10 of the Best NYC Movies

In alphabetical order.

Biggie, I got a story to tell (2021)

Director: Emmett Malloy

Stars: Christopher Wallace, Tupac Shakur, Voletta Wallace, Sean ‘Puffy Combs’’, Junior M.A.F.I.A

Tells the story of the Notorious B.I.G. (1972-97) from early footage of him proving his rapping credentials on the streets of Brooklyn up until his untimely death, which, according to his long-suffering mother, had been unsatisfactorily dealt with by the authorities. Rare interviews and some unseen documentary footage are interwoven giving context to the world in which he grew up allowing the viewer to make his/ her own mind up about what really happened to somebody who many believe was the greatest ever rapper.

Do the Right Thing (1987)

Director: Spike Lee

Stars: Danny Aiello, Spike Lee, Samuel L Jackson, John Turturro, Rosie Perez

Simmering tensions between the Afro-American and Italian communities boil over before our very eyes. This masterful movie expertly expresses the emotions associated with racial tensions that are only accentuated by hot weather. Relationships that had stood the test of time then give way to pettiness, anger, resentment, suspicion and bitterness in the bat of an eyelid. Arguably Spike Lee’s greatest work, which was once again shot on the streets of Brooklyn (Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood).

Trivia: De Niro was originally asked to be the pizza restaurant owner, but he had to decline due to other obligations.

Ghostbusters (1984)

Director: Ivan Reitman

Stars: Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis

An exceptional eighties film to grow up with; statues that become beasts with red eyes scared the life out of youngsters, and ingenious movie merchandise like plasticine slime won’t be forgotten in a hurry. The Art deco New York Public library is haunted with a floating librarian, an abominable snowman terrorising New Yorkers not to mention the statue of liberty itself takes a walk. For sheer imagination it has to rank highly.?The chemistry between cast members and the witty dialogue make it a joy from start to finish.

Trivia: the haunted stacks interior shots that take place in the library were actually filmed in L.A Central library on the other side of the country.

Goodfellas (1990)

Director: Martin Scorsese

Stars: Robert de Niro, Joe Pesci, Ray Liotta, Paul Sorvino

Scorsese’s gangster opus set on the streets of Little Italy makes the viewer feel as if he/ she is a fly on the wall. The level of realism, the amount of research that went into portraying the characters, the excellent cast and top class director all contribute to making this one of the very best gangster films every made. There are a dazzling array of unforgettable scenes. A couple of which are: the 'funny how? routine', where Pesci (Tommy) shoots a waiter in the foot), the improvised discussion with Tommy’s mother (played by Scorsese’s mum) after Tommy asks to borrow a carving knife, which he claims is to get a deer off his vehicle, although, in reality, it is to finish off an enemy.

Trivia: real members of the mob were involved in the production. Apparently, they gave fake social security numbers, so wouldn’t have been able to be paid.

Kids (1995)

Director: Larry Clark

Stars: Leo Fitzpatrick, Justin Pierce, Chlo Sevigny, Rosario Dawson

Clark’s disturbing but highly original work follows a group of youngsters, some of whose intentional choices will have consequences. The film shocks with its realism as we see depraved sexual acts and despicable drug abuse without filters. The lack of ethics or morality is equally reprehensible and thought-provoking. Taking place over the course of a single day, this movie is at times uncomfortable and leaves audience members somewhat in shock. One of the locations is Washington Square park in Greenwich Village, which has of course featured in countless classics, i.e. Barefoot in the Park (1967).

Trivia: Pierce (Casper) tragically committed suicide in 2000.

King of New York (1990)

Director: Abel Ferarra

Stars: Christopher Walken, David Caruso, Laurence Fishburne, Wesley Snipes

The New York Skyline is given pride of place in this critique against corruption from one of the most controversial filmmakers working today. Walken (Frank White) is suitably chilling as the unrepentant crime lord who takes great relish in wiping out all his adversaries. He is backed up by a strong cast including Caruso (Dennis Gilley) as the conscientious turned vigilante cop, partnered up with Snipes (Thomas Flanigan) his ill-feted sidekick and Fishburne, who is on top form as the deliriously psychotic hoodlum with a penchant for fried chicken. The general sense of impending gloom and vicious acts of violence will not be to everybody’s taste, but as a violent crime movie, it could well be unbeatable. Locations include Plaza hotel, Times Sq, 5th avenue; all in Manhattan.

Trivia: Silvio Berlusconi, the former Italian President and richest man in Italy, financed the film.

Manhattan (1979)

Director; Woody Allen

Stars: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Meryl Streep, Mariel Hemingway, Karen Allen

If there’s such a thing as poetry captured on film, then this is it. Memorable shots of Manhattan coupled with a George Gershwin score help Allen give his most artistic representation of his beloved city. Quite possibly the most beautiful and aesthetically pleasing vision of the Big Apple ever put on film. The ensemble cast also shines and the splendid romantic-comedy script doesn’t disappoint. Interestingly, Woody’s first film in black and white, is as much a nod to the classics of yesteryear as Allen’s love for classic cinema.

Trivia: The classic image of the couple sitting on a bench next to the Queensboro bridge has become iconic in cinematic history.

Naked City, The (1948)

Director: Jules Dassin

Stars: Barry Fitzgerald, Don Taylor, Howard Duff, Dorothy Hart

Featuring aerial views of the New York skyline in ’48 by way of a helicopter, this is as much a historical record of how the skyscrapers looked at that time as well as being a poignant police procedural film noir flic that is seminal for its story-telling style. The on-location scenes paved the way for other pictures to follow suit. There is gritty realism in spades, which was ahead of its time and the direction is masterful. The imposing voice-over narrative does inform the audience at opportune moments in the story and has been emulated many times, but never to greater effect.

Trivia: The public was unaware that the crew were filming street scenes

Two Men in Manhattan (1959)

Director: Jean-Pierre Melville

Stars: Jean-Pierre Melville, Pierre Grasset

Melville’s formidable film noir is truly unique as a work by a French filmmaker made on the streets of Manhattan. His use of real locations inspired Jean Luc Godard and other filmmakers from the French new wave, for example. This is one of the reasons why they consider him the grandfather of the movement. The seedy bars and nightclubs of the time have been immortalised on film and are quite different from what remains in modern day New York as Volker Schlondorff has testified. He was lucky enough to be shown around these hotspots by the visionary director to get a feel for this side of the city just as Melville had portrayed Pigalle in Paris back in France.

Warriors, The (1979)

Director: Walter Hill

Stars: Michael Beck, Deborah van Valkenburch, Davd Patrick Kelly

A scintillating cinematic odyssey which does not give you a moment to catch your breath. The subway is the key to moving the narrative along as the Warriors try to survive the night. This fantasy which owes to comic books, Greek mythology and the imagination of a few individuals is extremely exciting and original with a largely unknown cast at the time, the set pieces are expertly executed by Walter Hill, a remarkably capable action director, whose action sequences are said to be some of the best in the business.

Trivia: Some real local gangs sent threats as they were not cast.

NB: Other great NYC movies that are worthy of mention are: Annie Hall (1977), Bad Lieutenant (1992), Barefoot in the Park, Carlito's Way (1993), The Departed (2006), Dog Day Afternoon (1975), Gangs of New York (2002), King Kong (1933), Mean Streets (1973), Mrs Parker and her Vicious Circle (1994), Serpico (1973) and Taxi Driver (1976).