Tonight marks the beginning of the Film Society at Lincoln Center's 45th annual New York Film Festival and oh what a jam-packed fest it is. A panel of film critics chose 30 of the best new international movies to show to New York's discerning audiences and they picked hometown director Wes Anderson's newest, The Darjeeling Limited (which also comes out in theaters this weekend) to open the festival. Gothamist was pleasantly surprised at how much......

When you borrow $100,000 from mobsters and stop repaying, you'd have to expect some retribution. So after Howard Beach resident Yvonne Rossetti was threatened to be stuffed into a trunk by two "reputed Bonanno soldiers," the mobsters were jailed for Christmas. Rossetti claimed the men could make a killing on a real estate deal, and when they figured out it was a scam, they threatened her. So her husband wore a wire and turned them......

Noah Baumbach,
The Squid and the Whale...

He's an Orthodox Jewish Reggae singer that got his start performing in the parking lot at Phish shows, but don't call him a gimmick. Matisyahu's recent accomplishments include a co-headlining spot at the recent Reggae Carifest on Randall's Island and a sold-out show at Irving Plaza. Thursday night he'll pack Webster Hall. Phish fans who can't get a ticket should consider Benevento Russo Duo at Bowery Ballroom instead. "Alligator, the second album from The......

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Last week, it was a two-star review of Eleven Madison Park. A few weeks before, the new restaurant at the new MoMA was appraised. And today, another Danny Meyer restaurant is in the news, but not for the food or decor: The bookkeeper at Gramercy Tavern was arrested for pocketing $250,000. Newsday reports that 26 year-old Sandrene Austin was charged with felonies - second degree grand larceny and falsifying business records. Austin was supposed to......

While the scene in Conference Room 1 at the Ritz Carlton in Battery Park for the Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou junket wasn't anything like our movie conception of a press junket — ie. Audrey Hepburn interviewed by Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday — we did find out a few fun factoids about the stars and their movie. "Only when I'm asked that question." —response from Noah Baumbach when asked if he was intimidated by......

Thanks to everyone who entered our contest to win tickets to The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. We received over 1500 entries, and our winners are Evan, Pilar, Bejamin, Stephen, Grace, Adam, Kevan, Lindsey, Brandon, Kelly, Dave, George, Kristen, Todd, Wade, Rebecca, Katherine, Darren, Thurston, Rupa, Monica, Sean, Patrick, Elizabeth, and Sarah, who have all been emailed. Additionally, Evan is our grand prize winner; we'll see if we get any photos of the Team Zissou......

A Talk With Wes Anderson...

- Making cupcakes that look like pandas, koalas and bears - Finding out what other species there are after hipsters: Robert Lanham's Food Court Druids, Cherohonkees and Other Creatures... - An interview with comedian Dave Gorman - NYC Transit Authority wants a ban on subway photography - The hot concerts in the city this season - Partying with Penthouse Pets - 2nd Avenue Deli provides alibi for unjustly arrested man during the Republican Convention......

Here's another reminder to enter the Gothamist Contest for The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. Twenty-five winners will be randomly selected to each win a ticket for two to see The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou next Tuesday, 12/8; also, one winner will win some fabulous Life Aquatic swag, including a poster, CD, Team Zissou red cap and Team Zissou Speedo! The contest ends Sunday night, and winners will be emailed on Monday. The Life......

Gothamist has loved Wes Anderson and his films even since we saw Dignan's Five Year Plan in Bottle Rocket, so we're happy to announce that Touchstone Films has given us twenty-five tickets to a screening of Wes Anderson's new film, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, starring Bill Murray. And we're holding a contest to give them away!! Enter at Gothamist Contest: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. Each of the tickets (which are......

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced the lineup for the New York Film Festival 2004, and it looks like NY will again benefit from being, arguably, the world's last major film festival by getting films that have played at other festivals by the time the NYFF starts October 1. Opening the festival will be Agnes Jaoui's Look At Me (premiered at Cannes); Pedro Almodovar's Bad Education (also at Cannes) is the centerpiece, as......