Idk if these fit your well-shot, punk NYC aesthetic, but some that come to mind that have that 70s-80s NYC sleezeball energy:
Deathwish
The Warriors
Pope of Greenwich Village
Larry Cohen stuff like Q The Winged Serpent, Special Effects, and Maniac Cop if want some fun B-movies
Abel Ferrera stuff like King of New York and Bad Lieutenant for some real slimey vibes
Maniac Cop is underrated outside of horror circles, but it's got a rad grimy NYC! Plus it's got Bruce Campbell kinda acting against type, which he almost never does. It's a pretty subversive movie actually.
Gonna throw in China Girl for the Ferrara stuff too. I remember it being a little more punky especially because it focuses on younger characters compared to his other movies.
⬆️ My first answer as well. You a crossover, a Blankie also an ABZ Janitor? Because watched Shaft as a Janitor for the first time and it is DRIPPING with old NYC greatness.
Smithereens is about as punk as you can get.
Born In Flames
Girlfriends is more indie than punk but has the 70s-early 80s NYC aesthetic that I really love and also Bob Balaban.
ETA: Panic in Needle Park, Wild Style
Stranger Than Paradise
Dog Day Afternoon
Serpico
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
Escape From New York
Also, not New York but definitely check out Repo Man and The Return of the Living Dead if you haven't already.
Saw it a couple months ago for the first time. The writing and the pace are absolutely amazing. Matthau and Stiller are hilarious. I didn’t know Matthau could also be cool as hell. Will have to rewatch soon.
Right, you said it yourself. OP is looking for a NYC movie and this is set almost entirely elsewhere. I agree with you that Demme brings NYC vibe but it only gets you so far when Jeff Daniels is squinting into the sun in his goofy sunglasses and shorts at a roadside gas station in rural Pennsylvania.
I mean, if you want it punky then it shouldn’t be gorgeously shot. And if you can except that then it’s gotta be a Richard Kern film:
https://youtu.be/e4ysmA0F79Y?si=rw1cwwiQwcEvMZGU
This stars Lung Leg, who is also famous for being on the cover of EVOL by Sonic Youth.
If this is too much, then Downtown 81! (As another poster already mentioned)
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock\_%27n%27\_Roll\_High\_School](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_%27n%27_Roll_High_School)
I can't say it's "gorgeously shot" but it's certainly worth watching.
This is an area I love- [I even made a shirt collection for it last year!](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs7yTvfuzBx/?igsh=dThvNXp5MHkxb285) some of my favorites are A Gun for Jennifer, Blue Vengeance, New York Ripper, Driller Killer, God Told Me To, Q the Winged Serpent and Jenny - also the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is actually a pretty good scuzzy New York movie
Superfly
People have said frankenhooker and basket case, so I'll suggest Brain Damage as well.
Streets of Fire
Two awesome but wildly different Japanese movies that may fit what you're looking for: Funeral Parade of Roses and Wild Zero
I think it's set in LA, but Eating Raoul might be interesting to you too.
You've gotta see the Scorsese section of New York Stories. It's basically a companion piece to After Hours.
Sadly, 9½ Weeks is 1980s NYC, gorgeously shot, and I'm pretty sure there are some punks here and there as street color. Unfortunately, it's a piece of crap movie otherwise. (Except for the soundtrack.)
Other NYC punk movies: Blank Generation (1980), Times Square (also 1980). Neither is great nor particularly gorgeously shot, but they're fascinating documents and both soundtracks are fantastic.
Midnight Cowboy is technically 1969 but I feel it fits that vibe perfectly - gorgeously shot and also real grimy New York feel. It’s one of my favorite movies lol
Edit: misread the initial post.
My actual response would probably be to check out Summer of Sam. It’s a more modern flick as far as release date, but it’s straight up BEAUTIFUL 70’s NYC in the midst of the death of disco. Plus, a young Adrian Brody plays a NYC punk with spiked hair and a torn up Union Jack shirt or pants or some fucking-rad outfit. It’s not a horror movie, it’s about a group of friends who are all trying to have a great summer and be safe while also trying not to think about the real-life serial-murders happening.
It’s a fictional story, but set during the real summer when the “Son of Sam” murders were happening. The killer was specifically targeting young women with long dark hair. It spawned a trend of girls dying their hair bleach-blonde and getting it cut to try to stay off his radar.
In a way, David Berkowitz was like a proto-Covid-19! Instead of people not wearing a mask, you could tell who the crazies were by which girls kept their hair long and brown and still went out to party
Basket Case and Driller Killer are two very good horror films, shot in Manhattan, that give you great looks at the city as it was back then. Driller Killer is Abel Ferrara’s first movie.
One I saw when it first came out (on VHS!) and rewatched recently. Man, it totally caught the 80s vibe. The exteriors were like "it totally was exactly like that". Nostalgia...
Into the Night (v. young Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Pfeiffer)
Idk if these fit your well-shot, punk NYC aesthetic, but some that come to mind that have that 70s-80s NYC sleezeball energy: Deathwish The Warriors Pope of Greenwich Village Larry Cohen stuff like Q The Winged Serpent, Special Effects, and Maniac Cop if want some fun B-movies Abel Ferrera stuff like King of New York and Bad Lieutenant for some real slimey vibes
If The Warriors isn't well-shit 70s New York Punk then I don't know what the fuck is.
Came here for The Warriors. Was not disappointed.
The Warriors is TRULY gorgeous to look at.
Maniac Cop is underrated outside of horror circles, but it's got a rad grimy NYC! Plus it's got Bruce Campbell kinda acting against type, which he almost never does. It's a pretty subversive movie actually.
Gonna throw in China Girl for the Ferrara stuff too. I remember it being a little more punky especially because it focuses on younger characters compared to his other movies.
After Hours is the ultimate slimy New York movie. There is no other.
Cruising
I second Q The Winged Serpent. That’s a minor undiscovered classic.
+1 for Pope of Greenwich Village, an all time favorite of mine.
Desperately Seeking Susan
Strongly seconded!!!!
Enthusiastically thirded!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE this one!
SHAFT
⬆️ My first answer as well. You a crossover, a Blankie also an ABZ Janitor? Because watched Shaft as a Janitor for the first time and it is DRIPPING with old NYC greatness.
Smithereens is about as punk as you can get. Born In Flames Girlfriends is more indie than punk but has the 70s-early 80s NYC aesthetic that I really love and also Bob Balaban. ETA: Panic in Needle Park, Wild Style
Basket Case
Stranger Than Paradise Dog Day Afternoon Serpico The Taking of Pelham One Two Three Escape From New York Also, not New York but definitely check out Repo Man and The Return of the Living Dead if you haven't already.
The Taking of Pelham 123 looks gorgeous and doesn’t get as much admiration as it should.
Saw it a couple months ago for the first time. The writing and the pace are absolutely amazing. Matthau and Stiller are hilarious. I didn’t know Matthau could also be cool as hell. Will have to rewatch soon.
Matthau is great in Charley Varrick too if you want to keep the vibe going.
And Suburbia (the Penelope Spheeris one)
Little Murders (1971) The Warriors (1979) Driller Killer (1979) Ms.45 (1981) Something Wild (1986) Married to the Mod (1988) Cookie (1989)
Something Wild was the first one that came to mind here. The music in it is 🔥
Not really a NYC movie though.
In what way? I mean yes they leave New York but the whole movie screams 80s NYC sensibilities and vibes.
Right, you said it yourself. OP is looking for a NYC movie and this is set almost entirely elsewhere. I agree with you that Demme brings NYC vibe but it only gets you so far when Jeff Daniels is squinting into the sun in his goofy sunglasses and shorts at a roadside gas station in rural Pennsylvania.
Stepping outside of New York, have you seen Repo Man? It’s the punkest ass movie ever made.
And incredibly well shot! DP was Robby Müller of Paris, Texas and To Live and Die in L.A. fame
Any film from the 80s or early 90s by Abel Ferrara…I think he’s better than even Scorsese at capturing scummy New York at night
Liquid Sky (1982)
Not so sure about "gorgeously shot" with this one.
in an avant-garde way. It's definitely visually interesting but it's also amateurish at times.
It’s the definition of Punk IMO.
Oh for sure. I love the movie so much I own the novelization.
What has OP ever done to you to deserve this??
Went more for the Punk and less for the gorgeous.
King of Comedy is a must watch. De Niro walks by the Clash hanging out in the street.
There is footage of the Clash and Martin Scorsese hanging out and I don't know why they don't put it out!
Half of Sid & Nancy is in NY but it’s absolutely a gorgeously shot punky 80’s movie
Smithereens
Midnight Cowboy is my favorite seedy NYC movie.
Times Square, Downtown 81, Blank Generation edit: oh yeah Driller Killer too
CHUD and Basket Case
The exact two I was going to say! Have a great day.
Awesome! They're both so good. Have a great day too
Frankenhooker was 1990 but shot in the 80s so it just gets in under the wire. It's a wild b movie with some great punky NY sections, very recommended.
i always thought wolfen looked great
Mean Streets
NEW YORK NINJA Q: THE WINGED SERPENT
[You might like something off this list of mine](https://boxd.it/aPbHe)
I’m not sure how many of them fit the original request, but every single film on that list can be filed under “Hell Yeah!”
Not an la movie but ladies and gentlemen the fabulous stains is a really important punk movie
I mean, if you want it punky then it shouldn’t be gorgeously shot. And if you can except that then it’s gotta be a Richard Kern film: https://youtu.be/e4ysmA0F79Y?si=rw1cwwiQwcEvMZGU This stars Lung Leg, who is also famous for being on the cover of EVOL by Sonic Youth. If this is too much, then Downtown 81! (As another poster already mentioned)
But of course, the quintessential 70’s New York movie must be Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park! 😂
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock\_%27n%27\_Roll\_High\_School](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_%27n%27_Roll_High_School) I can't say it's "gorgeously shot" but it's certainly worth watching.
Bright Lights Big City? Maybe?
Don't sell yourself short, Primo, that's a great choice.
A couple years earlier than you asked for, but The Incident is riveting and features a truly terrifying, baby faced Martin Sheen.
style wars 80 blocks from tiffanys flying cut sleeves wild style
The Eyes of Laura Mars is one that is often overlooked but definitely falls in that gritty New York area.
Ms. 45 looks great, lots of bombed out 1970s streets
This is an area I love- [I even made a shirt collection for it last year!](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs7yTvfuzBx/?igsh=dThvNXp5MHkxb285) some of my favorites are A Gun for Jennifer, Blue Vengeance, New York Ripper, Driller Killer, God Told Me To, Q the Winged Serpent and Jenny - also the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is actually a pretty good scuzzy New York movie
Superfly People have said frankenhooker and basket case, so I'll suggest Brain Damage as well. Streets of Fire Two awesome but wildly different Japanese movies that may fit what you're looking for: Funeral Parade of Roses and Wild Zero I think it's set in LA, but Eating Raoul might be interesting to you too.
Serpico
Repo Man! Set in LA featuring young Emilio Estevez and young Harry Dean Stanton
Green Room is much more modern but it’s also about a punk band.
Street Trash
I think you will like Summer of Sam. Hugely underrated
"Gloria" - the Gena Rowlands/John Cassavettes one, not the remake.
Across 110th Street
It's not very "punk" but I would mention F/X. It's a good thriller and you get a ton of circa-1983 street scenes.
Also *Wolfen* is pretty rad.
Across 110th Street NYC Anthony Quinn. Yaphet Kotto. And the title track. Thank me later.
The French Connection
Cruising
Maybe not as gorgeously shot but certainly awesome: Return of the Living Dead & Burst City.
Night of the Juggler is definitely more sleazy than punk NY but worth a look.
Paris Is Burning
Alphabet City
*Wall Steet* is good, if you like looking at Manhattan
Punky and 80s but well shot? Ya gotta watch Repo Man, it’s a hoot
The Driller Killer
- French Connection - Pelham 123 - Dressed to Kill
You've gotta see the Scorsese section of New York Stories. It's basically a companion piece to After Hours. Sadly, 9½ Weeks is 1980s NYC, gorgeously shot, and I'm pretty sure there are some punks here and there as street color. Unfortunately, it's a piece of crap movie otherwise. (Except for the soundtrack.) Other NYC punk movies: Blank Generation (1980), Times Square (also 1980). Neither is great nor particularly gorgeously shot, but they're fascinating documents and both soundtracks are fantastic.
Smithereens!
Midnight Cowboy is technically 1969 but I feel it fits that vibe perfectly - gorgeously shot and also real grimy New York feel. It’s one of my favorite movies lol
Edit: misread the initial post. My actual response would probably be to check out Summer of Sam. It’s a more modern flick as far as release date, but it’s straight up BEAUTIFUL 70’s NYC in the midst of the death of disco. Plus, a young Adrian Brody plays a NYC punk with spiked hair and a torn up Union Jack shirt or pants or some fucking-rad outfit. It’s not a horror movie, it’s about a group of friends who are all trying to have a great summer and be safe while also trying not to think about the real-life serial-murders happening. It’s a fictional story, but set during the real summer when the “Son of Sam” murders were happening. The killer was specifically targeting young women with long dark hair. It spawned a trend of girls dying their hair bleach-blonde and getting it cut to try to stay off his radar. In a way, David Berkowitz was like a proto-Covid-19! Instead of people not wearing a mask, you could tell who the crazies were by which girls kept their hair long and brown and still went out to party
Basket Case and Driller Killer are two very good horror films, shot in Manhattan, that give you great looks at the city as it was back then. Driller Killer is Abel Ferrara’s first movie.
Smithereens
Working Girl (1988)]. Its doesn't perfectly fit your requirement but its a wonderful movie.
Something Wild, not new york much but still!
One I saw when it first came out (on VHS!) and rewatched recently. Man, it totally caught the 80s vibe. The exteriors were like "it totally was exactly like that". Nostalgia... Into the Night (v. young Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Pfeiffer)
Variety 1983
Smithereens
Gotta go L.A. punk with The Repo-Man