[FIPS Was There...] Obsolete Cinema at Freddy's

Image via summercampculture.comDid you ever want the zaniness of one of those Manhattan cult classic midnight movie showings but don't feel like taking the F Train home at 3 in the fucking morning to see a bad film? 

Well I've got the thing for you. One Sunday a month Freddy's Bar is overtaken by two film nerds calling themselves Obsolete Cinema. They’re like a cinephile Daft Punk only without the money and chicks and Pharrell won’t answer their calls. They show a double feature connected to a theme. They have trivia before each movie for which they give out prizes. And sometimes they even have snacks. 

I went last weekend for their "Summer Camp" showing and watched Little Darlings and Meatballs. The pictures were okay. Despite the presence of Bill Murray in Meatballs, Little Darlings was the much better movie. Although I might have been engaging in some delirious wish fulfillment watching a 17 year old Tatum O'Neal desperate to give her virginity to an older, unattractive Armand Asante. 

The event starts at 2:30 p.m., which means it's not brunch. Thank god. I'll never understand getting up early, or at all, for brunch. All draft beer at Freddie's is $3 during the day on Sundays. So pound away to your heart's content. Obsolete Cinema has some regulars who come, but not nearly enough. This day is a STEAL. No cover. $3 dollar drafts for 2 movies and maybe you win a whoopee cushion or rubber chicken playing trivia. They gave out s’mores as well. It was the first non-Pop Tart s’more I've ever eaten. I am 29 years old. 

I have to mention the bar too. I've never been to Freddy's before. It was a really cool place. The owner is into video art and has TVs looped with some cool, weird monster movie footage. They also have a camera focused on a little chalkboard and then broadcast to the back TV.  Here you can see your food order get written up as it's ready. I went with my brother and he told me he was mesmerized watching 5 minutes of a cat drinking out of a saucer while waiting for a drink. I'm sure it was grainy and weird. I checked in with him to find out the color of the cat. It would be the upset of the century if it wasn't black. 

That cat thing sounds kind of pretentious but it's a genuinely charming place. It's actually a lot like the bartender that was there. Nice, awkward enough to be authentic, funny and beautiful. I love this bar. And maybe the bartender. And definitely those nerds at Obsolete Cinema. And s’mores. Damn s’mores are good.

For information on future Obsolete Cinema events at Freddy's, click here.