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Brooklyn Bridge Park Film Series 2003   Sponsored by:

           
Fourth Annual Brooklyn Bridge Park Summer Film Series 

This year’s theme, He Came from Brooklyn… stars Brooklyn born actors and directors (except Ed Robinson of "Kid Galahad" - he's buried in Brooklyn!)

July 10                   Sleeper (1973)

One of Woody Allen's earliest and funniest films, "Sleeper" is your typical stranger-in-a-strange-land premise seasoned with the Brooklyn-born director's screwball humor.  NYC health-food store owner Miles Monroe (Allen) is thawed from an aluminum foil cocoon in 2173 and awakens to find himself on the lam in a minimalist dystopian future filled with servant robots, six-foot vegetable farms, apathetic artists, and the "Orgasmatron." It's up to him and a dim-witted socialite (Diane Keaton) to infiltrate the government and thwart the cloning of the leader nose(!) to liberate the underground resistance Filled with music from Allen's own Jazz band ensemble, and slapstick chase sequences that are a direct homage to the physical comedy of film's silent era, "Sleeper" is funny, family-friendly entertainment for all. Rated PG/89 minutes.

 July 17                   Fargo (1996)                                         

In this dark, sometimes violent, Midwestern satire from the Coen Brothers, a determined sheriff (Frances McDormand), is rousted during the night to investigate an arranged kidnapping plotted by a strapped-for-cash car dealer.  But the plans go horribly awry when a duo of bumbling kidnappers (one of whom is Brooklyn-bred, indie star Steve Buscemi) commit murder after a series of chance events. Fargo was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture.  It took honors for Best Screenplay and McDormand won Best Actress for her humorous portrayal of Marge Gunderson, the methodical cop who is unaffected by just about everything - including being in the final months of her pregnancy. Rated R/98 minutes.

 July 24                   Kid Galahad (1937)

OK he was born in Bucharest, but he was buried in Brooklyn.  Edward G. Robinson (now lying peacefully in Beth El Cemetery) and Humphrey Bogart play rival fight managers in this classic story of the grooming of a heavyweight champion.  Bette Davis turns in a fine performance as Robinson¹s girl Fluff.  Rated PG/102 minutes.

 July 31                   O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey" is translated into a southern Great Depression adventure by the Coen brothers in "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" Featuring a talented cast, including Brooklyn actor John Turturro as the hot-tempered Pete, "O Brother" follows three convicts (George Clooney, Tim Blake Nelson, and Turturro) who escape from a chain gang in hopes of uncovering 1.2 million in stashed loot.  Along the way, they encounter a range of motley characters and funny circumstances, and at one point  belt out a hit recording as "The Soggy Bottom Boys". Devotees marvel at the cinematography, the acting, and the screenplay, but what really took the film industry world by storm was the enormous success of its soundtrack featuring gospel, folk, and bluegrass music. Rated PG-13/ 106 minutes.

 August 7                Coming to America (1988)

Eddie Murphy may have grown up on the streets of Bushwick, but in this tale he plays Akeem, a rich African prince being coerced by his parents into a marriage he doesn't want.  He enlists the aid of his loyal servant (Arsenio Hall) on a clandestine mission to Queens, NYC to find a partner who will see him for who he is, and not his riches. Murphy who also wrote the story, plays several hilarious roles under heavy make-up (which he would go on to repeat in his remakes of the Nutty Professor films.) Rated R/116 minutes.

 August 14             Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

Steven Spielberg's sci-fi classic features Brooklyn's own Richard Dreyfuss who after a peculiar encounter with a UFO feels inexplicably beckoned to the base of Wyoming's monolithic Devil's Tower.  Along the way, he runs into others on a similar quest and the U.S. government who wants to keep them away from the impending arrival of alien spacecrafts. Culminating in a spectacular humankind vs. aliens synthesizer duel in musical Morse code, you won't want to miss the chance to see this special effects bonanza outdoors under the stars. Rated PG/132mins.

How Much: All films are free! Fresh-popped popcorn, water, soft drinks and other drinks will be available for purchase. New this year at our on-site concessions: chair rental, as well as delicious dinner food from local restaurants, Rice and Five Front. Also free bike valet parking each night!

The series is organized by the Brooklyn Bridge Park Coalition, in cooperation with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation.

Special thanks to our series major sponsors who helped underwrite the series: Independence Community Bank, Hallmark Entertainment and Consolidated Edison of New York.


Where: Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park, between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, enter off of Water Street. Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park has just been renovated, and now sports a beautiful new esplanade offering views as far south as the Statue of Liberty! PLEASE NOTE: State rules do not allow pets in the Park.

Closest subway A/C to High Street; F to York Street, or 2/3 to Clark St. B25 bus runs down Cadman Plaza West / Old Fulton Street toward the waterfront. Free shuttle service runs between the three subway stations and the Film Series starting around 6:40. Or take the New York Water Taxi to Fulton Ferry Landing – one block from the Park! New York Water Taxi leaves from North Cove, Pier A and Pier 11 downtown, and Water Taxi riders receive a coupon for free popcorn at the movies.