AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center
The AFI Silver has been a destination for movie lovers for years, and for good reason. It’s spacious and (mostly) new, but has a welcoming neighborhood feel; it shows new and classic movies; and the concession stand peddles espresso and beer. Whenever we catch a film here, we always hope that it’s screening in theater 1 — the huge, ornate, historic venue that was built in 1938. Typically, AFI Silver shows two first-run indies, along with a handful of themed repertory showings. The focus here is broad — past series have focused on everything from Wes Anderson films to movies from post-Franco Spain — and skews heavily toward subtitles. It’s not all highbrow, though — cult favorites like Black Christmas and Groundhog Day get screen time, too.

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring; 301-495-6700.


Photo: Courtesy of AFI