AFI Silver Theatre
8633 Colesville Road,
Silver Spring,
MD
20910
8633 Colesville Road,
Silver Spring,
MD
20910
24 people
favorited this theater
Showing 301 - 325 of 374 comments
surprise, surprise
‘2001’ (in 70mm !!!)
April 25 – May 1
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Here are 2008 photos of the AFI Silver: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
There’s no harm in calling attention to Liberal Control Freaks, particularly when they’re in charge of government funded projects like the AFI. The AFI gets plenty of support from taxpayers. There IS HARM in denying basic information to customers. Liberals always rant about CHOICE; so long as THEY do the choosing.
Hopefully, from that experience management will know better to secure a better copy of the film. Or, at least a decent backup copy. This isn’t your local Regal or AMC multiplex where crap presentation can be expected, this is the AFI for pete’s sake.
Hopefully, from that experience management will know better to secure a better copy of the film. Or, at least a decent backup copy. This isn’t your local Regal or AMC multiplex where crap presentation can be expected, this is the AFI for pete’s sake.
from a couple of online friends that did go to the ‘El Cid’ screening, a number of people left in utter disgust – supposedly this is the beginning of a AFI/Weinstein film showcase – if they can’t provide actual film and not hard drive masters – they are going to have similiar problems down the line.
I wanted to badly, but work commitments prevented that from happening. They advertised HD and I’d be surprised they let out a bad copy of media in whatever form. Better to just have cancelled the showing or heck, show the actual DVD, itself.
Did anyone go to January 28th screening of ‘El Cid’ I heard from a couple of people it was one of the worst screenings due to several factors – however the Weinstein company distributed this film in tape or hard drive form – the entire left side of the screen was fuzzy. I’ve seen digital projection a couple of times on the main screen – ‘Sharkwater’ and ‘Midnight Movies: From the Margin to the Mainstream’ (Silverdocs) and they were excellent – here, for ‘El Cid’ it sounded like it was an utter travesty.
I think they are just being good capitalists. The more popular the film they place it where they seat more. More seats=more people=more dollars generated. Am I wrong to think that?
Liberals….conservatives….geeze oh Pete people give it a rest. If the world was as black and white as you’d have it then it would be soooo easy to tell the good guys (white?) from the bad (black?) (I’m addressing all you Rush Limbo types here). Y'know, I’m pretty much a social liberal and a finantial conservative. You know…libertarian kinda (and as for Republicans being finantialy conservative…puh-leease….let’s borrow a couple of billion from China, pass it around $600 at a time to make us all feel good, cause in a decade or two China is gonna own us).
Last I checked, the AFI is not controlled by the government (funded in part perhaps, but not totally) and the folks at the Silver can do what they darn well want to do with their screens. I have found it frustrating myself on occasion…but get over it already!
Would I have loved to have seen “Godzilla” up on the historic screen? Sure! But you know what….any chance to see the big G man is golden…and it’s not like the “smaller” screens s*ck, y'know. These people work cinema magic, and should be commended for showing these films that wouldn’t get play otherwise.
Some people just gotta complain, I guess. Myself, I just renewed my $100 membership. Third year in a row! Even when I leave the DC area in a few years I’ll still support this most worthwile cinematic endeavor.
My friend and I saw There Will Be Blood primarily to catch up on the Oscar nominated films I’ve missed. Being that this film has been out for almost a month and that Juno has been held over through February, I figured we’d be watching the movie in one of the smaller auditoriums. We were pleasantly surprised that the film, at least the 7:40pm Sat showing was in the Historic Auditorium to an almost full house.
The film, itself, was an interesting one but I’m on the fence as to whether it was movie ‘inspired by the life of’ as opposed to a true biopic. Daniel Day Lewis does give a wonderful, if dark performance and definitely deserves his nomination. Presentation was excellent. They played the latest THX Sound of Life trailer, which brought out several chuckles throughout the auditorium once it was finished. It is a cute sound trailer.
The Liberals at the SILVER need to put up or shut up! Either make the information available (by phone, newspaper or internet) as to what film is playing in the historic theatre (and which are in the small new theaters) or continue a reputation of BAD Customer Service. Freedom of Choice —– not a thing liberals like to allow for OTHER people, like customers.
JodarMovieFan, thanks! I’m glad you appreciate it.
In 1993, I saw “El Cid” in 70mm at the pre-restored Avalon (also rewritten, but the story isn’t finished, as they’ve got more work to do, such as the elevator installation). It was a highlight of my moviegoing life. Costume period pieces are my favorite movies, though….
I see Monday’s showing is some kind of HD digital. I’m not totally sure, but that doesn’t sound like movie theater digital projection equivalent of film (inferior 2 k, more adequate 4 k, etc.) but like something you’d play at home. Or, maybe it might look ok on the big screen.
Nice update, Howard. I like the history write up, to include its restoration effort and current technical offerings. Its the best write up of any theater on this site. And, yes, I’m biased because its in my area. :)
I’m contemplating catching the restored El Cid tomorrow night. Even though its a workday and some of the reviews were not too kind and with the reporting of its two stars; Sophia Loren and Charlton Heston not getting along led to wooden performances, I feel if someone went through the money and expense of restoration, it must be worth a look.
I assure you rlvjr, it has nothing to do with liberalism or bad customer service. Your comments are quite amusing though.
The Avalon posts information, as to which film is in which theater, as a part of offering good Customer Service. The Silver DOES NOT offer this as a part of their BAD Customer Service. There is no excuse for bad Customer Service.
The Avalon is planning on installing an elevator.
The only reason that AVALON posts which theater the film is being shown in is because of ADA. There is only a staircase to get to the second level. There is NO ELEVATOR so even if they wanted to put the higher attended movie downstairs, they would have to update the recording to notify. Hence the evil words SOLD OUT.
It was downright joyful to return to the SILVER —– where we’ve seen over 2000 movies over many decades — for this year’s best movie, JUNO. Too bad it was necessary to drive 20 miles round trip before finding out whether JUNO was in the historic theatre or one of the broom closets.
The reason that information is NOT available (on line, by phone, etc) as to what film is playing in the big theater is NOT to maximize use of the auditoriums; rather it’s because the AFI are Liberals, and as such it’s essential they be in control. They do not like freedom of choice, and can’t stand the thought of customers deciding for themselves. Again, the AVALON makes this information available every day.
Juno was very good. I saw it in DP at Landmark Balto. I’m glad its doing well at the AFI. I’m surprised to see its calendared to run well into February.
On the issue of what is showing in the Historic Auditorium, we’ve been over this subject over and over, over the years and its not going to change, unless they’ve booked a 70mm movie. Posting here may be a good outlet but one has to call AFI management and voice your protest or start an organized petition for what you want.
no it isn’t. JUNO is actually outselling BLOOD. I’d like to see BLOOD in the historic theatre though, just because it’s such an amazing film.
“There Will Be Blood” isn’t in the historic auditorium?
to brucec: The AFI Silver doesn’t announce theatre assignments because they are subject to change, even within the day. There could be a film scheduled in Theatre II, but if it sells out and there are less tickets sold for a show in Theatre I, the theatre assignment could be swapped on the spot to ensure the least amount of “turn-aways” (guests who visit the theatre but are “turned away” because of a sold out show). A good rule of thumb for the Silver: the repertory programs are usually in Theatre I, unless there’s a new film with high ticket demand, such as JUNO presently.
I always as a film patron find out what film is in the big theatre or the historic auditorium before I buy my ticket. I think the AFI should due the same at the Silver. The Silver is considered an upscale theatre which means the audience is well educated and picky and would like to know which film is in the Historic Auditoruim. In Hollywood at the ArcLight its a big deal to know what playing in the Dome and at the Chinese complex its important to know if its in the Historic Auditorium. The AFI on any given day should know what film is playing in what Auditorium, even the local megaplex can tell you that.brucec
Howard, I’m glad you enjoyed your movie in one of my favorite seats in the AFI’s Historic Theater. What a treat, eh? Perfect movie presentation, eating a snack while stretched out in comfort, without worrying about who is behind or in front of you. Now if only a robe and bedroom slippers were the accepted theater attire decorum… :)
I’m sure theater owners pay for THX certs otherwise they can’t claim they are THX certified and use the advertising to distinguish themselves from the other multiplex boxes. If you notice in the Post, some venues do advertise this fact such as BowTie Annapolis. What I don’t like is the movie print ads, themselves, don’t have the little THX logo by those theaters that do show the movies in their certified auditoriums, much less digital stereo (DTS, DD, EX, etc) and digital projection. Its now just one big ad and you call a number or check the directory.
I’ve always enjoyed sound format and projection format trailers before the actual movie starts, but fewer of the plexes do them anymore. With the sound format trailer, the audience gets a sense as to what the theater’s sound system is capable of and with THX hitting all those sound levels AND the subwoofer vrooom, leads to great anticipation because of the startled auditory senses. If movie theater managers want to ensure audiences come back, they need to reenforce the positives of patronizing and that is the great sound and picture. So, play the damn THX trailer, please loud.
Let’s hope AFI show other 70mm features in ‘08 than the usual fare…PLEASE?