Rob Reiner’s Oscar-nominated 1992 adaptation of Aaron Sorkin’s “A Few Good Men” opened at the Big Newport 30 years ago today (Dec. 11, 1992).
Starring Tom Cruise, Demi Moore & Jack Nicholson, the military courtroom drama debuted at number one on nearly 2,000 screens and held the top or number-two spot for the next six weeks, grossing over $140 million in North America & finishing its run as the 5th highest-grossing film of 1992.
The 1982 comedies “The Toy” starring Richard Pryor & Jackie Gleason & “Airplane II: The Sequel” starring Robert Hays & Julie Hagerty both opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago today (Dec. 10, 1982).
Each film debuted on over 1,000 screens with high hopes for the holiday season but “The Toy” proved a bigger hit with audiences, finishing with a total domestic take of $47 million compared to $25 million for “Airplane II,” a far cry from the success of the 1980 original.
John Hughes' beloved 1987 holiday classic “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” opened at the Laguna Hills Mall Cinema 35 years ago this week (November 25, 1987).
Starring Steve Martin and John Candy, the film opened at number three (behind “Three Men and a Baby”) on over 1,100 screens and remained in the top ten through early January of ‘88, grossing just shy of $50 million in North America and finishing the year as the 21st highest-grossing film of 1987.
I saw it here opening night on Thanksgiving Eve as a teenager and have made it a holiday tradition at my house for over 20 years.
Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning 1977 classic “Close Encounters of the Third Kind" opened at the Cinerama Dome 45 years ago this weekend (November 18, 1977).
Starring Richard Dreyfuss, Melinda Dillion & Francois Truffaut, the film opened on just two screens that first week (along with the Ziegfeld in NYC), grossing over $1 million the next month, before expanding to 270 screens nationwide on Dec. 14 & 16th and adding another 301 screens on Dec. 21.
Stopped by the now-shuttered Westpark this weekend and noted a For Lease sign (posted a pic) in the window, which would indicate The Irvine Company is looking to keep the current stand-alone structure as opposed to
demolishing it. Wish an indie chain like Regency would take it over.
Francis Ford Coppola’s Oscar-winning 1992 adaptation of “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” opened at the Big Newport 30 years ago today (November 13, 1992).
Starring Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder & Anthony Hopkins, the gothic thriller debuted at number on over 2,400 screens with nearly $31 million its opening weekend (a then November record), grossing just shy of $83 million in North America & finishing its domestic run as the 15th highest-grossing film of 1992.
My then-girlfriend & I caught the film on the big screen that first Saturday night (after attending a co-worker’s wedding) and remember being greeted with a line down to the street, a regular occurrence for event films opening weekend.
It appears the Woodbridge is once again “temporarily closed” as of today. Disconcerting at best since they just re-opened a month ago after a six-week renovation.
The 1992 action-thriller “Under Siege” opened at the Tustin Marketplace 30 years ago today (October 9, 1992).
Starring Steven Seagal, Gary Busey & Tommy Lee Jones, the film opened at number one on over 2,000 screens and held the top spot for four straight weeks, remaining in the top ten through mid-December & finishing the year as the 13th highest-grossing film of ‘92 with a domestic gross just shy of $84 million.
It remains Seagal’s highest-grossing film to date and was a breakout hit for director Andrew Davis who went on to helm the Oscar-winning 1993 big-screen adaptation of “The Fugitive” starring Harrison Ford.
I caught “Under Siege” at the Tustin Marketplace opening week and have always found it to be an enjoyable action flick.
According to the AMC website, The Woodbridge is again open for business starting today with first showings kicking off at 6PM.
All five screens now feature AMC Signature Recliners & reserved seating. A quick look of the online layout shows one theater has 80 seats, three have 70 seats & one has 64 seats. Definitely a more intimate, pared-back set-up compared to its 240-seat average back in the day.
It also appears starting tomorrow weekend matinees will resume for all five films starting at 1PM.
With new amenities come higher prices, though: matinees before 4PM are now $11.09, children $8.99. Shows after 4 PM are $15.89, $12.89 for children. However, their website for this theater still carries the banner “Low Ticket Prices Starting at $5.49 (before 4 PM). Better fix that.
“House II: The Second Story” opened at the Woodbridge 35 years ago today (August 28, 1987).
Starring Arye Gross, Royal Dano & John Ratzenberger, the stand-alone sequel opened on over 1,000 screens but wasn’t exactly the sleeper hit its predecessor was the year before.
I saw it at the Woodbridge opening weekend and have always found it an amusing 90-minute diversion with a memorable performance by Dano as Gramps.
Just got an email from the Woodbridge Village Association: the Irvine Company is telling them the Woodbridge 5 reopening is currently scheduled for Sept. 9.
As the initial post regarding the Woodbridge’s summer renovation project has been deleted for some reason, I’ll provide an update: the Woodbridge has been closed since late July as AMC is installing reclining seats, updating restrooms and refreshing its concession stand to include a small bar.
According to the Woodbridge Village Assocation, the repairs were scheduled to be completed by August 25. However when I dropped by yesterday (Aug 25), the lobby was still full of workers & materials & the process appeared far from over.
Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-winning classic “Unforgiven” opened at the Tustin Marketplace 30 years ago today (August 7, 1992).
Starring Eastwood, Morgan Freeman & Gene Hackman, the film opened at number one on over 2,000 screens & remained it the top ten through mid-September, ending its initial run with a gross over $75 million & finishing the year as the 11th highest-grossing film of 1992.
The film was re-released on over 500 screens in early March of ‘93 after it received nine Oscar nominations & added another 300 screens by early April after winning Best Picture, Director, Editing & Supporting Actor (Hackman) awards.
By the end of its “Oscar Run”, it had grossed another $25 million to finish with a total just north of $100 million.
Today the film is widely considered Eastwood’s best endeavor & one of the greatest Westerns ever made.
I saw it at the Tustin Marketplace opening week and while enjoying it, I admit to not initially calling it a “classic.” But my appreciation has grown for the film with multiple viewings over the last 30 years and today feel it should have won more Oscars, mainly Original Screenplay & Cinematography.
John Badham’s action-comedy “Stakeout” opened at the Town Center in 70mm 35 years ago this weekend (August 5, 1987).
Starring Richard Dreyfuss, Emilio Estevez & Madeline Stowe, the film opened at number two (behind “The Living Daylights”) on 951 screens and slowly saw its theater count grow the remainder of the summer as it took over the top spot the next weekend & held it for five straight weeks, ending its run just shy of $66 million, enough to finish as the 8th highest-grossing film of 1987.
I saw it here opening weekend with a full crowd as a teenager & enjoyed it.
Disney’s groundbreaking sci-fi cult classic “Tron” opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago this weekend (July 9, 1982).
Starring Jeff Bridges, David Warner & Bruce Boxleitner as the titular hero, the film debuted at number two (again behind “E.T.”) on 1,091 screens and was considered Disney’s event film for the year, complete with storybooks, action figures and its own arcade game.
Unfortunately, like most films that summer that didn’t feature a stranded space alien, it failed to find a foothold, dropping out of the top ten after just three weeks & seeing its theater count slashed in half within a month. It ended its run with a gross of $26 million, against a $17 million budget, finishing the year as the 26th highest-grossing film of 1982.
Like “Blade Runner & "The Thing,” “Tron” developed a cult following on home video where its unique, groundbreaking cinematic contributions (it was basically the first film to use extensive CGI) were studied & extolled by new generations of cinephiles over the years. A successful sequel was eventually made in 2010 (“Tron: Legacy”) with another film in development.
I saw “Tron” as an 11-year-old opening weekend at the Woodbridge, the same theater where that eponymous arcade game would rob me of so many quarters the next two years of my life.
Ridley Scott’s visionary sci-fi cult classic “Blade Runner” opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago this weekend (June 25, 1982).
Starring Harrison Ford, Sean Young & Rutger Hauer, the film opened at number two (behind juggernaut “E.T.”) on 1,295 screens with high hopes of being a major summer release for Warner Brothers & The Ladd Company. Unfortunately, it was not an initial hit, remaining in the top ten for just three weeks before seeing its theater count slashed in half the next week. It finished the year with a gross of $27 million against a $30 million budget.
It wasn’t until Scott released his Director’s Cut in 1992 that the film was embraced by critics & audiences alike, mainly on home video, and anointed a “classic.”
I was just 11 years old and couldn’t convince my mom to let me see the R-rated “Blade Runner” in ‘82, but I do remember it adorning the marquee at the Woodbridge & flipping through the official souvenir magazine at the nearby drugstore that eventually became the Barnes and Noble.
Arthur Hiller’s 1982 comedy “Author! Author!” starring Al Pacino, Dyan Cannon & Tuesday Weld opened at the Village (then the UA 1-2-3) 40 years ago this weekend (June 18, 1982).
Steven Spielberg’s beloved 1982 classic “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” opened at the Town Center in 70mm 40 years ago this weekend (June 11, 1982).
Starring Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore & Dee Wallace, the film opened at number one on 1,100 screens with $12 million and slowly increased its theater count each week for the next nine weeks, averaging over $10 million a week. It remained the number one or two film through mid-October and stayed in the top 10 through January of ‘83.
At the end of its astonishing 52-week run it had become the highest-grossing film of all time with a domestic take of over $435 million, a record it would hold for 11 years until Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park.”
The Town Center was one of three theaters in OC showing “E.T.”. in 70mm (it would play there for 28 weeks) and I dragged my mom there that first Saturday where we were greeted with a line wrapped completely around the building (first and only time I ever saw that). I remember it played in the large far corner theater on the right and was just a great cinematic experience from start to finish.
1982’s “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” opened at the Big Newport in 70mm 40 years ago this weekend (June 4, 1982).
Starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy & Ricardo Montalban as the titular villain, the film opened at number one with $14 million (the largest opening weekend in history at that time) on over 1600 screens, grossing $79 million and finishing its run as the 6th highest-grossing film of 1982.
The film is still widely considered the greatest Trek film ever made.
Rob Reiner’s Oscar-nominated 1992 adaptation of Aaron Sorkin’s “A Few Good Men” opened at the Big Newport 30 years ago today (Dec. 11, 1992).
Starring Tom Cruise, Demi Moore & Jack Nicholson, the military courtroom drama debuted at number one on nearly 2,000 screens and held the top or number-two spot for the next six weeks, grossing over $140 million in North America & finishing its run as the 5th highest-grossing film of 1992.
The 1982 comedies “The Toy” starring Richard Pryor & Jackie Gleason & “Airplane II: The Sequel” starring Robert Hays & Julie Hagerty both opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago today (Dec. 10, 1982).
Each film debuted on over 1,000 screens with high hopes for the holiday season but “The Toy” proved a bigger hit with audiences, finishing with a total domestic take of $47 million compared to $25 million for “Airplane II,” a far cry from the success of the 1980 original.
John Hughes' beloved 1987 holiday classic “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” opened at the Laguna Hills Mall Cinema 35 years ago this week (November 25, 1987).
Starring Steve Martin and John Candy, the film opened at number three (behind “Three Men and a Baby”) on over 1,100 screens and remained in the top ten through early January of ‘88, grossing just shy of $50 million in North America and finishing the year as the 21st highest-grossing film of 1987.
I saw it here opening night on Thanksgiving Eve as a teenager and have made it a holiday tradition at my house for over 20 years.
Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning 1977 classic “Close Encounters of the Third Kind" opened at the Cinerama Dome 45 years ago this weekend (November 18, 1977).
Starring Richard Dreyfuss, Melinda Dillion & Francois Truffaut, the film opened on just two screens that first week (along with the Ziegfeld in NYC), grossing over $1 million the next month, before expanding to 270 screens nationwide on Dec. 14 & 16th and adding another 301 screens on Dec. 21.
Stopped by the now-shuttered Westpark this weekend and noted a For Lease sign (posted a pic) in the window, which would indicate The Irvine Company is looking to keep the current stand-alone structure as opposed to demolishing it. Wish an indie chain like Regency would take it over.
Francis Ford Coppola’s Oscar-winning 1992 adaptation of “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” opened at the Big Newport 30 years ago today (November 13, 1992).
Starring Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder & Anthony Hopkins, the gothic thriller debuted at number on over 2,400 screens with nearly $31 million its opening weekend (a then November record), grossing just shy of $83 million in North America & finishing its domestic run as the 15th highest-grossing film of 1992.
My then-girlfriend & I caught the film on the big screen that first Saturday night (after attending a co-worker’s wedding) and remember being greeted with a line down to the street, a regular occurrence for event films opening weekend.
Heard from the Woodridge Village Assocation that the temporary closure is only a plumbing issue and that the Woodbridge should re-open Monday.
It appears the Woodbridge is once again “temporarily closed” as of today. Disconcerting at best since they just re-opened a month ago after a six-week renovation.
The 1992 action-thriller “Under Siege” opened at the Tustin Marketplace 30 years ago today (October 9, 1992).
Starring Steven Seagal, Gary Busey & Tommy Lee Jones, the film opened at number one on over 2,000 screens and held the top spot for four straight weeks, remaining in the top ten through mid-December & finishing the year as the 13th highest-grossing film of ‘92 with a domestic gross just shy of $84 million.
It remains Seagal’s highest-grossing film to date and was a breakout hit for director Andrew Davis who went on to helm the Oscar-winning 1993 big-screen adaptation of “The Fugitive” starring Harrison Ford.
I caught “Under Siege” at the Tustin Marketplace opening week and have always found it to be an enjoyable action flick.
According to the AMC website, The Woodbridge is again open for business starting today with first showings kicking off at 6PM.
All five screens now feature AMC Signature Recliners & reserved seating. A quick look of the online layout shows one theater has 80 seats, three have 70 seats & one has 64 seats. Definitely a more intimate, pared-back set-up compared to its 240-seat average back in the day.
It also appears starting tomorrow weekend matinees will resume for all five films starting at 1PM.
With new amenities come higher prices, though: matinees before 4PM are now $11.09, children $8.99. Shows after 4 PM are $15.89, $12.89 for children. However, their website for this theater still carries the banner “Low Ticket Prices Starting at $5.49 (before 4 PM). Better fix that.
“House II: The Second Story” opened at the Woodbridge 35 years ago today (August 28, 1987).
Starring Arye Gross, Royal Dano & John Ratzenberger, the stand-alone sequel opened on over 1,000 screens but wasn’t exactly the sleeper hit its predecessor was the year before.
I saw it at the Woodbridge opening weekend and have always found it an amusing 90-minute diversion with a memorable performance by Dano as Gramps.
Just got an email from the Woodbridge Village Association: the Irvine Company is telling them the Woodbridge 5 reopening is currently scheduled for Sept. 9.
As the initial post regarding the Woodbridge’s summer renovation project has been deleted for some reason, I’ll provide an update: the Woodbridge has been closed since late July as AMC is installing reclining seats, updating restrooms and refreshing its concession stand to include a small bar.
According to the Woodbridge Village Assocation, the repairs were scheduled to be completed by August 25. However when I dropped by yesterday (Aug 25), the lobby was still full of workers & materials & the process appeared far from over.
Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-winning classic “Unforgiven” opened at the Tustin Marketplace 30 years ago today (August 7, 1992).
Starring Eastwood, Morgan Freeman & Gene Hackman, the film opened at number one on over 2,000 screens & remained it the top ten through mid-September, ending its initial run with a gross over $75 million & finishing the year as the 11th highest-grossing film of 1992.
The film was re-released on over 500 screens in early March of ‘93 after it received nine Oscar nominations & added another 300 screens by early April after winning Best Picture, Director, Editing & Supporting Actor (Hackman) awards.
By the end of its “Oscar Run”, it had grossed another $25 million to finish with a total just north of $100 million.
Today the film is widely considered Eastwood’s best endeavor & one of the greatest Westerns ever made.
I saw it at the Tustin Marketplace opening week and while enjoying it, I admit to not initially calling it a “classic.” But my appreciation has grown for the film with multiple viewings over the last 30 years and today feel it should have won more Oscars, mainly Original Screenplay & Cinematography.
John Badham’s action-comedy “Stakeout” opened at the Town Center in 70mm 35 years ago this weekend (August 5, 1987).
Starring Richard Dreyfuss, Emilio Estevez & Madeline Stowe, the film opened at number two (behind “The Living Daylights”) on 951 screens and slowly saw its theater count grow the remainder of the summer as it took over the top spot the next weekend & held it for five straight weeks, ending its run just shy of $66 million, enough to finish as the 8th highest-grossing film of 1987.
I saw it here opening weekend with a full crowd as a teenager & enjoyed it.
Renovation photos posted.
1987’s “The Lost Boys” opened at the Saddleback 6 35 years ago today (July 31, 1987).
Who closes for renovations in the middle of summer? I guess when your opening at 4 pm & only using two of five screens it really doesn’t matter.
Paul Verhoeven’s 1987 sci-fi classic “RoboCop” opened at the Saddleback 6 35 years ago today (July 17, 1987).
I saw it here opening weekend with a full crowd as a teenager and loved it.
Disney’s groundbreaking sci-fi cult classic “Tron” opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago this weekend (July 9, 1982).
Starring Jeff Bridges, David Warner & Bruce Boxleitner as the titular hero, the film debuted at number two (again behind “E.T.”) on 1,091 screens and was considered Disney’s event film for the year, complete with storybooks, action figures and its own arcade game.
Unfortunately, like most films that summer that didn’t feature a stranded space alien, it failed to find a foothold, dropping out of the top ten after just three weeks & seeing its theater count slashed in half within a month. It ended its run with a gross of $26 million, against a $17 million budget, finishing the year as the 26th highest-grossing film of 1982.
Like “Blade Runner & "The Thing,” “Tron” developed a cult following on home video where its unique, groundbreaking cinematic contributions (it was basically the first film to use extensive CGI) were studied & extolled by new generations of cinephiles over the years. A successful sequel was eventually made in 2010 (“Tron: Legacy”) with another film in development.
I saw “Tron” as an 11-year-old opening weekend at the Woodbridge, the same theater where that eponymous arcade game would rob me of so many quarters the next two years of my life.
Ridley Scott’s visionary sci-fi cult classic “Blade Runner” opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago this weekend (June 25, 1982).
Starring Harrison Ford, Sean Young & Rutger Hauer, the film opened at number two (behind juggernaut “E.T.”) on 1,295 screens with high hopes of being a major summer release for Warner Brothers & The Ladd Company. Unfortunately, it was not an initial hit, remaining in the top ten for just three weeks before seeing its theater count slashed in half the next week. It finished the year with a gross of $27 million against a $30 million budget.
It wasn’t until Scott released his Director’s Cut in 1992 that the film was embraced by critics & audiences alike, mainly on home video, and anointed a “classic.”
I was just 11 years old and couldn’t convince my mom to let me see the R-rated “Blade Runner” in ‘82, but I do remember it adorning the marquee at the Woodbridge & flipping through the official souvenir magazine at the nearby drugstore that eventually became the Barnes and Noble.
Arthur Hiller’s 1982 comedy “Author! Author!” starring Al Pacino, Dyan Cannon & Tuesday Weld opened at the Village (then the UA 1-2-3) 40 years ago this weekend (June 18, 1982).
Steven Spielberg’s beloved 1982 classic “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” opened at the Town Center in 70mm 40 years ago this weekend (June 11, 1982).
Starring Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore & Dee Wallace, the film opened at number one on 1,100 screens with $12 million and slowly increased its theater count each week for the next nine weeks, averaging over $10 million a week. It remained the number one or two film through mid-October and stayed in the top 10 through January of ‘83.
At the end of its astonishing 52-week run it had become the highest-grossing film of all time with a domestic take of over $435 million, a record it would hold for 11 years until Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park.”
The Town Center was one of three theaters in OC showing “E.T.”. in 70mm (it would play there for 28 weeks) and I dragged my mom there that first Saturday where we were greeted with a line wrapped completely around the building (first and only time I ever saw that). I remember it played in the large far corner theater on the right and was just a great cinematic experience from start to finish.
Actually Rocky III’s $16 million opening weekend the week before was the largest in history at that time. My bad.
1982’s “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” opened at the Big Newport in 70mm 40 years ago this weekend (June 4, 1982).
Starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy & Ricardo Montalban as the titular villain, the film opened at number one with $14 million (the largest opening weekend in history at that time) on over 1600 screens, grossing $79 million and finishing its run as the 6th highest-grossing film of 1982.
The film is still widely considered the greatest Trek film ever made.