A question: Who goes to the movies anymore? Hollywood hasn’t been turning out much in the way of compelling product as of late. Not only that, but as far as budget entertainment goes, viewing a movie in a theater doesn’t exactly leap immediately to mind. With ticket prices in the D.C. metro area inching ever closer to $10, and concessions similarly astronomical, it makes a hell of a lot more sense to chill with DOPS on Friday nights down at Healy Gates and watch Village C residents stumble home. It’s guaranteed to be a sight more entertaining than Jeepers Creepers.
As wonderful as drunken foibles may be, there’s a bunch of good movies to be seen out there in the big city. They’re often just a few blocks walk or a quick Metro ride away, and sometimes you can see them at a mere fraction of the going price.
I know recovering suburbanites like myself grew up on the multiplex, so it’s kind of easy to forget they used to have theaters that only show one movie at a time. Actually, they still do, and one of the coolest is right here in the district. The Uptown may be a throwback but this is one nostalgia trip worth taking. Boasting the largest screen in the metro area as well as recently refurbished Art Deco architecture, the Uptown features some of the best movies around, including re-releases of silver screen classics.
This would be a pretty kickin’ place for a romantic date. Convenient, too?just hop on the red line at Dupont and head up to Cleveland Park. As reported in last week’s Voice, rumors abound that the re-released 2001: A Space Odyssey will find its way to the Uptown in the near future.
But what if you bought a new beer bong, and you just can’t fade that $9 ticket and $3 Metro ride? We got you covered. Tucked just south of the C&O Canal on Thomas Jefferson Street, the Foundry theater is to cinema what Champs is to booze?cheap and voluminous. However, I’d argue that you’re likely to get more out of a $3 Aronofsky film than a $3 cup full of Busch. Walk down M Street past Champs and related watering holes, take a right at Barnes & Noble, and your entertainment options have immediately expanded. Granted, the Foundry offers little in the way of ambience?you’ll have to do without Dolby surround, the small theaters assuredly defy the euphemism “intimate” and the prices for a tub o’ popcorn and “bladder buster” soda combo are still so exorbitant you’ll swear Follett entered the foodservice biz.
Yet, let me repeat?THREE DOLLARS! Give up your daily chilled skim decaf mocha latte at Uncommon Grounds for a day and see a movie! Even at that price, you still get some great flicks. Last spring, you wanted to see Requiem for a Dream in all its grotesque insanity? The Foundry had it. Second runs? Perhaps, but in many cases these are movies that you probably didn’t want to see at full price. American Pie 2? Yeah, there’s a $3 movie if ever there was one. Think of it this way?they’re movies on sale. Moreover, you may want to see those movies a second time?they’re still showing Memento, and you’re lying if you say you “got it” the first time around. Be forewarned, however, the Foundry still shows first-run Hollywood blockbusters at full price, so you may want to call first before walking down only to discover you cheap date has turned into a not-so-cheap date.
So pick your cinematic pleasure?good, cheap or both; this town’s got ‘em all.
The Uptown is located at 3426 Connecticut Ave., NW. You can find the Foundry at 1055 Thomas Jefferson St., NW.
