Lee Highway Multiplex Cinemas

I remember when this particular theater and the Mt Vernon Multiplex opened, they touted 70mm projection in the larger auditoriums and THX certification back in 1986. The two largest auditoriums had 70mm, but rather small screens. I believe the last time they booked a 70mm movie was "Dick Tracy" back in 1990. The movie was quite colorful with its bright and bright costumes and makeup (paying obvious homage to its comic strip roots) and the soundtrack that had Madonna singing catchy older tunes.

In 1993, they had one of the first digital sound system installs in NoVA, and I made the trip to see "What's Love Got to Do With It." The movie was riveting to watch with great performances by Angela Basset and Lawrence Fishburne. They were robbed of their Academy Awards! I can vividly remember the Dolby Digital train sound trailer they played before the movie began and the crystal clarity of the sound system as it engulfed you in sound that truly enriched the theater experience.

That was then. Now, they have the same interiors that have fallen into a state of disrepair. No longer THX certified, but having the only other DLP (for now) auditorium in northern Virginia. They have curtains but don't bother to open or close them for shows. I saw X2 in DLP, back in '02 and was disappointed with the bad sound quality. The Uptown's regular 35mm presentation was superior mostly due to the fact that its wrap around screen and louder sound levels drew you into the action on screen. The DLP system is installed in one of the smaller theaters off to the end of the plex. I am curious as to why they were unable or unwilling to install it in one of the largest two auditoriums that previously had 70mm capability, THX certification and currently, Dolby EX. The latter sound system, though installed and advertised for Star Wars: Episode 1 back in '99, could not be experienced when I visited there. When I saw that movie there, there was virtually no surround sound at all, in comparison to Baltimore's Senator and the area's Regal chain's largest auditorium's EX set up.

The last time I've visited this plex was three weeks ago to see M. Night Shymalyan's "The Lady in Water." The presentation was quite good with decent sound levels. It was worth the trip to experience it in this format and at this theater. I enjoyed this film better than Night's last film, "The Village," which was rather boring save for Adrian Brody's Rainman-ish performance.

The DLP auditorium's ceiling showed signs of leakage as there were water/rust stains. The seats are still the same as they were when they opened 20 years ago, but they are of the comfortable rocker type variety. Given the investment to install their system, I am astonished they don't do more to advertise the digital bookings they do get. The Washington Post has consistently labeled their digital projected movies as "DPL." The marquee gets no distinctive signage probably due to management disinterest. In years past, they did advertise "70mm", the Dolby Digital icon and DTS icon for those movies that had those distinctions.

The Meffifield area is undergoing redevelopment, and I think plans include demolishing these theaters at some point, as the land is probably quite valuable. Right now there are two huge buildings going up next to the theaters. Fairfax County has a plan for the area to be some kind of "urban village" which evidently does not include movie theaters. People seem to go less and less to see movies theatrically, and theaters take little to no care with presentation (image out of focus, framing problems, etc.

Back when it first opened, this theater looked spectacular -- state of the art. I haven't been in a few years, but the last time I went (for "Bamboozled") I was shocked at how dated it looked, with the cinderblock walls and lack of stadium seating. The newer AMC theaters have spoiled me, I guess.

I agree once DLP systems began sprouting up at more newer theatres like AMC's Tyson's Corner and three systems over at National Amusement's Cinema De Lux theatre (with stadium seating) I haven't been back since. The Merrifield theatre chairs are hideous - loud and uncomfortable. Even their one DLP equipped auditorium was a total letdown, the surround sound always seemed set way too low, and a rather average size screen didn't help immerse yourself into the film. I'm really kind of surprised that this theatre is still standing.

This theater closed on 01/11/2009 by National Amusements, the parent company of Showcase Cinemas. Does anyone know or heard if a third party will be taking over the theater?

Since National Amusements own the building, usually nobody else takes it over.

I believe it is only closed temporarily; they are building a new one as part of the renovation going on in Merrifield.

The plex, itself, isn't totally bad. The building needs some repair and the auditoriums, at least the two largest ones on the left as you walk in were THX certified once upon a time. Why build a whole totally new complex? Sounds like a waste of money to me and a big gamble in these dark economic times and with the recent opening of the superior AMC Tysons 16. Unless, the plans are to go Cinema Deluxe with an IMAX install to compete with AMC? Hmmm.

but the planned IMAX screen over Tyson's is currently stalled, if National Amusement's did a complete revamp stadium seating, all digital DLP, non-digital IMAX they'd steal AMC thunder by a huge margine.

and if IMAX were seriousily in the cards, Merrifield could actually add on and/or build up an IMAX to two to three story dimensions, something the other IMAX-Digital auditoriums are lacking {i.e, height).

Competition is good. AMC dominates the DC market now, for better or worse. Babette's post may be conjecture, at best. Then again, if they open a Cinema deLuxe-style plex with IMAX, a REAL IMAX and not AMC's IMAX-lite-type auditorium, what better experience would that be to watch movies. Maybe the food court offerings will be better, too, Cheesecake Factory, Maggianos maybe, instead of Sbarros? :) And, yes, I'd be willing to drive across the bridge and pay $13.50 to see a decent IMAX, a real IMAX movie if that is the case.

according to an email I received from National Amusements, they are not remodeling nor are there plans on reopening the Lee Highway Multiplex - oh well.

Film piracy is killing our theaters. Universal Pictures, 20th Century FOX, Disney have leaked their films for hackers/pirates, before they were ever released to theaters. This must stop right now.

I'm going to have to go UM's comment because all of our memories that were built on Lee Highway are being torn down for urban development so that the drug dealers and Hispanics can live in it. This is very wrong. I'm glad I moved to Georgia and i hope Carmike 8 Dublin doesn't get converted into a church or something else.

An interesting design and the last of its kind in the metropolitan DC area. Some parting shots from 2008: 1, 2