The latest movie theater news and updates

  • January 17, 2008
    Closings

    Chelsea West to close

    NEW YORK, NY — The Chelsea West is to close for good February 10, 2008, so I am told.

    11 comments
  • Memories

    Orleans 8 farewell

    PHILADELPHIA, PA — Over the Christmas holidays I had heard the AMC Orleans 8 was demolished and went by and saw it for myself. It was a sad sight to see so I just had to make a comment and was quite suprised to find this site.

    I worked there several years as an usher and as an ass’t/mgr. I had met some great people while working there, but time moves on, and so does a bulldozer. So as we used to say on the phone, “we have parking for 5000 cars, for business and further information please dial Randolph 8-5959,”

    thanks…..

    2 comments
  • Jobs

    Looking for film bookers in Texas

    I am planning to enter into film distribution in Texas (Dallas, Houston, Austin & San Antonio). Can anyone please provide me with a list of film bookers contacts in Texas.

    2 comments
  • January 16, 2008
    Theaters

    Miami’s closed Coconut Grove planning to reopen

    MIAMI, FL — After almost two years of inactivity, the Board of the Coconut Grove Playhouse is considering how it can reopen.

    Working with Miami-Dade County’s Department of Cultural Affairs and consultants at Connecticut-based AMS Planning and Research, board leaders have a draft plan that they will take to theater ‘'stakeholders’‘ — former subscribers and patrons, business and government leaders, members of the theater community, Coconut Grove activists, historic preservationists and the public — in a series of meetings aimed at getting reaction and sharpening the proposal.

    The rebuilding plan would bring together three partners: the playhouse, a local college or university and a commercial developer. They would work together to create, manage and finance an institution that would cost an estimated $6.5 million a year to run.

    The plan could lead to a standard-setting institution that would help develop new works and new talent, provide technical or design support to smaller area companies and become a magnet for top-level actors, playwrights and directors, including many who have left Miami to pursue their careers in New York or in cities with established regional theaters.

    Read more in the Miami Herald.

    1 comment
  • Technology

    U.S. movie theaters going digital

    Movie theaters nationwide are going digital in film projection.

    By the end of 2005, there were fewer than 200 auditoriums equipped with digital-projection equipment in the United States. At the end of 2007, there were about 2,500, and by the end of this year, there’ll be at least double that number.

    Among the leaders has been UltraStar Cinemas, the 102-screen San Diego County-based theater chain whose mantra is ‘'pure digital cinema.’‘ It operates seven local multiplexes and others in Riverside, San Bernardino and Imperial counties.

    Read the full article in the Union-Tribune.

    13 comments
  • Industry

    WB’s preshow must go on

    Warner Bros. has made a deal with National CineMedia’s FirstLook program.

    Warner Bros. and in-theater network provider National CineMedia have partnered to offer prefeature entertainment content and advertising in U.S. movie theaters.

    Warner Bros. said Monday that it will provide original, exclusive content for NCM’s FirstLook prefeature program, offering behind-the-scenes looks at upcoming Warner Bros. films, including “Fool’s Gold” and “Speed Racer.”

    Read more in the Hollywood Reporter.

    0 comments
  • January 15, 2008
    Theaters

    NuWilshire closed…yet lights still on?

    SANTA MONICA, CA — The NuWilshire Theatre is currently a sitting duck…with the lights still on. As of today, January 14, 2008 the theatre has not changed status except that the lights on the marque remain lit. As I am only a few blocks away the theatre, I have noticed they have remained on since the last day of working there. You would think that no light would be on at all, so as not to confuse a passersby or someone hoping to catch a movie and only to discover that it’s closed. No matter the time of day, the lights have been on. This is a mystery. Another reason why this puzzles me, is the fact that Santa Monica claims to be a green city. If this is the case, wouldn’t the lights be left off until actual construction and remodeling begins?

    I will keep you posted.

    5 comments
  • Events

    Orson Welles Weekend at Loew’s Jersey

    A Touch of Welles
    February 1 & 2, 2008
    At the Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre
    54 Journal Square, Jersey City, NJ 07306
    Tel: (201) 798-6055 Fax: (201) 798-4020 Email:
    Web: www.loewsjersey.org

    To Mark the 50th Anniversary of the Release of Orson Welles' Now-Legendary Touch of Evil, Universal Pictures Has Struck a Brand New Print. The Loew’s Jersey Will “Premier” This New Print of Touch of Evil On February 2 Preceded By The Magnificent Ambersons, The Lady From Shanghai on Feb 2 & Citizen Kane on Feb 1.

    0 comments
  • Jobs

    Village Theatre conatct

    Trying to reach Y.R. who posted comment on July 31, 2007 re: Village Theatre owners. I do not have contact data for Y.R. Can anyone help ?

    And/or will be happy to correspond with anyone at all that is interested in history/future of the Village Theatre in Coronado, CA.

    Thanks !
    Rob66

    0 comments
  • January 14, 2008
    Openings

    Garden Theatre reopening February 1st

    WINTER GARDEN, FL — The Garden Theatre, 160 West Plant Street, will open again after an absence of 44 years, beginning February 1, with the Jester Theater Company presenting “The Musical of Musicals.” The former movie house closed in 1963.

    On the evening of February 29, the Gala Event—“Curtain Up” will be held. This will feature a wine reception party, and Disney executive chefs will create some culinary masterpieces for your enjoyment. The patrons will later move inside the theatre via red carpet and searchlights for the performance. The first half of the show will focus on the history of the Garden, and paint the picture of how this restoration was accomplished. The performances will include music, dance, a locally produced film, the Garden Community Choir, puppetry and theater. The grand finale will feature the wonderful vocal talent of Davis Gaines, who played the phantom in “The Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway for over 2000 performances. There will be a “Meet Davis Gaines” dessert/coffee reception after the show.

    Tickets to this event are $229 each, a salute to the 2/29 leap year date. This, obviously, is a fund raiser for the new performing arts center. You can call 407-877-GRDN to make reservations for the gala and other performances. Visa and MasterCard are accepted.

    1 comment