Jacob Burns Film Center — Local services in Town of Mount Pleasant

Jacob Burns Film Theater showcases independent, foreign and criterion collection films. Besides the theater curating a superior quality canon of film, they hold events such as past speaking engagements of notable directors, actors, filmmakers and gurus (see the Ram Dass’ showcase where after the featured screening we were all asked to participate in a vipassana (meditation exercise). Certain prestige is garnered from attending screenings of Jacob Burns Events that one may or may not be privy to, festivals such as the Jewish film Festival, Arab Screenings and Pride month have award winning movies that star sometimes undiscovered or famous actors and more recognizable directors or emerging directors- (directors such as David Cronenberg and Greta Gerwig for example are a couple of criterion directors that manage to stay below the radar as far as popular culture yet thrive in the film industry as prestigious names of acclaim. ‘Brain and Charles’ a film adapted from a simmering of Greek mythology that has won its acclaim from Sundance Film Festival is currently showing (which I recently saw) as a SUNY Purchase Alumni who studied film and New Media I’ve clung to the pathos of its hardened yet whimsical mirth. Jacob Burns Theater is for the artist and for the layperson alike, the promethean and pandora. I suggest seeing a film here and having a chat with the people that work the registers, they all (if I’m not mistaken) have some degree in film studies or similar or are working towards it- Their ken is awe inspiring. Definitely check out the festivals and events there are reasons to choose cinema and Jacob Burns of pleasantville New York has all the confection and indie movies you’d ever want- “in heaven everything is fine” quote from Eraserhead...

I've always loved this theater. Growing up in Westchester, my family would go to the Rome Theater in Pleasantville in the same location where Jacob Burns now sits, so there is also a bit of nostalgia for me in coming here. But the real reason is the fantastic movies and the comfort and cleanliness of the theater. Why just 4-stars? Three issues: 1) the parking. A nightmare. Unless I go on Sundays when I can almost always find a spot in the train station lot, the newly fixed time for meter parking that doesn't allow enough time for the show, or the municipal lot that is usually full have left me returning home after driving there because there is no parking; 2) seniors do not get discounts on weekends. Ummmm...I'm a "senior" but I still work, so weekends are it for me. I'm still a senior on the weekend!!; 3) because I love it here so much, friends always buy me gift certificates. But you CANNOT buy advance tix with a gift card. WHY?? So I am constantly shut out of movies that have sold out even arriving as much as 40 minutes in advance. This is...

JBFC is a local gem with a carefully curated selection of must see films from around the world. Thankfully, they do check for vaccination cards. I attended a showing of Mariama Diallo's film Master; a horror story about the complex and tenuous relationships that exist in the world of academia, the silencing of black women's voices and a tie in with an ancient legacy of a witch who haunts the school looking for souls to steal. It included an engaging Q&A afterwards with the film director. JBFC offers an eclectic selection of cerebral, artsy, hard to find films that make you think. It's in a cozy setting in Briarcliff and has a number of membership options. It's a great place to go see off the beaten path movies and fantastic docudramas. They also offer an excellent film education program for students...