With the dwindling numbers of drive-in theaters across the country, independent theaters finding it difficult to compete with huge chains, and the ever-fluctuating national box office needing too many 3D films to turn a profit, certain cities somehow find a way to keep the medium alive. Buffalo is one of them and always has been since I can remember. My days as a high schooler trying to figure out plans with friends for the weekend always ended up being decided between catch the latest blockbuster or hit up the local bowling ally. Western New Yorkers just like their popcorn and greasy fries I guess.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Those years were when I discovered my love for cinema and the myriad ways Buffalo fit my goals to see as many movies as possible in a given year. We’ve lost one of our drive-ins along the way, watched the General Cinemas on Maple Road close down, and saw a fantastic program from Emerging Cinema in the early ‘aughts at the Market Arcade get abandoned, but Regal Cinemas arrived, Dipson Theatres expanded their stable to include Flix Stadium 10 in Lancaster, and The North Park Theater has seen a rebirth as a showcase destination on Hertel Avenue.
This summer—like many before it—offers a ton of different avenues for the casual moviegoer to see films both new and old. There’s nothing like sitting in the air-conditioning of your favorite multiplex amongst strangers all readying for the communal experience the theater provides, but sometimes sitting in the open air, taking a daytrip, or eating dinner while watching adds a little more comfort and intrigue. We at BuffaloVibe would like to direct you to some of the area’s cinematic series happening right now before Fall’s cold returns. So bookmark this page and have fun at the movies.
Aurora Theatre Summer Family Film Series
In progress and runs until August 13th
673 Main Street • East Aurora, NY 14052
Call for reservations: 716.652.1660
Website: http://www.theauroratheatre.com/special_events.html
Start time is 11:00AM, presented FREE by Fisher Price with support from Buffalo Dance Center
July 23: Snow Day (2000)
July 30: Horton Hears a Who! (2008)
August 6: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013)
August 13: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Bacchus Summer Film Series
In progress and runs until September 25th
56 W Chippewa St • Buffalo, NY 14202
Call for reservations: 716.854.WINE
Website: http://bacchusbuffalo.com/events
July 23: Pulp Fiction (1994)
July 24: Magic Mike (2012)
July 30: Mr. Mom (1983)
July 31: Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)
August 6: The Blues Brothers (1980)
August 7: The Notebook (2004)
August 13: Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
August 14: The Change-Up (2011)
August 20: A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
August 21: The Blind Side (2009)
August 27: Good Will Hunting (1997)
August 28: Thelma & Louise (1991)
September 3: Stand By Me (1986)
September 4: Pretty Woman (1990)
September 10: Airplane! (1980)
September 11: Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
September 17: Old School (2003)
September 18: Something’s Gotta Give (2003)
September 24: Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
September 25: When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Canalside Tuesday Night Flicks
In progress and runs until August 26th
Canalside • 44 Prime Street • Buffalo, NY 14202
Telephone: 716.574.1537
Website: http://www.squeaky.org/events/2014/summer/tuesday-night-flicks-at-canalside
Start time is 8:30PM, presented FREE by Squeaky Wheel and The S. Thomas Group
July 22: Dumb & Dumber (1994)
July 29: The Dark Knight
August 5: 11th Annual Squeaky Wheel Animation Fest
August 12: The Big Lebowski (1998)
August 19: Silent/Sound: The Vores Soundtrack A Suite of Surrealist Films
August 26: The Endless Summer Remix (dance party with music and live video mixing)
Flicks on Old Falls
In progress and runs until August 28th
Old Falls Street • 101 Old Falls Street • Niagara Falls, NY 14303
Telephone: 716.278.2100
Website: http://www.fallsstreet.com/1000/FlicksonOldFalls.asp
Start time is 9:00PM (weather permitting), FREE to the public
July 24: The LEGO Movie (2014)
July 31: Back to the Future Part II (1989)
August 7: The Goonies (1985)
August 14: Man of Steel (2013)
August 21: The Wiz (1978)
August 28: Ratatouille (2007)
Parkside Community Association’s Movies in the Meadow
Runs August 1 until August 29th
Delaware Park behind the Parkside Lounge
Telephone: 716.838.1240
Website: http://www.fallsstreet.com/1000/FlicksonOldFalls.asp
Start time is dusk, FREE to the public
August 1: Frederick Law Olmsted: Designing America & Olmsted’s Enduring Legacy
August 8: Frozen (2013)
August 15: Citizen Kane (1941)
August 22: The Goonies (1985)
August 29: The Princess Bride (1987)
Riviera Theatre’s Summer Film Series
In progress and runs until September 4th
67 Webster Street • North Tonawanda, NY 14120
Telephone: 716.692.2413
Website: http://www.rivieratheatre.org/summer-film-series/
Start time is 7:00PM, $3.00 tickets for sale at box office and online
July 24: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
August 7: Les Misérables (2013)
August 14: Funny Girl (1968)
August 21: The Wizard of Oz (1939)
August 28: Mary Poppins (1964)
September 4: The Phantom of the Opera (2004)
SUNY Buffalo’s Student Association Summer Film Series
In progress and runs until September 4th
Website: http://www.ubbulls.com/recreation/general/summerfilmseries
FREE to the public (weather permitting)
At UB North Campus at Baird Point
July 18: Transcendence (2014) at 9:00PM
July 22: The Monuments Men (2014) at 9:00PM
July 25: The Monuments Men (2014) at 9:00PM
July 29: Neighbors (2014) at 9:00PM
August 1: Neighbors (2014) at 8:45PM
August 5: The Other Woman (2014) at 8:45PM
August 8: The Other Woman (2014) at 8:45PM
August 12: Godzilla (2014) at 8:45PM
August 15: Godzilla (2014) at 8:45PM
August 19: A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014) at 8:45PM
August 22: A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014) at 8:45PM
August 24: Edge of Tomorrow (2014) at 8:30PM
August 24: Maleficent (2014) at 8:30PM *in the Student Union Theater
At South Campus on the Hayes Hall lawn
July 23: The Monuments Men (2014) at 9:00PM
July 30: Noah (2014) at 9:00PM
August 6: The Other Woman (2014) at 8:45PM
August 13: Godzilla (2014) at 8:45PM
August 20: Rio 2 (2014) at 8:45PM
Transit Drive-In Retro Movie Tuesdays
In progress and runs until August 26th
6655 S Transit Rd • Lockport, NY 14094
Telephone: 716.625.8535
Website: http://www.rivieratheatre.org/summer-film-series/
$9.00 for age 12 and older, $4.00 for children 5-11, FREE for children 4 and under
July 22: Gremlins (1984) at 9:15PM & Jurassic Park (1993) at 11:30PM
July 29: Moulin Rouge! (2001) at 9:15PM & The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) at 11:45PM
August 5: The NeverEnding Story (1984) at 9:15PM & The Princess Bride (1987) at 11:15PM
August 12: Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) at 9:00PM & Wayne’s World (1992) at 10:45PM
August 19: Stand By Me (1986) at 9:00PM & The Lost Boys (1987) at 10:45PM
August 26: Arthur (1981) at 8:45PM & The Jerk (1979) at 10:45PM