The latest movie theater news and updates
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September 24, 2014
50 Years of Pop
In honor of it being 50 years since its second premiere engagement at Radio City Music Hall, Cinema Treasures is celebrating the Golden Anniversary of “Mary Poppins.” With an interview featuring film historians from around the world and the always detailed account of its presentation history, Michael Coate’s two-page feature at the Digital Bits is one any film fan won’t want to miss. Check it out now!
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September 23, 2014
More than just movies at the Colonial
KEENE, NH — The Colonial Theatre has been keeping crowds happy for 90 years thanks to a mix of entertainment. Besides film, they regularly have a wide array of live events such as circuses and comedy shows.
The Equinox took a look at its history and more importantly how this non-profit has found ways to truly become part of the community.
(Thanks to mike(saps) for providing the photo.)
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September 22, 2014
Nile Theatre celebrates 75 years
MITCHELL, NE — Only four owners have been the steward of the Nile Theatre since its opening in the peak of the Golden age of Hollywood. They’ve weathered many changes and with digital projection seem to be set for the future. Leading up to their anniversary on November 21, they’re hosting “75 Years of Movie Magic” with special give-a-ways and more.
Read more about the event in the Tampa Tribune and at their Facebook Page.
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Almost showtime for the King’s
BROOKLYN, NY — The highly anticipated restoration of the Loew’s Kings is coming along with the end in sight. The New York Daily News has some great photos courtesy of Matt Lambros of the remarkable progress and details on how they got to this point.
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September 19, 2014
Downtown Lowell gets a theatre again
LOWELL, MA — There are 20 theaters listed on Cinema Treasures in Lowell but only 1 is operating. It’ll be 2 come this weekend with the opening of the Luna Theater. The 80 seat gem will finally bring movies back to downtown with a mix of independent films and live performances.
Read more in the Lowell Sun
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Babylon Cinemas closes
BABYLON, NY — After almost 100 years, the Babylon Cinemas has closed. Its latest operator, Bow-Tie, claimed it just couldn’t keep up with the competition. They installed digital and even lowered prices but the theatre just couldn’t bring enough business.
Read more in Newsday about the closure and the fading theatre landscape of Long Island.
(Thanks to bway for providing the photo.)
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September 18, 2014
3 Classic Movies About the Movies at Loew’s Jersey Theatre
JERSEY CITY, NJ — Celebrating the 85th Anniversary Year of The Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre 54 Journal Square, Jersey City, NJ 07306 Tel. (201) 798-6055 Fax: (201) 798-4020 Web: http://www.loewsjersey.org/
The Landmark Loew’s Jersey is a historic theatre operating as a non-profit arts center
Friday, September 26 8PM “Barton Fink” Starring John Turturro, John Goodman, Judy Davis, Michael Lerner. Directed by Joel Coen. 1991, 116 mins, Color Rated R.
Ethan and Joel Coen’s stock-in-trade is to serve up a smorgasbord of quirkiness and kinkiness where nothing is what it seems and nothing turns out as planned — so Old Hollywood is a tailor-made setting that they make the most of. John Turturro is the title character, a 1940s socialist playwright based on Clifford Odets, brought to Hollywood to work inside the studio system. So from the outset, it’s obvious that this is going to be a whale (pardon the pun) of a fish-out-of-water story, and as Barton encounters some of the other inhabitants of Tinseltown, he reacts with the innocence of a schoolboy and also comes down with a terrible case of writer’s block. John Goodman is a seemingly genial salesman who is Barton’s neighbor in the seedy hotel he’s staying in. There is a subplot with John Mahoney as a William Faulkner-inspired novelist and Judy Davis as his suffering secretary/mistress, which very nicely adds another layer to the assault that Hollywood is leveling on Barton’s personality. Then there is the tour de force performance by Michael Lerner as the boorish studio boss who hires Barton to write a wrestling picture — a character who anyone familiar with the history of Old Hollywood will recognize as a mix of two very real moguls: Louis B. Mayor at MGM and the even more infamous Harry Cohn of Columbia Pictures. Turturro is pitch perfect in the lead role, his physical appearance perfectly complementing his personification of the blocked writer. The story elements and characterizations come together to combine with the Coen brothers’ usual craftsmanship from script to cinematography — and create a striking, interesting and entertaining movie.
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September 17, 2014
A look into the Belcourt
NASHVILLE, TN — Open since 1925, the Belcourt Theatre has had a varied history filled with film and live music. It’s going better than ever but not with tireless work from its staff.
The Tennessean took a detailed look at its history and the stories behind.
(Thanks to Danny Proctor for providing the photo.)
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New life for small-town theaters
It certainly can’t be said for independent theaters in general but many are having a revival. Small communities are looking for reason to come back downtown and the neighborhood theater can be a focal point.
The Wichita Eagle is featuring a photo gallery of some of its local success stories like the State in Larned, St. Francis' Cheyenne, the Stafford Ritz and the Pretty Prairie Civic.
(Thanks to Hosehead_Jones for providing the photo.)
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September 16, 2014
What about the curtains?
So much is written about the decline of cinemas in general but how about how curtains have been forgotten? The Chicago Reader took a look at how this one omission has vastly changed the moviegoing experience.