There's something very old-world Italy about going to catch a flick at the Miami Beach Cinematheque. Not only because of the inevitable catcalling, but also because of the ambiance and seclusion of the cobblestone street that lend a quaintness to the experience, which ends with you tucking in for a boutique moviegoing evening.
Great news for members and sporadic visitors alike, by the summer of 2010, the Cinematheque is packing up and moving to its new, bigger location on the bottom floor of the historic City Hall at 1130 Washington Avenue. More parking, daytime screenings, a larger cinema room with stadium seating and electrifying fiber optic 5.1 dolby surround sound will be added to the repertoire, but owner/founder Dana Keith assured us that those will be the only similarities to your local megaplex. "Our byline will remain 'Ordinary Movies? Never!' You won't be seeing Transformers at the new MBC," he promised. "It will still be the oasis of film culture on the beach as always, but an expanded, more accessible one at that. South Beach is finally ready for us, so we are happy to provide. There are many exciting things developing, but MBC will always be the alternative to typical commercial cinema. That remains the whole point. And our Cleopatra sofa that we got for $20 is going with us."
Change is good, people, and with the addition of a café, museum, and full photographic arts gallery space, you'll be glad that the MBC gave you an excuse to go back to Washington Avenue. To donate to the cause, call 305-67-FILMS or email [email protected].
