 10: Despicable Me a family-friendly animated comedy favorite, rated PG (rude humor and mild action). The movie follows longtime supervillain Gru as he formulates a plan to steal the Moon. He adopts three orphan girls to use as pawns in his plan, but finds his commitments change with his new family in tow. Directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud with voicework by Steve Carell as the infamous Gru, as well as Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, and Dana Gaier. Pre-show music by DJ Baby K. BAM Film short: Lost & Found by Andrew Goldsmith & Bradley Slabe.
August 17: Everything Everywhere All At Once the 2022 critically acclaimed multi-genre film spanning fantasy, family, action, and comedy, rated R (violence, sexual material and language). Winner of seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing, not to mention two Golden Globe Awards, five Critics’ Choice Awards (including Best Picture), a BAFTA Award, and a record four SAG Awards (including Best Ensemble). The film follows Evelyn Quan Wang, a middle-aged Chinese American immigrant who while being audited by the IRS, discovers that she must connect with parallel universe versions of herself to prevent a powerful being from destroying the multiverse. Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, the cast features Best Actress Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, and Ke Huy Quan. Pre-show music by DJ MissHap. BAM Film short: The Feeling of Being Close to You by Ash Goh Hua.
August 24: will be a Public Choice with the following options: 90’s favorite The Addams Family (1991, comedy/fantasy, PG-13), Greta Gerwig’s Little Women (2019, romance/drama, PG), or Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet (1996, family/drama/romance, PG-13). Voting will open in early August. Pre-show music by DJ Devon James. BAM Film short: A Subway Story by Eugene Kolb.
Guests are encouraged to bring their own picnic blankets and kindly reminded that chairs and dogs are not permitted on the lawn, and glass bottles and outside alcohol are never allowed in the Park. Complimentary bike parking is offered by Transportation Alternatives at the Pier 1 Turnaround lot off Furman Street.
Since its launch in 2000, Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s Movies With A View series has entertained over 650,000 moviegoers, making it one of the most popular programs the Conservancy offers, and one of NYC’s favorite outdoor film series. Movie-goers can show their support by providing a tax-deductible gift to the Conservancy, supporting over 400 arts and culture, education, and recreation programs run by the Conservancy in Brooklyn Bridge Park for thousands of New Yorkers to enjoy each year.
Photo by John Eng, courtesy Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy.
