As I’m looking into why Bow Tie abandoned the MD/VA markets, I came upon this old multiplex I visited years ago. As with my other earlier posts, it has disappeared. After living on the west coast for a brief period, I came back to the area and visited this place with a friend. I saw Star Trek: Generations here..I’m guessing early ‘95 as it was playing in one of the last venues booking it in digital sound. I’m thinking DTS. It was in a tiny auditorium and I do recall the experience was hardly like anything I experienced at a Dolby Digital engagement outside of Spokane WA, or the really huge older Act III multiplexes in Portland OR and even one of the smaller but decently sized (400?), but THX certified smaller auditoriums at the former Manns Chinese. Not quite sure but I think parking was a premium here once upon a time and having to pay(?).
I imagine whomever takes over will benefit from the Bow Tie upgrades aside from whatever is added for the dining part of the business.
Licorice is opening 1/1 in 70mm but with one measly 6:15 pm 70mm showing. Rest of the shows are DP.As of this writing, no other 70mm showings. Very strange.
Oh wow, Howard. Looking at my post from almost 10 years ago, one of his films must’ve played at the Landmarks here. Looking at Anderson’s bio, it had to have been The Master, which I do recall it playing 70mm and seeing it somewhere and posted it on the site commenting on its strange ending.
Perhaps closer to its Christmas release here, we’ll get maybe more than just the AFI’s 70mm print. On your recommendation, I will catch it probably at the Silver. I’m sure it will play in the historic auditorium.
I haven’t seen many movies this year post pandemic but it has more to do with working a lot rather than just going. Dune I saw on gasp hbogo on my iMac! And, yes, I was drawn into it but I know in a large film format like IMAX or AMC’s Dolby, it would’ve been quite immersive.
Howard, I see an advanced screening this Sat 12/11/21 at the AFI Silver at 7, but its sold out. Unless, the management is strict, I have seen people go into other auditoriums once they get into the complex. And, no, I’m not suggesting anyone do it either, but.. :)
Didn’t see anything at the local Landmarks as of this moment.
It appears they are opening small, in 70mm, and expanding.
I heard over the local news station that the neighborhood board association gave their approval for some kind of liquor permit to Landmark Theaters. However, it should be noted they didn’t apply for one, nor stated any intention to lease the theater. I suppose it was a gesture to entice Landmark to take over the venue.
If Landmark is successful in reopening, I don’t see how economically viable it will be to keep it a single screen. They’ve got to at least twin or triplex the place. They could turn the balcony into another single or twin..or more depending how much of a shoebox theater you want. Sounds depressing.
Parking is difficult, unless your patrons take the Metro. I don’t. Back in the day, you could park in the residential area adjacent to the theater but now they’ve got stickers so that isn’t going to work, either, except for the non-enforcement hours, which I don’t recall off the top of my head.
I drove by here on Monday, 4-19-21, and discovered they are tearing down the building. I took a picture of what I believe was the multiplex entrance and will send it in.
I’m reading they raised the complex today to build a new VA Tech facility. Place has been shut down since the pandemic 3/20. Oh well.
The last movie I saw here was Bridge to Terabitha in 2007, which I’m 99% sure I posted here and is gone (again). It was the only place in the DC/Metro area that was playing it in Digital projection..or maybe it was one of the last DP bookings before going.
As I reflect back on my ‘99 experience with Phantom Menace, I attended with my late friend, who was in a wheel chair. Can’t precisely recall if we took the elevator to the EX house but I know we sat high up, as it was his preference. As I sat a little to the back of him, and this was into my X number of times seeing it, I can still see him move his upper body in tune to the pod racing vehicles as they zoomed to the left.. to the right due to the powerful sound delivery and projection. This is what you call the living the movie experience.
While I hope the pandemic’s hold on moviegoing lessens, I don’t think it will ever go away. You just can’t deliver that kind of experience with movies at home, without the audience oohing, ahhing, clapping and reacting to whats up on that screen.
So Giles, would you say your experience there during the current pandemic, was relatively safe? People social distancing and wearing masks? My thing is being in the auditorium..someone taking off the mask in that enclosed space and coughing/sneezing. They’re reporting aeration and ‘spotting’ are primary Covid transmission methods. I’m reconsidering going to the movies now. LOL!!
Giles, so how many people were at your showing in total? I wanted to visit there when they opened even though I’m in MD. Its just that movie wasn’t of much interest to go all the way to Tysons. I thought of seeing Empire Strikes Back but it was showing in the small theater at the AMC Hoffman.
Did you order any concession fare? Is it a full menu or limited? Just wondering with all the Covid restrictions.
Since I live in an area with high Covid numbers, movies here aren’t opening anytime soon. I thought of visiting the Senator in Baltimore since I haven’t been there since they reopened like what.. 8 years ago?
I’m hoping things open up in time for the James Bond movie. If they have that in IMAX at Tysons, I’ll be there.
With the Seattle Cinerama’s closure, Netflix buying the Egyptian in Hollywood, it would make sense for Amazon (Jeff Bezos) to either buy the Cinerama..maybe the Uptown, too. Both great classic movie houses. They could dismantle the 3-strip cinerama projection and bring it back here, too. :) How cool is that?
Based on what I am able to obtain from different online news sources, it appears Vulcan Inc., owned by the late Paul Allen attempted to renovate the theater (fix wear and tear items and adjust the concession menu..no disclosed tech changes) but stopped in Feb. Now Vulcan puts out a statement that the venue remains closed for the forseeable future and has shut down its arts & entertainment division.
The speculation now is Amazon may be interested in the venue for its own venture into the entertainment business as Netflix has bought the Egyptian in Hollywood. Sounds sensible, if this all turns out to be true.
I can’t imagine anyone dismantling what is in place now, including the 3 strip projection set up. Its just crazy. On the other hand, DC’s Uptown had a 3 strip set up way back when..and it is now currently vacant. Bezos, who has a large presence in DC owning the Washington Post and opening up a campus in Arlington VA, could take over that venue. The 3 strip set up could be transferred there and DC could have show Cinerama. Okay, that last part is my fantasy projection.
This is unfortunate, but not unexpected given today’s pandemic. I suppose another philanthropist needs to step in and take over. Probably would need to be a Hollywood type individual who appreciates the film experience. Page Steven Spielberg and/or George Lucas, please. :) Or both of them. How about programming on during the weekends/week of exclusive screenings of their films? Maybe do the original un-tweaked Star Wars one weekend..CE3K original edition the next? Yeah..yeah.. Disney owns Lucasfilm now. Its just an idea.
A job routed me past this venue a few times. The exterior looks the same although I’m reading this CVS has consulting rooms. Not having gone inside but recalling how the store takes up the venue’s previous lobby area, I’m thinking they probably expanded the place to create the consultation rooms. They could easily have carved up #3, which was probably the smaller of the triplexed screens and is closer to the road.
Also, the next door Safeway has been closed, which is not surprising. It would have been closed after my last post.
Being stuck at home due to the corona virus and feeling a touch nostalgic, I’ve been virtually revisiting some of my favorite venues of the past on CT. I’ve discovered yet again, some of my comments from the site are gone like here.
After buying tickets, one gets the feeling of walking gradually on a decline to the theaters. The restrooms were awful, although not as bad as the ones in the food court.
I believe I started visiting this place on occasion since the late 80s. I know I saw Star Trek VI (1991), with a co-worker in the Grand because it was the best/largest place to see the Star Trek movie in the DC area, and the first one aside from the first one, that wasn’t in 70mm ..but at least it was in THX. I distinctly remember an intro by, presumably, the Manager who was bald and made the often stated but incorrect belief (imho) that the even numbered films are better than the odd ones.
I saw the Eddie Murphy remake of The Nutty Professor (1996) not in the Grand but in one of the auditoriums further down, but in the same row on the left. The memory that sticks in my mind was a sell out with a racially diverse crowd. When they talk about movies being communal and should be experienced with others, this movie is a great example. The club scene with Jada Pinkett Smith’s character and Buddy brought the house down with collective laughter and enjoyment.
LA Confidential (1997) I remember seeing this here because I had a date that went bad. LOL. We enjoyed the movie but couldn’t agree on what to eat. So we ended up just eating separate meals purchased from two different vendors. I paid for both. :P I remember walking around and around the food court undecided what to buy and coming back, I saw my date’s neck stretched, looking for me, as if I had left the place. :)
Can’t remember if I saw anything here in the 00s, prior to its closure. My movie stub collection is partly faded due to the cheap ink used to print them back in the day so that is no help now. :(
As the closure of the theater is sinking in, I’ve become more disappointed in the Post’s article. They are too lazy to go and get a current picture of the place and use one from years ago. How crazy is that? I’m just curious as to how badly the theater was doing for it to close. You’d think if there was a marginal loss, the others in the chain would help offset it.
If they want to twin it, make the upstairs an auditorium to itself. Actually, you could do two. Split the balcony into two screens. Keep the big one downstairs intact. :)
Oh wow. What sad news among everything else that is going on. The Washington Post has an article today on the closing online. I’m surprised the venue was kept open this long to be honest. My last experience there a decade or so was poor. I think I saw Dreamgirls here. Ok, that was 15 years ago.
I suppose when they got rid of their 70mm projectors it sealed its fate as just another theater. The opportunity to offer counter programming with occasional 70mm retrospectives gone. Not that the AFI Silver doesn’t do them, but honestly, its not as immersive as the Uptown.
Maybe we should write Jeff Bezos to buy the property and do a Paul Allen and modernize and restore the Uptown ala Seattle’s Cinerama. :) How cool would that be? Restore 3-strip Cinerama, 70mm, maybe do an IMAX laser install, or Doug Trumbull’s new HFR 3D laser system.
I’d do it but I’m $9,999,999 short of being a multi-millionaire. :( :)
I must have had my notification turned off otherwise I would have responded sooner. Scott, thanks for the correction.
Kevin, the Academy 6 is where I saw my first movie with the family. My oldest brother talked my conservative parents to see a movie in a theater and we saw Rocky. I remember waiting in line to go in but hearing the sound from Star Wars and audience cheering and clapping. I begged to go see Star Wars..almost crying, but Rocky it was. In spite of the shoebox, tunnel-like, sloping auditorium the concept of the movie going experience and theatrical immersion got its start in me. :)
They need to put up the Academy 6 page. It was up, then down, then up, then gone. Memory fades with age. I used to attend many midnight and Wednesday dollar movie shows back in the day.
Finally made it to the original auditorium after its long period of remodeling work. You no longer buy tickets at the box office but enter inside. While this is a good way to increase concession sales, it takes forever to get into the theater if you don’t want to buy anything. Maybe there should be a kiosk to self-purchase tickets to bypass the concession counter. Or, go straight to the cashier to buy movie tickets.
The seats are nice and firm but get tiring to sit in after awhile. I suspect I am spoiled by the faux leather seats at the chains. The big screen looks wonderful as does the projection. They play a nice DP trailer and historical bit at the start of the show. There is a pictorial on the restoration but to be honest, you wouldn’t notice a whole lot of difference between the before and after the remodel. Perhaps, one can’t fully appreciate the details, or in my case, don’t have the eye for it but $250K is a lot to spend. This isn’t a criticism at all. I just figure this is what it cost to modernize and update the place.
I saw ‘Little Women’ on Christmas Day (2019) and ‘1917’ a couple of weeks ago. Both films were very good and deserve whatever accolades and awards they are likely to receive. For'1917'I sat especially close to the screen to better immerse myself into the experience. I was. I love the ‘long take’ style as you feel like you are there in real time. The group next to me snuck in cans of beer. I could hear the sounds of the tab click opening of the cans they consumed. Then the smell. Ugh. Fortunately, they were quiet and not rowdy. There were two employees to greet me but no one bothered to clean up the spilled popcorn on the floor before the start of the show. Not a good thing.
With the Chinese restaurant next door and the sandwich shop across, it would be nice to have more concession fare than the usual popcorn and bakery fare. A decent coffee making machine maybe..iced coffee..latte? Or, movie/restaurant combo special…20% off menu prices with a ticket stub? :) Or, discounted movie ticket with a $20 restaurant purchase?
I peaked into the second theater next door. It is tiny. I remember the dry cleaning place that vacated the space and can recall an enormous space that appeared to run8 adjacent to the original auditorium’s length. There is obviously more to the space than what they’ve used. Maybe they could one day open yet another, larger auditorium if the economics can support a third screen behind the screening room.
Caught Terminator: Dark Fate in the BTX Atmos Theater last week. Great surrounds in the beginning and throughout. Why can’t they BTX all their auditoriums? Even if some are smaller. The $10 Tuesday rate is great. The CGI de-aging of Sarah Connor and John is the best I’ve seen, much better than Princess Leia in Rogue One. The automated kiosks reduces the need for live cashiers, which is okay but the inattentive Attendant should go. Took what felt like an eternity to recognize me and split my ticket to admit me. They should automate his job, too.
Joker is opening here Thu in 70mm. Its a rarity to have the AFI run a more commercial movie here with the 20 screen & Imax Lite Regal just around the corner. With so much bad news reported these days, I don’t know about a dark film and judging from the trailer, a dark character study and probably an acting (insert award title) nomination for sure.
I caught the 40th anniversary release of Star Trek: The Motion Picture in #3 this week. This was not my first venue choice as I thought either Cinemark Egyptian or the AMC Tysons had a larger screen judging by the seating charts. Unfortunately, it was the closest venue and the last show time for the event.
This wasn’t the the same auditorium as the one I saw Spielberg’s ‘Lincoln’ back in ‘12 or '13 but the screen was rather large from ceiling to floor but not scope wide for Star Trek. There were more people here for the weekday showing than I had anticipated.
The picture was cropped and to my surprise, was a digital copy of probably the master they used for the VHS release way back when. Colors looked tv faded. I can say this with certainty because the translation font used was the soft rounded one in the video release and NOT the TMP font in the theatrical release. Also, some of the visuals were slightly panned! I haven’t seen the Blu Ray version but I’m thinking the Blu Ray would’ve looked/sound much better than this one.
I came in with the preshow movie retrospective already midway through. I first thought it was a rehash of the 2K1 Director’s Edition but the copyright has 2009 stamp. Hmmm.
Sound was very good. The rear speakers came alive at least during the Vger reveal. Jerry Goldsmith’s score especially the use of the blaster beam delivered that theatrical resonance that made this movie positively memorable. Although, it does not surpass my original experience way back when the movie came out.
Let’s hope Paramount does a proper 4K cut on this film, as they’ve done releases on far lesser movies.
I noticed Regal has an unlimited $21/month movie membership offer. This is not unreasonable given one can easily recoup the cost after 2 evening shows.
I saw Spiderman: Homecoming in BTX here today. Great sound and presentation. The preview for the next Furious movie and Terminator played surprisingly low. I’m glad I waited a week to pay only $10 today vs $19 last holiday weekend when the movie opened. Had a sense of deja vu with the films VFX. The water creature looked like the water version of the Sandman from the Tobey McGuire era Spidey films. The Spidey flybys could use more visual flair with first person-type fx.
Too late for me, rl. I wanted to catch at least one of the films but couldn’t. Oh well. Maybe they’ll have the films again prior to the Dec opening of the ‘last’ Star Wars film.
Looking at the current summer programming roster, nothing really worth seeing. With 35 yr and 25 yr and older retrospectives, I can think of many good films from ‘94 and '84 they could have that are worth experiencing on the big screen here.
As I’m looking into why Bow Tie abandoned the MD/VA markets, I came upon this old multiplex I visited years ago. As with my other earlier posts, it has disappeared. After living on the west coast for a brief period, I came back to the area and visited this place with a friend. I saw Star Trek: Generations here..I’m guessing early ‘95 as it was playing in one of the last venues booking it in digital sound. I’m thinking DTS. It was in a tiny auditorium and I do recall the experience was hardly like anything I experienced at a Dolby Digital engagement outside of Spokane WA, or the really huge older Act III multiplexes in Portland OR and even one of the smaller but decently sized (400?), but THX certified smaller auditoriums at the former Manns Chinese. Not quite sure but I think parking was a premium here once upon a time and having to pay(?).
I imagine whomever takes over will benefit from the Bow Tie upgrades aside from whatever is added for the dining part of the business.
Now an AMC. I have this bad feeling things will go down here.
Licorice is opening 1/1 in 70mm but with one measly 6:15 pm 70mm showing. Rest of the shows are DP.As of this writing, no other 70mm showings. Very strange.
Oh wow, Howard. Looking at my post from almost 10 years ago, one of his films must’ve played at the Landmarks here. Looking at Anderson’s bio, it had to have been The Master, which I do recall it playing 70mm and seeing it somewhere and posted it on the site commenting on its strange ending.
Perhaps closer to its Christmas release here, we’ll get maybe more than just the AFI’s 70mm print. On your recommendation, I will catch it probably at the Silver. I’m sure it will play in the historic auditorium.
I haven’t seen many movies this year post pandemic but it has more to do with working a lot rather than just going. Dune I saw on gasp hbogo on my iMac! And, yes, I was drawn into it but I know in a large film format like IMAX or AMC’s Dolby, it would’ve been quite immersive.
Howard, I see an advanced screening this Sat 12/11/21 at the AFI Silver at 7, but its sold out. Unless, the management is strict, I have seen people go into other auditoriums once they get into the complex. And, no, I’m not suggesting anyone do it either, but.. :)
Didn’t see anything at the local Landmarks as of this moment.
It appears they are opening small, in 70mm, and expanding.
I heard over the local news station that the neighborhood board association gave their approval for some kind of liquor permit to Landmark Theaters. However, it should be noted they didn’t apply for one, nor stated any intention to lease the theater. I suppose it was a gesture to entice Landmark to take over the venue.
If Landmark is successful in reopening, I don’t see how economically viable it will be to keep it a single screen. They’ve got to at least twin or triplex the place. They could turn the balcony into another single or twin..or more depending how much of a shoebox theater you want. Sounds depressing.
Parking is difficult, unless your patrons take the Metro. I don’t. Back in the day, you could park in the residential area adjacent to the theater but now they’ve got stickers so that isn’t going to work, either, except for the non-enforcement hours, which I don’t recall off the top of my head.
I drove by here on Monday, 4-19-21, and discovered they are tearing down the building. I took a picture of what I believe was the multiplex entrance and will send it in.
I’m reading they raised the complex today to build a new VA Tech facility. Place has been shut down since the pandemic 3/20. Oh well.
The last movie I saw here was Bridge to Terabitha in 2007, which I’m 99% sure I posted here and is gone (again). It was the only place in the DC/Metro area that was playing it in Digital projection..or maybe it was one of the last DP bookings before going.
As I reflect back on my ‘99 experience with Phantom Menace, I attended with my late friend, who was in a wheel chair. Can’t precisely recall if we took the elevator to the EX house but I know we sat high up, as it was his preference. As I sat a little to the back of him, and this was into my X number of times seeing it, I can still see him move his upper body in tune to the pod racing vehicles as they zoomed to the left.. to the right due to the powerful sound delivery and projection. This is what you call the living the movie experience.
While I hope the pandemic’s hold on moviegoing lessens, I don’t think it will ever go away. You just can’t deliver that kind of experience with movies at home, without the audience oohing, ahhing, clapping and reacting to whats up on that screen.
So Giles, would you say your experience there during the current pandemic, was relatively safe? People social distancing and wearing masks? My thing is being in the auditorium..someone taking off the mask in that enclosed space and coughing/sneezing. They’re reporting aeration and ‘spotting’ are primary Covid transmission methods. I’m reconsidering going to the movies now. LOL!!
Giles, so how many people were at your showing in total? I wanted to visit there when they opened even though I’m in MD. Its just that movie wasn’t of much interest to go all the way to Tysons. I thought of seeing Empire Strikes Back but it was showing in the small theater at the AMC Hoffman.
Did you order any concession fare? Is it a full menu or limited? Just wondering with all the Covid restrictions.
Since I live in an area with high Covid numbers, movies here aren’t opening anytime soon. I thought of visiting the Senator in Baltimore since I haven’t been there since they reopened like what.. 8 years ago?
I’m hoping things open up in time for the James Bond movie. If they have that in IMAX at Tysons, I’ll be there.
With the Seattle Cinerama’s closure, Netflix buying the Egyptian in Hollywood, it would make sense for Amazon (Jeff Bezos) to either buy the Cinerama..maybe the Uptown, too. Both great classic movie houses. They could dismantle the 3-strip cinerama projection and bring it back here, too. :) How cool is that?
Based on what I am able to obtain from different online news sources, it appears Vulcan Inc., owned by the late Paul Allen attempted to renovate the theater (fix wear and tear items and adjust the concession menu..no disclosed tech changes) but stopped in Feb. Now Vulcan puts out a statement that the venue remains closed for the forseeable future and has shut down its arts & entertainment division.
The speculation now is Amazon may be interested in the venue for its own venture into the entertainment business as Netflix has bought the Egyptian in Hollywood. Sounds sensible, if this all turns out to be true.
I can’t imagine anyone dismantling what is in place now, including the 3 strip projection set up. Its just crazy. On the other hand, DC’s Uptown had a 3 strip set up way back when..and it is now currently vacant. Bezos, who has a large presence in DC owning the Washington Post and opening up a campus in Arlington VA, could take over that venue. The 3 strip set up could be transferred there and DC could have show Cinerama. Okay, that last part is my fantasy projection.
This is unfortunate, but not unexpected given today’s pandemic. I suppose another philanthropist needs to step in and take over. Probably would need to be a Hollywood type individual who appreciates the film experience. Page Steven Spielberg and/or George Lucas, please. :) Or both of them. How about programming on during the weekends/week of exclusive screenings of their films? Maybe do the original un-tweaked Star Wars one weekend..CE3K original edition the next? Yeah..yeah.. Disney owns Lucasfilm now. Its just an idea.
A job routed me past this venue a few times. The exterior looks the same although I’m reading this CVS has consulting rooms. Not having gone inside but recalling how the store takes up the venue’s previous lobby area, I’m thinking they probably expanded the place to create the consultation rooms. They could easily have carved up #3, which was probably the smaller of the triplexed screens and is closer to the road.
Also, the next door Safeway has been closed, which is not surprising. It would have been closed after my last post.
Being stuck at home due to the corona virus and feeling a touch nostalgic, I’ve been virtually revisiting some of my favorite venues of the past on CT. I’ve discovered yet again, some of my comments from the site are gone like here.
After buying tickets, one gets the feeling of walking gradually on a decline to the theaters. The restrooms were awful, although not as bad as the ones in the food court.
I believe I started visiting this place on occasion since the late 80s. I know I saw Star Trek VI (1991), with a co-worker in the Grand because it was the best/largest place to see the Star Trek movie in the DC area, and the first one aside from the first one, that wasn’t in 70mm ..but at least it was in THX. I distinctly remember an intro by, presumably, the Manager who was bald and made the often stated but incorrect belief (imho) that the even numbered films are better than the odd ones.
I saw the Eddie Murphy remake of The Nutty Professor (1996) not in the Grand but in one of the auditoriums further down, but in the same row on the left. The memory that sticks in my mind was a sell out with a racially diverse crowd. When they talk about movies being communal and should be experienced with others, this movie is a great example. The club scene with Jada Pinkett Smith’s character and Buddy brought the house down with collective laughter and enjoyment.
LA Confidential (1997) I remember seeing this here because I had a date that went bad. LOL. We enjoyed the movie but couldn’t agree on what to eat. So we ended up just eating separate meals purchased from two different vendors. I paid for both. :P I remember walking around and around the food court undecided what to buy and coming back, I saw my date’s neck stretched, looking for me, as if I had left the place. :)
Can’t remember if I saw anything here in the 00s, prior to its closure. My movie stub collection is partly faded due to the cheap ink used to print them back in the day so that is no help now. :(
As the closure of the theater is sinking in, I’ve become more disappointed in the Post’s article. They are too lazy to go and get a current picture of the place and use one from years ago. How crazy is that? I’m just curious as to how badly the theater was doing for it to close. You’d think if there was a marginal loss, the others in the chain would help offset it.
If they want to twin it, make the upstairs an auditorium to itself. Actually, you could do two. Split the balcony into two screens. Keep the big one downstairs intact. :)
Oh wow. What sad news among everything else that is going on. The Washington Post has an article today on the closing online. I’m surprised the venue was kept open this long to be honest. My last experience there a decade or so was poor. I think I saw Dreamgirls here. Ok, that was 15 years ago.
I suppose when they got rid of their 70mm projectors it sealed its fate as just another theater. The opportunity to offer counter programming with occasional 70mm retrospectives gone. Not that the AFI Silver doesn’t do them, but honestly, its not as immersive as the Uptown.
Maybe we should write Jeff Bezos to buy the property and do a Paul Allen and modernize and restore the Uptown ala Seattle’s Cinerama. :) How cool would that be? Restore 3-strip Cinerama, 70mm, maybe do an IMAX laser install, or Doug Trumbull’s new HFR 3D laser system.
I’d do it but I’m $9,999,999 short of being a multi-millionaire. :( :)
I must have had my notification turned off otherwise I would have responded sooner. Scott, thanks for the correction.
Kevin, the Academy 6 is where I saw my first movie with the family. My oldest brother talked my conservative parents to see a movie in a theater and we saw Rocky. I remember waiting in line to go in but hearing the sound from Star Wars and audience cheering and clapping. I begged to go see Star Wars..almost crying, but Rocky it was. In spite of the shoebox, tunnel-like, sloping auditorium the concept of the movie going experience and theatrical immersion got its start in me. :)
They need to put up the Academy 6 page. It was up, then down, then up, then gone. Memory fades with age. I used to attend many midnight and Wednesday dollar movie shows back in the day.
Finally made it to the original auditorium after its long period of remodeling work. You no longer buy tickets at the box office but enter inside. While this is a good way to increase concession sales, it takes forever to get into the theater if you don’t want to buy anything. Maybe there should be a kiosk to self-purchase tickets to bypass the concession counter. Or, go straight to the cashier to buy movie tickets.
The seats are nice and firm but get tiring to sit in after awhile. I suspect I am spoiled by the faux leather seats at the chains. The big screen looks wonderful as does the projection. They play a nice DP trailer and historical bit at the start of the show. There is a pictorial on the restoration but to be honest, you wouldn’t notice a whole lot of difference between the before and after the remodel. Perhaps, one can’t fully appreciate the details, or in my case, don’t have the eye for it but $250K is a lot to spend. This isn’t a criticism at all. I just figure this is what it cost to modernize and update the place.
I saw ‘Little Women’ on Christmas Day (2019) and ‘1917’ a couple of weeks ago. Both films were very good and deserve whatever accolades and awards they are likely to receive. For'1917'I sat especially close to the screen to better immerse myself into the experience. I was. I love the ‘long take’ style as you feel like you are there in real time. The group next to me snuck in cans of beer. I could hear the sounds of the tab click opening of the cans they consumed. Then the smell. Ugh. Fortunately, they were quiet and not rowdy. There were two employees to greet me but no one bothered to clean up the spilled popcorn on the floor before the start of the show. Not a good thing.
With the Chinese restaurant next door and the sandwich shop across, it would be nice to have more concession fare than the usual popcorn and bakery fare. A decent coffee making machine maybe..iced coffee..latte? Or, movie/restaurant combo special…20% off menu prices with a ticket stub? :) Or, discounted movie ticket with a $20 restaurant purchase?
I peaked into the second theater next door. It is tiny. I remember the dry cleaning place that vacated the space and can recall an enormous space that appeared to run8 adjacent to the original auditorium’s length. There is obviously more to the space than what they’ve used. Maybe they could one day open yet another, larger auditorium if the economics can support a third screen behind the screening room.
Caught Terminator: Dark Fate in the BTX Atmos Theater last week. Great surrounds in the beginning and throughout. Why can’t they BTX all their auditoriums? Even if some are smaller. The $10 Tuesday rate is great. The CGI de-aging of Sarah Connor and John is the best I’ve seen, much better than Princess Leia in Rogue One. The automated kiosks reduces the need for live cashiers, which is okay but the inattentive Attendant should go. Took what felt like an eternity to recognize me and split my ticket to admit me. They should automate his job, too.
Joker is opening here Thu in 70mm. Its a rarity to have the AFI run a more commercial movie here with the 20 screen & Imax Lite Regal just around the corner. With so much bad news reported these days, I don’t know about a dark film and judging from the trailer, a dark character study and probably an acting (insert award title) nomination for sure.
I caught the 40th anniversary release of Star Trek: The Motion Picture in #3 this week. This was not my first venue choice as I thought either Cinemark Egyptian or the AMC Tysons had a larger screen judging by the seating charts. Unfortunately, it was the closest venue and the last show time for the event.
This wasn’t the the same auditorium as the one I saw Spielberg’s ‘Lincoln’ back in ‘12 or '13 but the screen was rather large from ceiling to floor but not scope wide for Star Trek. There were more people here for the weekday showing than I had anticipated.
The picture was cropped and to my surprise, was a digital copy of probably the master they used for the VHS release way back when. Colors looked tv faded. I can say this with certainty because the translation font used was the soft rounded one in the video release and NOT the TMP font in the theatrical release. Also, some of the visuals were slightly panned! I haven’t seen the Blu Ray version but I’m thinking the Blu Ray would’ve looked/sound much better than this one.
I came in with the preshow movie retrospective already midway through. I first thought it was a rehash of the 2K1 Director’s Edition but the copyright has 2009 stamp. Hmmm.
Sound was very good. The rear speakers came alive at least during the Vger reveal. Jerry Goldsmith’s score especially the use of the blaster beam delivered that theatrical resonance that made this movie positively memorable. Although, it does not surpass my original experience way back when the movie came out.
Let’s hope Paramount does a proper 4K cut on this film, as they’ve done releases on far lesser movies.
I noticed Regal has an unlimited $21/month movie membership offer. This is not unreasonable given one can easily recoup the cost after 2 evening shows.
I saw Spiderman: Homecoming in BTX here today. Great sound and presentation. The preview for the next Furious movie and Terminator played surprisingly low. I’m glad I waited a week to pay only $10 today vs $19 last holiday weekend when the movie opened. Had a sense of deja vu with the films VFX. The water creature looked like the water version of the Sandman from the Tobey McGuire era Spidey films. The Spidey flybys could use more visual flair with first person-type fx.
Too late for me, rl. I wanted to catch at least one of the films but couldn’t. Oh well. Maybe they’ll have the films again prior to the Dec opening of the ‘last’ Star Wars film.
Looking at the current summer programming roster, nothing really worth seeing. With 35 yr and 25 yr and older retrospectives, I can think of many good films from ‘94 and '84 they could have that are worth experiencing on the big screen here.