If you're a lover of a film and spend time in the Boston area, you're probably already familiar with the HFA. But if by some off chance you haven't gone yet, do yourself a favor and check out their schedule. You will not be disappointed. Growing up and spending time in the Boston area when I was younger, the HFA was one of my most prized past times. With plenty of time on my hands and wallet conscious as I was, I frequently attended their great selection of independent and foreign cinema. Now that I'm temporarily located in the area again, I've made a point to periodically check their schedules to see what's on the agenda. I've already had the chance to see an Agnes Varda screening with in-person speaking by the most amazing filmmaker herself (my second time seeing her at the HFA) and "The Champion", a brilliant mid-century Japanese film. The price is still right at the HFA, a mere $9 for most screenings. The only downside is that it's cash only and you can't buy tickets in advance. I basically never have cash on me, and am a planner that enjoys the convenience of buying ahead, but it's worth the slight inconvenience to attend their films. read more

Though I've only screened one film here, the experience, which was so unlike big chain theater experiences, deserves 5 stars. A few weeks ago, I caught the silent version of Hirchcock's "Blackmail." A director of the Archive said a few very witty words about the Hitchcock film series. I loved that personal touch. The most amazing part was not the film, but the live pianist, Martin Marks, who provided the score for 70+ minutes. Like I said, it's all about the experience, & the theater makes it a special night out. No eating in the theater/no concession. I didn't have to pay admission, just had to flash my handy dandy school ID (that puppy has saves me countless dollars.) read more

Harvard Film Archive - Cinema Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

In Harvard Square, culture lurks down nearly every cobblestone path. The Harvard Film Archive, tucked away on Quincy Street, is no exception. They do a great job of programing 16mm and 35mm prints of everything from classic foreign and hollywood films to more edgy contemporary work. Sometimes they invite filmmakers to talk about their movies. read more

Harvard Film Archive - Harmony Korine at the HFA, 2000 - Cinema Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I used to intern at the Archive - stacking and organizing the films, reference books, etc -- and one of the perks was seeing free film screenings at the Harvard Film Archive. If you love film, especially old and classic films that are a bit tricky to see nowadays in a big theater -- at least amidst the dancing chihuahuas and blonde la di da's -- then you should definitely make a trip. Afterwards, there's always somewhere to go or something to do in Harvard Square. Or you can just wander the streets. Wandering is fun... All the people I worked with were incredibly considerate and fun...none of that "Oh, this is Haaaarvard" bs... One thing, there was no eating allowed in the Screenings. Make sure to eat beforehand...or plan to go out afterwards. read more

The other excellent place to catch a classic film in Harvard Sq. While this place has none of the charm of the Brattle Theater, it does have a better sound and projection system -- while retaining the unfriendly-to-the-ass-and-back seats. Another plus here is that you'll sometimes get the filmmaker in attendence to do a Q&A about the movie afterward or, if it's a silent film you might get treated to live music accompaniment. The selection here isn't nearly as ecclectic as the Brattle or Coolidge Corner (I don't think you're going to be seeing a zombie flick marathon here anytime soon), but for a film afficianado their schedule can be just as rewarding. Obscure, lesser-known filmmakers and hard-to-find, rare prints are the house specialty here. So you'll enjoy yourself and yeah, you just might learn something. read more

Scenes from the Harvard Film Archive ... (Scene 1) Harvard Undergrad: So, Ethan Hawke, what was it like portraying Hamlet? Ethan Hawke: Ummmm, it was like, pretty cool. HU: What was the most interesting aspect of this most recent film adaptation? EH: It was set in New York, which I thought was pretty cool. HU: What steps did you take to prepare for the role? EH: Ummm, I watched the Mel Gibson version. Mel Gibson is pretty cool. (Scene 2) Me: What's this film called again? My Date: Ludwig-Requiem for a Virgin King Me: Is Ludwig the dwarf doing the cartwheels? MD: I think he's the one in the robes behind the naked opera singer holding the candle. Me: What does the motorcycle represent again? (Scene 3) Room Mate: The 70s is when the split screen really came into it's own as a film technique. Andromeda Strain is a prime example. It's all about the split screen. Me: Shut up and pass the popcorn. read more

Seeing The Wild Bunch here last night made me wonder, "Why haven't I been here before?" It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. There are some great people watching opportunities, and the conversations in the audience before the movie starts will either keep you entertained, or make you want to bang your head against the back of your chair. It's a neat place and a nice way to spend an evening, do something a little out of the ordinary. Don't worry if you're not a Film Person, they seem to have a good mix of things for film aficionados and the rest of us mortals. I do wish they would let you have a snack or something in there, though. Next time, I'll eat beforehand. read more

Best place ever, worst place ever. I've seen many a wonderful film here - and gone out to do the "Cantabrigian/Harvard-esque coffee-shop discuss the film with folks as though you were at a a Fellini festival" evening, and I've done the "why am I watching crapily edited bad French films with a bunch of ivy-league pissants?" evenings.... so, pick your movies and crowds wisely. You're either in for one hell of a treat, or your trapped here for 2-4 hours. However, the best Saturday afternoon I have probably ever spent indoors (well, one that didn't involve a...oh, nevermind) was at the HFA listening to Chuck Jones. (The animator/voice for Warner Brother's gems like Bugs Bunny/Daffy Duck/etc.) It was a few months before he died, and he spent about 4 hours showing his favorite animations ("The Rabbit of Seville" was one, of course, but so was "The Dot and the Line," which I had forgotten about) and telling AMAZING stories. Personal fav: turns out that the Warner brothers hated animation and animators, but knew they had to have an animation division to compete with Disney - so they kept the Looney Tunes squad in a trailer on the back lot. Jack Warner almost closed the whole production down one day when he realized that Looney Tunes was not the animation team that produced "that funny sounding mouse." The theater was completely packed. Seriously. Best Saturday afternoon. read more

As other people have said: very nice building. Not essential at all, but helps set a certain mood/atmosphere. MAJOR plus: people don't eat food, as opposed to most of the other places (e.g. the Kendall Square Cinema is the best movie theater in Boston as far as new releases go, but more than half of the people will buy popcorn, which drives me nuts). Film selection: Very good. Where else will they play Weerasethakul's shorts? (I still curse myself for missing his in-person appearance barely a week before then). Starting this week-end and through next week they are having some Garrel+Godard screenings which I will probably attend. So even though Boston is not the best city for movies (definitely inferior to where I lived in France), it has a couple of good theaters, and the HFA is one of them. read more

The HFA is wonderful in concept, not so wonderful in execution. Lack of funding prevents the Film Archive from doing many things that it really should be doing. I think everyone involved would have a far better experience if the HFA were more well funded. (It was rumored a few years back that they were going to stop screening films due to funding issues.) The Film Archive provides an essential service to cinephiles, screening films not likely to be seen elsewhere. I think the HFA is under appreciated in general and certainly under appreciated by Harvard. I love the Film Archive. I certainly do not, however, love Harvard University. As a long time Cambridge resident I never got a warm feeling from Harvard University as a neighbor. One small thing that Harvard could do for their neighbors is to increase funding to the HFA so all screenings may be free of charge to the public. read more

A shiver of excitement goes through me every time I get the new schedule in the mail. There are films I've wanted to see for years and are not available on DVD, or which are so interesting visually I want to take advantage of a rare opportunity to see them on the big screen. The bread and butter here is art films, intellectual films, political films and foreign language films. Many of the offerings are important for some reason in the history of film. But not all are highbrow--some are fun fluff, cult classics or even Box office hits that serve as examples of a certain era, such as the first wave of Technicolor films. Whatever is showing, it is almost always interesting. The collection that Harvard has is mind-boggling, and the curators do an excellent job choosing how best to showcase it. Typically films are grouped in a theme--with all one director or category shown back-to-back for a week or so. The Agnes Varda show a year or so ago, in which the director came to speak and did an installation of her Widows video art exhibit, was a cultural highlight of my time in Boston. The one thing I *hate* about Harvard Film Archive is that each film is shown only once. So if I'm interested in a particular director or theme, I have to plant my butt in the seat and sit there basically non-stop for a week. Or face the possibility of never, ever again getting the chance to see a certain film again for the rest of my life. You guys do realize a person has to eat and sleep? How about a second showing now and then? Oh, and the seats are hard. Really hard. It's okay for one show, barely. But the "double feature at the Harvard Film Archive" has become a real joke in my circle of friends. Sorry. I'm quibbling like with an old relative I couldn't do without. I love HFA. It enriches Boston, and the entire world, immeasurably. read more

This is so where the good movies are. Plus the building is something -- designed by Le Corbusier. The theater itself? The screen is pretty big and is reasonably high up. Other than that it is not so remarkable -- except the seats are set a little off-center. But you get to see obscure Georgian flicks made during Soviet days, so you can be a little forgiving. read more

True to its name, the HFA is a very academic theater -- the seats are uncomfortable, there's no food/drinks allowed, and for a lowly, novice cinephile like me, their schedule is a little too dense on the avant-garde and experimental films. The Brattle Theater is more often than not the better option. But there are times when I'm definitely glad that the HFA exists and is so close to me, like when they schedule "The Complete Hitchcock" or a Robert Bresson retrospective as a film series. Their calendar is split between their regular film programs and, during the months when Harvard is in session, the VES Screenings, which are both free and tend to feature more accessible films. read more

This place is great! They have old movies, new movies, independant movies, forein films and documentries. My friend's dad works here and gets me in free, but the place isn't expensive at all. Premiring dec. 16 is a film based on and filmed in moracco, by my friend's very own father! It will be great, as most of the movies they show here are! read more

Probably one of the best places to see films in Boston. As indicated, films are shown on themes throughout the year. Check the website for the latest calendar. There is a great crowd at the Archive and the films you can see are unbelievable. The Archive also has director nights where the director shows his/her film and answers questions. I saw Solondz there showing "Happiness." I also have seen relatively difficult to find/see Warhol films at the Archive. It is a great place for a date also. If the director is there or it is a premier release, you can sometimes buy tickets in advance. If you love film, membership at the Archive might be worth your money. read more

amazing selection of foreign, independent, and art films...many that are very rare and not available on video...often when they screen a silent movie they have a live pianist accompany the film too! close second to the brattle for best theatre in boston, as far as i'm concerned. read more

Fun vintage films on the big screen - hoorah! Fairly cheap activity for a night out in the city. I like even just looking through the films HFA offers, a lot of the stuff I never would have found on my own. I did wander around a little bit trying to find it the first time but it's well worth the wander. (-: read more

Throwing mini-film festivals nearly everyday, the Archive screens everything from avant-garde classics to cutting edge contemporary work in a theater that that feels like Manhattan's Film Forum without the line and half the price. But the real gem of the Archive is the rare opportunity it presents for film lovers to scour their comprehensive resources be it films or secondary material. Set inside Harvard's Carpenter Center, the visual studies building that sticks out like a 70s piece of architecture in Harvard's otherwise idyll 18th Century setting, the theater is only part of a bustling arts space that on most weeknights tends to feel like a couples love boat attraction or a lonely hearts club with wide open spaces in between patrons. read more

Great lectures, great programming, reasonably priced. A real treasure that metro Boston is very lucky to have. Rare film screenings are a real treat. read more

Love this place. Between this and the Brattle, the Harvard area has everywhere else beat for movie houses. Ranging from obscure art films to Dawn of Dead (just shown last week) you never know what they are going to show next. Six bucks for students, 8 for the rest. Keep your eye out for what is playing. A great place for film buffs. read more

Big love for HFA. The most interesting, diverse selection of films that you probably would never otherwise know about or see.

Another great place to watch cinematic gems and discover new favorites! We're blessed in this town, with all the art houses to choose from -- the Brattle, the Somerville, the Coolidge, the Kendall, and the HFA. It's worth heading a bit out of the way to catch some film treats here. Most people don't get as many chances as we do. Just because we're spoiled doesn't mean we shouldn't stop exploring and patronizing these awesome theaters. read more

There is always something playing here that I haven't seen before and I love their showcases. A true gem.

Excellent selection of repertory and recent cinema from around the world. Occasional free screenings. Introductions by professors and other knowledgeable types. read more

I'm glad Harvard found something cinematic to heap their cash on. The Archive is never short of something interesting, and if you're lucky, you can always catch someone special (director, screenwriter, etc) in person. Plus, compared to eleven dollar multiplexes...wouldn't you rather come here? read more

A friend of mine was visiting the area and we went to see a movie here. She is so jealous she can't go all the time! Check it out!

My favorite place to see films in Cambridge/Boston. Nowhere elsee will you see an Eisenstein with live piano accompaniment by a Rachmaninoff trained pianist! The HFA covers everything from Soviet-era musicals (they also used to have a really great 'Soviet Film Festival' but I haven't seen that on their calendar in recent years), Asian GLBT, French New Wave (but you won't just see the well known titles, you'll see lesser known but just as good films of the genre too), Chaplin, Bollywood, Brakhage, plus directors and film movements you never heard of but are usually quite happy you learned about. As others have said, you will see some popular films and some really obscure films-- its all about that month's theme. Most evenings have two features, and between the showings you can check out the art museum that this theater is set in. Oh yeah, there's no snack bar (which I think is a plus), so you can sneak in whatever you like to munch on. You may not like everything you see, but if you are interested in seeing films not shown in mainstream (or even other "art house" cinemas) theaters, this is the place to go. Think of it like,"Hey, I just saw some crappy tripe for $6- $8! But it was crappy tripe I would not have been able to see at any suburban cineplex in the country! Plus, I saved a few bucks..." And that's the worst thing that will happen if you venture to the HFA. read more

Good place to see old films - but october 09 - and no vintage horror flicks - what's wrong with that picture !

cheap, artsy fartsy, full of old people in loving relationships, ample seats for sleeping in when the art house film lingers a bit too long on its cinematic close-up/long shot/handheld framing device. (don't let the other reviewers convince you otherwise. This is the HFA. It is no less snobby than the Harvard faculty club next to it. But if you're on Harvard campus, surely you think that's a feature and not a bug.) read more

I saw one or two movies here in the Harvard Film Archive--wasn't crazy about it overall. Plus, from what I've heard, they only show films that're much more politically--oriented, although I could be wrong. read more