Choices begin to expand for NYC's classic film fanatics today, as Richard Fleischer's serial killer suspenser/capital punishment excoriation, Pasolini's take on the Scheherazade fable, and Godard's toothless blasphemy (yep, he proved it's possible) all present themselves for public consumption.

Again a slight lull before the rep calendar goes completely nuts. Rewards to be had this day include avant-garde enfant terrible Leos Carax's sophomore effort, Italian screen heartthrob Marcello Mastroianni's baby bump, and what is still widely considered Dario Argento's scariest film, which remains no small boast.

Cinematic repertory wacky tabbacky today includes the definitive screen iteration of the Jets/Sharks gang war, Ridley Scott's sumptuous take on the 80's D&D craze (sez this guy!), and Gena Rowlands' persona-shredding, Oscar-nommed tour de force before her hubby/director's cameras.

The goods today include Brit auteur John Boorman's terrifying take on the American southern gothic, Howard Hawks' late-innings screwball comedy tutorial, and the luminous Gena Rowlands essaying a theatre diva's fear of inevitable obsolesence, as only director/husband John Cassavtetes could present.

October '13 finally gets cookin' on the rep film circuit this weekend. Among the goodies on display count Anouk Aimee's channeling of Marlene Dietrich, Yasujiro Ozu's final film, and Liza Minneli's deservedly Oscar-winning perf.

It's with much enthusiasm that I can report the repertory screening circuit in NYC seems to be not merely healthy but thriving. The stalwart audience of film student and bored retiree seems to these eyes routinely augmented these last few years by a new wave of fervent film lover excited about seeing a long read and talked about movie in its intended venue. And the venues have responded in kind it seems, as more and more theaters, museums and other more unconventional spaces are reaching out to provide the communal film experience.

A light menu this pleasant October day. The bill of fare includes Sir Christopher Lee's own fave perf, Yasujiro Ozu's final film, and a groundbreaking time capsule of 80's hip-hop cinema.

October '13 begins with a whimper, with merely four classic film screenings to choose from today. What's there is cherce, however. The only ongoing series today is the Film Society of Lincoln Center's Revivals, which kicks off the 51st annual New York Film Fest. Let's get to it;

IFC Center

THE WICKER MAN (1971) Dir; Robin Hardy

Film Forum

ANTOINE ET ANTOINETTE (1947) Dir: Jacques Becker

A lean couple of days face the classic film fanatic in NYC this week, until October 2013's repertory screenings, fests and retrospectives begin to kick in this coming weekend. Ongoing series consist solely of Anthology Film Archives' John Zorn Selects. Here be today's cinematic bounty;

Film Forum

ANTOINE ET ANTOINETTE (1947) Dir; Jacques Becker

LOST...NOW FOUND (2013) Various Directors

BAM Cinematek

DOG DAY AFTERNON (1975) Dir; Sidney Lumet

Damn it just be rainin' Howard Hawks in NYC today! His classics are screening in two-count-'em-two venues on opposing sides of the East River, proving that Astoria may one day be able to hang with the cool borough. Other doings this day include a Harold Lloyd chase film masterpiece, Michelanglo Antonioni's breakout hit of world cinema, and Akira Kurosawa's cinematic reclaiming of his nation's honor.