Review your favorite Movie Theater - Page 2

Re: Review your favorite Movie Theater

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.

Re: Review your favorite Movie Theater

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.

Re: Review your favorite Movie Theater

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.

Re: Review your favorite Movie Theater

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!"

Re: Review your favorite Movie Theater

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.

Re: Review your favorite Movie Theater

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.

Re: Review your favorite Movie Theater

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

Re: Review your favorite Movie Theater

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-

Re: Review your favorite Movie Theater

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.

Re: Review your favorite Movie Theater

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

Re: Review your favorite Movie Theater

I'm from Phoenix where Harkins started. They are my favorite chain. The original Cine Capri was where I saw Star Wars in 1977 when I was 11. It didn't become a Harkins theater until sometime in the late 1980s.

It was a single theater built in 1966. It had a 65 foot screen curved for Cinerama and covered with gold curtains. I actually have a swatch of the original fabric from those curtains. It could handle 35mm and 70mm prints with 6 track sound. Star Wars played there for over a year. I also got to see Lawrence of Arabia there in 70mm. That was truly spectacular. I also saw the restored Casablanca there in the early 90s. Sadly it was torn down to make way for an office building in 1998

We now have 2 of the new Cine Capri theaters here in the Phoenix area and while they are spectacular, I miss the original.

Doug

Re: Review your favorite Movie Theater

The Cine-Capri sounds like an excellent theatre. I wish Harkins would build some theatres in the San Francisco area. I'll be sure to check it out next time I'm in Denver. (Not counting Imax.)


Do you know the dimensions? I've been trying to document the largest screens in the U.S.

This is fantastic. Their website makes it seem like they use a lot of on-screen ads. Do they only show ads in their non-Cine-Capri auditoriums?

One other thing you forgot to mention is that they do a fantastic job of advertising which films are in the large auditorium. At many other theatre chains moviegoers must play "Auditorium Roulette" when they pick their showtimes. Maybe you'll get a large screen... maybe you'll get a pillbox.

Jonesy
Movie Theatre Reviews

Re: Review your favorite Movie Theater

The Vista in Los Feliz.
cinematreasures.org/theater/32

It's been around since before your mother was born and it looks it; if your mother had extensive plastic surgery. Not like it looks as if it's been added to and grossly exaggerated. It looks like the grand theater, ok maybe not so grand, but it's a charming single screen movie theater that screens first run big movies. And in the marquee below the films logo the director is always listed. As if you needed to know who directed Phantom Menace or Kill Bill.

Speaking of which, I've seen a bunch of movies at the Vista, 2 Star Wars prequels included(I was in Amsterdam for Episode 3- drats! and a few Quentin Tarantino movies.

Let me just say this: The Vista WAS the DEFINITIVE place to watch the Rodriguez/Tarantino/mish-mash directors efforts that collectively came together to form Grindhouse. Actually any Tarantino movie should be seen at the Vista because of the retro/rock vibe of the neighborhood.

Sure you could have caught it up the street on the dome at the Arclight.

But does a movie(s) like Grindhouse deserve that grand, hi-tech treatment?
Hell no.

Grindhouse was best viewed at The Vista because of the age of the theater and the aged, ragged attempted nature of the Grindhouse experience.

You didn't need 3-D glasses because the Vista provided the added dimension.

Re: Review your favorite Movie Theater

The Arclight Hollywood: Hollywood,CA

All-reserved seating is a plus as is the extra attention to the movie exsperience. This theater has nicer seats, top grade sound system and top quality projectors. This theater also plays older films and foreign films, they also have question and answer screening with directors. While it is a little pricy at $11.00 to $14.00, IMHO its worth it. I know that they actually have someone that monitors the Cinerama dome room and comes in to check on the sound and picture to make sure everything is just right. I would imagine that all rooms are monitored for quality so that there customers are getting the best movie exsperience available.

Located: 6360 W. Sunset Blvd (between Vine and Ivar, with DeLongpre to the south) Los Angeles, CA






Graumann's Chinese: Hollywood, CA

In the heart of Hollywood this is a great place to see a movie. Both the picture and sound are top notch and some of the best I have heard and seen. The theater is on the walk of fame and usually has people dressed up as movie characters all around the outside of the theater. The theater is classy and is comfterable. The room is huge and has alot of seats and has alot of detail to take in. This theater is also a little pricey at $11.00 to $14.00 but well worth it.



El Capitan: Hollywood, CA

While its is a small theater it has a great picture and very good sound. To my knowledge Disney paid for this old schoold theater to be refurbished and brought back to its full glory. I saw Pirates Of The Caribean 3 there and was very impressed. They even have a organist that plays music before the movie. This theater is pricy just like the Archlight and the Graumann's but well worth it. It is actually right across the street from the Graumann's and the only drawback if you want to call it one is it has only one room. This theater also has a Disney store attached and basically only shows Disney films there as far as I know. This theater started as a stage theater back in 1926 so it has been around for awhile.




A little over 2 1/2 years ago I moved to Phoenix, AZ and am still looking for a great theater like the above mentioned ones. I have to also give thumbs up to the Edwards Theater located in the Ontario Mills Shopping Center (Ontario, CA). For a chain theater it is very nice in appearance and it has good quality picture and sound. The Chinese room I think it is called which is the biggest non Imax room in the multiplex. Is basically just a little smaller than the Imax room and the screen is almost as big with aprox. 1200 seats. I remember seeing Saving Private Ryan at this theater and it blew me away. Because of the size of the room the surround speakers are dual 15" woofers with a compression horn. And this room can get loud on action movies and it has what it takes to reproduce the audio without distortion.

I however have to say that the nicest theater I have found here in Phoenix has to be hands down the Harkins Theater. IMHO a big improvement over your standard AMC chain theater.

Re: Review your favorite Movie Theater

The best one around me is the Lowes AMC in Cherry Hill NJ. It has the most screens, and thus the most times one film can play. Stadium seating, reclining seats and dolby surround sound.

The worst part about it is that anything that isn't a matinee now costs $10 per ticket! The AMC Marlton 8 on Rt. 73 in Marlton NJ used to be my fave with it's $5.50 per ticket student pricing (probably more now though so don't quote me on that price), but not enough screens.

So two thumbs up for the Lowes AMC in cherry hill nj for best quality and times; two thumbs down for cost of everything.

Re: Review your favorite Movie Theater

Warren Theater in Moore, OK

Grand Opening tonight. Hopefully I'll be going soon.

14 theaters witha all screens with waterfall curtains
14 THX rated sound systems
14 Digital projections
3 3D screens
2 theaters with "crying rooms"
No on screen advertising.
2 theaters with 21 & over balcony seating with waiter service for dinner and full bar.

http://www.warrentheatres.com/Moore.pdf

And it's only 1 mile from my house.

Re: Review your favorite Movie Theater

It's been ages since I have seen a movie in a theatre - I am now a DVD nut!, however Alabama has two that certainly recommend mentioning.
The "Alabama" in downtown Birmingham (AL), got the name "Showplace Of The South". Once recommended for the wrecking ball, a group of citizens and civic leaders got together and raised money for restoration and needed repaid. Today it shows occasional movies and is used for performing arts and concerts.

The other is in Tuscaloosa and is the "Bama". The interior walls are designed as a Spanish structure and wrought iron balconies, faux doors and plants. The ceiling has "twinking" stars and a projected cloud effect that is truly remarkable.

I'll try and do some research as to construction and completion dates and other interesting info.

Re: Review your favorite Movie Theater

This is my review of the Warren theater in Wichita, ks and moore, OK.

This is the most expensive movie theatre built in the history of the state.
The cost of the theater was more then 30 million dollars.
It’s double the cost of any other theatre ever built in Kansas, period.
The warren theater put a tremendous amount of quality and effort into this theatre, good diner food, homemade shakes and so forth.
When you walk into the Warren Theatre, you’re going to see a lobby that’s three stories tall and hallways with over a million dollars of imported marble, terrazzo floors and gold leafing and custom murals and all those type of things. And upstairs in the VIP balcony area, which is for 21 and over, they do food service from the seat and also have liquor service. There are built-in tables and the seats are very wide.
They only theatre in the nation to put draperies up on all
screens. The draperies don’t even open from side to
side. They go with what’s called waterfall. There are only a couple people
in the nation that can even build those. The signage bill for the signs and
hidden neon throughout the building was over a million dollars.

The thing i like is that the quality is throughout. You dont walk in the lobby and it looks fancy and then walk into the bathroom and it looks like they threw it together in 5 minutes.

You won’t see any advertising on the screen. You won’t see slides or anything. Mr warren has been quoted as saying "If I’m going to pay my good money to see a movie, I don’t want to see advertising on the screen. I can watch that on TV." This is the best part. I get so tired of going to a movie and seeing 15 minutes of advertising before the show.

They originally started out with 20 screens with basically the same size footprint, 150 thousand square foot building. But then they made the decision at the last minute to switch it to 14 screens, and the reason that they did…was they only had 1 big auditorium and Mr warren decided they needed two big auditoriums. They decided they
wanted the smallest auditoriums to be bigger. they literally got rid of one auditorium just by the fact of the size of the seats by put in extra wide seats in all of the theatres.
This 14-plex is bigger than a 25-plex that a normal theatre company would build. There’s a million dollars in granite and another million in neon lighting, there’s terrazzo flooring and marble counter tops and waterfall curtains. They are the only all THX theater in the world. Well besides the other 2 that he owns.

The theater is fantastic. I love the background music playing when you walk in then the lights dim the curtain rises and the show begins. The main screen is more then 5 stories tall and 80 feet wide. Having a true balcony is great. I havent seen a TRUE balcony in a theater since i saw star trek III search for spock at the fox theater in hutchinson, ks. There are a couple dickinson in kansas city that call what they have a balcony but its not. Its just the theater is divided the front part is like any other non stadium theater and then you go up some stairs to the rest of the theater and they call it a balcony but its not.

The warren at Moore, ok and the 13th ave warren in wichita, ks are now all digital cinema THX.

When watching a movie at the warren even before it went digital was much better then any other theater i have been too. No dickinson or AMC i have been to or carmike could compare to the Warren. No concrete walls like at most theaters or concrete floors.

The Warren Theater makes the most of the movie going experience. Going all out with the decor, the Warren aims to give you the experience of going to the movies in the 1930's and 1940's with an art deco scheme, its very own malt shop (west location) or diner (east loaction), and uniformed staff with brass buttons. Not to be out done, the restrooms at the new east location has a waiting lounge complete with couches and a real fire in the fireplace, while the restrooms have a vanity area and at least 30-40 toilets.

Of course the technology is 21st century with THX Digital surround sound and some theatres with stadium seating and curved screens. In all of the theaters the seats are red plush with high backs that lean back. This makes both for comfortable movie watching and avoids the scenario of having to lean left or right to see around the tall person in front of you. There is also so much leg room between rows that you don't have to squish in order for people to get up and out of the rows. Everything is run very professionally. The curtains are drawn up from in front of the enormous screens before the show begins and the only ads are movie previews (no made-for-movie-screen commericals that have taken most movie chains by storm).

In short if you are ever in Wichita, ks or Moore, OK stop in see the warren you will not be dissapointed.

Re: Review your favorite Movie Theater

I believe all of the new Cine Capri auditoriums have 75 foot curved screens. I know the two theaters here in the Phoenix area seat different numbers, but I don't know what the actual dimensions of the theaters are. One of them seats 620 I believe and the other is about 750.

Doug

Re: Review your favorite Movie Theater

I am trying to veryify how many seats are at the Edwards Theater in Ontario, California. But for some reason I keep thinking it is 1200, and I could be totally wrong on that. There largest room is about the same size as there IMAX room and the screen is a hair smaller. I remember seeing Saving Private Ryan in that room and I beleive the surrounds in that room are dual 15" woofers and a HF Horn (JBL).

Re: Review your favorite Movie Theater

Regal Cinemas Valley River Center 15, Eugene Oregon- Definetly the best theater i've ever been to. The decor amazes me every time I go to the theater. The cinema has two theaters that will seat 424 people, about 7 theaters that seat 228 people and the rest seat ruffly 132 people. The Cinema has one DLP theater and the rest use film. Regal 15 also has Kilpch surrond sound in each theater. All theaters have behind the screen sub woofers to complete this incredible cinema.
Final grade: A-

Re: Review your favorite Movie Theater

Re the Cine Capri in Denver:

I saw Quantum of Solace there last year. It IS a large screen and they put on a good show. I gave them a B+ on my blog. (You gotta show an occasional classic to get an A.)

But as for the exact size of the screen, the managers refused to provide any information... almost as if they had something to hide. They were very squirrely about it.

To my eye, the Cine Capri screen, while impressive, was not as big as the giant 78' wide screen at the Continental (on the south side of Denver).

A little intertoob research turned up this press release, which claims their screen is 70' x 30' (more than 10% smaller than the Continental).

However, Harkin's newspaper ad proclaims daily: "Colorado's Largest Screen."

Not a big deal, and Colorado is lucky to have two screens of that size. But kinda amusing, I thought.

Re: Review your favorite Movie Theater

Everyone should check out the Roseway Theater in Portland. We are lucky to live in the neighborhood...it was recently restored and the picture and sound is amazing! Apparenty new owner has a backgroung with hollywood technology and you can tell. We use to travel to Cinetopia but not anymore. Roseway is only $6 and we thought sound and picture quality were better.

Roseway Theater :: Portland, OR :: movie times, show times, first run, films, entertainment, theater, cinema, historic, northeast, digital

They are running a loud show of the watchmen this weekend at 10:30! So there

Re: Review your favorite Movie Theater

my favorite movie theater is pvr because well sheet ,full ac,big screen and good dolby sound so....i like see any movies in pvr........

I just found my new favorite theatre. it opened in folsom, ca yesterday. it has 16 screens and all digital. it can play 6 movies in 3D. I first heard about the company back in 2007 when the petaluma theatre played blade runner the final cut. I have been to the others theatre since then. now its only a 45 minutes drive and not 2 hours. please tell your friends and family about it. we just got the best theatre in the sacramento area in a long time. the link for the theatre is below.

enjoy.

Jacob


http://www.cinemawest.com/pal.html

Hello!!

 

iPic Movie Theater

16451 NE 74th St

Redmond, Wa 98052

425-636-5601

 

My favorite movie theater is IPic Movie theater in Redmond Washington. This movie theater is not a typical movie theater.

 

IPic  Theaters offers an easy way to have dinner and a movie, without the hassle of coordinating dinner and movie times. This unique movie theater is the ultimate movie experience, complete with great food, comfy seats and delicious drinks. Instead of trying to perfectly coordinate dinner, with plenty of time to drive from dinner to the theater and include time to get a parking space, and stand in line, just do it all in one place. I personally, find this to be easy and convenient. But I enjoy most about this theater is that is 21+. Not that I am anti-family, by any means, and I do understand that a non-family friendly establishment is not favored by all. I am definitely one who enjoys the night life, and I enjoy a cocktail or two. Being able to see a movie and not have it crowded with young teenagers increases the value for me.  I love the drinks, and the option to have food brought to you in the theater while you’re watching the film.

Now I know that this sounds like a fancy and perhaps expensive movie theater. I thought the same thing, the only reason I tried it was because I received a free movie pass (you can too if you sign up online!). To my surprise, the employees were friendly, the bartenders were sociable, and the food and drinks were delicious. The whole theater is clean and decorated very modern, I felt like I was in Vegas. I enjoyed the whole experience. And the cost is equivalent to purchasing dinner at a restaurant and a ticket at a theater.  

 

just in case you want to check out this theater and its many locations visit the website: www.ipictheaters.com

For me there are only a couple theaters I will go to because most are just wore down around here. Although there are a few new ones I haven't been to yet. Here are my favorite two:

 

 

Cinerama

2100 4TH Avenue
Seattle, WA
(206) 448-6680

 

LANDMARK THEATER

 

Seattle Cinerama Theatre, built in 1963, is owned by philanthropist and investor Paul G. Allen, who saved it from demolition in 1988. Vulcan Inc. directed a spectacular restoration of the theater’s early 1960s interiors and brought back the massive, curved screen used for special presentations of Cinerama and 70mm wide-screen movies. Seattle Cinerama is one of only three theaters in the world that can show original three-strip Cinerama films. The Cinerama just re-opened with a fresh restoration and technical upgrade, ensuring its movie-theater supremacy.

 

http://seattlecinerama.com/the-experience/technical/

 

 

 

 

Lincoln Square Cinemas

 

 

 

 

700 Bellevue Way NE

Bellevue, Washington  98004

 

http://www.lincolnsquarecinemas.com/

 

 

 

 

I feel it's necessary to point out that the Gold Class theater at Redmond Town Center (now IPic I suppose) has undergone a complete transformation. What was once an excellent experience is now simply an overpriced movie ticket.

 

Here's a letter that I wrote to Gold Class (and also posted on Yelp - see link below for reviews from others) expressing our dissatisfaction of the new "experience". Keep in mind that we *loved* this theater. We went there often. With the new changes however, we will not be back.

 

My wife and I, who have been visiting Gold Class Redmond for at least two years, were utterly disappointed by our experience today as a result of the recent changes to this location. Here are our impressions:

* Call button
o The call button provided a non-intrusive way for people to order food and drinks before and during the movie. You've taken these buttons out now and require us to flag down an attendant to get service. And now we can't order after 20 minutes. Except the attendants kept coming around and asking if we were ok. This is both frustrating and distracting. I was bothered more times during the movie by them asking me, and those around me, than I was when they would discretely respond to someone's active request.
* Tab
o We're no longer allowed to give our card at arrival for a tab. Instead we have to give our card at the end of the movie. This presents multiple problems. First, I can't see in the dark. How can I take care of the bill if I can't see it? Second, in order to take care of the bill, I need to take time away from the movie. At the end of it, when the most important scenes are taking place. Third, the attendant comes around and asks every person if we're ready to settle the bill. This is yet another distraction during the movie. Fourth, if we wait until the movie is over, we have to sit and wait while our bill, and those of everyone else (not a single person settled the bill during the movie) for our cards to be run through. You've taken a simple process of 1) provide card at arrival 2) deliver bill at end of movie 3) sign bill, leave, and turned it into a disruptive and time-consuming process.
* Seat angle
o The new seating is interfering with the movie experience. With the old seats, the seats on either side were angled inwards towards the middle of the screen and were lower in the theater. Now, the seats are raised much higher and point straight on. So as a result we must now keep our heads at an angle, and for those reclined on the outer-most seats, anything on the middle table (think drinks, staws, etc), get in the way of the screen.
* Popcorn
o Our popcorn tasted like microwaved popcorn. Pretty sure it was. Some may say - hey, it's free. I'm sorry but for the prices we're paying for the tickets, we are most definitely paying for that popcorn.
* Drinks
o The drinks have gotten smaller. And in order to get refills, we have to take our attention away from the movie and flag down an attendant when they wander through during the movie.
* Temperature
o The past three times we've been there, the temperature has been colder inside the theater (and the temp as 60F outside today) than outside. Even with blankets and our coats on.
* Food
o Several menu items, such as the chicken piccata trio and the strawberry angle bowl, are missing. Now there are just heavy fried and bar-type food items left and the still outrageous prices.

You've taken all of the value that was provided and removed it. The only value left is the fact that we can reserve seats and that you have different chairs. The removal of the call buttons and the tab at arrival option, the interruptions and distractions have greatly increased. And these are all in addition to the previous cuts you've made like escorts to our seats, the removal of many premium seats, and member pricing on Friday and Saturday. Our experience today was so utterly dissatisfying that we have no intention of returning to Gold Class. This is extremely disappointing as it was once one of our favorite outings and we really enjoyed the experience. However all of these services have been removed while the price has remained the same. There's simply no value in seeing movies there any longer.

 

See more reviews at http://www.yelp.com/biz/gold-class-cinemas-redmond?rpp=40&sort_by=date_desc.

 

 

Search over.

 

instant classic!