Comments from John Fink

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John Fink
John Fink commented about AMC Palisades 21 on Dec 5, 2007 at 2:51 am

It’s gotten slightly better since the AMC take over, but its still dirty, and its showing its age (they have been improving it a bit though). Still, the theaters are tiny, 7 has 50 seats (I have been in smaller though). It’s an odd theater yet it still draws crowds (the Theatery section of the mall, the 4th floor is like Times Square on a Saturday night, impossible to walk through). They have reduced their snack offerings though (the AMC theory is that since they allow you to bring in your own food….. – personally I look forward to importing Jamba Juice with my popcorn).

John Fink
John Fink commented about AMC Rockaway 16 on Dec 1, 2007 at 3:28 pm

He has a point: early digital was awful – it sucked the life out of the movie (when I had been going to see movies at the what was Crown Palace in Hartford I always bought tickets to the non-digital show – but this was years ago). I’ve seen improvements, last time I was in Hartford, Showcase/Cinema De Lux Buckland Hills has a digital package from Dolby that’s really great and really sharp (but that theater always had pretty flawless projection). AMC Rockaway doesn’t have great projection, in fact I avoid it for that fact – digital might save it as the systems become more sophisticated. I saw Beowulf at Garden State and thought the presentation was great, they seem to jack-up the brightness to compensate for the polarization.

John Fink
John Fink commented about BEOWULF 3-D Locations on Nov 24, 2007 at 4:28 pm

In West Nyack, NY – the AMC Loews 21 and the I-Max theater (operated by I-Max and not AMC) are two separate theaters – both on the forth floor of the mall. Thanks for the list, I saw it at Garden State Plaza in Real-D 3-D and thought it was well done – the action was so good and uncompromising I was engaged without the 3-D. It’s a fun movie.

John Fink
John Fink commented about Scotiabank Theatre Toronto on Nov 8, 2007 at 12:26 pm

See, I saw this theater during the Toronto Film Festival this year and enjoyed it – yes the stairs are too slippery and if you’re in one of the big four theaters you have to then walk up to the (5th? floor) for the bathrooms. As far as I’m concerned in America we’re just catching up to what Famous Players and Cineplex did – the theaters have full food courts, including an expresso bar, smoothie bar and a real bar. (The Cineplex Oden Varsity also has a small bar as well in its VIP section – nice to see the Cineplex Oden name again and not a AMC Cineplex Oden like we have here in the USA).

I liked this theater a lot, it’s in a pretty cool neighborhood full of places to eat and clubs (I can see how that can be obnoxious if you’re just heading down there for a quick movie). I saw it during the festival so I was with the type of audience that maybe doesn’t frequent the Scotibank (all the locals told me they HATE this theater and were in mourning over the Famous Players Uptown). But I liked it, especially during the festival: you can see three movies in a row and not have to leave the theater for breakfast and lunch. I know its not a “Cinema Treasure” but its a decent big, ol' multiplex. Better than the cinemas Regal and AMC build in the US and the inspiration (along with the VIP section at the Varsity) for Cinema De Lux. Canada was ahead of the curve on that one.

John Fink
John Fink commented about Kinnelon Cinemas on Aug 21, 2007 at 1:06 am

This guy is 100% right. I only go here when I have nothing better to do and lately I’ve been avoiding it. The experience in that review mirrors my last visit, to see Joshua – which was poorly projected leaving a lopsided view. I told the ticket taker who had told me they’d look in to it, about an hour later I went to the bathroom and told another kid, this time “fix it or I’m getting my money back and going to see this thing at a real movie theater” – not the first time this has happened. The manager doesn’t get it: when your up against home video, especially in an affluent area like Kinnelon what is the incentive to come to the cinema when people around can afford to build high end theaters? Both theaters are constant let downs with poor projection and a staff who doesn’t care lead by a manager who clearly can’t lead and motivate his staff. As you can guess from my posts I’ve been to many movies and many theaters and can tell you Clearview on a whole went from being a poorly run chain of small theaters to becoming higher end (see the renovations at the Clairidige and Cinema 12 as well as the new complex at SOPAC). I keep hoping that with the construction boom along Route 23 in Riverdale and Butler that a real movie theater – preferably a Cinema De Lux or one of those new AMC builds will come to town. The projection, comfort, and customer service standards here aren’t even on a par with the worst the discount houses I’ve been to, despite Clearview’s $9.75-ticket price!

John Fink
John Fink commented about AMC Wayne 14 on Aug 16, 2007 at 12:23 am

Where is has it been made known at the Clearview Wayne Preakness Quad will be closing in the near future? While their projection is poor (no screen masking as of my last visit about a year ago) it’s a comparatively more upscale venue than the riff raff you get over at AMC Loews Wayne (which employees Wayne PD for its security services and has a decal on the door stating “No Weapons Allowed On the Premises”. Needless to say neither theaters in Wayne offer a high quality movie going experience, but from what I understand both theaters perform well.

John Fink
John Fink commented about Bow Tie Cinemas acquires 95 screens from Crown Theatres on Jun 23, 2007 at 12:55 pm

It’s one thing to have high ticket prices at a luxury theater, but the Palace, which charges roughly the same now as Showcase Cinemas/Cinema De Lux 18: Buckland Hills (10.00) isn’t nearly as good, and Hartford isn’t Manhattan, it’s a shock, Crown’s attendance probably was inflated due to “Crown Movie Madness” – as a student I used to pay $4.00 at all times during the week and $5 on the weekends, there was no reason to stay in and rent a DVD. I have been to the palace once since and nothing has changed, the staff wears purple “Bow Tie Cinemas” polo shirts, that was it. Then there is the matter of Cinema City? Has it changed. Will it close when Criterion Cinemas opens at Blue Back Square? Criterion Cinemas will be the real deal – but I hope they don’t start taking bookings from RAW, which is still the best theater in the area in terms of programing, projection, snacks and over all atmosphere!

John Fink
John Fink commented about Violet Crown Cinema on Jun 9, 2007 at 3:08 pm

Did this one open as a Landmark Theater, or had it been run indpendently by Cuban and his Magolia Pictures distributor before he aquired Landmark Theaters?

John Fink
John Fink commented about AMC Loews Paramus Route 4 Tenplex on May 29, 2007 at 7:30 pm

AMC will never reopen the tenplex – it will just never happen, unless this thing becomes part of a larger project (such as the redevolopment of the Bergen Mall). Secondly, as much as I liked the Tenplex back in the Cineplex Oden days (I never visted in the RKO days) – the new theater is pretty good – one of the best multiplexes around in terms of screen size and comfort. It’s an improvement over the current state of the Tenplex. Although I think it’s location will bring in more kids with “nothing better to do” which is never good (look at the morons walking around GSP with their cell phones and imagine them in a cinema)

With that said, I think Paramus could support an art theater. 10 screens is maybe about 5 or 6 too many for an art theater (given these large theaters) so I think if the original 5 were some how saved, including Theater 1 and the remander of the building featured a bar, a cafe, or some additional venue with live performance, and maybe an art gallery – that would be the way to go. In fact thats something Paramus should look in to, aquiring the building as an art theater/alternative space – almost like SOPAC in South Orange or Real Art Ways in Hartford, CT. AMC has no interest in this kind of thing, as nice as the new 16-plex is they lack the inovation to offer these kinds of ammenities. Someone like National Amusements (which has the best theater in the county – Edgewater Multiplex, which has a decent track record of showing indie films – I saw Y Tu Mama Tombien, The Host, Notes on a Scandal, Waitress, and several other indies there) might collaberate with a non for profit on this type of center. But look at the new upscale plexes that AMC has opened, none of have lounges with full kitchens in them like National’s Cinema De Lux sites do. Regal and AMC aren’t interested in this sort of business model whereas National, Marcus Theaters, Landmark, Mann Theaters, and Muvico are looking on ways to drag people out of the house by making movie going a high end experience. That’s the way to save the tenplex, completly set it apart from the sixteen at GSP.

John Fink
John Fink commented about AMC Garden State 16 on May 26, 2007 at 1:43 am

One of the better multiplexes around – the lobby is large, more of an AMC style interior design than Rockaway (they had the AMC murals, carpeted lobby, and LED displays). They also had a seating area with couches that reminded me of Cinema De Lux.

In the theater the seats were wide and comfortable (AMC style, as well) with two theateres to the left of the snackbar (1 & 2) and 3-16 to the right (which streaches back into the mall). The screens were large (like Rockaway) – while I will always treasure the ten plex and am pissed its gone, I have to say this wasn’t bad, in fact its on a par with Edgewater Multiplex. The thing that I dislike though is the amount of teens on cell phones – what is obnoxious in the mall will unfortuantly extend to the cinema and become a major distraction. Whereas there was some distance between the mall and the tenplex, bored mall shoppers will wonder in to a picture looking for “something to do”. Tonight’s screening of Bug (which was very intense and well acted, but in parts slow) was met with walk outs, cell phone calls, and other distractions. I look foward to this place when summer movie season ends and hopefully they show an indie flick or two when they’re done with Spiderman on 3 screens.

John Fink
John Fink commented about AMC Loews Paramus Route 4 Tenplex on May 25, 2007 at 1:38 am

Circa the LCE take over of Cineplex. LCE really ran the place in to the ground, yes, they replaced the seats but beyond that and the hot foods they really didn’t make much of an improvement. I miss how great things were back in the Cineplex Oden days. I just got back from the theater myself – there were many folks snapping shots. Employees wore various uniforms ranging from AMC to Loews Cineplex to even one in a Cineplex Oden uniform. The manager’s desk still had the uniforms up, as I had discussed in my posting from Saturday and they had photos out of the main theater when it had been whole, as well as the lobby. The Record’s print additional from last Saturday also had some great photos from “back in the day” including some from its period as a Sevenplex.

I saw Pirates at 8AM, in theater one, with a sold out crowd. (They also showed an 8:01PM show interlocked in 6 and 7). An employee (in an LCE shirt) announced that “this will be the last public showing in theater one, we’d like to thank you for coming, no matter how long you’ve been coming here – one year, five years, ten years, all 42 years, thank you”. Some even were crying when the last show let out. This theater will be greatly missed, most were unaware it was even closing in the community. I see why, for 42-years its served the community through technological and social changes. This is a true cinema treasure and I’ll miss it – however, for a new generation the 16-screen theater will be their venue of choice, and despite the fact I’m not a fan of the Loews design, I hope they great moments to remember in it.

On a side note: anybody see Good Bye, Dragon Inn – it’s a really wonderful movie from Taiwan about a movie theater show its final film. I started thinking about it again for two reasons: I saw Ming-liang Tsai’s new movie I Don’t Want to Sleep Alone, and because it reminded me a bit of tonight at the Tenplex.

John Fink
John Fink commented about AMC Loews Paramus Route 4 Tenplex on May 23, 2007 at 10:21 pm

If Clearview or another chain renovated this place, it might get “B” grade first run product – there are many films currently out that will not be showing at the AMC Garden State 16. I point you to Danvers, MA – where Loews constructed a 20-screen theater, closing a 7 screen theater. The 7-screen is run by another opperator and shows (currently) first run art house films with some first run studio product (Georgia Rule is playing), while the AMC Loews Liberty Tree shows Spider-Man, Pirates, and the like. 26 screens in one booking terratory is not unheard of, it is however uncommon. Paramus should have a first run art house, Montclair’s offerings lately have tended to be “too safe” – perhaps if this is slated to be intergrated in to Bergen Mall’s renovation part of this theater can be saved (say the old RKO house, especially screen one) and transformed in to an 5 screen upscale art house. I think Paramus/Bergen County could support another theater geered towards a high end crowd.

John Fink
John Fink commented about Showcase Cinemas Seekonk 1-10 on May 19, 2007 at 4:11 pm

The theater reminded me of East Hartford (the screen I was in was long and narrow) – they had repainted and redone it all to look like a newer National house with re-appointed theaters, unfortuantly due to the lenght the stadium seating didn’t achieve the height of the other Seekonk theater). The lobby was simular to the rectangular National Design circa the 70’s/80’s. The theater is well run, clean and I sensed the it had a loyal local following and I assume does well as booth Seekonk Showcase Cinemas still have midnight shows.

John Fink
John Fink commented about AMC Loews Paramus Route 4 Tenplex on May 19, 2007 at 12:39 pm

Thats very interesting – I’m also not looking foward to the new AMC, I wish they spent time on this theater, remodeling and fixing it. The theater still did pretty well from what I gather. My favorite memory is seeing Borat in Theater #1, the late show, opening night – that huge theater was sold out. In its later years the theater has showen its age, especially the last few years when they had been planning for the new complex. I’m also shocked that Paramus, the shopping capital of the country, at the top mall in the town can’t support something more luxerious than an AMC. If any region in the country deserves a high end luxery theater with leather reserved seats and the like, shouldn’t it be Bergen County?

The design of the auditriums will simular to Rockaway I’m sure, which is decent but ultomatly not satisfying – I actually found in Morris County I prefer Cinema 12 to the new Rockaway theater as Clearview has beefed up its opperations in responce to the threat, adding better seats and being more careful with their projection (Cinema 12 also has digital projection). AMC really hasn’t done much to any of the Loews theaters it’s aquired, although they added a “no weppons permitted” sign at AMC Loews Wayne. They did re-do the Cineplex at Universal City Walk in LA – perhaps intend on moving foward and will eventually rebrand and improve the former Loews Cineplex sites. Or shut them down….

Regardsless, I’ll miss the Route 4 Tenplex and I’ll only go to the new place late on weekdays and on Sundays where, hopefully, parking won’t be that obnoxious.

John Fink
John Fink commented about Abby Cinemas on May 19, 2007 at 12:28 pm

It closed as an all second run house with Loews, they repeated the same ads for weeks after closing, which lead us up there to see Robin Williams in Toys (the only theater in the area showing the movie, this puts the Loews closing at 1992). I remember Magic Cinemas reopened it and the first film I saw under the new opperator was Die Hard with Avengence (putting the reopening at 1995).

Music Makers built the type of theaters you could equate with bowling lanes: long and narrow with wall treatements up high, not spanning the whole height of the wall, but only the top 4th. Another cinema they had, that I assume is still in tact (I haven’t been in years and Loews was remodeling it) was East Stroudberg Mall – which was a very 70’s-80’s multiplex. They also owned a theater in Freehold, I think, and the Interstate in Ramsey. I don’t know if Loews opened it or not, but the Showboat Quad in Edgewater also had Music-Maker like theaters (it closed when the Edgewater Multiplex opened in 2000).

John Fink
John Fink commented about AMC Voorhees 16 on May 10, 2007 at 1:15 am

I have to say the so-called “mature” “sophisticated” audience that frequents this place is very militant and close-minded from everything I’ve read. This move could have been worse – imagine if AMC or Regal bought the place! National has committed to showcase art pictures and will continue to, the real loss is that smaller art films will be lost in the mix – those from such “micro distributors” as Strand Releasing, New Yorker Films, Kino, Shadow, ect. But, if patrons frequent the art films and they consistently out gross the mainstream pictures, National will be likely to show the types of movies that sell out. This could be a good thing. I have been to both The Bridge and a few other Cinema De Lux style locations, they are first class. I think its unfair to assume as locals have and I quote directly from a moron on The Courier Post’s website that the theater will have “Graffiti on the walls, arrests for possession, public intoxication, assault and battery.” – the answer that these so called “sophisticated” movie goers fail to see is this: see the art films here, see the mainstream ones that interest you elsewhere. This is one way to get National (who by the way will be restricting admission to “Cine Art” films, even those that have potential teen appeal including In The Land of Women, Hot Fuzz, and Year of the Dog) is to support the art films and demand more of them. But seriously, if AMC bought this place there is no way they would have given this as much attention and care as National has. With sixteen screens a smaller chain wouldn’t be able to afford it. Landmark for whatever reason wasn’t interested in it, nor did the recently relaunched Sundance Cinemas. If you should feel betrayed by anyone it should be the Posel family. Under a different chain, it would have become a run of the mill suburban multiplex, and any upscale amenity would be removed. So you should be happy with the deal that you got. The only Ritz fan who has given much thought to this thing is FlickGirl, who has a great interview with Sherri Redstone on her blog.

National is looking for ways to improve the experience here, including upgrading it to a Cinema De Lux. They are truly interested in running this type of complex – why, because if its successful it could be introduced in other markets. How so? Sherri Redstone is quite brilliant improving the state of movie going making it more upscale, granted National is a bit pricier than Ritz, they run higher quality cinemas than Regal and AMC – I should know, I see 200 movies a year at a variety of chains including independently run art houses. The Ritz theaters had nothing on New York’s IFC Center or the Landmark chain – I was unimpressed by Ritz’s Philly theaters but I see why they are popular, they are the only game in town for indies. Had Sundance Cinemas actually opened they would have changed the game in Philly.

National is truly a first class theater chain with high quality projection and better popcorn than Ritz sites had – yes, you may not be able to see the smallest indies but it’s still not your run of the mill suburban multiplex. After the demographics for movie going are skewing older and chains have been adapting to class up their theaters to appeal to an aging movie lover. I doubt that you will get rowdy teens seeing Away From Her, and if any teens do show up, they will likely be like me at 15,16,17….: well behaved and interested in the film. Why would you mind that?

The way to segregate and isolate the audience is to not appeal to teens. Spider-Man 3 appeals to everyone, I doubt teens rushed to a place because now they could get in. Do teens really care? In the past they probably thought, “why should we go there, there’s a bunch of old militant film fans that hate us and weird movies playing there” – they now know that National owns the and they want to check it out? I doubt it, but if there are any “Ritz heads” that still attend Showcase at Ritz Center, I’d be interested to find out more. If I were you I’d be happy that a major chain runs a multiplex that continues to show art films and hasn’t converted the place to show only mainstream garbage.

John Fink
John Fink commented about AMC Loews Paramus Route 4 Tenplex on May 7, 2007 at 9:07 am

Depends which picture is showing, its the largest theater in the complex and I doubt anything at the new complex will come close in terms of its size (the screen size could be surpassed, however).

John Fink
John Fink commented about AMC Loews Paramus Route 4 Tenplex on May 7, 2007 at 2:06 am

May 25th this will all be history. I saw a poster at Clifton Commons announcing the opening date of the new AMC Garden State 16 (and the new Pirates movie). Despite the mold I’ll miss the huge Theater #1 – the last film I saw in that theater was Borat, on opening night, with a sold out crowd.

John Fink
John Fink commented about AMC Voorhees 16 on Apr 24, 2007 at 12:22 am

Yep, National Amusements is buying the Ritz Sixteen, Landmark bought the houses across the river. I will say this National has committed to running an art wing of their 18-plex in Wooster, MA with a seperate upscale concession. They also have have the Cinema De Lux brand (Philly area residence know The Bridge at UPenn which a great multiplex ruined by rowdy crowds). I’m guessing they’ll rebrand this one as “Showcase CineArt” – which is what they’re calling the art wing in Wooster. Cinema De Lux implies it would have director’s halls. Thats possiable too at a later point, they’ve been converting multiplexes to Cinema De Lux in other markets, but thats really an upcale type of cinema for a mainstream crowd. It should be interesting – they don’t run a theater that just shows art pictures, but as a chain they are inventive, have high quality projection and sound, and good customer service. I think they could keep the magic alive here, and hopefully bring this experience to other locations (up North at Edgewater Multiplex, where they do show some art movies, would be great!).

John Fink
John Fink commented about AMC Rockaway 16 on Apr 2, 2007 at 11:32 pm

Is AMC Rockaway successful? It takes about a year for a theater to stablize, but I think AMC is making a huge mistake by not building upscale complexes the way National Amusements is, they aren’t thinking of the big picture. Yes, they permit you to bring in your own snacks, but if they had a bar/grill like Chatters or 12 Lounge I might be apt to hang out there before the show. The area in general has a ways to go in terms of growing into an entertainment district, there needs to be more dinning options in the area (if you don’t like Fat Burger, Sizzler, Panera Bread or the Food Court you’re in trouble). Therefore I don’t think its later shows do all that well (I saw Shooter on Saturday night at 9:55 and the theater was only about 20-30% full). If the theater isn’t doing well (and hell, it cost some 20-million to build) then why invest in Real D. Cinema 12 is still doing healthy business, as is Cinema 10 from what I see there. The area has a lot of shopping but lacks dinning, which will make people stay around longer, to see those late night shows. Clifton Commons, which got a Real D system has that and is growing that, and the theater is still very successful despite the fact its showing its age. AMC Rockaway 12 did very well with the Twilight Shows (which AMC ceased right after aquring General Cinema), but this new theater, with the second highest ticket price in the state (behind 10.25 at the much better Edgewater Multiplex) may not be performing up to expectations. This wouldn’t be the first time Loews did this, go read about Loews North Versailles. I doubt this place would close but I’ll tell you I was at the AMC Empire 25 the other night and forgot just how ahead of the curve AMC was in building cinemas. This theater may be newer but AMC’s original megaplex design had better seats, sound, and projection. Needless to say the AMC name will be tarnished by them aquring Loews. Travis Reid and company built third rate theaters, some in pooer shape than discount houses (ie: East Hanover and Wayne). This new Loews construction isn’t up to par with what AMC was doing ten years ago, and the projection is horrable and blurry. If you tell the staff this they don’t care. Loews and chains that are this poor in quality are the reason people are drawn to stay home. Its a shame AMC couldn’t see this and fix the problems here. I actually perfer Cinema 12 and Clifton to this place. Clearview has finally figured out going upscale, having good projection, popcorn and luxerious seats are a draw and they have rapidly turned their opperations around making them (shockingly) one of the best chains in the area.

John Fink
John Fink commented about California Club 6 Theater on Feb 24, 2007 at 5:53 pm

If I’m mistaken this was a early Muvico site that was sold off when the company started to focus on megaplexes like Point Orlando. Over at Muvico.com they claim that the California Club garnered national attention for its stadium seating, THX sound, and expanded concession menu, it also informs that the site opened in 1988.

John Fink
John Fink commented about AMC Rockaway 16 on Feb 19, 2007 at 6:57 pm

The prints are blury because the lenses probably let too much light in – they claim to have HD lenses (everything these days is called HD because HD sounds cool, I guess). But I’m glad someone else noticed this, its a problem, so much so I really don’t go here as much as I would – that and the theaters aren’t as comfortable as they would have been if AMC built this from the ground up. But hopefully AMC won’t let this one because rundown like virtually every other Loews site they have (Loews started it) – East Hanover and Wayne these days look worce than a discount house, I can’t imagine what that crappy theater they own in Stroud Mall looks like now. Meanwhile Clearview, who I used to not be a big fan of has vastly improved the quality of their projection and the comfort of their theaters. They still aren’t at National Amusements-level but at least they’ve turned themselves around majorly.

John Fink
John Fink commented about AMC Rockaway 16 on Jan 18, 2007 at 1:41 am

Or because there is no market for them in Rockaway. I saw Fast Food Nation at the theater opening night and was one of about ten people in the theater. I don’t know how the other “AMC Select” movie playing that night did (the Dixie Chicks doc Shut Up and Sing). Art movies generally do better in an area with a highly educated audience or in an area with a college and arts culture: Rockaway is as mainstream as areas come, family movies probably do very well here. Bigger art movies probably would hold their own at this theater and if Pan’s Labryinth crosses over and expands out to 1,000 or more screens you’ll likely see it at AMC Rockaway. In general the only muliplex that really plays art movies on a consistance basis in Northern NJ is Edgewater.

John Fink
John Fink commented about AMC fires (then rehires) veteran ticket-taker with tattoos on Jan 2, 2007 at 9:19 pm

But who cares, THX is a scam anyway.

I’ve been hearing for years this theater was going to close, it used to be something, back in the 90’s – but now its out of date. AMC should consider building a new megaplex at Bridgewater Commons, I’m sure the mall attracts enough crowds to sustain a brand new construction, the mall itself I imagine is still pretty nice (I haven’t been there in a few years) and attracts an affluent crowd in one of the fastest growing areas in the country.

John Fink
John Fink commented about Bow Tie Cinemas acquires 95 screens from Crown Theatres on Dec 26, 2006 at 9:21 pm

In Hartford they only ever once had the personal intros, to about 5 people (the rest were lined up waiting to get in) for Roll Bounce, bassicly the manager said “please turn off your cell phones” – since I was in line, I only heard the last part of it. It’s nice, they used to do this too at (National Amusements) Edgewater Multiplex in New Jersey when they first opened, but that since has gone away.