September’s Standout Selection: The Top 10 Films On Our New York Rooftops
It’s been one perfect New York summer, with a few rain clouds along the way…but that hasn’t stopped us from enjoying some amazing films on our rooftops. Views for days with booze, popcorn, and a bit more booze. But it ain’t over til the fat lady sings, so while we try and find one, we’ll be screening another month of films for altitude lovers. Hold on tight, spoilers ahead. In no particular order, here’s our top ten…
Jackie (2016)
Pros
Jackie is a damn badass. From her outfits to her attitude, everything about her is on fleek and we totally admire her for it. Not to mention how her hair defies gravity and how Natalie Portman just slays with the Jackie accent. But seriously, the film shows how Jackie is stronger than any of us could have been with the loss of her husband whilst all eyes are on her. The visuals are as stunning as the storyline – it’s all amazing. Plus, who doesn’t love to watch a little 60’s throwback.
Cons
I mean, we’re still super bummed about the JFK thing, obv but really, this movie is beautiful.
Best Quote
“There are two kinds of women, those who want power in the world and those who want power in bed.”
You don’t need to be a Kennedy to grab tickets for this one at Yotel on September 2nd.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Pros
If you haven’t heard of ‘Hannibal the cannibal’ then where the actual hell have you been because there have been films, books, TV shows, all sorts of shit made out of him. But forget that, Silence of the Lambs is the best of ‘em all. Not to mention it’s the OG, so definitely worth seeing where the rest sparks from. Silence of the Lambs doesn’t hesitate in showing just how human Hannibal is (in fact, many parts of the story are based on real serial killers, creepy!). It portrays how pretty much anyone can lose it. Even you.
Cons
It’s creepy as f*ck (especially the sequel…but we won’t go there). You will never trust another human being for the rest of your life. But that’s fine. You probably didn’t in the first place, right? Also debatable a pro/con…Tom Petty’s “American Girl” will only remind you of this film.
Best Quote
“Most serial killers keep some sort of trophies from their victims.”
“I didn’t.”
“No. No, you ate yours.”
BYO Chianti and Fava beans at Yotel on September 3rd.
Clueless (1995)
Pros
Calling all virgins who can’t drive, this film not only makes us wanna roll with the homies but – we’re going in deep here, stay with us – we actually think it’s way ahead of its time. Not only is Christian actually NOT a gay stereotype thrown in for diversity but the rep of the rich, popular girl is also pretty unique and great. She’s an airhead, but a nice airhead. She does her best, and that’s all anyone can do, right? She’s a girl who fights for what she wants, and power to her. Everyone deserves a friend like Cher. Kinda.
Cons
You’ll be jealous AF of her wardrobe. Not even her clothes, like, her actual wardrobe.
Best Quote
“Would you call me selfish?”
“No, not to your face.”
It’s, like, totally showing at Yotel on September 6th.
La La Land (2016)
Pros
Firstly, that soundtrack. Let’s let that speak for itself. If the music doesn’t make you want to get up and dance under the city of stars or on an LA freeway, we don’t know what will. Plus, Ryan Gosling is enough of an excuse to make a film worth seeing, but a Ryan + Emma duo?! Yes please. “La La Land” is not your traditional cinematic story with the romantic happy ending, but seriously a relatable one about working hard to fulfill your dreams.
Cons
Try getting that music out of your head.
Best Quote
Sebastian: “Alright, I remember you. And I’ll admit I was a little curt that night.”
Mia: “‘Curt?'”
Sebastian: “Okay, I was an asshole. I can admit that. But requesting “I Ran” from a serious musician, it’s just, it’s too far.”
I guess we’ll see you at the movies, because La La Land is playing at The Montalban on Sept 20th, Level DTLA on Sept 23rd, OfficeOps on Sept 6th and Sept 27th, AND Yotel on Sept 21st!
Inception (2010)
Pros
Inception is imaginative, unique, and one of those films that people can debate about for hours. You don’t have to be a film student to have strong opinions about whether or not the thing at the end stops spinning, whether the cliff-hanger is the worst thing of all time actual ever; it’s the film’s ability to evoke different opinions that makes it so fun. Not to mention how it almost feels like you’re in a dream watching it, because they stretch the limits of the imagination with bending cities and twisting hotel rooms.
Also a super major pro: Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
Cons
Try sleeping that night without thinking about the layers of dreams you might fall into, if not questioning whether or not you’re already in one. In other words – try piecing your mind back together, because it’s a “mind blown” kind of film. Also, does the thing at the end ever stop spinning? WE NEED ANSWERS.
Best Quote
“You musn’t be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.”
Take a nap at Level DTLA on Sept 9th, The Montalban on Sept 12th, and OfficeOps on Sept 7th.
First Blood (1982)
Pros
For one, it’s Sly Stallone in his prime – in the 80s! And who doesn’t love to watch a young Sly post-Rocky but pre-massive beefcake muscles that we certainly couldn’t compete with. The film does a great job at making us want Rambo to get busted….but also escape those damn cops!! Do yo thang and pull a war on their asses, show ‘em what they’re up against! Okay okay we’re getting worked up here.
Cons
Honestly? The sequels are hard to be taken seriously, but hey, at least this one is a forever classic.
Best Quote
“Don’t push it or I’ll give you a war you won’t believe”
Pack your rucksack with some tickets to First Blood at Yotel on September 9th.
Jurassic Park (1993)
Pros
Ah, the classic Spielberg film that fills our hearts with both fear and joy. This is definitely where you can get your healthy dose of dinosaur education whilst also feeling like you’re on a safari adventure. Is that not the setup for the best movie ever? We think it is. Also, Jeff Goldblum. No explanation needed.
Cons
Remembering that Jurassic Park isn’t an actual place you can visit with real dinosaurs. It would be SO much fun (if you forget about the whole T-Rex eating people on the toilet), amirite?
Best Quote
John Hammond: “All major theme parks have delays. When they opened Disneyland in 1956, nothing worked!”
Dr. Ian Malcolm: “Yeah, but, John, if The Pirates of the Caribbean breaks down, the pirates don’t eat the tourists.”
Jump in your Jurassic Park 4-wheel and head over to the rooftops at Level DTLA on Sept 7th and OfficeOps on Sept 13th.
Drive (2011)
Pros
If you’ve ever enjoyed driving fast whilst listening to awesome music, this film is for you. Again, any film with Gosling is one worth watching, because even if the story was boring (this one isn’t) and the music sucked (not here) and the supporting actors were dull (Carey Mulligan kills it), at least you care stare at Gosling for a few hours (you still can).
Cons
That you don’t have a car as cool as the ones in Drive. Or that you can’t actually drive nearly as well as Gosling. But maybe if you play that soundtrack while you steer the wheel, you’ll feel almost as cool.
Best Quote
Driver: [watching a cartoon] “Is he a bad guy?”
Benicio: “Yeah.”
Driver: “How can you tell?”
Benicio: “Because he’s a shark.”
Driver: “There’s no good sharks?”
Check your stopwatch because Drive is speeding to Yotel on September 21st.
The Breakfast Club (1985)
Pros
The Breakfast Club is pretty much a staple in lists like ‘best films from the 80’s’ ‘best coming-of-age films’ ‘best blahblahblahwhatever films’, but there’s a reason. While being completely realistic, The Breakfast Club is simultaneously absolutely absurd. It gives hope to the weird girl, layers to the princess and the nerdy guy a chance to feel cool in sunglasses. Then, there’s a happy ending for everyone (plus a dance scene, and it wouldn’t be a totally awesome 80’s film without one). But really, we’re there for that iconic fist pump at the end.
Cons
There are no cons, okay?
Best Quote
“When you grow up, your heart dies.”
You’re expected to attend detention at Yotel on September 22nd.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
Pros
This classic comedy has one main principle, embedded deep in the heart of every teenager, and probably every adult, too – the yearning to rebel. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off showed us that there’s a big wide world out there to explore, run around, and actually live in… outside of the routinely walls we find ourselves captured in (woo, this is getting real deep real fast). The guy gives approximately zero f*cks; he rejects anything that tries to confine him, performs in a carnival and steals an actual Ferrari. Ferris Bueller, you’re our hero.
Cons
Unless you spent it bunking off and hitting the city with your BFF and your girlfriend, it might make you feel bad about wasting your youth. On the bright side, it gives some great ideas on what to do with your day next time you call in ‘sick’ to work.
Best Quote
“Look, it’s real simple. Whatever mileage we put on, we’ll take off.”
“How?”
“We’ll drive home backwards.”
After persuading people you’re the Sausage King, head up to the rooftops to #SaveFerris at Yotel on Sept 22nd.
