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The latest movie theater news and updates
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September 30, 2008
Bad cinema architecture
We often see and read about countless beautiful movie “palaces” in all their splendor and glory.
But how about everyone’s thoughts on the “Ugliest Looking Cinemas”?
Hailing from England, I smile to myself when viewing some of these old (Dracula’s Castle) looking wrecks that have closed. I’m not at all surprised.
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Drexel Grandview remains open temporarily
COLUMBUS, OH — After calling his theater “a dinosaur,” and “I don’t think it’s economically viable for it to ever be a movie theater again,” Drexel Grandview owner and manager Jeff Frank did not close the theater this weekend as originally planned.
In an email to Drexel patrons sent last Friday afternoon, Jeff Frank announced: “Because of the severe storms last week and the loss of power at both our theatres and cafe, and the fact that many people were without power, we decided it would be best to postpone our Grand Closing Event for Drexel Grandview. We are currently working on keeping the theatre open for a few additional weeks so we can plan this event and we’re still trying to work out a way to keep the theatre open longer.”
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September 29, 2008
Remembering Paul Newman
Paul Newman passed away over the weekend at the age of 83 from cancer. He was one of the last of the great 20th Century movie stars, and indeed, one of the greatest actors I’ve ever seen.
The first film of his that I ever saw was “The Towering Inferno” when it premiered on a relatively new cable channel called HBO in December 1975. Believe it or not, I would not see a Paul Newman film on screen until “The Color of Money” in 1986. But in between, of course, as I learned to appreciate good film, I would discover and cherish such titles as “The Hustler”, “Exodus”, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and “The Verdict”.
His passing causes me to reflect not only on his great career but also the fact that there are almost no Hollywood legends left. People of my generation (I was born in 1967) have stars like Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, Jack Nicholson, Warren Beatty and Jessica Lange to look to as our screen legends.
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Paramount Theatre up for auction on ebay
MARSHALL, TX — The historic Paramount Theatre has been put up for auction on ebay with a minimum opening bid of $170,000. Economic downturns have forced the present owner to sell it.
The theatre was converted to a recording studio sometime after closing. According to the owner some TLC is needed to bring the theatre up to code and back to its former glory.
Back in the 1930 on the screen of the famous Paramount theater, you too could see the flick Treasure Island for only ten cents.
Now, you buy the Paramount Theater on Ebay for a cool bid of $170,000.
“I’ve been a member on Ebay for ten years. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not, but I’ve seen a lot of things for sale on there and I thought well…why not.”
The full article and a short video can be found at KLTV
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“Bride of Frankenstein” at Broadway
PITMAN, NJ — The historic Broadway Theatre is screening the James Whale classic “Bride of Frankenstein” staring Boris Karloff on Wednesday October 22nd at 10:30am, 1:30pm, and 7pm.
It will feature live organ music before showtime and classic horror trailers.
Also Arcana Studios will be on hand presenting a first look at the new horror anthology comic book, “The Velvet Rope”.
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Ren Cen 4 opens in Detroit
DETROIT, MI — Last weekend, Uptown Entertainment opened the renovated Riverfront 4 Theatres located in the GM Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit. Nearly 350 invited guests from the community attended the Saturday celebration. The featured film presentation was Dreamworks' Igor.
The new Ren Cen 4 Theater is offering a discounted admission price of $6 until October 5th when the regular price will be $8.50. Valet parking is free until November 1st when the price will be $2 with a purchased ticket.
The theater bills itself as family friendly and state of the art, and will be available to rent for meetings and events.
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September 26, 2008
Remembering Cinerama Part IV
REMEMBERING CINERAMA
Part IV: HoustonThe following is Part Four of a series of retrospectives on the revolutionary and historic Cinerama process (and copycat formats Cinemiracle and Thrillarama), which provides nostalgia to those who experienced Cinerama when it was new and highlights the great movie palaces in which these memorable events took place.
Part I: New York City
Part II: Chicago
Part III: San FranciscoAnd now…Part IV: Cinerama Presentations in Houston!
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Columbus' Grandview to close
COLUMBUS, OH — The Drexel Grandview is closing this Saturday, September 27. Its operator cited economic difficulties in running a single-screen theater, especially with rising energy costs.The building’s owner turned down an offer to buy the building so more screens could be added. Without the extra screens, the operator had no other choice.
The Grandview had been running without a lease and losing money for some time. It programmed independent and art films exclusively. The theater opened in 1928 and was about to celebrate its 80th anniversary. Its final films are “Elegy”, “Man on Wire”, and “Tell No One”.
You can read more at Public Broadcasting and the Columbus Dispatch.
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Maine Coast Mall Cinemas shutdown quietly
ELLSWORTH, ME — The Maine Coast Mall Cinemas, operated by the Boston Culinary Group, quietly closed last week with no warning. The theatre is no longer listed on the company website and no movie titles are listed on its lighted mall sign.
The town’s other theater, The Grand Auditorium, a non-profit performance arts center, hopes to take advantage of this by expanding its film program to more mainstream movies, although on a second-run basis.
You can read more at the Ellsworth American.
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Eagle Eye first IMAX/IMAX digital opening
LOS ANGELES, CA — Dreamworks' Eagle Eye will be the first movie to open simultaneously in both IMAX and IMAX digital cinemas as well as regular theaters on September 26th. The film will screen in 84 IMAX theaters and 14 IMAX digital theaters. In the coming weeks, it will also be shown in 13 IMAX theaters internationally.
You can read more at Market Watch.