Don’t remember; with the cold, ice and the snow, I don’t think I looked up! That said, the lower marquee (movie titles)was illuminatred in a beautiful amber (or should that be “ambler”?) glow.
With regard to the previous post about the Theatre Historical Society: Note to the other non-profits trying to rehab community theaters (this would be you, Bryn Mawr Film Institute), visit this theater to witness how a small town can be revitalized by a well-run, well-designed movie house that caters to adults looking for an escape from the multiplex.
Turly a landmark in both theater preservation and restoration. While the two “black box” theaters are well-designed, it is the main theater, literally built within the walls of the original structre, that is a true “show stopper.”
Saw “Crazy Heart” last night and was impressed by the caring staff, solid projection and dolby digitial sound and a very quiet audience, the Ambler is now my #1 choice for moviegoing in the Philly area.
I visited this theater many times, including Jackson’s “King Kong” on the Odyssey screen a few weeks before it shuttered. By that time, the projection was so poor they were giving away passes as people left the theater.
Given the dearth of IMAX in this area (there is a “LIEMAX” at the Muvico City Place in West Palm), one would think an exhibitor would want this location to retrofit the Odyssey screen.
IF they were to build a new theater in Abacoa, one would hope a quality exhibitor like Landmark would come in and build something different… the surrounding theater, in particular the poorly managed Cobb Jupiter 18, leave little in the way of desirable moviegoing.
This is a truly wretched theater and a disgrace for the Clearview Cinemas chain.
There are five theaters: two are carved out of the former main audiotorium; the other three are in the basement.
We attened a matinee screening of “Tooth Fairy” in one of of the two upstairs boxes. Here’s a summary of the horror show:
The seats, while new, are too narrow and the rows are too close together.
Sound? What sound? An array of Klipsch surrounds were silent. From behind the screen, the 20th Century Fox logo sounded like it was coming from a pair of computer speakers. There was an audible buzz throughout the presentation and you could hear every pop, scratch and reel change. This must be the only house in the Philadelphia area that does not have Dolby.
Projection? Shameful. A bulb that probably has not been changed since this was a single-screen house. The picture itself was actually slightly sideways, an effect which was most noticeable during the matted widescreen trailers. The print was already badly scratched, three days into the run.
If Craig O'Connor is still an exec with Clearview, I would strongly recommended you make a visit to this theater (there is an amtrak stop one block away) and ask yourself one simple question: How would you feel if you spent $24 for three tickets and were treated to one of the most technically inept movie presentations I have seen in years? The truly sad thing: This theater, in the heart of a wealthy neighborhood on the main line, could be a charming, retro alternative to the sterile AMC/Regal boxes. Please, someone, step up and make this theater a destination once again.
atb
commented about
Film Forumon
Jan 23, 2010 at 2:54 am
Saw “Hidden Fortress” last Saturday morning as part of the Kuroswa fest.
Had not been to the Forum in years and, for better or worse, little has changed:
Tiny screen.
The support column!
Flat floor.
Seats designed by the Marquis de Sade
The resident hipster doofus who yelled out “Start the f***ing movie over” when they started the film out of frame.
That said, taking your daughter to see a good print of an influential film the way it was meant to be seen: PRICELESS
Chuck1231:
Don’t remember; with the cold, ice and the snow, I don’t think I looked up! That said, the lower marquee (movie titles)was illuminatred in a beautiful amber (or should that be “ambler”?) glow.
With regard to the previous post about the Theatre Historical Society: Note to the other non-profits trying to rehab community theaters (this would be you, Bryn Mawr Film Institute), visit this theater to witness how a small town can be revitalized by a well-run, well-designed movie house that caters to adults looking for an escape from the multiplex.
Turly a landmark in both theater preservation and restoration. While the two “black box” theaters are well-designed, it is the main theater, literally built within the walls of the original structre, that is a true “show stopper.”
Saw “Crazy Heart” last night and was impressed by the caring staff, solid projection and dolby digitial sound and a very quiet audience, the Ambler is now my #1 choice for moviegoing in the Philly area.
A lost opportunity.
I visited this theater many times, including Jackson’s “King Kong” on the Odyssey screen a few weeks before it shuttered. By that time, the projection was so poor they were giving away passes as people left the theater.
Given the dearth of IMAX in this area (there is a “LIEMAX” at the Muvico City Place in West Palm), one would think an exhibitor would want this location to retrofit the Odyssey screen.
IF they were to build a new theater in Abacoa, one would hope a quality exhibitor like Landmark would come in and build something different… the surrounding theater, in particular the poorly managed Cobb Jupiter 18, leave little in the way of desirable moviegoing.
This is a truly wretched theater and a disgrace for the Clearview Cinemas chain.
There are five theaters: two are carved out of the former main audiotorium; the other three are in the basement.
We attened a matinee screening of “Tooth Fairy” in one of of the two upstairs boxes. Here’s a summary of the horror show:
The seats, while new, are too narrow and the rows are too close together.
Sound? What sound? An array of Klipsch surrounds were silent. From behind the screen, the 20th Century Fox logo sounded like it was coming from a pair of computer speakers. There was an audible buzz throughout the presentation and you could hear every pop, scratch and reel change. This must be the only house in the Philadelphia area that does not have Dolby.
Projection? Shameful. A bulb that probably has not been changed since this was a single-screen house. The picture itself was actually slightly sideways, an effect which was most noticeable during the matted widescreen trailers. The print was already badly scratched, three days into the run.
If Craig O'Connor is still an exec with Clearview, I would strongly recommended you make a visit to this theater (there is an amtrak stop one block away) and ask yourself one simple question: How would you feel if you spent $24 for three tickets and were treated to one of the most technically inept movie presentations I have seen in years? The truly sad thing: This theater, in the heart of a wealthy neighborhood on the main line, could be a charming, retro alternative to the sterile AMC/Regal boxes. Please, someone, step up and make this theater a destination once again.
Saw “Hidden Fortress” last Saturday morning as part of the Kuroswa fest.
Had not been to the Forum in years and, for better or worse, little has changed:
Tiny screen.
The support column!
Flat floor.
Seats designed by the Marquis de Sade
The resident hipster doofus who yelled out “Start the f***ing movie over” when they started the film out of frame.
That said, taking your daughter to see a good print of an influential film the way it was meant to be seen: PRICELESS
Theater is closed until “shutter island.” “Alice in Wonderland” is next.
Saw “Nine” last Saturday night at the 9:45 show. Flawless digital projection and, as always, incredible sound.
However, I counted less than 150 people in the theater… hard to make the house nut when you have booked a bomb.