ITHACTOBER DAY 5: Wanna See a Movie?

As a cinema student, I always want to know where the good theaters are when I visit a new place. Being the culturally eclectic place that it is, Ithaca has several theater options that go outside the norm.

Here are the two I frequent most:

Cinemapolis

Cinemapolis is located in the Commons (previously mentioned in my Applefest post), making it convenient to stop into after an evening of shopping or dining.

Most of the fare at Cinemapolis consists of independent films and documentaries - ones you wouldn't normally get to see at a regular movie theater. As a result of Cinemapolis, I've seen great films that others only discovered once they hit DVD, like the charming Robot and Frank, and the chilling Martha Marcy May Marlene.

In addition to the cinema itself, check out the concession stand (with Ithaca Root Bear, rum brownies, and other snacks) as well as the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival. This week of art films and documentaries that are worth every penny is held in the spring.

Cornell Cinema

source: cinema.cornell.edu

Like Cinemapolis, Cornell Cinema offers alternative movie options to the mainstream theaters. As the name implies, Cornell Cinema operates out of Cornell University, specifically the Willard Straight Theatre.

The wide variety of films that can be found at Cornell Cinema is enough to lure in just about anybody - screenings of old classics, not-so-old classics, new movies a few months after their initial release, retrospectives on a single director, and more. While Cinemapolis is my go-to for new, independant films, Cornell Cinema is where I go to catch up.

Their schedule changes weekly, so it's best to take a thorough look at the calendar if there's something you don't want to miss.