Landmark Sunshine Cinema

Landmark Sunshine started off with a bang as a model of how to service the film-going community in NYC -- esp. Downtown NYC. It gathered a great fan base of devoted regulars. Then things slowly began to fall apart. Initially, the staff was incredibly enthusiastic and knew what was going on. Then the number of staff was cut. Then the quality slipped (at least due to paying lower salary or shift rates, if not more). During the downward decline, the online ordering machines began to break-down. Now, at least one is constantly broken, so that if you order online, it is a nightmare to actually get your tickets and get into the theater. Often, the entire system is broken, so the idea of quality of service is no longer anywhere in the mind of the management (national or at the theater). If you do go, prepare to stand in the line to pick up your online order. Do not think of online ordering as a service they offer or as a convenience. The lack in service will change each time and keep you guessing, but know that they are always finding some way to create an inconvenience. Whereas there was originally staff on each of the three floors where the auditoriums are, there is now only one ticket taker on the main floor, usually with one of the other staff members hanging there in conversation with him/her. With this cut back, it means that before the end of each screening, lines form in the holding area on each floor right outside the auditorium with absolutely no one to manage them. Now, as the climactic moments of whatever film you have been investing in (both with emotion, intellect and dollar$) for 1 hour and 50 minutes, begins to reach its peak, your experience is completely undermined by the uncontrolled, swelling crowd noises -- loud chatter, laughter, etc. -- that keeps building on top of itself. The staff standing on the main floor in the open stairway would hear the chaos if attentive, but aren't really interested in the customer's experience. Right now, most of the management's marketing efforts are going into expanding the concession fare to make sure there's something for everyone to overpay for at the beginning of the film because by the end, you'll be sorry you wasted $25 and an entire night by supporting this outfit. Also, don't settle in right away. When the film doesn't start on time, don't even wait. Get to the teen in charge of the projectors as soon as possible. (See if he's the one on the main floor hanging with the ticket taker.) Here's the drill: Landmark will open another theater that will get great reviews for ""knowing how to deliver the right film-going experience."" Enjoy it for the first year or so. Once the reviews are in and into the ads and marketing materials, get ready for the decline and then DO NOT expect things to reverse themselves. Realize they've peaked, then find yourself a real movie house to support. Cons: No National Oversight; Local Staff Pathetic more

This is a great and comfortable old theater, near the F train Second Avenue stop. It tends to have very good, more sophisticated than most movies. Pros: Very good movie selection Cons: What are the drawbacks? more

This theater is fantastic, never had a bad experience. This theater's seating is the best I've ever seen with absolutely no way a person's big fat head could block even an inch of your screen...I hate this about Angelika, all you short folks understand I'm sure. The consessions feature a variety of seasoning for popcorn and lots of sweets. Go see a film here! Pros: Seatings, Q&A with artists Cons: wish they showed more films more

Last night's 7pm start time for ""Napoleon Dynamite"" came and went. As did 7:30 ... no trailers or ads, just a dark screen and projection booth. A few people straggled out and back in with reports of ""They're fixing it."" Not a word to the audience from any employee. When I descended the stairs to politely question the ticket-taker, he gave me a harried non-explanation ending with ""Just don't give me an earful, that's all I ask."" Along with a couple other self-respecting folks, I stalked out and got my money back. A friend says that the Sunshine once turned off the movie during the end credits of ""24 Hour Party People."" This is the kind of crap that killed the unlamented Screening Room on Canal Street. more

Finally, an alternative to the cramped Angelika. Granted, the Angelika has it's charms, but I like watching movies in comfort, not sitting with my knees in my chest. This place is quiet, the screens are large, the sound is good, the popcorn good....It's all you could want. more

If you're going to have to pay $10 for a 1st run movie in the city, the new Landmark's Sunshine should be one of your top destination choices. It is in much better condition than the Angelika, with a similarly well-chosen selection of films -- plus no subways rumbling underneath you. Went recently to see ""24 Hr Party People"" and the theater was packed but not uncomfortable. I got motion sickness from being in the 5th row of this lots-of-movement-camerawork movie, but I was able to rest by head on the still-clean seat back and listen to the 2nd half of the film on a great sound system. Pros: new, movei choices Cons: $10 a ticket!, no matinee prices more

Sunshine manages to marry the best aspects of two different worlds. Their movie showings are a wonderful mix of art house/indie and foreign flicks. But unlike small art house theatres, Sunshine offers comfortable seating and multiple screens! Good dining and snacking options are immediately close by. Pros: art & foreign films, comfortable, convenient more

i recently went to this theater to see ""y tu mama tambien,"" and i found that all of the movies playing were quirky, interesting movies that i'd like to see - also, the concessions are better than your usual movie fare - apple-cinammon filled pretzels, and gourmet jelly beans...mmm... Pros: concessions, movie selection more

This beautiful theater has perfect comfy seats! Great movie selections. I love the nice folks that go there. Amazingly good popcorn, there is a selection of popcorn seasonings for your popcorn!!! And a helpful, fun staff. And it's in a great location! I'm so happy the Sunshine exists!! Pros: seats, concession stand, vibe more

Having obviously visited the AMC Empire, someone apparently finally said ""hey, we don't have to stick our guests into a glorified basement just because they're watching art films!"" So, we get fairly large screens, great sound, and stadium seating in a downtown art theater. The sound IS great here...even old movies (like The Goonies) sound great, and the Dolby Digital EX shows that they aren't afraid to spend money. Unfortunately, poor projectionists tend to leave the image unfocused. Bathrooms are pretty clean, and I was satisfied with the concession selection, despite being overpriced. One standout was the employees...these seem like people I'd hang out with after the show, and seem to be having a good time doing their jobs. I only wish they'd book their films a bit better...the Angelika obviously has some sort of deal worked out, which is unfortunate...this place is superior by far. Pros: Great employees, Concessions, Sight/sound Cons: Poor projectionists, Hard to find more

Honestly, I didn't have high expectations for this theater -- I thought it'd be your typical arthouse -- friendly, but kinda grungy, with broken seats and a floor that didn't bear close inspection, to say nothing of the bathrooms. Au contraire! Fantastic state-of-the-art tech wizardry, spectaular stadium seating, pristine surroundings -- and great programming. But yes, the staff is indeed friendly. Who knew you could have it all? Not the Angelika, that's for sure..... more

Sunshine is heaven for arthouse movie junkies. Great theaters, excellent seats, sound, etc. And one well-stocked concession stand. Pros: Great schedule Cons: Nothing more

After suffering through years of crowds, lousy screens and seats and subway noise at Angelika, you'll feel like you've entered art-film Nirvana when you first enter the Sunshine. It's a beautifully designed and comfortable theatre complex, and, so far, the programming is great. more

Check out a downtown theater that shows some respect for the viewing experience. Gotta love the stadium seating--with no columns blocking your view! Interesting history, sweet staff, good indie flicks. more