This season’s Central Park Film Festival means one more year of outdoor free screenings under the summer night sky. The festival takes place from August 21st to 26th. All movies will start at 8pm. However, gates will be open an hour and a half before at 6.30pm as the entertainment begins by the hands of DJ Spin Diesel. So make sure you get there early to grab a good viewing spot! This will be one of the most exciting Central Park events of the year!
Central Park Film Festival 2017
The movies picked for this year’s fest were filmed on location in New York City. The films chosen are incredibly varied and represent various genres of cinema. From classic children’s adventure tales to thrillers and laugh-out-loud comedies, the repertoire offers something for everyone. Most of all, these six films share a profound love for “The City that Never Sleeps.”
“Annie” at Marcus Garvey Park
August 21st
Rating: PG
Year Released: 2014
The remake of the 1982 musical is a contemporary take on the tale of orphan Annie. The film starts with a downtrodden Annie living in foster care under the care of a bitter woman. However, everything changes when fate makes her cross paths with one of the candidates running for mayor of NYC. The candidate also decides to bring Annie into his home in hopes he can brighten up her life. As a result, things also soon take a turn for the unexpected.
Running Time: 118 minutes
Genre: Comedy-Drama Musical
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 27% based on 145 reviews.
“The Wiz” at Marcus Garvey Park
August 22nd
Rating: G
Year Released: 1978
This original musical is an urban reimagining of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” The movie’s protagonist is a Bronx high school teacher named Dorothy. She ends up landing in the magical realm of Oz during a powerful storm. However, Dorothy also quickly finds out she’ll have to live through many adventures in order to find the way back home. The film features an all African-American cast starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, and Ted Ross.
Running Time: 133 minutes
Genre: Adventure Musical
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 36% based on 22 reviews.
“The Great Gatsby” at Sheep Meadow
August 23rd
Rating: PG-13
Year Released: 2013
Based on the novel of the same name, the film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as the charming Jay Gatsby. The story follows writer Nick Caraway as he embarks on a new chapter on his life by moving to New York City. However, his plans soon get derailed after he meets his alluring neighbor. Nick gets swept up in a glamorous world where nothing is what it seems. “The Great Gatsby” takes place during the Roaring Twenties and features dazzling sets and also amazing cinematography.
Running Time: 142 minutes
Genre: Period Drama
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 48% based on 264 reviews.
“Saturday Night Fever” at Sheep Meadow
August 24th
Rating: R
Yea Released: 1977
The classic musical stars John Travolta as nineteen-year-old Tony Manero. Tony is from Brooklyn and lives with his parents while working at the local paint shop. On the weekends, he lives it up at the neighborhood nightclub and shows off his latest dance moves. When a big dance competition is announced, Tony finds a partner named Stephanie. As the practice for the competition begins, the two soon start falling for each other.
Running Time:
Genre: Musical 118 minutes
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87% based on 45 reviews.
“The Godfather” at Sheep Meadow
August 25th
Rating: R
Year Released: 1972
“The Godfather” is considered to be one of the best movies of all time. The tale centers on the lives of an Italian-American family living in New York City. The father of the family, Don Vito Corleone, is a powerful figure in the mafia. The family’s youngest son, Michael, considers himself to be an outsider until he joins his father’s mafia. This sets off a series of unfortunate events that will alter Michael and his family’s world forever.
Running Time: 177 minutes
Genre: Crime
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99% based on 85 reviews.
“Spider-Man 3” at Sheep Meadow
August 26th
Rating: PG-13
Year Released: 2007
The third entry in the original Spider-Man trilogy follows Peter Parker as he embarks on a new chapter of adventures. He’s about to propose to Mary Jane Watson and regain a newfound sense of balance in his life. However, his plans are disrupted after a mysterious meteor falls in Central Park. Peter will have to battle new enemies and most importantly himself in this action-packed sequel.
Running Time: 139 minutes
Genre: Superhero
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 63% based on 249 reviews.
Most of the films are screened at the wide landscape allocated between Sheep Meadow and 72nd Street Cross Drive in Central Park. Some other films are also screened at Marcus Garvey Park by the Great Lawn at 5th Ave. and 124th St. Cancellation of a film screening is possible in case of unfavorable weather conditions.
The Central Park Film Festival is hosted by the Central Park Conservancy. The films presented will also be open captioned.
