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The latest movie theater news and updates
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June 2, 2010
Looking for theater seats
Hello!
We’re looking for approximately 100 theatre seats that can be attached to audience risers. Used are fine as long as they are in good condition and do not require reupholstering. Please email pictures and/or descriptions.
Thank you!
JOZEF
1 comment -
June 1, 2010
Movie theaters destroyed in rioting in Thailand
BANGKOK, THAILAND — The widespread rioting and burning in Bangkok has claimed at least three theaters in the country’s capital. The ruined include include the classic single screen Siam Theater, the fifteen-screen SF World Cinemas megaplex, and the fourteen-screen theater owned by Major Cineplex in the wrecked Siam Paragon complex which included an IMAX auditorium.
The SF World and Major multiplexes, shut for the last six weeks while protesters blockaded the streets around them, were host to the Bangkok International Film Festival in recent years. Organizers of the event had already planned on using different venues.
Hardcore anti-government “Red Shirt” protesters dissatisfied with their leaders' surrender resorted to looting and torching the shopping malls, seen as symbols of a growing consumerist culture that has turned its back on Thailand’s rural poor.
There is more in the Hollywood Reporter.
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Landmark Cinemas purchases Christie’s New 4K-ready Solaria
KITCHENER, ONTARIO, CANADA — Christie, a global leader in digital cinema, announced that Landmark Cinemas has selected Christie Solaria Series 4K-ready digital cinema projectors for installation in six multiplexes across Western Canada. Landmark Cinemas will thrill audiences with the latest 3D box office hits using the Christie CP2230 and Christie CP2220 projectors, which utilize Academy Award1-winning DLP Cinema technology from Texas Instruments (TI) (NYSE: TXN). Landmark Cinemas is Canada’s largest regional movie exhibition circuit, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta.
Privately owned and operated since 1965, Landmark Cinemas currently operates 31 cinema complexes, with a combined total of 108 screens in 27 locations throughout western Canada and the Yukon. The partners that make up the ownership group have strong roots to film exhibition. Their passion for the movies trickles down to all of their 600+ employees.
“Every Landmark Cinemas theatre offers its customers the very best in entertainment value. We strive to make the theatre-going experience the best possible,” said Neil Campbell, COO and Partner, Landmark Cinemas of Canada. “3D has become an enormous game changer that has revived the exhibition industry. Now, with the additional Christie projectors, we can maximize our 8- and 10-screen complexes by doubling up our 3D presentations.”
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Theater for sale or lease
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — The theater was constructed in the early 1900’s and originally was a movie theater until 1980. The theater is now in business as a conservatory with 150 seats. The building has 4 storefronts for rental income.
We recently have been approved for 3 different types of use with a 350 seat capacity. The approved uses are events, movies, and live concerts. We have all approvals and architectural drawings in place.
Contact Peter at 914-384-4632 or
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May 28, 2010
AMC to sell nine cinemas to Regal to complete Kerasotes acquisition
KANSAS CITY, MO — To comply with a Department of Justice ruling, AMC will divest itself of nine theaters it currently owns in Indianapolis, Chicago, and Denver to the Regal Entertainment Group in exchange for cash and two Regal theaters.
Regal said in a release Monday that it had entered an agreement to acquire theaters in Indiana, Illinois and Colorado from AMC in exchange for cash and two Regal theaters. Terms of the deal were not released, other than that the exchange is expected to close during the second quarter.
On Friday, the Justice Department said it was requiring Kansas City-based AMC to divest itself of the theaters as a condition for approving the $275 million acquisition of Kerasotes. Department officials said the purchase would decrease movie theater competition in Chicago, Denver and Indianapolis, leading to higher ticket prices.
The full story is in Biz Journals.
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AMC lowers 3-D prices
NEW YORK, NY — Maybe it was an error or maybe they received so many complaints about it, but the bottom line is AMC is lowering it’s 3-D ticket prices in some NY theaters after they crossed the $20 mark last weekend.
AMC, which offered the $20 tickets on sale online yesterday for IMAX 3-D showings of “Shrek” at several of its New York theaters, attributes it to an error. Theaters with $20 tickets on sale include AMC Kips Bay, AMC Loews 34, AMC Loews Lincoln Square and AMC Empire 42 Street.
“Unfortunately, a limited number of theatres posted incorrect pricing for ‘Shrek Forever After,’ which we immediately corrected,” AMC spokesperson Justin Scott said in a statement today. “Any guest who purchased a ticket at the incorrect price can visit Guest Services for a refund.”
Read more in the Wall Street Journal.
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Ford-Wyoming Drive-In shrinking
DEARBORN, MI — The Ford-Wyoming Drive-In is down to 5 screens. Theaters 6-9 are being torn down as I type this. The snack bar has been cleaned out and the screens will be torn down before the end of May. The screens were offered for free around the drive-in circuit but no one wanted them.
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May 27, 2010
June 3 Deadline: Letters needed to save the Fairfax Theatre
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Art Deco Society of Los Angeles is asking for help to raise awareness for the Fairfax Theatre and its importance in the community before an upcoming vote that will greatly influence its future:
On June 3, 2010, the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission will be holding a hearing to determine the future of The Fairfax Theater. Now is the time to voice your concern and support for the Fairfax Theater.
Since 1930, the Fairfax Theater has been an integral part of the Fairfax district. The theater has served as a cinema, a legitimate playhouse, and an important locale for various religious and civic events. In the 80 years of operation, many residents of the community saw their first movie here and for others, even their first date and quite a few others, their first job.
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Tattered Palaces
The New York Times' Lens Blog of May 21, 2010, has an article on two Frenchmen, Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre, who photograph 20th-century ruins. These are a lot of the same pictures from our post last month but this time, you can read about them in English. Among their favorite subjects are old American movie palaces, built from the 1910s to the 1930s. The article includes several pictures of theaters in big and small American cities, in various stages of renovation or ruin, some of them long demolished.
Among their favorite subjects are old movie palaces, built from the 1910s to the 1930s, when excitement about going to the movies was immense and theaters – like the films they showed – constructed fantasy and offered escape. Today, what remains of these spaces is poignant evidence of what going to the pictures used to mean.
“Fastuous and monumental buildings depict the way human beings projected their hopes and phantasms,” Mr. Marchand said.
You can see the article at the following link in the New York Times.
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Muvico mural sparks contoversy
FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Opened on May 7, the new twelve-screen Muvico Village 12 in the Spotsylvania Towne Center features digital projection, 3-D capability, all stadium seating, deluxe VIP seating, cocktail service for those of age, and a bowling center with sixteen lanes called Splitsville. There is a story here.
However, a mural painted above the theater’s Civil War-themed outdoor bar area has angered some patrons because it includes the a partial image of a Confederate flag. The flag will be painted over. Stories here andhere.