Usually after a bad experience, I do not return. I made an exception this time as this theater had the only booking and showing of the movie “Precious” and would be exiting this market for the time being. I attended the last showing this past Thu 1/21, in Auditorium 14, which presumably, is the smallest of the 20. The screen was decent sized and had stereo surrounds but as in original post, the sound is muffled. As I write this, I am not sure if it detracted from my enjoyment of the movie, which is a mixed bag. If you park in the garage, there is no free or reduced parking fees during the day.
I usually do not purchase movie concession food, especially at the movie chains because of the exorbitant prices, but since I had my elderly Dad in tow, he was cranky and hungry. Surprisingly, the pizza ordered was quite good and made fresh for me. With my Regal points, I received free popcorn, which was okay. I wished all the Regals had popcorn flavorings other than that oily glop they try to pass for butter. Not being much of a coffee drinker, I asked the cashier (who was very friendly) to explain the difference between a latte and cappucino, which she tried to explain. I ended up ordering the latte as it seemed to have more coffee in it, but was not worth the $3.50. So if you MUST order hot food..get the pizza, or the free popcorn, if your points allow for it.
It seems #1 and #2 are the digital theaters. I’m thinking I saw “Day After Tomorrow” in #1 when this place opened.
Looking at the upcoming film schedule this year, are there 70mm movies in the works at all? (Hopefully, not 2001 or Lawrence of Arabia) There aren’t titles listed for many of the series, which I suspect is because the titles/availability have been confirmed.
In layman’s terms there was NO stereo with the first Star Trek movie or a different kind of stereo system? If there was 70mm played there as many posters have listed, are we to assume that there was at least a 4-track stereo set up there? 6-track?
Not to sound callous or mean, but the last statement explains exactly why many theaters are closing. People would rather stay at home and watch them at home. Instead of lamenting over past memories, why not make new ones by going to see current movies at these places while they are still there. If there are independents in my area are showing a movie I want to see, they usually get my patronage even if I have a Regal or AMC much closer to my home.
Um…are we that hungry for celebration and/or news that we couldn’t wait for the actual anniversary in May? Why don’t we celebrate the real 30th anniversary of that great classic Saturn 3 starring the late Farrah Fawcett????? :) ;)
For all you naysayers out there who thought this movie wouldn’t make it or its intended release format would be a dud, James Cameron is king of the world, again. :)
My friend and I caught the last showing of Star Trek in true IMAX. Its been probably 20 years plus since I’ve seen any movie here. I remember when it opened back in ‘76 and 'To Fly’ was the first IMAX film to be experienced. There were warnings given to people about getting motion sickness from watching the movie but it was a treat and showed off the format quite well. The sound and overall presentation was terrific.
Star Trek was masked but not as badly as in the AMC IMAX-lite venues. The movie plays well in this format. Surprisingly, the print held up well with no noticeable markings or scratchings. Surrounds were present and distinct but, unlike the best THX-cert houses lacked oooomph, noticeably missing during the warp jumps and hand to hand contact hits. There were well over 100 plus in attendance, not enough to fill out the auditorium but a pleasant surprise given the fact it was super frigid outside, probably in the single digits factoring in for windchill.
As we left, we were thanked for coming, not by none other than the security guards as we filed out of the theater AND exiting the door.
I drove by the theater earlier in the day and sat across the street from it, where there is a Dunkin Donuts, bought some food and just took all in that destruction that is there now. Not to say that this theater was any kind of palatial jewel, it does have memories for me and many others. As the pictures show, pretty much all that is left is rubble on the inside and, the framework that was the lobby and marquee and a red brick wall to the rear.
On what was left of the front facade is a poster for the New Hampshire redevelopment project, which seems to take on the look of nearby Hyattsville, MD and its redevelopment efforts of row and apartment homes, small businesses and the like.
This site is one of my favorites, too, if not THE favorite site I visit daily, especially when there is a comment made on a favored theater or article. The way venues, articles and other cinema-related discussions are presented, in addition to providing for member comments is just genius. Kudos to you guys!
Since I’ve been a member of this site, it is great place to virtually meet and converse with other cinephiles. I now happily rest knowing I’m not cuckoo in travelling great distances to see movies at classic venues. Growing up, my brother thought I was nuts to travel hundreds of miles to go see a movie. I’ve read how some members here have flown across country, or even half way around the world to see that special movie in that special venue. Maybe if I had the deeper pockets that some members have, I would travel further…who knows? :)
I caught Nine here on a matinee over the holiday weekend (Sun). Very nice projection, bright screen, great movie. My friend was more excited to see it initially then I did. Not knowing about the movie except seeing Penelope Cruz on tv and hear raves about her performance, I thought I would snooze during the movie. Fortunately, I did not. Daniel Day Lewis gives a good performance as do his castmates and, yes, Penelope does sizzle and dazzle. Her performance says Oscar nomination at least. What was just as good as the movie was the $6 matinee price. :)
While I am glad this theater is still around, I hope they will someday remodel the restrooms and repair the seats that need repair. Also the auditorium could use some fresh paint or something to obscure whatever is peeling or bare.
My cousins and I saw Avatar in IMAX-lite 3D here Sat night. The theater was sold out and for the first time since the IMAX-lite install, I do have to say that the film and this format are a perfect match. The movie was enthralling despite its rather long running time. The ‘3D’ aspect does really draw you into this alien world and after a few moments it all feels ‘natural.’ I want to see it again, at the nearby Cinemark Muvico and their XD format to compare.
Very nice pictures. I am wondering what it is like to watch a movie from one of the ‘opera boxes.’ Do they charge more for those seats? Are there additional amenities for those who sit on those seats? Individualized speakers maybe?
I wanted to go this weekend but with the snow, couldn’t get out of the house. The roads are just too jammed to go to the mall even today, Monday. If work is slow, I may just hit a matinee before Christmas.
I don’t think its fare to compare Avatar to Titanic. Titanic didn’t open huge either but it built its audience and sustained and sustained and sustained. I hope to see this movie this weekend but with the blizzard we’re having in MD, that remains to be seen. I’m keeping an open mind and hope the movie is good at the AMC IMAX-lite I’m going to. :)
The reason why I bring up the 70mm print subject is that I remember how clear, colorful and full of rich sound the movie seemed to have in 35mm. I read how scenes with the spfx were filmed in 65mm and Doug Trumbull was a fan of and utilized 65mm in his earlier fx work.
Now when Star Trek II came out, the MacArthur here in DC did get a 70mm print and, yes, the presentation was equally Trektacular BUT the movie seemed grainy. I later read that 70mm blow ups do present this problem, but the 6-track stereo soundtrack was something else. :)
You know IMDB reports there were 70mm prints made, but I’ve never seen/heard of them showing anywhere. I’m suspecting if there were 70mm, they were made after the release date. I know they never hit the DC market. I guess if there were any struck, they were on the west coast/LA/Hollywood.
Howard, I do not mind supporting my local theater but come on, $8.50 for ONE measly hot dog?? Even at Regal, you can combos for about that or slightly more. As I stated on the other news item about concessions, I wouldn’t pay $8.50 for a hotdog even if it were freshly killed, ground up, kosher blessed and certified organic. (Yes, I know to call an organic hot dog is a misnomer given what it is made of..I was going for a chuckle there.)
If I’m going to an independent and the concession offerings are decent, then I will spend money there to support them.
Tonight, I went to Cinemark’s Egyptian 24, in Hanover, MD and saw that most of their concession items are above $5. A hotdog is $8.50! I would NEVER pay $8.50 for a hotdog even if they killed the animal and ground it up fresh and had it Kosher blessed and certified it as organic. How ridiculous is that? If I were to frequent this place, I would hide my food in my jacket and sneak it in. Heck, I’ll bring an entire Chinese buffet with me, with egg rolls and soup in my jacket.
This evening I saw 2012 in digital projection in Auditorium 11. The presentation was decent but the picture seemed to not be as bright as I am used to and the sound seemed muffled even though the surrounds were present. I did see the entrance to the XD auditorium as it is next to DP’s 11. Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to peek inside.
What I really want to blog and complain about are the outrageous concession prices. It appears that most of the items are above $5. A hot dog is $8.50! Thats more than even Regal! I had mistakenly thought that the matinee I saw, the 5:50pm show would be matineed priced but it was not. I paid the full $10.25 price! It seems the matinees cut off before 4pm.
Given the above; the higher admission prices and higher concession prices, I will think carefully before coming here again, after I experience their XD theater presentation :) I still prefer Annapolis Mall’s THX cert #1 auditorium. The sound just blows you away. If only they had DLP in there. Sizewise, its comparable to #11 here at the Egyptian, which supposedly has a seating cap of 475.
Since I frequent the BowTie Annapolis MD plex with regularity, I have to say that I knew they would return to on screen ads sometime in the future. That future is here now. You can’t depend on the infrequent plex sell outs like the current Twilight movie to generate the big bucks desired.
When BowTie’s Annapolis theaters were Crown, they had decent presentations with live introductions to the shows. BowTie stopped that shortly after they took over. Now with the return of preshow ads, I suppose the loss of that personal touch they used to pride themselves on is forever lost. I’m just thinking why don’t they just put up more of those large plasma screen tvs in the lobby and foyer with those ads. People will still see them as they go into the theater and not have to be bothered once they are settled in their seats.
I thought I read somewhere about John Cusack’s (the Senator’s competitor and owner of The Charles 5 screener) screen expansion that would gut the Senator’s main auditorium. I may be wrong or am paraphrasing incorrectly, but unless you add the screens upstairs and they would be tiny little screening room boxes, you would have to widen the main auditorium somehow but wouldn’t that violate its landmark building status? Then again, if you twinned the inside, that would also be unacceptable as well. Whatever they decide to do and it should be to show first run movies, again, they should do it soon.
Can’t believe its been 30 years. I was too young to go into downtown but thoroughly enjoyed a sold out opening presentation in Langley Park, MD’s KB Langley. What an event film it was for the time, but I don’t think the movie had 70mm engagements in the DC area since the film was so rushed into theaters. I don’t think they had time to make 70mm prints in order to meet the Dec. 7 release.
Usually after a bad experience, I do not return. I made an exception this time as this theater had the only booking and showing of the movie “Precious” and would be exiting this market for the time being. I attended the last showing this past Thu 1/21, in Auditorium 14, which presumably, is the smallest of the 20. The screen was decent sized and had stereo surrounds but as in original post, the sound is muffled. As I write this, I am not sure if it detracted from my enjoyment of the movie, which is a mixed bag. If you park in the garage, there is no free or reduced parking fees during the day.
I usually do not purchase movie concession food, especially at the movie chains because of the exorbitant prices, but since I had my elderly Dad in tow, he was cranky and hungry. Surprisingly, the pizza ordered was quite good and made fresh for me. With my Regal points, I received free popcorn, which was okay. I wished all the Regals had popcorn flavorings other than that oily glop they try to pass for butter. Not being much of a coffee drinker, I asked the cashier (who was very friendly) to explain the difference between a latte and cappucino, which she tried to explain. I ended up ordering the latte as it seemed to have more coffee in it, but was not worth the $3.50. So if you MUST order hot food..get the pizza, or the free popcorn, if your points allow for it.
It seems #1 and #2 are the digital theaters. I’m thinking I saw “Day After Tomorrow” in #1 when this place opened.
There is/was a Kerasotes plex scheduled to open in the Spring near me. The idea of AMC running it makes me cringe.
Looking at the upcoming film schedule this year, are there 70mm movies in the works at all? (Hopefully, not 2001 or Lawrence of Arabia) There aren’t titles listed for many of the series, which I suspect is because the titles/availability have been confirmed.
In layman’s terms there was NO stereo with the first Star Trek movie or a different kind of stereo system? If there was 70mm played there as many posters have listed, are we to assume that there was at least a 4-track stereo set up there? 6-track?
Not to sound callous or mean, but the last statement explains exactly why many theaters are closing. People would rather stay at home and watch them at home. Instead of lamenting over past memories, why not make new ones by going to see current movies at these places while they are still there. If there are independents in my area are showing a movie I want to see, they usually get my patronage even if I have a Regal or AMC much closer to my home.
Michael, I’m looking forward to your anniversary piece when it is the actual anniversary. I’ll hold off on commenting for now. :)
Um…are we that hungry for celebration and/or news that we couldn’t wait for the actual anniversary in May? Why don’t we celebrate the real 30th anniversary of that great classic Saturn 3 starring the late Farrah Fawcett????? :) ;)
For all you naysayers out there who thought this movie wouldn’t make it or its intended release format would be a dud, James Cameron is king of the world, again. :)
My friend and I caught the last showing of Star Trek in true IMAX. Its been probably 20 years plus since I’ve seen any movie here. I remember when it opened back in ‘76 and 'To Fly’ was the first IMAX film to be experienced. There were warnings given to people about getting motion sickness from watching the movie but it was a treat and showed off the format quite well. The sound and overall presentation was terrific.
Star Trek was masked but not as badly as in the AMC IMAX-lite venues. The movie plays well in this format. Surprisingly, the print held up well with no noticeable markings or scratchings. Surrounds were present and distinct but, unlike the best THX-cert houses lacked oooomph, noticeably missing during the warp jumps and hand to hand contact hits. There were well over 100 plus in attendance, not enough to fill out the auditorium but a pleasant surprise given the fact it was super frigid outside, probably in the single digits factoring in for windchill.
As we left, we were thanked for coming, not by none other than the security guards as we filed out of the theater AND exiting the door.
I drove by the theater earlier in the day and sat across the street from it, where there is a Dunkin Donuts, bought some food and just took all in that destruction that is there now. Not to say that this theater was any kind of palatial jewel, it does have memories for me and many others. As the pictures show, pretty much all that is left is rubble on the inside and, the framework that was the lobby and marquee and a red brick wall to the rear.
On what was left of the front facade is a poster for the New Hampshire redevelopment project, which seems to take on the look of nearby Hyattsville, MD and its redevelopment efforts of row and apartment homes, small businesses and the like.
This site is one of my favorites, too, if not THE favorite site I visit daily, especially when there is a comment made on a favored theater or article. The way venues, articles and other cinema-related discussions are presented, in addition to providing for member comments is just genius. Kudos to you guys!
Since I’ve been a member of this site, it is great place to virtually meet and converse with other cinephiles. I now happily rest knowing I’m not cuckoo in travelling great distances to see movies at classic venues. Growing up, my brother thought I was nuts to travel hundreds of miles to go see a movie. I’ve read how some members here have flown across country, or even half way around the world to see that special movie in that special venue. Maybe if I had the deeper pockets that some members have, I would travel further…who knows? :)
I caught Nine here on a matinee over the holiday weekend (Sun). Very nice projection, bright screen, great movie. My friend was more excited to see it initially then I did. Not knowing about the movie except seeing Penelope Cruz on tv and hear raves about her performance, I thought I would snooze during the movie. Fortunately, I did not. Daniel Day Lewis gives a good performance as do his castmates and, yes, Penelope does sizzle and dazzle. Her performance says Oscar nomination at least. What was just as good as the movie was the $6 matinee price. :)
While I am glad this theater is still around, I hope they will someday remodel the restrooms and repair the seats that need repair. Also the auditorium could use some fresh paint or something to obscure whatever is peeling or bare.
My cousins and I saw Avatar in IMAX-lite 3D here Sat night. The theater was sold out and for the first time since the IMAX-lite install, I do have to say that the film and this format are a perfect match. The movie was enthralling despite its rather long running time. The ‘3D’ aspect does really draw you into this alien world and after a few moments it all feels ‘natural.’ I want to see it again, at the nearby Cinemark Muvico and their XD format to compare.
Very nice pictures. I am wondering what it is like to watch a movie from one of the ‘opera boxes.’ Do they charge more for those seats? Are there additional amenities for those who sit on those seats? Individualized speakers maybe?
I wanted to go this weekend but with the snow, couldn’t get out of the house. The roads are just too jammed to go to the mall even today, Monday. If work is slow, I may just hit a matinee before Christmas.
How ‘bout posting some pictures. I’d like to see your layout.
I don’t think its fare to compare Avatar to Titanic. Titanic didn’t open huge either but it built its audience and sustained and sustained and sustained. I hope to see this movie this weekend but with the blizzard we’re having in MD, that remains to be seen. I’m keeping an open mind and hope the movie is good at the AMC IMAX-lite I’m going to. :)
Thanks guys.
The reason why I bring up the 70mm print subject is that I remember how clear, colorful and full of rich sound the movie seemed to have in 35mm. I read how scenes with the spfx were filmed in 65mm and Doug Trumbull was a fan of and utilized 65mm in his earlier fx work.
Now when Star Trek II came out, the MacArthur here in DC did get a 70mm print and, yes, the presentation was equally Trektacular BUT the movie seemed grainy. I later read that 70mm blow ups do present this problem, but the 6-track stereo soundtrack was something else. :)
You know IMDB reports there were 70mm prints made, but I’ve never seen/heard of them showing anywhere. I’m suspecting if there were 70mm, they were made after the release date. I know they never hit the DC market. I guess if there were any struck, they were on the west coast/LA/Hollywood.
Howard, I do not mind supporting my local theater but come on, $8.50 for ONE measly hot dog?? Even at Regal, you can combos for about that or slightly more. As I stated on the other news item about concessions, I wouldn’t pay $8.50 for a hotdog even if it were freshly killed, ground up, kosher blessed and certified organic. (Yes, I know to call an organic hot dog is a misnomer given what it is made of..I was going for a chuckle there.)
If I’m going to an independent and the concession offerings are decent, then I will spend money there to support them.
Tonight, I went to Cinemark’s Egyptian 24, in Hanover, MD and saw that most of their concession items are above $5. A hotdog is $8.50! I would NEVER pay $8.50 for a hotdog even if they killed the animal and ground it up fresh and had it Kosher blessed and certified it as organic. How ridiculous is that? If I were to frequent this place, I would hide my food in my jacket and sneak it in. Heck, I’ll bring an entire Chinese buffet with me, with egg rolls and soup in my jacket.
This evening I saw 2012 in digital projection in Auditorium 11. The presentation was decent but the picture seemed to not be as bright as I am used to and the sound seemed muffled even though the surrounds were present. I did see the entrance to the XD auditorium as it is next to DP’s 11. Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to peek inside.
What I really want to blog and complain about are the outrageous concession prices. It appears that most of the items are above $5. A hot dog is $8.50! Thats more than even Regal! I had mistakenly thought that the matinee I saw, the 5:50pm show would be matineed priced but it was not. I paid the full $10.25 price! It seems the matinees cut off before 4pm.
Given the above; the higher admission prices and higher concession prices, I will think carefully before coming here again, after I experience their XD theater presentation :) I still prefer Annapolis Mall’s THX cert #1 auditorium. The sound just blows you away. If only they had DLP in there. Sizewise, its comparable to #11 here at the Egyptian, which supposedly has a seating cap of 475.
Since I frequent the BowTie Annapolis MD plex with regularity, I have to say that I knew they would return to on screen ads sometime in the future. That future is here now. You can’t depend on the infrequent plex sell outs like the current Twilight movie to generate the big bucks desired.
When BowTie’s Annapolis theaters were Crown, they had decent presentations with live introductions to the shows. BowTie stopped that shortly after they took over. Now with the return of preshow ads, I suppose the loss of that personal touch they used to pride themselves on is forever lost. I’m just thinking why don’t they just put up more of those large plasma screen tvs in the lobby and foyer with those ads. People will still see them as they go into the theater and not have to be bothered once they are settled in their seats.
I thought I read somewhere about John Cusack’s (the Senator’s competitor and owner of The Charles 5 screener) screen expansion that would gut the Senator’s main auditorium. I may be wrong or am paraphrasing incorrectly, but unless you add the screens upstairs and they would be tiny little screening room boxes, you would have to widen the main auditorium somehow but wouldn’t that violate its landmark building status? Then again, if you twinned the inside, that would also be unacceptable as well. Whatever they decide to do and it should be to show first run movies, again, they should do it soon.
Can’t believe its been 30 years. I was too young to go into downtown but thoroughly enjoyed a sold out opening presentation in Langley Park, MD’s KB Langley. What an event film it was for the time, but I don’t think the movie had 70mm engagements in the DC area since the film was so rushed into theaters. I don’t think they had time to make 70mm prints in order to meet the Dec. 7 release.