Recliners are coming. The 3 larger auditoriums are under construction as is most of the lobby. Exterior is getting a paint job. This place had been getting second tier titles or move overs from the much newer popular nearby Regal Thornton Place. But now they can play day and date with that theater with a lot of titles now that most studios no longer honor clearance. Perhaps that prompted AMC to keep this place alive and update it. If it the recliners prove as popular as they became at the Factoria the standard stadium Thornton might take a hit!
What was the aspect ratio for all the IMAX-filmed scenes at the Chinese? Was it the 1.43:1 as it would be for the 15 Perf 70mm prints? I saw another IMAX film at the Chinese that appeared to be 1.90:1 with room at the top and bottom of the (*%#&@ unmasked) screen to spare.
I just saw Dunkirk at the Boeing IMAX in Seattle with Laser projection and it was full 1.43 for the IMAX sourced scenes. Although the Chinese had room to spare on screen when I was there it didn’t seem to be enough to go full 1.43:1 while maintaining the width of the screen. Am I wrong?
Landmark has been divesting themselves of their Seattle-area theaters over the last few years. Right now the only location they have left open is the discount Crest 4-screener in Shoreline.
The Metro – 10 screens. Became a Sundance, now AMC Dine-In
The Varsity – 3 screens. Now run by Far Away Entertainment
The Neptune – 1 screen. Now a live venue
The Egyptian – 1 screen. Now run by SIFF
The Harvard Exit – 2 screens. Redeveloped
Broadway Market – 4 screens. Redeveloped
And now the Guild 45th and Seven Gables?
Seattle’s funky art houses seem to be disappearing. This happened in LA as well when I lived there. Landmark opened the luxurious Arclight-ish “The Landmark” at Westside Pavillion and closed most of their other theaters.
It appears the Sherman Oaks 5 halted showing 35mm last weekend and only have their 2 digital screens listed as showing something through today on Fandango. Tuesday onward has no showtimes. Closing? Or finally going all digital?
Saw Star Wars last night at the renovated Factoria Cinemas. Fully AMC-ized now. Nothing SRO left. Box office has been moved inside which its good. Lobby makes more efficient use of the space and is very AMC-clean in design. My showing was in #2 (the 2nd largest auditorium). House lights were on so I got some good photos.
Auditoriums were gutted and the recliners were put in on a stepped slope (at least in 1 and 2). 1 and 2 retained 2 aisle/3 section layout. Peeked in #5 and it is now 2 aisles on the sides and one central seating section. #3 should mirror that. #4 retained its layout. Just with less seats. The entries to 3, 4 and 5 have been reconfigured.
Now to the screens: although hard to tell with screen #1 with my peek in, but it appears all screens are now common width and no masking! All the films playing in 2, 4 & 5 were scope and letterboxed within the screen. The screen in 2 also had rounded corners with the screen wrapped snug around the piping. Slight curve to it as well. These screens used to have moveable side masking (though the smaller 4, 6 & 7 had side masking but with the top masking movable to make flat a little larger). Flat will certainly be much larger now as the screens appear taller than they used to be.
The hall to 6, 7, & 8 was closed off and still under construction. Still a lot of work to be done on the exterior. The place was supposed to be open earlier than this but they must have fallen behind. There was evidence of hastiness in getting to this soft open: staples showing in wall curtains, molding not yet in place, construction boot prints in the restroom. Certainly wanted to cash in on Star Wars. Although I am opposed to unmasked screens I will still bring my kids here. Easy access off the freeway and lots of free parking. I am saddened by no trace of SRO being left but still glad the Factoria lives on. SRO-feel can still be experience at the SIFF Uptown and AMC Oak Tree in Seattle.
Side note: Are unmasked screens the new thing at AMC? The newer stadium AMC theaters I have been to all had proper masking (although the dreaded common width top-down variety) aside from LieMAX.
Sorry I am not TSilver729 but I know the answer – there was no twinning involved. Each addition was an addition to the original building. At first glance on the exterior and interior you would never know. But when you go into each auditorium you get 3 distinct styles depending on what wing you are in. I am hoping that when AMC installs the new seats they preserve the curtains on the walls of the auditoriums. Probably depends on how much investment they want to commit to the theater.
Temporarily Closed. On the AMC Website: This theatre is temporarily closed while we make changes that you’re going to love. Please check back later for updates.
The digital projection went in last Christmas so perhaps this is a seating upgrade. What will make me sad is if they fully AMC-ize it. It still has 3 generations of SRO interior, though with Cineplex Odeon carpet.
Went to see Jurassic World with the new projection and the image was terrific and the sound was great as well. Was also nice to see that the screen masking was properly placed for the new 2:1 aspect ratio J.W. used. I am curious to see how the remodeling will be continued. This is a great first step.
SIFF will reopen the Harvard Exit in May for 3 weeks as a venue for the film festival. (It has been a regular venue over the years). There has been tremendous backlash in the community about this theater’s closing and how many of Seattle’s neighborhoods are losing their cultural charm with the tremendous growth happening in the city. Full page articles in many publications calling out the new owner/developer. Perhaps there will be a miracle and the place will be given life again. The last thing the Capitol Hill neighborhood needs is more bar/restaurant and office space. This was a perfectly viable theater and a fixture on Seattle’s movie scene for years. Had SIFF not rescued the Egyptian Capitol Hill would have lost all of its theaters. That in a densely populated area where people walk to restaurants etc and cultural events etc.
Closed. Last show was 12/05/2019
Recliners are coming. The 3 larger auditoriums are under construction as is most of the lobby. Exterior is getting a paint job. This place had been getting second tier titles or move overs from the much newer popular nearby Regal Thornton Place. But now they can play day and date with that theater with a lot of titles now that most studios no longer honor clearance. Perhaps that prompted AMC to keep this place alive and update it. If it the recliners prove as popular as they became at the Factoria the standard stadium Thornton might take a hit!
What was the aspect ratio for all the IMAX-filmed scenes at the Chinese? Was it the 1.43:1 as it would be for the 15 Perf 70mm prints? I saw another IMAX film at the Chinese that appeared to be 1.90:1 with room at the top and bottom of the (*%#&@ unmasked) screen to spare.
I just saw Dunkirk at the Boeing IMAX in Seattle with Laser projection and it was full 1.43 for the IMAX sourced scenes. Although the Chinese had room to spare on screen when I was there it didn’t seem to be enough to go full 1.43:1 while maintaining the width of the screen. Am I wrong?
Landmark has been divesting themselves of their Seattle-area theaters over the last few years. Right now the only location they have left open is the discount Crest 4-screener in Shoreline.
Seattle’s funky art houses seem to be disappearing. This happened in LA as well when I lived there. Landmark opened the luxurious Arclight-ish “The Landmark” at Westside Pavillion and closed most of their other theaters.
It appears the Sherman Oaks 5 halted showing 35mm last weekend and only have their 2 digital screens listed as showing something through today on Fandango. Tuesday onward has no showtimes. Closing? Or finally going all digital?
Still 35mm. Some very old titles at 1st run prices. Heart of the Sea 5 months in anyone?
No showtimes listed for Friday. Is it closing? Converting?
It appears only 2 screens are operating at this location. Recliners going in?
Saw Star Wars last night at the renovated Factoria Cinemas. Fully AMC-ized now. Nothing SRO left. Box office has been moved inside which its good. Lobby makes more efficient use of the space and is very AMC-clean in design. My showing was in #2 (the 2nd largest auditorium). House lights were on so I got some good photos. Auditoriums were gutted and the recliners were put in on a stepped slope (at least in 1 and 2). 1 and 2 retained 2 aisle/3 section layout. Peeked in #5 and it is now 2 aisles on the sides and one central seating section. #3 should mirror that. #4 retained its layout. Just with less seats. The entries to 3, 4 and 5 have been reconfigured.
Now to the screens: although hard to tell with screen #1 with my peek in, but it appears all screens are now common width and no masking! All the films playing in 2, 4 & 5 were scope and letterboxed within the screen. The screen in 2 also had rounded corners with the screen wrapped snug around the piping. Slight curve to it as well. These screens used to have moveable side masking (though the smaller 4, 6 & 7 had side masking but with the top masking movable to make flat a little larger). Flat will certainly be much larger now as the screens appear taller than they used to be.
The hall to 6, 7, & 8 was closed off and still under construction. Still a lot of work to be done on the exterior. The place was supposed to be open earlier than this but they must have fallen behind. There was evidence of hastiness in getting to this soft open: staples showing in wall curtains, molding not yet in place, construction boot prints in the restroom. Certainly wanted to cash in on Star Wars. Although I am opposed to unmasked screens I will still bring my kids here. Easy access off the freeway and lots of free parking. I am saddened by no trace of SRO being left but still glad the Factoria lives on. SRO-feel can still be experience at the SIFF Uptown and AMC Oak Tree in Seattle.
Side note: Are unmasked screens the new thing at AMC? The newer stadium AMC theaters I have been to all had proper masking (although the dreaded common width top-down variety) aside from LieMAX.
4 screens appear to be reopening this weekend with recliners.
Some newspaper ads uploaded to photos
Grand Opening newspapers ad uploaded to photos
Sorry I am not TSilver729 but I know the answer – there was no twinning involved. Each addition was an addition to the original building. At first glance on the exterior and interior you would never know. But when you go into each auditorium you get 3 distinct styles depending on what wing you are in. I am hoping that when AMC installs the new seats they preserve the curtains on the walls of the auditoriums. Probably depends on how much investment they want to commit to the theater.
Sign outside says recliners coming. Work crew was pulling out old seats. Reopening in November.
Temporarily Closed. On the AMC Website: This theatre is temporarily closed while we make changes that you’re going to love. Please check back later for updates.
The digital projection went in last Christmas so perhaps this is a seating upgrade. What will make me sad is if they fully AMC-ize it. It still has 3 generations of SRO interior, though with Cineplex Odeon carpet.
In 1982 2 more screens were added in another part of the shopping center.
Just uploaded some old newspaper ads
Just uploaded some old newspaper ads
Went to see Jurassic World with the new projection and the image was terrific and the sound was great as well. Was also nice to see that the screen masking was properly placed for the new 2:1 aspect ratio J.W. used. I am curious to see how the remodeling will be continued. This is a great first step.
Now with lasers!
Kurt – Nice site. Any plans on adding a little history of the demolished twins or the 6-plex?
So was Furious 7 not masked properly then? If they have the ability to mask for the festival why not IMAX shows?
Can anyone report on the screen size? Is it wider? Properly masked? Etc?
SIFF will reopen the Harvard Exit in May for 3 weeks as a venue for the film festival. (It has been a regular venue over the years). There has been tremendous backlash in the community about this theater’s closing and how many of Seattle’s neighborhoods are losing their cultural charm with the tremendous growth happening in the city. Full page articles in many publications calling out the new owner/developer. Perhaps there will be a miracle and the place will be given life again. The last thing the Capitol Hill neighborhood needs is more bar/restaurant and office space. This was a perfectly viable theater and a fixture on Seattle’s movie scene for years. Had SIFF not rescued the Egyptian Capitol Hill would have lost all of its theaters. That in a densely populated area where people walk to restaurants etc and cultural events etc.
Off topic – the Arena Cinema: looking at pictures on Yelp it seems to have 1 auditorium. Were the 2 cinemas opened up into 1?
Which version of Blade Runner?
Looks like the Admiral will finally go digital and convert into a 4-plex.
http://westseattleblog.com/2015/02/curtain-raises-for-admiral-theaters-future-agreement-announced-renovations-ahead/