People have been known to ask me how I wade through EVERY NEW MOVIE released in theaters to determine which to see.

Well, I use a variety of metrics, but one of the most important: which NYC theaters a movie plays.

Ideally, a theater has a programming identity. It can be a multi-faceted identity home to a variety of types…but if you show a seasoned and attentive (identities are always evolving!) observer of the scene a list of where a movie plans to open, this observer should be able to glean what sort of movie exhibitors deem it to be.

A prime example: Enys Men’s NYC release paints an accurate portrait of what the movie is. Each theater booked it to appeal to one of their time-built core demographics, and each of these bookings reflect a different identifying feature of the movie.

Like so:

Village East: no budget.

AMC Empire: cheap horror.

Alamo Drafthouse Manhattan: small beans, but with genre bonafides.

The Roxy: elevated genre hip.

Film @ Lincoln Center: pinky up.

35mm engagements: Cinema.