Openings

  • January 14, 2009

    The Movies on Exchange: the last picture show

    PORTLAND, ME — A downtown fixture said goodbye this past weekend as the The Movies on Exchange closed its doors. The owners will now help screen films at the Portland Museum of Art.

    Theater owners Steve and Judy Halpert were on hand to greet friends and regular moviegoers who were there for the final screenings. They showed “Mr. Hulot’s Holiday” at 1, then had two seatings for “Casablanca,” the movie it opened with 32 years ago.

    “I’m very sorry to close,” Steve Halpert said, standing by the door of the theater. “Judy and I are ready for a change.”

    Read the full story in the Portland Press Herald.

  • January 7, 2009

    Kenwood Drive-In goes dark

    LOUISVILLE, KY — The last drive-in theater in Louisville is now closed. For 59 years, the south end icon was the place to go to watch movies outdoors. The family favorite and city landmark will be greatly missed.

  • January 6, 2009

    Emporia Granada Theatre fan Facebook Group celebrates restored theatre

    EMPORIA, KS — After a 3M investment using local talents and trades the newly restored (saved from the wrecking ball by the Emporia Granada Theatre Alliance) movie palace known as Emporia Granada Theatre has opened to rave reviews. The theatre was officially opened Friday, October 3, 2008 exactly 79 years after it first opened in 1929. The ornate Spanish Colonial Revival theatre is a cultural anchor to down town Emporia leveraging further development, both public and private.

    See images and news of the Boller Bros. gem by joining the Facebook group: “Emporia Granada Theatre Fan.”

  • December 29, 2008

    Kingsway Theatre re-opening January 02, 2009

    TORONTO, ON, CANADA — Finally!!…The Kingsway Theatre will re-open on Friday January 02, 2009 with:

    Boy In Striped Pajamas-7pm
    Rachel Getting Married-9:30pm

    Minimum run will be one week and we look forward to booking first run films as of mid to late January 2009.

    The renovation is nearly complete with a new lobby and continuing upgrades in the auditorium. The Kingsway will soon become, once again, a vital part of Toronto’s west end. There is still lots of work to be done but it will be well worth the effort.

  • December 24, 2008

    Paterson Cinema News

    Unofficial word is that Paterson NJ will have a cinema again soon.

    On February 11, 2005, the local Herald News wrote about the City Council’s approving a new downtown development – Center City Paterson. The 320,000 square foot retail and entertainment center fills an entire city block located between Smith, Ward Main and Clark Streets. The article referenced that a cinema would be part of the development. www.centercitypaterson.com

    The outside of the building is almost finished and cars are already parking in a well lighted underground lot while interior construction continues. A NJ Exhibitor says its supposed to be an 8-plex (not 10 reported in ‘05 article). Official news is supposed to come in January including name and target opening date.

  • December 19, 2008

    The Movies reopens

    Kingman, AZ has been without any movie theatres for the past year since The Movies closed. Local residents had to drive to Laughlin to see the latest releases.

    But now the theatre has gotten new ownership and reopens the old 4-screen theatre on Friday at popular prices (not as popular as they were before the theatre closed, but much lower than big city movie theatres!). Prior to Friday’s opening the owners have opened “The Movies” for benefit screenings of all the top films locals could not see in the past year.

    Read more in the Kingman Daily Miner.

  • December 4, 2008

    Norway’s first all-digital multiplex opens

    OSLO, NOWAY — The Oslo Municipal Cinemas opened the first all-digital multiplex in Norway over the weekend. Some 9,000 film fans turned out to see a combination of Norwegian and Hollywood films.

    Half of the Ringen Kino’s six screens are 3D capable. The theater seats a total of 925.

    Oslo Municipal Cinemas is a state-run organization that uses the profits from its eight multiplexes to fund museums and other arts groups.

  • November 26, 2008

    Conneaut Plaza Theatres reopens under new management

    CONNEAUT, OH — The Conneaut Plaza Theatres reopened under new management last weekend after closing last September. Ironically, the recent closing of the nearby Ashtabula Plaza Theatre laid the foundation for reopening the Plaza.

    The new owners of the two-screen mall cinema, a married couple, have installed new carpeting and given the place a new coast of paint. They also put in a new concession stand that offers an extended menu that includes hot dogs, nachos and pizza to be baked on the premises by Pizzi Cafe. They hope that will help them compete with the bigger multiplexes.

    The couple has been learning how to run the projectors and other equipment from the former manager.

    Read more in the Star Beacon.

  • Blair Theatre reopens

    BELLEVILLE, KS — The Blair Theatre reopened on November 7, 2008 showing “Madagascar 2”.

    The movie “Bolt” in 3D is being shown November 21st- December 4th.

  • November 24, 2008

    Shows go on at Loma

    SOCORRO, NM — After announcing its closing last month, the Loma Theatre will reopen soon under new management.

    There might be a Hollywood ending for the Loma Theater after all.

    Complete with a hero riding in to save the day, it appears the local movie theater’s future has been secured and the grateful masses should soon make their appearance.

    Incline Village, Nev., businessman Todd Bloomhuff— owner of Bloomhuff Entertainment Inc. and Bloomhuff Theaters — said he plans to reopen the city’s Loma Theater as the New Loma Stadium Cinema by the second week in December.

    Read the full story at El Defensor Chieftain.