AMC Loews Plaza 8
495 Harmon Meadow Boulevard,
Secaucus,
NJ
07094
495 Harmon Meadow Boulevard,
Secaucus,
NJ
07094
9 people
favorited this theater
Showing 51 - 75 of 80 comments
I tell ya, someone needs to take over the 6 screener, remodel, and maybe expand if possible. Perhaps using retail space. If done right, it can hold it’s own against the Kerasotes 14.
I don’t get it though. As long as the theater was still profitable, which the manager said it still was, why close it now. Then again, the same thing was true with the Tenplex, as it was still selling out most of its Friday and Saturday night shows when it was closed, in favor of the newer theater at the mall. You couldn’t pay me enough to go to Clifton Commons. Small screens, horrible parking situation, and stadium seating are not my favorite things.lol AMC wants every single one of their theaters to look the same, similar to the new corporate look TGI Fridays, so they’re getting rid of all the old Loews style theaters. I’ll be amazed if Xanadu opens at all. With the state of most retail companies in the garbage these days, who would ever want to open NEW stores. Heck, if you keep up with the business news on CNBC or Bloomberg, you’ll hear about more and more store closings every day. On top of that, I don’t know many people around hear who are looking forward to Xanadu’s opening, or are going to rush out to visit it. As I said, if both the 6 and the 8 were still doing good business, why close one early? Then again, why let a completely unrelated theater chain come in and open a new one in your backyard, causing you to close your own in the first place?lol As I said, I think AMC just wants to get rid of every Loews property they aquired in the merger/take-over. I really wonder how many days the Willowbrook AMC has left. :(
AMC also did the same thing with Rockaway as well. On the way to a Knicks/76ers game at the Garden, I was right by both theaters on Route 3 as well as Clifton Commmons, which AMC owns. Closing down the Plaza 8 is a good idea for AMC, since it should have only one theater in town to keep moviegoers busy until the opening of the 14 screen Kerasotes. BTW, I read somewhere that Xanadu might not open in August, so moviegoers in the Secaucus area will have only one new movie theater to check out that month along with a 10-year old theater in Clifton that will outlast its only smaller competition.
With the economy in the state that it is, I was hoping they would have abandoned plans for the new theater, but it seems that’s not the case. I just checked on Yahoo and Monday is the last day that movie times are listed for the 8. As this is the only site I where I heard about this definite closing date, it seems like AMC is again trying to keep the closing hush hush, just like they did with the Tenplex in Paramus. There was a constant line of cars in and out of the Tenplex parking lot the weekend after it closed as most of its usual theater goers had no idea about the closing. I wonder if that will be the case with the 8, although I know its popularity isn’t what it once was. I have to make sure to get there before the closing. Thanks for the info SlimShady. I just wonder why they’re closing now, when the new theater isn’t supposed to open for some time.
this theatre is closing down on Feb. 16, 2009. Meadow 6 is closing sometime in June, 2009
The opening of the new theater will be fall of 2009, meaning that moviegoers in Secaucus will still go see movies at this theater and its sister for one more year this month. Kerasotes' Showplace 14 will be one of two new theaters in the Meadowlands region, the other being the mammoth Muvico complex near Xanadu to compete with the leading Clifton Commons theater.
Same thing that Rockaway was a threat to all the other theaters in Morris County, and most of them still survive to this day.
I know the seats may be more comfortable at the Garden State 16, but I still liked the wider screens better and the “classic” nonstadium seating arrangement. I know it was only theater 1, and perhaps theaters 7 and 8 at the Tenplex that were wide, but I just seemed to appreciate that experience more. It seems so long since I’ve been at the Tenplex, that I might be remembering things bigger and better than they actually were. There is something I like about having a slightly scratchy screen, sticky floors, and not the greatest sound that reminds me I’m at a movie theater, not at home watching a movie on my dvd player on a comfy couch. That’s one of the main things I don’t like about the Garden State 16 or Clifton Commons. I know I’m probably alone in that feeling though. I’ve always thought that might be why so many more people talk through the movies these days, as they almost forget that they’re in a theater instead of at home with their friends. I look at the newer AMC theaters in the same way I look at owning a new Honda Accord. Yes, it might not have any problems and they might be put together with the latest technology, but there are tons of them on the roads so they are in no way unique or a classic. I look at theaters like the Plaza 8, Meadows 6, and the Tenplex like owning an old Mustang convertible from the 70s. Yes it might leak a little when it rains, have some mechanical problems from time to time, and be out of date, but it’s completely unique and reminds you of good times long gone, as well as being a true classic. Again, I know everyone might not share my feelings on the subject. Living in Bergen County, it just seems like lately so many of the haunts of my youth are being torn down every time I read the paper. I wish at least they would find a way to keep these classics open, or at least renovate them. I wouldn’t have had a problem if they just modernized the 6 and the 8, as long as they didn’t put in the stadium seating. I guess that’s the main problem these days. No one wants to fix anything up anymore instead of demolishing and building a completely new structure. I guess fixing a building up doesn’t put money in the pockets of local officials who have to approve all the contracts and zoning issues. Maybe I’m just being cynical though.
In relation to Forrest 136, there are quite a few “classic” style theaters left in NYC, especially in the village and Chelsea, though not the true movie palaces of old like the Ziegfeld. I was referring more to the seating arrangement and age, as compared to the AMC theaters of today. In fact, other than the Regal and AMC on 42nd St., and a few of the theaters near Lincoln Center, most of the theaters in NYC are similar in style to the Loews 6 and 8. I don’t have any problem with the seats at the Ziegfeld, but as compared to the newer seats you find in theaters, I can relate to what you’re saying.
John, I agree with you that theater chains have totally forgotten about the 1000+ seat theater experience that used to be so typical in the old days. I still think they could make a profit by having 4 to 6-plexs with that style of arrangement and wider screens, than the 14-20plexs of today with their narrower auditoriums, etc… I never really found the Loews theaters to be in that poor a state of repair, but maybe I was just oblivious to their flaws as I tend to just see things I’ve loved over the years with rose-colored glasses. I’m sure you must have truly appreciated the Ziegfeld and its style at that premiere you were lucky enough to attend. Can you even imagine attending a premiere at the Garden State 16 or the Clifton Commons? It just wouldn’t be anywhere near as special. Now the Tenplex in its heyday, or even the Plaza 8 might be a different story. Oh well, I just hope the AMC by Willowbrook in Wayne doesn’t disappear anytime soon, as I really won’t have any theaters to go to around here anymore. I really though Xanadu was the only threat to the Plaza 8 and Meadows 6, and when that got put on the backburner due to the bankruptcy issue I thought they had a chance, unfortunately, I was wrong.
I would beg to differ with Christophersepp’s assessment of the new Garden State 16 – which has undoubtably larger, more comfortable theaters and bigger screens than the tenplex (aside from maybe Theater 1). Garden State 16 is a better multiplex, still a multiplex with its faults.
Most of the theaters AMC acquired from Loews were in poor repair long before AMC took the keys. With that said, there are a few they haven’t done much with. Palisades Center saw a new carpet and paint, but that’s the only modification I’ve seen. I’ve heard they did correct some sound problems in other markets at new Loews sites. The Plaza 8 still seemed to be in good shape – it reminded me of the National Amusements in Orange, CT, I suppose it was well constructed so it didn’t look run down. A few blocks down though, at the Meadows 6 – well that’s another story. Between the leaky roof, and the teenagers sneaking in through the front door from the outside, and the musty smells…it might be better off leveled. It’s a shame because they were once the flagship of the Loews chain. Sony ran the theaters pretty well, but when they got out and the investment bankers bought in the chain went to hell. Perhaps AMC knows it time is up, and they’re pulling out. The new theater will be built by Keratoses, a chain building momentum in the Midwest. I’ve seen pictures of their builds and can assess it’ll be pretty comparable to Garden State.
Noting is like seeing a big event picture in a 1000+ seat theater and I wish chains would bring this experience back. They have to some extent on a smaller scale by incorporating IMAX theaters in some builds, and Harkins has the Cine Capri theaters that have wider screens, but they lack the detail and the excitement of seeing a film at the Ziegfeld (then again the last time I was at the Ziegfeld was for the premiere of The Butterfly and the Diving Bell – so that on its own was pretty darn exciting).
Thats right! Home theater is killing the experience of going out to a movie! As far as NYC having older theaters! They are all gone except for the Zigfeld, and the seats in that place will kill you!
It looks like another one of the last “classic style” theaters is on its way out, along with its sister theater, the 6-plex. Let me just say that I despise AMC for what they’ve done with the classic theaters they aquired under the merger with Loews. Instead of keeping money makers, like the 10plex in Paramus which was still going strong, they decided to close that and open a new factory style theater at Garden State Plaza. Now it looks like these two gems will be closed as well to make way for another factory style theater with narrow screens and stadium seating. I know I’m not alone in preferring the style of these older theaters, with their wide screens and normal seating arrangement, but the younger crowd seem to be all the theater chains are going for these days and they love anything “new”. I’ve never heard one of them complain that they’re watching movies like “The Dark Knight” on the narrow screens at the AMC at Garden State Plaza, when they could have been watching them on a true wide screen at the Tenplex, or the 6-plex/8-plex for that matter. I’ll never understand why the crowds migrated from these theaters in Secaucus to that horrorible factory style theater in Clifton. Maybe I’m just getting too old because I still appreciate the classics, even with their flaws, over the newest fad. Thank God the Ziegfeld in NYC isn’t going anywhere, because after these theaters go, and I still hope that doesn’t happen, that’s going to be one of the last “classic style” theaters in the whole area. I only say that because I’m guessing the former Loews in Wayne will eventually be converted into a factory style theater in the near future as well. :(
I don’t know why people keep saying that the theaters at Xanadu, which are in doubt now due to the bankruptcy issue of the developer, would steal theater goers from this and the 6-plex. If anything, another gigantic factory style theater with lots of small screens will just drive more of us into NYC, where you can still find some classic movie houses. I think the loss of the Devils to Newark, another hit to us Bergen County residents, was a huge reason why these theaters lost a lot of their business. I know a lot of people who would catch a late show after a game. The same can be said of Houlihans in Secaucus which doesn’t get the crowds it used to. It’s a shame that New Jersey has become such a “newer is better” state with the new Giants Stadium, which will offer no real improvements over the old one, being the worst example of this. I’m so happy the state forgave the Jets/Giants close to 400 million dollars in taxes owed to get them to agree to built the stadium, while us working stiffs get screwed in our property taxes. :(
My family and I are just going to have to enjoy this and its sister theater until it’s no more. I can’t believe only a year or so after the Tenplex closed I already have to say goodbye to another cherished theater. At this rate, I might as well just watch movies on DVD, instead of wasting my money at some megaplex with screens narrower than my television at home.lol
According to a post on this theater’s larger brother, both of these buildings will be closed by next year to make way for a 14 screener from Kerasotes, a little-known chain. It’ll be sad to see both theaters go but it will be simpler for Secaucus moviegoers to see a movie in just one building rather than two seperate buildings. This was the same case with the two Paramus theaters owned by Cineplex before Loews took over before the AMC merger and paved the way for a 16-screener, as well as AMC’s two Rockaway theaters in and out of the mall before the 16 plex opened.
a marquee provides a commuter what to expect what’s playing at a theater, dave-bronx. As for the new Muvico complex, it will be just 23 screens, with one screen reserved for IMAX, which means attendance at the Secaucus theaters will decline when the new theater opens later this year (November 2008). That is, unless things change for the worst. As for when this theater opened, it was around four years after the Meadow Six opened. With a total of 14 screens, and a total of 6,288 seats, the Secaucus theaters were the hot spot for movies for Giants/Jets/Devils/Nets fans until Clifton Commons opened.
“…the age of the marquee is almost over due to the internet.” What does that mean? The internet is fine for people who sit down with their planner and plot their life down to the last minute, but the marquee will always have value for enticing spontaneous movie-going. Even those who plan will be reminded that the theatre is playing a particular movie they want to see and work it into their agenda. The marquee or pylon, whether electronic or with conventional letters will always be the best form of free advertising that a theatre has, and a manager who doesn’t use it, or worse, leaves outdated information on it for months on end really doesn’t belong in the theatre other than perhaps cleaning it during the overnight hours.
that’s good…since the age of the marquee is almost over due to the internet. The Loews over in East Hanover still uses the marquee sign, although it’s updated every weekend. There’s still a marquee right by the Loews over in Ridgefield Park, although it doesn’t mention movies. Over in Wayne, there’s a nice electronic marquee sign right by Route 23 and Willowbrook Blvd. showing titles of each movie. BTW, what’s the latest on the new megaplex over in Xanadu that will threaten the future of both Secaucus theaters? If that happens, then both theaters will soon be turned into more retail space, even though the current climate is not going to make that happen.
They finally got “Bug” and the other old titles off that marquee, a few weeks ago. Now it tells you to check out fandango.com to find out what’s playing.
Bug was one of the most underrated films of 2007.
This theater hasn’t changed the titles on its Route 3 West marquee since last summer. It still features things like “Bug”, “Gracie”, “Shrek 3”, “Pirates”, etc. I guess they just gave up now that Xanadu is on the horizon, but they do still change the marquee for the Plaza 6 a little further down the road.
Before I figured it out, I thought “Bug” was somehow enjoying a record-breaking long run in Secaucus.
When SDDS was introduced, probably the 8 channel version was shown in the largest auditorium in each complex. As of right now, SDDS is discontinued and replaced with Dolby Digital Surround EX.
as of right now, even with the recent increases by AMC and other theaters as of 11/2/2007, this theater, along with its bigger brother, remain the cheapest places to see a movie near the Meadowlands. Get there while it lasts, cause the new Xanadu theater will probably open sometime in 2008 or 2009. And a movie theater in Linden that you mentioned about, Mr. Bubny, is now an AMC. It’s called the Aviation 12, located near aviation plaza. It doesn’t have DLP, just the same stuff as the AMC in ROckaway.
when did this theater open?
Haven’t been to either the Plaza 8 or its older brother, the Meadows 6, in quite a long time, but it wouldn’t surprise me if advances in projection, sound, and seating have passed these two complexes by. They did withstand two attempts at competition by Regal in the ‘90s—both the stadium-seated multis that Regal built in nearby North Bergen are now second-run. The Muvico Xanadu 26-plex slated to open nearby in 2007 is supposed to be the behemoth that crushes all other theatres in its path, but I read recently in the New York Times that the developer of the Xanadu shopping/entertainment complex has run into major financial difficulties, so I have to wonder when the Xanadu complex, and the Muvico theatre, will actually open. FWIW, there was another Muvico multi scheduled to open this spring in NJ, in Linden, but when I was in the neighborhood a few months ago construction hadn’t even started.
Both AMC Theatres in Secaucus need to replace ALL 35mm projectors and have much brighter lamps to project the picture on screen. But still have capabilities of 70mm as well. New sound systems (as in new speakers are needed). Also have all auditoriums THX Certified with the ability to read Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, SDDS, and DTS. NEW screens themselves would really help in all auditoriums too. And last but not least they do need to get at least one Digital Projector at each location. (Two per location would be better but one at each would be great).
I know that’s a VERY EXPENSIVE TALL ORDER. But I have noticed that when going to newer theatres, the picture is much brighter and way sharper and the sound is also better. If both AMC 6 & 8 in Secaucus want to be highly successful they really need to upgrade to new equipment listed above. Or they will close down to these new Multiplexes with just that kind of equipment that is listed above. Plus the fact these new theatres have stadium seating.
RobertR: note my comment of 1/18 to see why the price has been reduced. As a side note, I attended a 5:15 show at the Eight’s sister theatre, the Meadow Six, on Wednesday 1/19 and my family had the auditorium to ourselves.
As per Dave-Bronx’s entry earlier today, this location’s Seat count needs to be updated.
Seating capacities at the Loews Plaza 8 are: 520, 521, 333, 321, 336, 338, 222, 221 – Total of 2812 seats.