Museum of the Moving Image Membership: A New York Essential

New York City is rich with opportunities for cinephiles to relish in their passion for movies new and old, but few places bring together both as frequently and thoughtfully as the Museum of the Moving Image.

Located just off the yellow line in Astoria, Queens, this museum offers an immersive experience that is sure to delight movie-lovers of all ages. Not only does it have three floors of galleries that chart the evolution of film from its earliest origins, and offer hands-on exhibits detailing various stages of film production, but also the Museum boasts a big and beautiful theater that screens a wide variety of titles, sure to appeal to movie fans of any ilk.

In just the last few months, the Museum of the Moving Image has exhibited a sensational slate of features, from classics like Chinatown and Vertigo, to cult classics Brazil and Oldboy, crowd-pleasers Jurassic Park and Rio Bravo, art house offerings Baraka and Blue Velvet, and movies that demand the grandeur of a theater screen to be properly appreciated, such as The Red Shoes and 2001: A Space Odyssey.

For guests, tickets to regular screenings are free with the price of admission, but members not only get free admission--and by extension a free pass to the day's featured selection--but also have the privilege to reserve tickets in advance. And when the Museum holds special screenings--like a recent advance showing of David Cronenberg's Cosmopolis that included a Q&A with the heralded director--members have access to tickets at a special reduced rate. With an individual membership costing only $75 for a year, it's an affordable way for cinephiles to get their film-going fix, and one that offers an easy introduction to an incredible array of cinema.

I find there are few movie-going experiences so rewarding as revival screenings, where the people attending are ecstatic and eager to revel once more in the movie they love. Generally, you couldn't ask for a better crowd. But unlimited access to such opportunities isn't all the Museum of the Moving Image offers members. As a member, you'll also get discounts at the café, gift shop, and local restaurants, as well as $8 admission at Cinema Village. Really, it's a donation that not only helps the Museum secure future screenings and exhibits, but can pay for itself in a matter of months.

Learn more about the museum and membership details at the Museum of the Moving Image's website.