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May 22, 2008
Another successful “Somewhere in Time” weekend
MACKINAC ISLAND, MI — I heard about this event years ago and found it fascinating that there was enough interest to pull it off year after year. It’s built around the 1980 film, “Somewhere in Time” about a man that wills himself to go back in time to find the woman he loves. Basically, it’s a rather plush weekend where people come and stay in this historic hotel for a weekend fan retreat, period-dressed.
For the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in Michigan, the “Somewhere in Time” weekend is as close to literal time travel as you likely will find anywhere.
Hundreds of romantics, film buffs and a few who feel out of place in the “modern” world come together each fall to pay homage to the film, a cult movie hit filmed on Mackinac Island in 1979 but set mainly in 1912. And they do so by mingling in (optional) period dress over five-course dinners, champagne receptions and lectures on everything from the movie’s cinematography to Victorian underpinnings.
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May 21, 2008
Landmark Theatres introduces Living Room Auditorium to Dallas' classic Inwood Theatre
DALLAS, TX — Landmark Theatres today announced the grand opening of its newest Living Room Auditorium at Dallas' Classic Inwood Theatre. This unique auditorium — the first and only one of its kind in Texas — will give audiences an unparalleled movie-going experience just in time for summer’s most anticipated film, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” which opens at the Inwood on May 22 at 12:01am with a special midnight show.
Working in partnership with the LoveSac Furniture Company, Landmark completely re-invented the first-floor auditorium of the Inwood with a variety of unique seating options including couches, loveseats, chairs and ottomans, as well as the original LoveSac. A private bar also was added, allowing patrons to purchase cocktails and soft drinks without ever leaving the auditorium.
Landmark Theatres first introduced the Living Room auditoriums in their Los Angeles flagship theatre, The Landmark, where they won widespread acclaim from audiences.
“It’s a completely unique concept and a movie-lovers' dream come true,” CEO Ted Mundorff said. “Guests will feel like they are in their own screening room. It’s all part of our ongoing commitment to provide patrons with the perfect afternoon or evening out, not just at the movies, but as an overall entertainment experience.”
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May 12, 2008
A car dealership with a movie theater?
CHESAPEAKE, VA — Just when I thought I’d seen everything, a new car dealership tries to lure customers with many unique amenities including a movie theater.
Soon, car buyers will be able to watch a movie, get a haircut and a manicure and do it all from the comfort of a local car dealership.
On Monday in Chesapeake, Priority Automotive will open at 1800 Greenbrier Parkway, and it will feature a restaurant with full-service kitchen, a movie theater, plasma screen televisions, a hair salon, a shoe shine station, a Wi-Fi work area and a manicure station. A dedicated executive chef will provide snacks and gourmet meals, and a kids play area includes a 250-gallon saltwater aquarium.
The full story, in the Daily Press.
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May 8, 2008
Legendary Hollywood Preservationist and Community Leader Robert Wood Nudelman passes away
Robert Wood Nudelman, 52, a legendary figure in the fight to preserve Hollywood’s heritage, passed away at his father’s home in Tucson early this week. Ever present at meetings and hearings in the Hollywood community for 30 years, Nudelman is often credited as a driving force behind the restoration of landmark theaters and other buildings in Hollywood, spearheading a renaissance of the once-blighted area.
The loss of such a pivotal community leader has been met with unspeakable shock and sadness. He was the longtime Director of Preservation Issues for Hollywood Heritage, and was a past President and Board Member of the organization and Curator of its Hollywood Heritage Museum. He was a Vice President of the Society for Cinephiles/Cinecon Classic Film Festival and president of the Project Area Committee for the Hollywood Redevelopment Area. At the time of his death, he was working with Debbie and Todd Reynolds on the Hollywood Motion Picture Museum in Tennessee.
Nudelman was the son of Ruth Donovan Wood and Dr. Sol Nudelman, a leader in medical imaging. He grew up in Illinois and Rhode Island before a stint in Germany and then Tucson. He studied Theater Arts at the University of Arizona. His brother Mark and mother preceded him in death.
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May 6, 2008
Alamo Drafthouse expands to the east
Alamo Drafthouse is planning to open its first east-coast theater, in Winchester, VA.
“Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is a unique movie theater experience,” says Lisa Limoges, a partner in NL Entertainment. “We give a whole new meaning to the term ‘dinner and a movie’ by combining both experiences under one roof.”
Eventually, Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas hopes to open 10 locations in the state of Virginia and is actively seeking franchisees.
Get the full story in bizjournals.
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April 30, 2008
Merger to bring more Asian Cinema to U.S.
ImaginAsian and Adlabs are partnering for an expansion of their interests in the U.S.
Reliance ADAG’s Adlabs Films Ltd, through its US subsidiary Adlabs Films USA, has signed a partnership deal with ImaginAsian Entertainment, Inc, a player in promoting Asian Pacific American culture to mainstream America.
Adlabs will operate a 240-screen movie theatre chain in the US from the second quarter of 2008. As part of its US strategy, Adlabs will show Hollywood films as well as cinema from South Asia and East Asia. ImaginAsian, with its marketing and distributing of Asian Pacific content, will supplement, support and provide content related to South Asia and East Asia.
Read more at Indiantelevision.com.
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April 25, 2008
Fandango and Microsoft introduce voice-activated movie times
Fandango and Microsoft are launching a program for some cell phones that will allow users to get movie times and theater locations through voice-activated technology.
Today Fandango, the nation’s leading moviegoer destination, and Tellme, a Microsoft subsidiary, announced the addition of voice-activated movie information for mobile phones. Consumers will be able to simply hold down the ‘talk’ button, say a movie title or local theater name, and see showtimes, purchase tickets and get driving directions to the theater, all from the phone’s screen.
Read more in Fox Business.
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April 4, 2008
More 3-D films coming
With better 3-D quality than ever before, more 3-D films are on the slate to be issued.
Katzenberg, though, is evangelising about a brave new world of digital 3D – one with no need for Nurofen hand-outs at the door, and whose images are crisp and bright enough to take your breath away. As well as expanding its horizons with the wrap-around effect of Imax screens, the cinema of the future will push depth of field beyond anything previously experienced. And the only snag? You’ll still need specs to see it.
This 3D comeback has been creeping up on us, thanks to advances in digital projection, the popularity of the huge Imax screens (of which there are now around 300 across the world), and new levels of expertise in computer animation.
Read more in the Telegraph.
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April 3, 2008
Bow Tie Cinemas appoint Chief Film Officer
NEW YORK, NY — Bow Tie Cinemas (Charles B. Moss, Jr. and Ben Moss, Owners) has appointed veteran film executive Spencer Klein as its Chief Film Officer. Effective April 7, 2008, Klein will be responsible for booking all films and alternative content exhibited throughout Bow Tie’s broad network encompassing 138 screens in 17 locations in Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, New York, and Virginia. In addition to his film responsibilities, Klein will participate in evaluating new theatre locations, potential acquisitions, digital and 3D projects, as well as theatrical marketing opportunities.
Prior to joining Bow Tie Cinemas, Spencer Klein was Senior Vice President and General Sales Manager of Domestic Distribution for The Weinstein Company (TWC), where he was responsible for overseeing the domestic sales for TWC, the genre label Dimension Films, the recently formed Third Rail Releasing, and TWC’s research screenings.
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Facebook group for classic cinemas and theatres
Here’s a little link to a page for those of you on Facebook. I noticed there wasn’t one single page or group on the community so its just in the beginning stages of an idea. If anyone wants to help them, please join in!.