Watson JessicaWatching movies has never been easier, with streaming services bringing a world of movie content right to our doorsteps and high-end home theaters making the most of Hollywood’s magic of picture and sound. But technology has not yet found a replacement for watching a movie with the excitement of sitting in a darkened theater, surrounded by the energy and expectations of an audience of real people. And for many moviegoers, it will never replicate the feeling of going to an independent theater. New England is home to many such indie venues, some of which recreate the glamor of the golden age in restored movie palaces and others in newly constructed state-of-the-art facilities. But what the greats have in common is a commitment to the history and future of cinema and an ability to build communities.
Red River Theaters. Concord, New Hampshire
This award-winning nonprofit organization is just as likely to show silent classics as it is to showcase additional offerings for audiences seeking premiere feature films. But what really makes Red River Theaters special is the community support: seven years of real-life “hey kids, let’s put on a show” volunteer efforts led to this state-of-the-art, three-screen theater, which also hosts workshops, Q&As with actors and directors, sing-alongs, and original programming like the BYOB (Bring Your Own Baby) series.
Coolidge Corner Theater. Brookline, Massachusetts
Considered one of the best art-house theaters in the country, the Coolidge has earned a national reputation even while maintaining deep ties to the community. Originally built in 1906 as a church, it was redesigned as an Art Deco movie theater in 1933, and today it retains the classic feel of that era in its neon marquee and large 440-seat main theater (it also has a smaller theater and two screening rooms). Since 1989, the Coolidge has been run by a nonprofit foundation that has overseen the overhaul as well as offered endlessly innovative programming, such as a screening of the film The Grapes of Wrath, which was accompanied by a talk by environmentalist Bill McKibben on the science of climate change.
Railroad Square Cinema. Waterville, Maine.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2018, the Railroad Square Cinema actually burned to the ground in 1994, but thanks to the dedication of its founders and the local community, it was rebuilt and reopened the following year. In 2012, it was acquired by the Maine Film Center, the nonprofit parent organization of the Maine International Film Festival, which has been based at the Railway Square since its launch in 1998. In its weekly schedule, the three-screen theater mixes first-run independent series and international films with world cinema classics, and serves what it calls “the best popcorn in the known universe.”
Latchis Theater. Brattleboro, Vermont.
The roots of this theater date back to 1938, when it opened as part of the Latchis Memorial House, dubbed a “city within a city” that also included a hotel (still in operation today), ballroom, restaurant, and gift shop. The building is now under the care of Latchis Arts, which has helped transform the theater into a bustling four-screen venue that hosts film premieres, live events, public talks, and special screenings. The crown jewel is the Main Theater, which boasts 750 seats, a full stage, and the largest movie screen in southern Vermont-not to mention plenty of vintage glamour with historic murals by Hungarian-American artist Louis Jambor and a ceiling mural depicting the zodiac signs.