Lafayette Theatre
97 Lafayette Avenue,
Suffern,
NY
10901
97 Lafayette Avenue,
Suffern,
NY
10901
35 people
favorited this theater
Showing 576 - 600 of 902 comments
I enjoyed “Rocky” . It was a good, well-done film, Sylvester Stallone performed well as Rocky, and the movie was lots of fun.
Well, Aldo Ray, you better not express those anti-Rocky sentiments if you ever visit Philadelphia. We recently put a statue of “Rocky” near the Art Museum.
There are differences between popular, well loved movies, and “high art” In recent years, “high art” usually wins the Oscars, but those aren’t the films most people are seeing and enjoying.
“Rocky” isn’t “high art” but it also is NOT mediocre.
I am sorry but “Rocky” is a mediocre film, especially when you compare it to other superior films of that year, “NETWORK” and “TAXI DRIVER (you heard of those).” To say it is one of your favorites is short-sited and makes me think you’re possibly Sylvester Stallone. If this latter point is true, I would just like to say that your work in “Tango & Cash” was quite powerful and definitely BAFTA worthy.
You’ve got a point, rhett. Not all of today’s high school kids are bad, and, as I pointed out before, you had every reason to be miffed about what happened with the “Rocky” screening. Glad everything’s going to get straightened out.
Aldo Ray—as I pointed out before, that was a horrible experience, which, hopefully, won’t be repeated, and, secondly, bear in mind that people have different tastes in movies. One doesn’t have to know much about cinema to realize that.
Oops, forgot my basic electricity. Thanks, Jeff.
Agree with you 100% Howard and my apologies as to my lack of civility. I was just a little rowled at Aldo’s commentary, if you read it where I should have just wrote it off….that’s what happens when you get to the forum before that morning coffee. And I don’t know why people took my “high school' comment as a put down of ALL high schoolers. In theaters today, hose are the main employees and they do what they’re told by their "managers” so maybe I should get on them, cause whenever there’s a problem at a theater the kids echo what their mgrs. tell them….anyone ever go to the Clairidge in Montclair or the Clifton Commons or Loews?
Pete, I believe your thinking of the voltage, which is approximately 27-29 volts for those 2k series of lamps. The current would be about 74 amps. 27 x 74 = 1998 watts. P = I * E.
Movie534, you are correct that you can reduce the current on the Xenon lamp, and if it’s to “save electricity” you aren’t accomplishing anything as you’re damaging/reducing the life of the lamp. You loose what ever “savings” you may have gained on the cost of the new lamp. Sylvania says: “It is not advisable to operate a lamp at lower currents between the minimum current and the lower limit for a fairly long time, as in most cases negative effects on the electrodes would more than offset any hoped for advantage.” I will however agree with you that a 500w reduction would be noticeable to a trained eye, but running a 2k lamp 500 watts low is bad news as you’re definitely out of range at that point. As Pete says, this is probably not happening at the Lafayette, and if you’ve done it at theaters you’ve worked at because “you were told to do so”, it would be fairly obvious the management did not understand what they were doing.
Hi, movie534
Yes, we removed the platter and put in two projectors back in 2004. It was so that we could run our 3-D film festival in 2004 and so that we could get better prints of the classics, since after the first two seasons, we knew we’d continue to run the films. The projectors were matched (they were a pair that had been installed in the Hackettstown mall theatre), the reflectors were not color matched but were pretty close when first installed. They’ve drifted a bit in the 4 years since.
I can’t speak for the current ownership, obviously, but I doubt they are turning down the lamphouse current. It would cost them more for a tech to come out and do it than they would save in electricity. Those lamps only draw 27 amps.
I have just read from some posts that there are projection problems here. I dont know, or care to get into a grudge match with people, but in regards to Jeff S above, you can “cut back” on light output on a Xenon bulb. As a projectionist for 34 years, I have had to do it in many of the independent theatres I worked at. They wanted to save some electric. All you had to do was go to the rectifier and crank down the amps from say 80 to 70 (or even 65). I always noticed the difference. Again, as he stated there is a diff between machines. It could be a reflector problem, a bulb focusing issue, or even alignment from the lamphouse to the projector. I know whwn I was there years ago, after Nelson just took it over, he told me he was going with dual projection. Does he have a matched pair, or is each one different? This can cause all sorts of problems. And I do hope these new owners make it work as it has in the past. I have been trying for 4 years to get the owner of the Ritz in Elizabeth N.J. to do the same, but nothing comes about from it.
As a Philadelphian, I can tell everybody that “Rocky” justifiably has a huge following here. Movie experts may not consider it as “high art” compared to “Raging Bull” but any movie that won the Oscar for Best Picture is going to have its fans!
Rhett earlier raised some legit concerns about projection at his experience. He didn’t need to be so critical of high school kids working concessions & the like. Adults often given the same answers as to projection. And, Rhett, in your last comment, you go too far. There may be “idiots” posting, but on cinematreasures.org we are not allowed to resort to namecalling. So, let’s please restore the level of civility! and let’s hope somebody from the theater replies as to the projection issue.
James should return next weekend so the problem experienced with Rocky SHOULD NOT be repeated!
Hey Rhett that is a bummer that Rocky was not presented well, very unusual for The Lafayette! James has been the man behind the projector since Nelson Pete and crew departed.
I was planning on going but had to change plans at the last minute.
We should support the rest of the series. I did phone into WRCR 1300 AM on Friday morning and talked with the Host’s of the show about the classic series and The Lafayette with them for about 5 min.
Thanks for the input Aldo…I was waiting for when an “idiot” finally got on this forum…I guess the wait os over…you’re it!!!…you’re probably the one working the projector. I assume one of your favorite movies of all-time is “Transformers”. Great news pal, there’s a sequel coming soon and maybe the Lafayette will get it.
BTW….tell me what you didn’t like about “Rocky”, can’t wait.
“Those darn teenagers with their ipods and their pornography."
-Grumpy old man
Grow up Rhett.
Also buddy, if you knew anything about cinema “Rocky” wouldn’t be one your your “ALL-TIME favorites”.
“What I’ve noticed the past few movies, is it’s dark . The projectionist is not giving the lamp enough juice, they’re cutting back. But, I’m probably wrong and "it’s the print”."
Well Rhett, as someone who is familiar with the equipment in the Lafayette booth, and has operated it few times, I can tell you there is no “brightness” adjustment on the Xenon lamp. It is just “on” and operates at a regulated voltage/current, and puts out 2kw. You can’t “cut back” on output to a noticeable degree.
I was just as Star Trek the other night and the screen illumination was fine. There is a minor difference between the two lamphouses though that has been that way for as many years as I’ve been going, but it’s a color temperature difference I believe due to the mirror (Pete can add more on this), but not a brightness issue. Now, unless something has happened since I was there on Tuesday, which I guess is possible, I don’t know what to say.
Hi, rhett!
Sorry about the experience that you had with such a cool movie. What a shame that management couldn’t/wouldn’t hire somebody with more experience as a film projectionist instead of a rookie high school kid! That’s really disgusting. Truthfully, had it been ME, I would’ve been absolutely spitting tacks, if one gets the drift. Again—totally inexcusable, what this kid did, but I blame the theatre management for hiring a young kid who didn’t know what he was doing to preside over the projection of a film during the weekend, when there was probably nobody else to monitor. As for the father and kid who in the audience who were yakking throughout the film, why didn’t somebody get the usher and tell them to shut the hell up or get out? Somebody should’ve, imho. Too bad the theatre was short-staffed for the Memorial Day Weekend, and that management couldn’t hire people who were more competent. Lots of kids today have the attitude that they can do what they want the way they want, and don’t seem to care about others or have respect. Again—sorry to hear about that experience, rhett.
“Rocky”, one of my ALL-TIME favorites and one of the WORST movie experiences EVER!!! You dropped the ball on this one Lafayette. Firstly, the movie begins, the framing is off, and the projectionist takes a while to get it right. Then , and most important, The movie is out of focus for the ENTIRE first half of the picture. I went to complain and the high school kid behind the counter gives me the STOCK answer I’m sure he tells all the seniors..“it’s the print”. Instead of setting him straight, as my first job was at a movie theater, I’m 30 years older than he and have forgotten more about movies than he or the high school staff working that day will ever know, instead of arguing, I go back to my seat seething…it’s NOT the print. Actually, the print was good, not much scratches etc. At one point, the focus ring moves and the focus is taken care of. What I’ve noticed the past few movies, is it’s dark . The projectionist is not giving the lamp enough juice, they’re cutting back. But, I’m probably wrong and “it’s the print”. The audio is cranked up, no equalization and it kills the ears.
Then, during a reel change, the framing goes off (again) The projectionist doesn’t move the framing down enough so the whole rest of the picture shows full body with all the heads cut off at the top. The projectionist didn’t have the sense to see and make the adjustment. But, I’m sure it was “the print” as well
I’m assuming this being Memorial day that the real projectionist took off and the people working Rocky were not the “A” team?
This is not a way to build a series and get people to come. I think for “Annie Hall” you might get a dozen or so. I’m not coming to that one based on today. I could NOT enjoy “Rocky” at all. All the projectionist goofs took away from the movie completely. It didn’t help that some father and his kid were talking through the whole film as the dad thought the kid would like Rocky, he didn’t, plus the kid was a pain and BOTH were inconsiderate to all around them.
It was the first tiime in my life I couldn’t wait for “Rocky” to end. “It was the print”….right! So, yes, Pete and Nelson…you WERE missed today!!
“Rocky” is a cool movie. I saw it when it first came out. Hope you enjoyed it!
Rocky Will be the “CLASSIC” movie the morning. I look forward to seeing it on THE BIG SILVER SCREEN!
I live in Danbury, Connecticut. In spite of being well over an hour away from Suffern, I was a frequent attendee at the Saturday morning showings and the fabulous fall horror and sci-fi festivals. What a shock it was to hear that BSC was moving its operations, and what an incredible loss for the Lafayette and for all who love film AND the Lafayette. But I see I’m late to the party. What can I say that everyone else here hasn’t already covered?
I just wish I’d thought to check here a couple of months ago. At least then I would have learned that SOME classics were being shown at the Lafayette after Big Screen Classics moved. It is mindboggling to me that there was no announcement or mailing to people already on the list; and further, that there is little or no web presence or other advertising, that I can see, promoting the Lafayette as it should be promoted. This is incredibly disheartening.
So… What can we do to help change things for the better?
Would I drive such a long distance to see a first-run film? I’ll think about this and try to make it happen. Everything would have to fall into place for the occasion to be right. It would have to be something I’m really excited about seeing. Goes without saying.
As for the new venue for Big Screen Classics…others have already spoken for me with regard to the awkwardness of the location and (sorry!) the less desirable theater, and of the Wednesday nights in particular. I’m very sorry to say I didn’t make any of them this time around, but I WILL do better in the future.
Nelson and Pete, thank you so much for everything! More later.
When Nelson and crew ran the Lafayette they changed over the movies at a faster rate.Most movies ran only 2 weeks (except for Harry Potter or The Dark Night)
99% of the films today only have “legs” for two weeks.In a single screen theatre it is crucial to not let a movie run to long..
Night At The Museum II would have been PERFECT for The Lafayette.It would have attracted folks from age 8-80. Parents with their kids teens, couples. I WAS in the theatre on opening weekend of Night At The Museum and their were over 800 people there!
UP will be in 3D and IMAX so many people will go see it that way.Not such a good booking for The Lafayette.
SOS to Nelson, Bob and Pete the Patient is Ailing and need of a team of skilled Doctor’s to bring her back to good health!!
1 broken curtain mechanism + 1 half blown out marquee + the cost of repair and / or replacement = Boston saying “ Uh, no, too much to fix. Leave it as it is.” Schumucks.
Peter, I was told that Star Trek will probably remain another week. I think the next show booked is “UP”, as that is what was on the back side of the display the put outside the door.
Yes, I realize the Lafayette is a first run theater. Always knew it. The problem is the way films are booked. Star Trek opens on something like 5000 screens, and in a week or two it’s played out, yet the theaters are forced to keep it longer than that “play out” time. It’s why single screen theaters can’t make it. While I may like an audience of 10 people, it’s suicide for the venue.
If it does play another, the attendance sure isn’t even going to pay for the electricity to run the place. You don’t make much money on 10 people @$9 a head.
I specifically went to the Lafayette because it’s one of my favorite theaters. It’s close. And I knew I would be seeing it in relative emptiness. But, like I said, I seem to attract nuisances.
With regards to the curtain mechanism being burned out I hope it is fixed quickly.I have been going to the Lafayette since 1980 and have NEVER attended a screening without the curtain working.
Jeff sorry to hear that your movie going experience was not as good as it could have been.I am glad you drove up to Suffern and supported The Lafayete!!
The classic shows are a lot of fun, but do not pay the bills.The Lafayette has to rely on the regular films to keep the theatre going.
I did see Star Trek on opening weekend (Sat nite) There was a very nice sized crowd.I hope the Lafayette screens Night At The Museum 2 this Friday.