I have a list of 50 on my blog at johnjfink.blogspot.com. But here’s my top 10:
1.-Syndromes and a Century (2006)
2.-The Piano Teacher (2001)
3.-Wendy & Lucy (2008)
4.-Touch The Sound (2004)
5.-Vera Drake (2004)
6.-Talk to Her (2002)
7.-Three Times (2005)
8.-Sommers Town (2009)
9.-Untitled/Almost Famous (2000)
10.-Goodbye Dragon Inn (2003)
As for the decade – I saw an average of 4.6 movies a week, 2428 movies in total, in theaters from Jan 1, 2000 to tomorrow night when I plan to see yet another movie named Nine.
100 % digital applies only to “Rave Motion Pictures” sites. It’s too confusing, they run Rave Motion Pictures, Rave Digital Media and now Rave Cinemas. Pretty stupid if you ask me, and a bit misleading when you visit their site, click on amenities and they claim they’re 100% digital and 100% stadium seating (in sites denoted as “RMP”.
I’d give them the benefit of the doubt but they updated the rest of their site just as quickly. Sorry, not every theater will have a standard Rave look. If anything they’ve acquired the best chain in America, so what if not all their theaters are stadium seating and digital, deal with it and stop misleading your customers.
It wasn’t his best film and there was maybe only about 15 people at the 7:40 show. It’s also playing day and date on IFC’s on demand channel. Herzog’s other new movie, My Son, My Son What Have Ye Done had the big house.
As luck would have it, I saw two films tonight at IFC – both were in the new theaters, sandwiched under Theater 3 on the ground floor in what used to be the short lived and overpriced Waverly. (I once had crab cakes there, they were okay but there’s too many better places to eat within a few blocks).
The theaters haven’t been renumbered so 1, 4 and 5 are on the street floor, upstairs are 2 and 3. Theater 4 is okay, decent screen, about 60+ seats, tiered seating, digital and film projection. IFC sure doesn’t have Sony 4K projection, the colors were off, not sure if it was the digital file but some of the shots of the sky in Ricky were pixelated and discolored in hot spots, it was like watching a bad streaming video (maybe the were streaming it from IFC’s on demand network, kidding). I would have told the staff, but I would doubt they’d care.
Next up was Antichrist in Theater 5, a tiny all digital theater. I walked in and didn’t see a projector, thinking this was perhaps real projection I looked up, following the light. Directly above the first row was a digital projection sandwiched above with a close circuit camera to monitor presentation remotely.
The theater had about 35 seats, very comfortable but the projection again wasn’t that high quality. They probably went to Office Depot and bought there most expensive projector. The screen was a decent size although the auditorium layout was a little awkward, 3 rows of stadium seating, and two rows on the floor. The screen was small for a regular theater, but since it’s close the audience (I know, sounds like the scam IMAX is running with “perception”), but the projector showed all the pixels, while sharp and in focus, the whites seemed too bright, too artificial. Quick cuts seemed to show the pixels.
If I were you I’d avoid Theater 5, 4 is decent, the original 3 are still the best and have the most comfortable seats (the new ones have different but very comfortable seats similar to the seats Clearview installs although they are cloth and not fake leather). The IFC Center is still interesting as its a for-profit subsidiary of a major evil corporation (Cablevision) but behaves like an NFP with its special screenings, membership club, and mailing list. Still I worry that the theater exists mostly to fulfill some contractual obligation between filmmakers and IFC when they sell their films to IFC. Granted it’s playing a lot of non-IFC films, but it has been known to be a dumping ground and much as it’s provided an outlet for some great independent and documentaries to be seen. My objection is the pre-show: if I see two features during the same week, I’ll have to sit through the same pre-show: the same short (thank god they’re over Greenporno), most of the same trailers, and ads, it’s almost as bad as say, your local Regal or AMC. Customer service at IFC has also gone downhill, their staff doesn’t seem to be happy to be there, when you walk in they simply rip your ticket and tell you where to go, verses opening with something like “welcome to IFC Center”. It’s depressing how its gone downhill even as its writing a new chapter in its history with two new theaters, relying on cheap digital projection they practically are driving customers to IFC on demand and away from the theater. Maybe that’s part of their underlining strategy, but it sucks for those of us that are excited to see new films from world class filmmakers, in a facility that’s lowered its standards.
The press release is out today on Rave’s website, essentially they’ve formed a new entity: Rave Cinemas, LLC, and it appears the National Amusements sites will be “Rave Cinemas”. Rave Cinemas LLC is acquiring the much of the assets of Rave Reviews Cinemas, which was the legal name I assume for Rave Motion Pictures. They will be managing other sites not picked up from Rave Reviews, like they do with the Rave Digital Media partnership and Beverly Center. It also appears they are only buying “selected” real estate from National which I’m not sure if this means Redstone will continue to be a landlord at some sites or they consider the sites National does own (mall locations such as Enfield, CT).
Interesting connection: Charles Moss is involved with the transaction and is going to chairman of Rave Cinemas. I wonder if that means anything for Bow Tie Cinemas, the chain he runs with his son? It also speculates Rave LLC will be the fifth largest exhibitor in America, after this acquisition will more than double their size. Here’s the press release: View link
As for “screwing up” National Amusements, I’m glad Edgewater is remaining a National Amusements site (although a little surprised they’re keeping Town Center, a location that originally opened as a Regal Cinemas but was unloaded when they went bankrupt). All Rave has to do is keep running the theaters well, change nothing, not even the popcorn, even learn and implement what National does right, including high quality, diverse concession offerings. It’s ironic, AMC who used to let you bring in your own food stopped allowing it, right after they closed many of the premium snack bars that General Cinema and Loews used to run in their theaters. My guess is National saw what was working with Famous Players in Canada and jumped on it. It looks like the only brand acquired by Rave might have been The Bridge – they are all on rave’s site now.
Any movie that gets people excited about going to the movies is fine by me. The new one was laughably bad in parts, but it’s exciting seeing an opening night movie with an engaged packed house, sadly those experiences are few and far between outside of the major film festival circuit.
I attending a sold out screening in IMAX in Williamsville, NY last night – good reception, I think the other screens (a Real D and a 35MM) were also near capacity. Visually its an amazing work, in terms of story it gets bogged down in the conventions of the genre, the 3-D effects are probably some of the best I’ve seen since the early days of IMAX and its development as a film language.
Wow, I’m shocked to see CT and Springfield, MA go, I thought for sure they would have stayed National. Especially Springfield which has a long legacy with the company (the 15 screens contain the original remains of what was a “Movie Theater Campus” along Route 5).
A lot of excellent theaters in the pick-up, including Showcase West Springfield, Buckland Hills, and The Bridge locations. All Rave has to do is not screw them up – it’s sad to see the finest of the big chains fall, if anything Rave’s operations team should learn from National, and keep the diverse concessions including the amazing popcorn.
Rather telling from the “participating theaters” under National’s Star Pass program, it looks like in NJ they’re keeping Edgewater and Town Center. Those that are no longer participating in Star Pass are Hazlet and Showcase at Ritz Center. The whole OH and MI regions that had it are also out. I for one am glad they’re keeping Edgewater, the closest site to me and my theater of choice – I was the Rave in PA once, the complex was nice, well maintained, comfortable, but the popcorn…. pretty awful. Hopefully if the economy turns around they’ll install a Lux Level and turn Edgewater into a Showcase Cinema De Lux.
Here’s something rather telling about what Rave is buying and what’s staying with National: the Star Pass program has been cancilled at all but 4 theaters, two in New York that always had it (Island 16 and City Center) and two in New Jersey (Town Center Plaza and Edgewater). This means Ohio is all going to Rave, as are Hazlet (as reported on the site), and Showcase at Ritz Center, which should be interesting for people already angry that theater isn’t really much of an art house anymore.
Very glad National is keeping Edgewater which seems to do solid business, has great and diverse food offerings, lots of leg room, big screens, and a good crowd (never any problems here, and there are lots of people that come). It should be interesting to see what happens when Rave takes over, I’ve been to their PA location in Center Valley, in a great upscale shopping “life style center” – the theaters were nice, comfortable, clean – my only complaint is the lack of a full food court like National and the popcorn was pretty bad (it tasted very much like Regal Cinemas popcorn, which is downright awful).
The last sentence of the Record article makes no sense: “Silverman said she preferred the single, huge curved screen in Rockaway over the IMAX in Nyack, which features several large screens…” it’s amazing that they let people write for newspapers that have no idea what they are talking about. The Palisades Center IMAX, like Rockaway is a single big screen – in fact a larger, real IMAX screen. I haven’t been but if IMAX Rockaway is anything like the scam AMC runs in Toronto at Younge & Dundas (ETX: Extreme Theater Experience) – I have no interest, I’ll go to a real IMAX.
I think the ads still could be coordinated more carefully for everyone’s benefits and enjoyment: I remember when I would go to the Wellmont in Montclair, NJ – it was an art house theater with an older crowd and they’d be playing (rolling stock) commercials that would be geared towards an MTV crowd (video games, energy drinks, ect) – I don’t think it was effective for anybody except the theater owners. I know the Angelika Film Center has a pre-show program dedicated to art house movie goers (alternative music, more upscale ads with an emphasis on the arts and entertainment) – which is good for that crowd, as for the Twilight crowd, the aforementioned video games and energy drinks are appropriate.
I figured it was going to be Rave or Kerastoes, they’re the only chains that are hungry to expand, Regal also has too much debt, AMC is under new management and the focus for them seems to be improving (by not allowing outside snacks into) their existing complexes (some of those Loews sites need major improvement, they knew how to run them into the ground – strange since Onex kept the Canadian sites and they’re in good shape).
Both Bridge sites are/were joint ventures, and seeing how the LA bridge is an out of market theater for them already, I wonder why it’s been reported they aren’t keeping it. I’ve never been but I have been to the Philly Bridge and dug it, I wonder if that’s also in the sale. I calculated it once and suspect the theaters in MA, CT, RI, NY, NJ and one additional site – will stay under National (I’m hoping Edgewater does anyway, Rave has awful popcorn!). Now the one additional site could be the complex in Yonkers they have under development, Brockton, MA (which may be off now), or either Bridge locations (Philly maybe since it’s close enough to be in the same region as Showcase at the Ritz Center).
As for Rave, they operate the Beverly Center location, on the DL since it doesn’t fit the Rave model (new construction, stadium seating, digital projection, ect). I wonder if they’re also buying one of Redstone’s brands, or will use the Rave name as a parent company and call these complexes something else.
Bow Tie? On screen ads! I hope Mr. Masher provides an explanation to us as they’ve always prided themselves on having no on screen ads as part of its commitment to being an upscale alternative to the impersonal multiplexes of National Amusements and Regal.
I don’t particularly care for on screen ads, but I also found a black screen and instrumental music before the show to not create a high energy environment that gets me in a movie-watching mood either (as Bow Tie did). If forced I think I like Landmark theater’s approach the best: no on screen ads before the show with carefully selected good current non-mainstream pop music before the show followed by a few “rolling stock” ads for products that appeal to the Landmark demographic.
I will say this about Joe Masher and Bow Tie – what other theater company CEO cares enough about his company and patrons to skim Cinema Treasures and respond to feedback as well as contribute the general knowledge base regarding theaters he knows well? Certainly not Amy Miles, Gerry Lopez, Sheri Redstone, or Alan Stock.
See the issue is AMC did allow outside food for as long as I can remember, which was great because they had very limited offerings at their concession stand (popcorn, soda, candy and hot dogs) – where as National Amusements, my favorite of the big chains in terms of food offerings, comfort and presentation has in most of it’s theaters food court style concessions that are actually quiet good (the Pizza is real pizza, not something that was taken out of a freezer for example). Same for Cineplex in Canada.
AMC was resistant to putting cafes in their theaters, even shutting down those that Loews opened (Loews Wayne for example had a coffee and ice cream stand AMC shut down after taking over). So if you wanted coffee or tea to make your movie going experience more enjoyable, you’d have to stop off at Starbucks before the show – which is no problem since AMC allowed outside food and beverage. (Same at General Cinema Essex Green after AMC took over). Another problem is their food isn’t terrably good either. Ironically enough AMC is now lead by a former Starbucks executive, perhaps they’ll take a page from that company and offer higher quality products instead of artificial/highly processed juices and teas made by Coca Cola and pre-packaged junk.
I personally think this policy is a shame and I will certainly try to avoid AMC. I especially enjoyed Jamba Juice with my AMC popcorn at Garden State, much better than the crap they sell at their snack bar.
ha ha – true -but don’t forget about “Showplace” and “Megaplex” Cinemas. N/A owns the trademark on “Multiplex Cinemas” in the US (a fact Sumner Redstone is proud of in his book). Not sure about their other brands. Thinking about opening a Cinema Deluxe to stick it to Cinema De Lux?
Security didn’t seem like a problem – a lot of staff around. Loews was dead in its later years so they didn’t really have security. The last thing I saw at the Meadows, the John C. Rielly comedy The Promotion saw two strange incidents, the first three rows were roped off due to flooding, and teens snuck in the emergency exit, tripping over the rope.
Kerasotes hasn’t implemented their “Enchanted Evening Shows” or their racist policies of not playing films that attract black people on break like they do in Springfield, Il. Then again they aren’t playing Precious….
Agreed, saw The Box here last week – nice venue, nearly the same seats as the new AMC builds (GSP and Younge & Dundas in Toronto) but not as wide. I was too surprised by the friendliness of the staff and management they were everywhere you looked adding extra touches to the experience. Lower prices than Edgewater (Edgewater is still hands down the best multiplex in NJ). Also excellent popcorn with Pibb at the concession stand. The design is also pretty interesting, although a bit bland in features the auditorium entrance was a little confusing, a long hallway opens bam into the middle of the theater, no portal in the traditional stadium seating sense (I was in Theatre 3, I assume it’s a symmetrical plex and therefore 10 is probably identical).
All digital projection is both a curse and a blessing, they also are keeping the same programing from Loews (minus the Indian flicks which flourish up the street at Columbia Park). Another issue is parking, we got lucky, but with the Loews Meadows building still there (there actually wasn’t a lot of parking in Loews' heyday of the early 90’s). I do miss the Meadow’s huge theaters, especially the two further back, where I saw Titanic. I didn’t see an elevator in Kerasotes so I’m not sure if any theaters exceed 299. Anybody got a seat count on the place?
Amazing to think this was planned many years after Muvico (who knows who/when/if the plex will open) at Xanadu, and they beat them to opening day, probably at this point by years. All and all, not a bad plex from a chain with a history of racism.
Good point – N/A has apparently pulled out of a proposed theater in Brockton, MA, however I know the chain has a location planned for Yonkers and plan to keep 44 theaters (which would include MA, CT, RI, NY and I presume NJ as their Edgewater Multiplex, close enough to NY continues to do well). While they’ve opened Showcase branded sites, their focus has been more on Cinema de Lux and they haven’t opened any “Multiplex Cinemas” in 6-7 years.
Leave it to Clearview, who is one of two chains I know of building new theaters that aren’t all stadium seating (the other is Bow Tie Cinemas – which refuses to in their flagship Criterion Cinemas, much to the annoyance of my West Hartford friends). As for digital – I’m not a fan – I think films should be seen as intended, I would have preferred to see Paranormal Activity projected digitally for example, but other films without the “digital” look should be shown on film when possible (granted not every film/distributer has the budget to make a print). The parties benefiting from digital are theater owners who can build automated boothless theaters that can be controlled by remote control, not only has that day come but it’s here – look at the new builds Premier Theaters are bragging about on their website.
Sure digital 3-D is “the future” – fine -but I’m sick of this HD/video is better mentality that has not just taken over at the multiplex, but even in film education with universities dropping 16MM in favor of shinny new HD equipment that’s obsolete in 4 years.
This wasn’t the first of MJ’s theaters to close under AMC, they closed a location in North Randall, OH. The cultural phenomenon of Magic Johnson Theaters is to take risks, to open in neighborhoods where new multiplexes wouldn’t open, it now appears AMC is looking at the bottom line and backing out of deals and retreating from certain non-strategic markets.
They’ve let a lot of markets almost dry up. In Buffalo, NY for example, AMC used to run several theaters, theirs and General Cinemas. They’re down to an 80’s era 8-plex across from UB North now after backing out of other leases. In the ATL it looks like they’ve placed their bets with the other two venues, which is sad because I see MJ theaters in more symbolic terms. Cineplex Oden also managed theaters for another Chicago -based company ICE – Inner City Entertainment – which they dropped (later operated by Marcus Theaters). These theaters seem to work along the same lines.
Some are supported directly and indirectly by their cities – theaters like this include Newark Screens in Newark, NJ and Market Arcade in Buffalo, NY.
Still has a few Angelika Film Center touches including the lobby cafe with wood floors and a chandelier. The auditoriums and the ticket booths are pure General Cinema.
I have a list of 50 on my blog at johnjfink.blogspot.com. But here’s my top 10:
1.-Syndromes and a Century (2006)
2.-The Piano Teacher (2001)
3.-Wendy & Lucy (2008)
4.-Touch The Sound (2004)
5.-Vera Drake (2004)
6.-Talk to Her (2002)
7.-Three Times (2005)
8.-Sommers Town (2009)
9.-Untitled/Almost Famous (2000)
10.-Goodbye Dragon Inn (2003)
As for the decade – I saw an average of 4.6 movies a week, 2428 movies in total, in theaters from Jan 1, 2000 to tomorrow night when I plan to see yet another movie named Nine.
100 % digital applies only to “Rave Motion Pictures” sites. It’s too confusing, they run Rave Motion Pictures, Rave Digital Media and now Rave Cinemas. Pretty stupid if you ask me, and a bit misleading when you visit their site, click on amenities and they claim they’re 100% digital and 100% stadium seating (in sites denoted as “RMP”.
I’d give them the benefit of the doubt but they updated the rest of their site just as quickly. Sorry, not every theater will have a standard Rave look. If anything they’ve acquired the best chain in America, so what if not all their theaters are stadium seating and digital, deal with it and stop misleading your customers.
It wasn’t his best film and there was maybe only about 15 people at the 7:40 show. It’s also playing day and date on IFC’s on demand channel. Herzog’s other new movie, My Son, My Son What Have Ye Done had the big house.
As luck would have it, I saw two films tonight at IFC – both were in the new theaters, sandwiched under Theater 3 on the ground floor in what used to be the short lived and overpriced Waverly. (I once had crab cakes there, they were okay but there’s too many better places to eat within a few blocks).
The theaters haven’t been renumbered so 1, 4 and 5 are on the street floor, upstairs are 2 and 3. Theater 4 is okay, decent screen, about 60+ seats, tiered seating, digital and film projection. IFC sure doesn’t have Sony 4K projection, the colors were off, not sure if it was the digital file but some of the shots of the sky in Ricky were pixelated and discolored in hot spots, it was like watching a bad streaming video (maybe the were streaming it from IFC’s on demand network, kidding). I would have told the staff, but I would doubt they’d care.
Next up was Antichrist in Theater 5, a tiny all digital theater. I walked in and didn’t see a projector, thinking this was perhaps real projection I looked up, following the light. Directly above the first row was a digital projection sandwiched above with a close circuit camera to monitor presentation remotely.
The theater had about 35 seats, very comfortable but the projection again wasn’t that high quality. They probably went to Office Depot and bought there most expensive projector. The screen was a decent size although the auditorium layout was a little awkward, 3 rows of stadium seating, and two rows on the floor. The screen was small for a regular theater, but since it’s close the audience (I know, sounds like the scam IMAX is running with “perception”), but the projector showed all the pixels, while sharp and in focus, the whites seemed too bright, too artificial. Quick cuts seemed to show the pixels.
If I were you I’d avoid Theater 5, 4 is decent, the original 3 are still the best and have the most comfortable seats (the new ones have different but very comfortable seats similar to the seats Clearview installs although they are cloth and not fake leather). The IFC Center is still interesting as its a for-profit subsidiary of a major evil corporation (Cablevision) but behaves like an NFP with its special screenings, membership club, and mailing list. Still I worry that the theater exists mostly to fulfill some contractual obligation between filmmakers and IFC when they sell their films to IFC. Granted it’s playing a lot of non-IFC films, but it has been known to be a dumping ground and much as it’s provided an outlet for some great independent and documentaries to be seen. My objection is the pre-show: if I see two features during the same week, I’ll have to sit through the same pre-show: the same short (thank god they’re over Greenporno), most of the same trailers, and ads, it’s almost as bad as say, your local Regal or AMC. Customer service at IFC has also gone downhill, their staff doesn’t seem to be happy to be there, when you walk in they simply rip your ticket and tell you where to go, verses opening with something like “welcome to IFC Center”. It’s depressing how its gone downhill even as its writing a new chapter in its history with two new theaters, relying on cheap digital projection they practically are driving customers to IFC on demand and away from the theater. Maybe that’s part of their underlining strategy, but it sucks for those of us that are excited to see new films from world class filmmakers, in a facility that’s lowered its standards.
The press release is out today on Rave’s website, essentially they’ve formed a new entity: Rave Cinemas, LLC, and it appears the National Amusements sites will be “Rave Cinemas”. Rave Cinemas LLC is acquiring the much of the assets of Rave Reviews Cinemas, which was the legal name I assume for Rave Motion Pictures. They will be managing other sites not picked up from Rave Reviews, like they do with the Rave Digital Media partnership and Beverly Center. It also appears they are only buying “selected” real estate from National which I’m not sure if this means Redstone will continue to be a landlord at some sites or they consider the sites National does own (mall locations such as Enfield, CT).
Interesting connection: Charles Moss is involved with the transaction and is going to chairman of Rave Cinemas. I wonder if that means anything for Bow Tie Cinemas, the chain he runs with his son? It also speculates Rave LLC will be the fifth largest exhibitor in America, after this acquisition will more than double their size. Here’s the press release: View link
As for “screwing up” National Amusements, I’m glad Edgewater is remaining a National Amusements site (although a little surprised they’re keeping Town Center, a location that originally opened as a Regal Cinemas but was unloaded when they went bankrupt). All Rave has to do is keep running the theaters well, change nothing, not even the popcorn, even learn and implement what National does right, including high quality, diverse concession offerings. It’s ironic, AMC who used to let you bring in your own food stopped allowing it, right after they closed many of the premium snack bars that General Cinema and Loews used to run in their theaters. My guess is National saw what was working with Famous Players in Canada and jumped on it. It looks like the only brand acquired by Rave might have been The Bridge – they are all on rave’s site now.
Any movie that gets people excited about going to the movies is fine by me. The new one was laughably bad in parts, but it’s exciting seeing an opening night movie with an engaged packed house, sadly those experiences are few and far between outside of the major film festival circuit.
I attending a sold out screening in IMAX in Williamsville, NY last night – good reception, I think the other screens (a Real D and a 35MM) were also near capacity. Visually its an amazing work, in terms of story it gets bogged down in the conventions of the genre, the 3-D effects are probably some of the best I’ve seen since the early days of IMAX and its development as a film language.
It’s got nothing on AMC Theater’s Digital Imax………
Wow, I’m shocked to see CT and Springfield, MA go, I thought for sure they would have stayed National. Especially Springfield which has a long legacy with the company (the 15 screens contain the original remains of what was a “Movie Theater Campus” along Route 5).
A lot of excellent theaters in the pick-up, including Showcase West Springfield, Buckland Hills, and The Bridge locations. All Rave has to do is not screw them up – it’s sad to see the finest of the big chains fall, if anything Rave’s operations team should learn from National, and keep the diverse concessions including the amazing popcorn.
Rather telling from the “participating theaters” under National’s Star Pass program, it looks like in NJ they’re keeping Edgewater and Town Center. Those that are no longer participating in Star Pass are Hazlet and Showcase at Ritz Center. The whole OH and MI regions that had it are also out. I for one am glad they’re keeping Edgewater, the closest site to me and my theater of choice – I was the Rave in PA once, the complex was nice, well maintained, comfortable, but the popcorn…. pretty awful. Hopefully if the economy turns around they’ll install a Lux Level and turn Edgewater into a Showcase Cinema De Lux.
Here’s something rather telling about what Rave is buying and what’s staying with National: the Star Pass program has been cancilled at all but 4 theaters, two in New York that always had it (Island 16 and City Center) and two in New Jersey (Town Center Plaza and Edgewater). This means Ohio is all going to Rave, as are Hazlet (as reported on the site), and Showcase at Ritz Center, which should be interesting for people already angry that theater isn’t really much of an art house anymore.
Very glad National is keeping Edgewater which seems to do solid business, has great and diverse food offerings, lots of leg room, big screens, and a good crowd (never any problems here, and there are lots of people that come). It should be interesting to see what happens when Rave takes over, I’ve been to their PA location in Center Valley, in a great upscale shopping “life style center” – the theaters were nice, comfortable, clean – my only complaint is the lack of a full food court like National and the popcorn was pretty bad (it tasted very much like Regal Cinemas popcorn, which is downright awful).
The last sentence of the Record article makes no sense: “Silverman said she preferred the single, huge curved screen in Rockaway over the IMAX in Nyack, which features several large screens…” it’s amazing that they let people write for newspapers that have no idea what they are talking about. The Palisades Center IMAX, like Rockaway is a single big screen – in fact a larger, real IMAX screen. I haven’t been but if IMAX Rockaway is anything like the scam AMC runs in Toronto at Younge & Dundas (ETX: Extreme Theater Experience) – I have no interest, I’ll go to a real IMAX.
I think the ads still could be coordinated more carefully for everyone’s benefits and enjoyment: I remember when I would go to the Wellmont in Montclair, NJ – it was an art house theater with an older crowd and they’d be playing (rolling stock) commercials that would be geared towards an MTV crowd (video games, energy drinks, ect) – I don’t think it was effective for anybody except the theater owners. I know the Angelika Film Center has a pre-show program dedicated to art house movie goers (alternative music, more upscale ads with an emphasis on the arts and entertainment) – which is good for that crowd, as for the Twilight crowd, the aforementioned video games and energy drinks are appropriate.
I figured it was going to be Rave or Kerastoes, they’re the only chains that are hungry to expand, Regal also has too much debt, AMC is under new management and the focus for them seems to be improving (by not allowing outside snacks into) their existing complexes (some of those Loews sites need major improvement, they knew how to run them into the ground – strange since Onex kept the Canadian sites and they’re in good shape).
Both Bridge sites are/were joint ventures, and seeing how the LA bridge is an out of market theater for them already, I wonder why it’s been reported they aren’t keeping it. I’ve never been but I have been to the Philly Bridge and dug it, I wonder if that’s also in the sale. I calculated it once and suspect the theaters in MA, CT, RI, NY, NJ and one additional site – will stay under National (I’m hoping Edgewater does anyway, Rave has awful popcorn!). Now the one additional site could be the complex in Yonkers they have under development, Brockton, MA (which may be off now), or either Bridge locations (Philly maybe since it’s close enough to be in the same region as Showcase at the Ritz Center).
As for Rave, they operate the Beverly Center location, on the DL since it doesn’t fit the Rave model (new construction, stadium seating, digital projection, ect). I wonder if they’re also buying one of Redstone’s brands, or will use the Rave name as a parent company and call these complexes something else.
Bow Tie? On screen ads! I hope Mr. Masher provides an explanation to us as they’ve always prided themselves on having no on screen ads as part of its commitment to being an upscale alternative to the impersonal multiplexes of National Amusements and Regal.
I don’t particularly care for on screen ads, but I also found a black screen and instrumental music before the show to not create a high energy environment that gets me in a movie-watching mood either (as Bow Tie did). If forced I think I like Landmark theater’s approach the best: no on screen ads before the show with carefully selected good current non-mainstream pop music before the show followed by a few “rolling stock” ads for products that appeal to the Landmark demographic.
I will say this about Joe Masher and Bow Tie – what other theater company CEO cares enough about his company and patrons to skim Cinema Treasures and respond to feedback as well as contribute the general knowledge base regarding theaters he knows well? Certainly not Amy Miles, Gerry Lopez, Sheri Redstone, or Alan Stock.
See the issue is AMC did allow outside food for as long as I can remember, which was great because they had very limited offerings at their concession stand (popcorn, soda, candy and hot dogs) – where as National Amusements, my favorite of the big chains in terms of food offerings, comfort and presentation has in most of it’s theaters food court style concessions that are actually quiet good (the Pizza is real pizza, not something that was taken out of a freezer for example). Same for Cineplex in Canada.
AMC was resistant to putting cafes in their theaters, even shutting down those that Loews opened (Loews Wayne for example had a coffee and ice cream stand AMC shut down after taking over). So if you wanted coffee or tea to make your movie going experience more enjoyable, you’d have to stop off at Starbucks before the show – which is no problem since AMC allowed outside food and beverage. (Same at General Cinema Essex Green after AMC took over). Another problem is their food isn’t terrably good either. Ironically enough AMC is now lead by a former Starbucks executive, perhaps they’ll take a page from that company and offer higher quality products instead of artificial/highly processed juices and teas made by Coca Cola and pre-packaged junk.
I personally think this policy is a shame and I will certainly try to avoid AMC. I especially enjoyed Jamba Juice with my AMC popcorn at Garden State, much better than the crap they sell at their snack bar.
ha ha – true -but don’t forget about “Showplace” and “Megaplex” Cinemas. N/A owns the trademark on “Multiplex Cinemas” in the US (a fact Sumner Redstone is proud of in his book). Not sure about their other brands. Thinking about opening a Cinema Deluxe to stick it to Cinema De Lux?
Security didn’t seem like a problem – a lot of staff around. Loews was dead in its later years so they didn’t really have security. The last thing I saw at the Meadows, the John C. Rielly comedy The Promotion saw two strange incidents, the first three rows were roped off due to flooding, and teens snuck in the emergency exit, tripping over the rope.
Kerasotes hasn’t implemented their “Enchanted Evening Shows” or their racist policies of not playing films that attract black people on break like they do in Springfield, Il. Then again they aren’t playing Precious….
Agreed, saw The Box here last week – nice venue, nearly the same seats as the new AMC builds (GSP and Younge & Dundas in Toronto) but not as wide. I was too surprised by the friendliness of the staff and management they were everywhere you looked adding extra touches to the experience. Lower prices than Edgewater (Edgewater is still hands down the best multiplex in NJ). Also excellent popcorn with Pibb at the concession stand. The design is also pretty interesting, although a bit bland in features the auditorium entrance was a little confusing, a long hallway opens bam into the middle of the theater, no portal in the traditional stadium seating sense (I was in Theatre 3, I assume it’s a symmetrical plex and therefore 10 is probably identical).
All digital projection is both a curse and a blessing, they also are keeping the same programing from Loews (minus the Indian flicks which flourish up the street at Columbia Park). Another issue is parking, we got lucky, but with the Loews Meadows building still there (there actually wasn’t a lot of parking in Loews' heyday of the early 90’s). I do miss the Meadow’s huge theaters, especially the two further back, where I saw Titanic. I didn’t see an elevator in Kerasotes so I’m not sure if any theaters exceed 299. Anybody got a seat count on the place?
Amazing to think this was planned many years after Muvico (who knows who/when/if the plex will open) at Xanadu, and they beat them to opening day, probably at this point by years. All and all, not a bad plex from a chain with a history of racism.
Good point – N/A has apparently pulled out of a proposed theater in Brockton, MA, however I know the chain has a location planned for Yonkers and plan to keep 44 theaters (which would include MA, CT, RI, NY and I presume NJ as their Edgewater Multiplex, close enough to NY continues to do well). While they’ve opened Showcase branded sites, their focus has been more on Cinema de Lux and they haven’t opened any “Multiplex Cinemas” in 6-7 years.
I think I need to buy this, thanks for posting this.
Leave it to Clearview, who is one of two chains I know of building new theaters that aren’t all stadium seating (the other is Bow Tie Cinemas – which refuses to in their flagship Criterion Cinemas, much to the annoyance of my West Hartford friends). As for digital – I’m not a fan – I think films should be seen as intended, I would have preferred to see Paranormal Activity projected digitally for example, but other films without the “digital” look should be shown on film when possible (granted not every film/distributer has the budget to make a print). The parties benefiting from digital are theater owners who can build automated boothless theaters that can be controlled by remote control, not only has that day come but it’s here – look at the new builds Premier Theaters are bragging about on their website.
Sure digital 3-D is “the future” – fine -but I’m sick of this HD/video is better mentality that has not just taken over at the multiplex, but even in film education with universities dropping 16MM in favor of shinny new HD equipment that’s obsolete in 4 years.
This wasn’t the first of MJ’s theaters to close under AMC, they closed a location in North Randall, OH. The cultural phenomenon of Magic Johnson Theaters is to take risks, to open in neighborhoods where new multiplexes wouldn’t open, it now appears AMC is looking at the bottom line and backing out of deals and retreating from certain non-strategic markets.
They’ve let a lot of markets almost dry up. In Buffalo, NY for example, AMC used to run several theaters, theirs and General Cinemas. They’re down to an 80’s era 8-plex across from UB North now after backing out of other leases. In the ATL it looks like they’ve placed their bets with the other two venues, which is sad because I see MJ theaters in more symbolic terms. Cineplex Oden also managed theaters for another Chicago -based company ICE – Inner City Entertainment – which they dropped (later operated by Marcus Theaters). These theaters seem to work along the same lines.
Some are supported directly and indirectly by their cities – theaters like this include Newark Screens in Newark, NJ and Market Arcade in Buffalo, NY.
Still has a few Angelika Film Center touches including the lobby cafe with wood floors and a chandelier. The auditoriums and the ticket booths are pure General Cinema.
Kerasotes is opening next week per their website. Now – when the are Clearview Hoboken, City Center Fabien 8, and Xanadu going to open?