King Kong came tumbling off of the Empire State Building in 1933, and movies have loved beating up on the Big Apple ever since. Over the decades, the city has been laid to waste by nuclear war (“Planet of the Apes”), meteors (“Armageddon”), alien invaders (“Independence Day”), and the Stay Puft marshmallow man.
At the time, watching New York’s iconic skyline get blown apart was so removed from reality that it could count as escapism. After September 11, 2001, it became anything but.
Following a brief pause where Hollywood was squeamish about depicting the city, filmmakers slowly returned to destroy New York with a newfound sense of gravity. Whether it was the floating ash in Steven Spielberg’s “War of the Worlds”; the chaotic, street-level scrambling of Matt Reeves’ “Cloverfield”; or the climactic battle of the first “Avengers,” big, loud, alien-filled movies didn’t feel as ridiculous as they used to; the aliens weren’t real, but the trauma was.
While it is no longer an escapist spectacle, there is a cathartic benefit to watching New York get pummeled in movies like “A Quiet Place: Day One,” which opens at The Triplex this week. Movies allow us to face our fears while maintaining a sense of distance and control, letting us live through worst-case scenarios from the safety of our seats.
Making it through the end of a movie in which New York (or any city) is destroyed gives us a sense of survival which, hopefully, allows us to walk out of the theater and embrace reality with a little less fear.
Now Playing
“Hedwig and the Angry Inch”
John Cameron Mitchell’s cult-classic musical plays free outside on June 29!
We are rocking out outside with our friends at Berkshire Busk! and Boondocks Film Society on June 29! Join us in Town Hall park for a free screening of John Cameron Mitchell’s cult-classic musical “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” after a night of celebrating in the street at Berkshire Busk!’s Pride Night!
In Conversation with Eric Schnall
The Tony Award-winning producer joins us for a conversation and book signing on June 29.
Tony Award-winning producer and acclaimed novelist Eric Schnall sits down with Bobby Houston to discuss his new novel “I Make Envy On Your Disco,” his work on the Broadway revival of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” and more stories from his 25-year career as a writer and producer this Saturday, June 29, at 6 p.m., in The Triplex Lobby. Afterwards, Eric will be signing copies of his new book, which will be available for purchase.
“Inside Out 2”
The smash-hit sequel continues at The Triplex.
Things are getting a little crowded inside Riley’s head. The long-awaited follow-up to Pixar’s 2015 animated smash-hit, “Inside Out 2” follows Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust as they deal with a new class of emotions brought on by Riley’s preteen years, including Anxiety, Embarrassment, Envy, and Ennui.
“The Bikeriders”
An American crime saga with Tom Hardy and Austin Butler.
The latest from director Jeff Nichols (“Loving,” “Midnight Special”), “The Bikeriders” is a gritty drama that tells the story of the Vandals, a 1960s motorcycle club, as it evolves into a criminal organization. With an all-star cast featuring Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, Tom Hardy, and Michael Shannon, “The Bikeriders” is a slow-burn crime saga that captures the spirit of rebel America.
Coming Soon
“Despicable Me 4”
When Gru and his family are forced into hiding, it is up to a team of Mega Minions to take on a new supervillain in “Despicable Me 4.” The latest in Illumination’s beloved franchise welcomes Will Ferrell and Sofia Vergara as supervillain Maxime Le Mal and his femme fatale girlfriend Valentina. Opens July 3rd.
“Fly Me to the Moon”
Sharp, stylish, and full of ’60s style, “Fly Me to the Moon” is a classic rom-com set during the heart of the space race. As the Apollo 11 launch nears, NASA brings in marketing maven Kelly (Scarlett Johansson) to protect their image (and potentially fake the moon landing), putting her on a romantic collision course with launch director Cole (Channing Tatum). Opens July 12.
