Review your favorite Movie Theater - Page 2

Greg_R · 06-12-2007, 07:39 PM

Quote:

There aren't that many great theaters in the Portland area since REG started cutting older ones like the Eastgate, Koin Center, and Rose Moyer down with a scythe but here are some of my favorites...

Joel, you should try Cinetopia in Vancouver, WA. They have a mix of stadium / auditorium seats and living room theaters. They will occasionally play art house fare but tend to stay focused on mainstream releases. Everything is very comfortable and there is no riffraff (I have yet to have a problem with the audience noise at one of these shows). Sound and video are excellent (note I said -video- since all the PJs are Cristie 2k super-HD PJs). I prefer Cinetopia over Lloyd center and I'm driving from Hillsboro!

For art house shows I'll go to Cinema 21 but the seats are HORRIBLE.

**HTF Ads**

Lord Dalek · 06-13-2007, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg_R

Joel, you should try Cinetopia in Vancouver, WA. They have a mix of stadium / auditorium seats and living room theaters. They will occasionally play art house fare but tend to stay focused on mainstream releases. Everything is very comfortable and there is no riffraff (I have yet to have a problem with the audience noise at one of these shows). Sound and video are excellent (note I said -video- since all the PJs are Cristie 2k super-HD PJs). I prefer Cinetopia over Lloyd center and I'm driving from Hillsboro!

I've been meaning to, but getting to Vancouver is a problem considering I have no car.

Whitsell Auditorium is also pretty good even though their acoustics are a bit wonky.

Ted Todorov · 06-19-2007, 03:35 PM

No hesitation here: The Walter Reade Theater -- the NY Film Society's theater at Lincoln Center.

Great projection, great sound, large screen, spectacular sightlines, comfortable seats (stadium seating -- done long before it became popular). Polite audiences. Choice programming, director/cast Q&As after many screenings and admission is still only $7 for members/students/seniors. And it's only 10 blocks from my house -- can't beat that with a stick.

Further good news -- the Film Society is building two more theaters and re-building Alice Tully Hall, where the NY Film Festival screenings are held.

Other NYC theaters -- they all suck to one degree or another. Of the commercial ones, the AMC 25 (42nd St.) is the best of a bad bunch. The Ziegfeld may be a beautiful old hall, but the screen is far too small for the size of the place, and the projection has been known to suck.

Chris · 06-22-2007, 10:51 PM

Screenland, Kansas City, MO - There are often people who rank theaters highly for their THX status, their incredible field of vision, and attributes that make the on screen experience great. Screenland is a smaller theater that is not the most "technology superior" screen in town. Every seat is a great seat with a perfect view of the screen because it's a smaller house and you don't feel crammed in. Screenland is at it's heart a special treat for any film lover. Screenland theater, provides fans of all film a chance to see the films of ages gone by, and independent films in a beautiful classically styled theater. With luxury seating available (barco loungers) access to a full bar, and the best staff in town, period, Screenland provides one of those experiences that has to be experienced. Screenland has been a big opener for independent films - Clerks 2 was screened for national media there, as cast members showed up and talked to fans. The lobby area is a work of history - a tour of when Walt Disney ran Laugh-O-Gram studios nearby, including pieces of art that he had done. Set pieces taken from Altman's "Kansas City" and other films produced about and in KC are present for a film buff to drool over.

But what really makes Screenland special is the way the staff listens to the customer and provides events that make me want to visit often. When I look at their upcoming films they will show, it's a mix of old & new.

http://www.screenland.com/theatre/upcoming.html

Is there anywhere else where I could catch a double feature of Ghostbusters I & II, while in the afternoon have a chance to see some unique independent film? Where a theater owner tells an audience that he's rooting to show "Firefly" once a year because he loves it? Or decides a midnight showing of "Big Lebowski" invites fans?

This is a real rarity, a true treat. Screenland is a theater owned by theater junkies who cater not to box office but to their audience. And everytime I go, I'm glad I went. I've managed to see several great films there.. great foreign films, independent films, and classics. In one day I was able to see "Downfall" and later that day managed to watch "This is Spinal Tap".

Screenland is a treasure.

This summer, they open after much renovation a sister theater, the Granada. 900 seats, built in 1929, the Granada is an old-style feel and is kept so in the feeling of the 1920s era that it's a joy to be there. In front of the theater screen sits a full orchestra pit, complete with a pipe organ head for the days when films were silent, but accompanied. The theater is multi-purpose, which means it was devised for the day when the set could be used for stage as well as screen. Some day, as I have told the owner, I would love to see a few silent era films faithfully reproduced with the orchestration and musical arrangement. I've always had doubts I would ever see such a thing.. but I have always wanted to watch Harold Lloyd, Buster Keaton, and others as the original arranged music played. The Granada and it's ownership give me hope that sooner rather then later, Kansas City will have that kind of experience.

I want to say one other thing about the Granada: if you get a chance, see a classic at night in the Granada. The Granada features a redone classic atmospheric theater ceiling, so as the screen lights up, above you the stars and the clouds sweep across the ceiling, and it gives me the feeling of a theater I loved as a child. I hadn't seen a theater with atmospherics since I was little, and I was amazed at how much it made the night feel special. And, if you're out with the wife or a date, it's everything you could ask for

I rarely write so glowing of a review of anything. There are a few places in town I could sing the praise of.. I could tell you the joys of the best Frozen Custard in town, one of the best hidden Chinese supermarkets.. but if you're a film buff and you live anywhere near Kansas City, you owe it to yourself to visit screenland. Even if you're not seeing a film, just to look at Laugh-O-Gram history, see where a nervous cast of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" rolled out a small film, catch the hand prints in the ground of celebrities who let their independent film get a shot. I stumbled onto screenland about two years ago by accident. And now, I find myself looking at their site often and thinking "Spaceballs! On the big screen? Let's load up!"

Chris*Liberti · 06-24-2007, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick C.

Century 25 Theater, Union City
At 25 screens, as far as I know, still the largest cinema in the Bay Area. Relatively new facilities located in a relatively suburban area immediately off the I-880/Alvarado-Niles exit. Stadium seating throughout, excellent sound and sight lines (aside from the frontmost rows in every screen, which are much too close). Alternate between reclining and love seating (lifting armrests) every row. Cash only, tickets are priced a bit higher ($0.50-$1.25 more) than some other local chains, but nothing exorbitant. Showings usually start at noon during weekends/Fridays/holidays, a bit earlier during school recesses. Good selection of films, all the latest blockbusters and some smaller pictures as well, especially during the Oscar season. Generally clean and well lit bathroom, three vending counters, with the smaller counters opening up later in the day. The screens are split in to two wings, 12 on one side, 13 the other. Very crowded on weekends and holidays, parking is now very difficult to find, this is the case year round, with retail shops, services and restaurants opening up seemingly every few months, not to mention the parking lot itself is difficult to navigate with its curves and walkways.
(To be continued)

And now the negative with this theater. The projection is atrocious. Every time I go here I complain about the misalignment of the projector, almost every film I see here suffers from trapezoid distortion. Also, many times the projector is out of focus.

Don Mankowski · 06-24-2007, 10:42 PM

No one has yet mentioned the Clark Theater in downtown Chicago?

They showed older films and changed the bill on a daily basis.

In those pre-VCR days of the 1970s, I caught up with many a film I'd missed due to being too young. So did Siskel and Ebert, I hear.

Jonesy · 06-30-2007, 05:05 PM

I've archived reviews from the latest posts and updated the review of the Union City Century 25 (Thanks Chris - It's good to get multiple perspectives on any theatre- that always paints a more realistic picture.)

Don, at my blog I'm trying to focus on theatres that are still open. My goal is to help moviegoers identify and support good theatres, so they won't shut down (like the Clark). Of course, anything goes here in the forum.

Two good sites for info about old theatres are:
Cinema Treasures
CinemaTour

Keep those reviews coming!
Jonesy
Movie Theatre Reviews

Scott McAllister · 07-24-2007, 12:50 AM

Oh man, where's the Southeast love? Let me take care of that.

As an aside, I have to concur with all the praise being lavished upon the Arclight cinema. During my four month stint in L.A (living on the corner of Sunset & Vermont), I managed to visit the Arclight several times. I can honestly say I've never been more satisfied with my overall movie-watching experience. I managed to take in several opening weekend blockbusters, as well as "Die Another Day" in the Cinerama Dome along with "Lethal Weapon", "Back to the Future", and "Lawrence of Arabia" during the theater's movie revival promotion. Absolutely A+, and worth detouring your vacation if you happen to be in the general vicinity.

Now, onto the Tampa area theaters.

AMC Woodlands Square 20.
This is my tried and true movie house and it usually does not fail to disappoint. I say usually because there are times when the surround sound can fade out, and the picture can be a little out of focus. That having been said, it's still an easy 8 out of 10 given its close proximity, affordable tickets, and above average presentation. For big blockbuster movies I highly recommend finding out which showings are playing in either theater #10 or #11. These screens (and seating areas) are easily forty percent bigger than the other eighteen screens in the place, and I go out of my way to make sure my butt is in one of those chairs come showtime.

The building is surrounded by the requisite pizza joints and ice cream parlors to satisfy the rumbling stomach. There's also a Ruby Tuesday's, Burger King, and Taco Bell if you prefer name-brand delectables. Parking is free and there's a huge lot available. I recommend driving behind the theater and parking in the backlot as it is usually more empty and less of a walk to box office.

Channelside Cinemas 9 & IMAX.
This is the best game in town when it comes to IMAX presentation. I've made the thirty minute drive to Channelside just to catch a few movies in IMAX (Spiderman 2). This is a clean theater with excellent video, sound, and seating. Sound is usually very high fidelity and there have been times where I felt somewhat like the "Maxell Logo Guy"; holding onto my seat with both hands while my hair blows back toward the wall. What makes this theater so attractive is that it's right smack in the middle of Channelside, which gives you access to some great restaurants (sushi by the port authority is not to be missed), bars, and clubspots. If you go for the evening, make sure you swing by Splitsville, a very trendy, upscale bowling alley.

I hope this helps some of our Southeastern Florida members. See you there!

-S-

Shad R · 09-13-2007, 04:27 AM

Harkins Cine-Capri
8300 E 49th Ave in Denver, CO
The main auditorium, the CINE-CAPRI is officially the largest screen in CO. It is bigger than the more well known Continental, and it boasts a 30,000 watt surround system! The seating is stadium, and the chairs are more comfortable than most of the other theaters in the area. The auditorium is HUGE and there is plenty of space between seats and rows. The classic style gold curtain stays closed until the presentation starts, and there are no ads or commercials. After Harkins opening, it goes into the DOLBY DIGITAL trailer, and then right into the movie trailers, which they only show around 4, so it doesn't drag on like in most theaters.
I'm not sure if they are equipped with DTS or SDDS, because both times I was there they played the DD trailer. The sound is absolutely the best sound I've EVER heard in a movie theater. The dailogue is crisp and clear, the music sounds amazing, and the bass will knock you back a row or two, but only when they are needed. To many times I've seen a movie where the bass was cranked so high it was unbearable. This is not the case here, as it only thumps you when it is supposed to. The surrounds are really enveloping. They are not too loud, not to soft, noticeable but not distracting.
The picture is top notch. It looks just incredible.
The staff is friendly, and the ushers wait until the last reel is COMPLETELY done before they come in!
Hands down best cinema experiences of my life.

Jason Harbaugh · 09-13-2007, 04:32 PM

That must be a new theatre Shad. Thanks for the review, I'll have to check it out.

I just googlemapped it and switched to satellite. Guess that does confirm that it is pretty new.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...wloc=addr&om=1