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The latest movie theater news and updates
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March 30, 2010
Best movie theaters in Dallas
DALLAS, TX — An article in Moviefone takes a look at Dallas' best movie theaters, some historic and some more modern.
A large portion of Dallas entertainment lies in its deluxe movie theaters, many of which offer the newest in cutting edge theater technology and service. Others draw a loyal following through their smart use of unusual theater offerings that are considered less-than-normal by today’s standards. Of the countless movie theaters in the Dallas metropolitan area, five of them stand out among the rest, offering superior guest services, relaxing theaters, over-the top concessions and an exceptional movie watching experience.
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March 29, 2010
Historic Lido Theatre to screen “Clash of the Titans” in 3D!
NEWPORT BEACH, CA — It appears Warner’s “Clash of the Titans” reboot will screen at the historic Regency Lido Theatre in Newport Beach, CA beginning Thursday, Apr 1 (10 pm). And in 3D, if you can believe it. Kind of an odd film for the 72-year-old Lido which specializes in art fare. But the real kicker is the 3D presentation.
Not even Regal’s flagship 1108-seat Big Newport theater down the road is equipped for 3D. One would have to think with the financial commitment a digital 3D projector requires that a shift is afoot in Lido programming. Regal appears to be taking notice. According to Fandango.com, “Clash of the Titans” isn’t scheduled to screen at the Big Newport, unheard of for a big-budget event film. Should be very interesting to see how this plays out over the summer.
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The Cinema Preservation Group now offers in-house equipment financing for start up and established theatres.
ASHEVILLE, NC — In the current economic climate, banks and other financial institutions have dramatically scaled back lending to start up theaters. Even established theaters have felt the squeeze in these tough economic times. Barry Flood, owner of the Tryon Theatre in Tryon North Carolina, said “between studios taking a 50% + take on second run tickets and the banks tightening lending, financing the booth equipment would be a great way for a theatre to become established faster and with less headache.”
In-house financing for start up and small established theaters has been a non-existent way to purchase equipment until now. This new offering will allow theater owners to act quickly, enabling them to open additional auditoriums or open a new theater in time for busy seasons.
The group has a specific line of items theaters can finance such as most used projectors, lamp houses, sound heads, sound processors, speakers, wire, amplifiers, lenses, aperture plates, platters, makeup tables and other 35MM components. Applications are processed within 24 hours and equipment can normally be shipped within 10 to 15 days.
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Great Escape Theatres to open new megaplex in South Carolina
SIMPSONVILLE, SC — Boasting fourteen screens, including an IMAX auditorium, the Great Escape 14 is scheduled to open at the end of April. The complex cost $14 million to construct and contains 2,200 seats.
When the Great Escape 14 movie theater opens in late April in Simpsonville, it plans to take full advantage of the latest technology changes. That’s why the fully digital theater will have four screens specially fitted to show movies in 3-D.
That’s not counting the four-story screen in the first and only digital IMAX theater in the Upstate.
“More and more movies are in 3-D and now they’re backing up on top of one another,” said David Poland, vice president of operations with Aliance Entertainment, the Indiana-based theater development company that built the $14 million, 14-screen theater in Simpsonville.
There is more detail in the Greenville News.
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March 26, 2010
Reminder: Lecture at the National Heritage Museum (3/28)
LEXINGTON, MA — A quick reminder that I will be giving a lecture at the National Heritage Museum, “Exhibiting Change: Movie Theaters and American Culture from the 19th to the 21st Century,” this Sunday, March 28th, at 2:00pm.
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Basie facade to be rejuvenated: Count Basie Theatre to launch “Let’s Face It” Capital Campaign!
RED BANK, NJ — In 2010, the Count Basie Theatre will once again undergo a major renovation, this time to the exterior of the building, and is launching the “Let’s Face It” campaign to fund the work.
Although scaffolding will cover the front of the building, the shows will go on.
An all-new, historical looking facade will replace the faded and structurally impaired pink brick front. A refurbished theatre marquee with energy efficient lighting, and new energy efficient windows will be included in the project. Over the next few weeks, scaffolding will be erected along the front and sides of the building, but unlike the 2008 renovation, the Basie will remain open for business during the entire time the work is being done. The entrances and sidewalks will be accessible to the public and will be protected by the safety scaffolding.
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Pollock Theater needs 35mm projectors
SANTA BARBARA, CA — The University of California at Santa Barbara is about to open the brand new Pollock Theater. It will be a great venue for film students to learn. We will also have amazing film events at night.
I am in need of 2 35mm Projectors. I cannot do a platter system, so I will be going old school and doing changeovers.
does anyone have 35mm projectors? And does anyone know of a consultant that would like to help install?
Thanks,
Matt Ryan
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Price increases for 3-D movies in effect today
According to a Wall Street Journal article, 3-D ticket prices at the top three theater chains, AMC, Cinemark, and Regal, will take effect today. The increases will be very large, up by 26% in most theaters. This comes as the success of movies such as Avatar and Alice turned things around for the morbund 3D genre. As more and more movies come out in 3D and theaters get more 3D screens installed, higher grosses for 3D versions of regular movies will pump some much needed cash in Hollywood’s banks.
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March 25, 2010
Senator Theatre update
BALTIMORE, MD — I would like to give Cinema Treasures readers an update on the status of the iconic Senator Theatre.
The notoriously anti-preservation Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) is now putting The Senator Theatre through an RFP process that will determine the theatre’s future. They have repeatedly refused to involve objective, experienced historic theater redevelopment professionals and film exhibition experts in guiding the process. They did briefly consult John Bell from the Tampa Theatre with a short list of questions by email (Bell was not allowed to see the 2 proposals under consideration), and after they received Bell’s advice, they appeared poised to do the opposite of what his advice would indicate.
I was on the BDC’s advisory panel, and attended secret meetings about the RFP process, so I have access to information that has not been made public. I resigned in protest from the panel, due to the BDC’s repeated refusals to bring historic theater redevelopment and film exhibition experts into the process.
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Large Movie Poster A-frame stand for sale
Anyone interested in a large old a-frame movie poster lobby stand that says Bradford at the top. The glass door is missing. However, it does have the War Bond poster displayed at the top that says Movie Goers and with the slogan, “You buy em and keep em' we’ll fight em' and beat them.”