Comments from ewokpelts

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ewokpelts
ewokpelts commented about AMC Dine-In 600 North Michigan 9 on Dec 18, 2006 at 12:34 am

I actually worked at this theatre when it first opened.
They made a terrible miscalculation on teh middle level(screen 4-5). According to the then-manager, the mid level screens would be used for rentals(free screenings,parties, ect) mostly during the week. Hence a concession stand on that floor. We rarely opened it, as 9 out of 10 customers just bought thier food at the larger main level stand, or at the 3rd floor stand where more screens were anyways. And the fabled rental biz? All in the bigger rooms(screen 1, 6-9) as studios want to pack in a big crowd for better buzz, and not many people liked paying downtown rates for parties.

ewokpelts
ewokpelts commented about Studebaker Theater & Playhouse Theater on Dec 18, 2006 at 12:25 am

Anyone interested in trying to resurrect this theatre?

I remember seeing the Big Lebowski in the big hall’s balcony. I made the trip to see it BECAUSE it was playing at the fine arts later in it’s run.(I had already seen the film opening weekend)
I needed a LOT of work even in 1998.
There’s no reason why this facility cant reopen, even as a live theatre.

ewokpelts
ewokpelts commented about Burnham Plaza Cinemas on Dec 18, 2006 at 12:19 am

This theatre space was converted to High Rent Appartments, not office space.

ewokpelts
ewokpelts commented about Theater parking lots and you on Dec 18, 2006 at 12:17 am

Paul,
The Music Box DOES have a parking plan. They rent the Chicago Public School Lot at night for Valet/lot parking. But I agree, access to more methods of transportation is a key to thier survivial.

ewokpelts
ewokpelts commented about The importance of feedback on Dec 18, 2006 at 12:05 am

I have contacted AMC about problems in the past. They have responded most fo the time quickly and tried to resolve my issues. I even got free passes for it once!.
Gene Kelly

ewokpelts
ewokpelts commented about Bel-Air Drive-In on Dec 3, 2006 at 1:52 am

It’s still up, but I doubt it’ll ever re-open. There’s too much commercial re-development going on to convince the land owners(assuming it’s not loews/amc) to let a drive in operate instead of a big box retailer.

ewokpelts
ewokpelts commented about Double Drive-In on Dec 3, 2006 at 1:44 am

Saw Star Trek 3 here. Got to watch the Enterprise go down in flame while on the swing set(I was a wee lil' lad at the time).

ewokpelts
ewokpelts commented about Theaters experiment with discount passes on Dec 3, 2006 at 1:24 am

Ford City 14(in Chicago) HAD $4 “AMCinema” tickets but raised them to $5. It seems almost all AMC locations in Chicago raised thier prices, for AMCinema as well as regular matinee and nightime showings. (River East has an $8 matinee, 50 cents less than the old full price nighttime ticket at Ford City)

ewokpelts
ewokpelts commented about Kerasotes behavior classes on Dec 3, 2006 at 1:21 am

kerasotes should do this at all thier theaters.
City North 14 has more “disruptive” guests than Cicero.

ewokpelts
ewokpelts commented about Rosewood Theatre on Dec 3, 2006 at 12:48 am

Is this where the Beatuy Salon(and later a subway franchise) was?
My stepfather owns a baseball card store not too far away (www.elitetradingcards.com) and I would walk past this every time i got off the montrose stop.

ewokpelts
ewokpelts commented about Theater closes, now for sale on Dec 3, 2006 at 12:44 am

Looks like it was sold and re-opened.

ewokpelts
ewokpelts commented about Hollywood's comeback story on Dec 3, 2006 at 12:39 am

Dont forget that the Jesus Movie made $365 million dollars in the slower spring session. Which screwed 2005 more than anything.
Star Wars made $385 million.
Batman $205 Million
War of the Worlds $200 million.
King Kong $200 million.
Narnia $267 million.

These movies did thier job(and Star Wars grossed $50 million in a DAY in a “down year”).
Hollywood and Movie theatres need to capitalize on the tenpoles better. AMC had a TON of concession specials for the Star Wars midnight screenings. And River East(in Chicago) had 15 midnight shows all sellout, with screenings going for 24 hours. Now that’s one way to milk an event movie.
Also, Theaters need to make a better case for $10 tickets and $7 nachos. Hollywood Blvd(www.atriptothemovies.com) is a full service restaurant/bar/mothie theatre. For 8 bucks i get swivel back leather chairs(office furniture), a table infront of me, and a wide selection of food(with names such as Bill and Ted’s Excellent Nachos and Dr. Frankenfurter hot dogs). The Soda? Free Refills from a waiter for only $3.50.
Make the experience better(and not so goddam expensive), and you’ll see movies become a moreviable entertainment option.

ewokpelts
ewokpelts commented about Hollywood's comeback story on Dec 3, 2006 at 12:38 am

Dont forget that the Jesus Movie made $365 million dollars in the slower spring session. Which screwed 2005 more than anything.
Star Wars made $385 million.
Batman $205 Million
War of the Worlds $200 million.
King Kong $200 million.
Narnia $267 million.

These movies did thier job(and Star Wars grossed $50 million in a DAY in a “down year”).

ewokpelts
ewokpelts commented about Chestnut Station Cinemas on Oct 5, 2006 at 6:11 pm

I saw Return of the Jedi: Special Edition here in 1997. I was working at 600 n. Michigan theatres at the time. Needless to say, I got in free with an employee pass.
It’s a shame this theatre didnt survive. The neighbor hood is WAY MORE upscale now. Sames goes for Burnham Plaza. Both could have survived as art houses. God knows we need them.

ewokpelts
ewokpelts commented about Avalon Regal Theater on Oct 5, 2006 at 5:54 pm

Pearl Jam played here in 1994.

ewokpelts
ewokpelts commented about Theater chains looking for new opportunities on Oct 5, 2006 at 5:32 pm

The over-reliance on weekend grosses hurts more than helps. Give me a reason to go to a movie theatre on a Tuesday night.

ewokpelts
ewokpelts commented about Drive-ins to go digital? on Aug 20, 2006 at 7:52 am

Interesting article, as well as debate.

Oneperson suggested a digital “screen” to show movies during the day…it already exists at baseball stadiums…it’s a jumbotron…and some stadiums show movies when the team is on the road…..

I havent been to a drive in in years, but I do want them to survive.

ewokpelts
ewokpelts commented about Theater chains looking for new opportunities on Aug 20, 2006 at 6:37 am

The Best Way is to create incentives to go DURING THE WEEK.
Ask MLB how they do this.

ewokpelts
ewokpelts commented about Kodak developing digital theater software on Aug 20, 2006 at 6:27 am

kick ass!

ewokpelts
ewokpelts commented about AMC lowers prices on Manhattan pre-noon showings on Aug 20, 2006 at 5:04 am

CORRECTION: The Five Buck Movie Club’s site is www.fivebuckclub.net

ewokpelts
ewokpelts commented about AMC lowers prices on Manhattan pre-noon showings on Aug 20, 2006 at 4:35 am

Also, watch out for mis-priced shows on www.movietickets.com for amc’s am cinema.
I tried getting tickets for Snakes on a Plane at River East online, only for the site to tell me that tickets are $7.50, and not 5. But the box office’s prices were still $5.

ewokpelts
ewokpelts commented about AMC lowers prices on Manhattan pre-noon showings on Aug 20, 2006 at 4:34 am

Kerasotes also has the five buck movie club.
ALL MOVIES that are out for at least 10 days are 5 bucks when you show your member card.
The card’s FREE at www.fivebuckclub.com