New York, I Love You (And Always Have): Top Ten New York Movie Moments

by Helen Zhang and Glynnis MacNicol | 2:24 pm, October 9th, 2009

» 7 comments

7. Home Alone 2

The Plaza Hotel has another scene stealing cameo in this sequel-that’s-better-than-the-original. Little Macaulay Culkin finds himself separated from his family and alone in New York City during the Christmas holiday. Our favorite New York moments? Kevin ordering an obscene amount of ice cream via Plaza Hotel room service, creepy pigeon lady saving Kevin’s life with bird feed in Central Park, and obviously his tearjerking reunion with his mom under the big Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center.

8. Elf

Another holiday favorite that we seem to watch on TBS every year, Elf has become one of those classic New York movies through sheer repetion (and also the only Will Ferrell movie where he doesn’t make an ass of himself, at least not in a vulgar way anyway). Ferrell plays Buddy the Elf, who sets off for Manhattan in search of his biological father while encountering almost every New York City cliché that exists – finding employment at the Macy’s-like Gimbels, kissing a girl while ice skating at Rockefeller Center, and a Central Park sleigh ride. We don’t mind though, because Zooey Deschanel’s shower rendition of Baby It’s Cold Outside transcends cheesiness and is just plain impressive.

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Brett Ratner, Elf, Home Alone 2, Manhattan, Natalie Portman, New York City movies, New York I Love You, Sleepless In Seattle, The Way We Were, When Harry Met Sally, Woody Allen

KatrinasmediaAngel

Or my favorite(can’t find a clip)
The street fair scene from “You’ve Got Mail” Or anything from “You’ve Got Mail.”
Rachel Sklar

I feel like there’s a whole segment of “gritty new york” clips that are missing from this pantheon – of course I can’t think of any now. Maybe “Pieces of April” about an awkward LES Thanksgiving?
plocke

Love them all. And, since I’m a Brooklyn gal, I have to add Sophie’s Choice and that fabulous house in Ditmas Park. (Trailer) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlcH-m5l0g4
http://ronmwangaguhunga.blogspot.com RonMwangaguhunga

Love this
Facebook User

How could King Kong climbing the Empire State building with Fay Ray not be on this list? A huge oversight.
LotusMan

What about “Miracle on 34th Street”?!! You have “Elf” but not this classic???

Also, what about Ghostbusters?!!! It was all New York, and more visibly and identifiably New York than most of the movies listed — and it’s also better than a half the movies mentioned! It’s got down town, uptown and everything in between. Come on, the Staypuffed marshmallow man rampaging through the streets of New York and the exploding covering the street with marshmallow?! Seriously. Your list is sadly lacking.
kimross

New York I Love You is full of love and power. Not for everybody, however, but is a beautiful movie.

handy zubehor