Comments from markp

Showing 1,501 - 1,525 of 1,767 comments

markp
markp commented about The Dark Knight Breaks Weekend Box Office Record on Jul 22, 2008 at 6:55 am

My thoughts exactly Justin.

markp
markp commented about The Dark Knight Beats Estimates on Jul 22, 2008 at 6:54 am

My thoughts exactly JodarMovieFan.

markp
markp commented about The Dark Knight Breaks Weekend Box Office Record on Jul 21, 2008 at 8:04 am

O.K. Chris, we’ll see. I’m just going to throw tis out there however. You are thinking in terms of money as far as sinking “Titanic”. I’m thinking in terms of longevity. In 1997-98. I ran “Titanic” in a 10 screen theater for 7 months, of which 6 of them it played on both screens to usually packed houses. Today I work in different 10 screen movie theatre, and we have “Dark Knight” on 3 screens. Do you think its going to be there 6 to 7 months playing to packed houses all the time? My point is, that the movie is so massed shipped, that it will make all its cash in a few weeks, and be gone. All anyone else wants today is to see which new movie could end up being # 1 of all time. I hope this clarifies the point I was trying to make.

markp
markp commented about The Dark Knight Breaks Weekend Box Office Record on Jul 20, 2008 at 8:13 pm

Blah, blah, blah, what the heck did you expect when every freakin multiplex had the darn thing playing on 7 or 8 screens. This is exactly what I have been saying is wrong with the industry. And in 2 weeks, it will dead.

markp
markp commented about New release shelf life on Jul 17, 2008 at 2:29 pm

I don’t know Peter, you think with 10000 prints it will last 3 weeks?? Just kidding, but I think you’re right. By the middle of August, Dark Knight will probably be on 1 screen in every multiplex, and in a 95 seat theatre at that.

And in regards to William, I remember my days as a GCC projectionist, and you’re right. We had Batman the whole summer into the fall. It did a nice steady business the entire time, which is something you don’t see anymore.

markp
markp commented about New release shelf life on Jul 17, 2008 at 11:10 am

I have been saying for years now, that’s the whole problem with the industry today. When a movie comes out and its on 7 screens at the local 14-plex, what do you expect? Everyone can see it the first week, because your local 14-plex has 25 shows a day. Back when I got into the business, we would have 1, maybe 2 prints of a movie and it lasted for 3 to 4 months. And, on top of that, it would maybe be re-released a few months later, or you could always cath it at the local $2.00 house WITH a co-feature. (anyone remember them???) How I long for those days, but, this is what they call progress.

markp
markp commented about Overland Park success on Jul 16, 2008 at 5:40 pm

WOW!!! I actually remember when we had these here in New Jersey. I was actually a projectionist at quite a few of them. Wish they would come back, but alas, its just a pipe dream.

markp
markp commented about Ziegfeld Theatre on Jul 16, 2008 at 12:15 pm

In regards to JeffS, from July 13, it doesn’t surprise me that there were problems with the 70MM in 2006. Clearview and all their wonderful pencil pushers got rid of the union projectionists, and with them anyone who knew 70MM. I know, because I was one of them here in New Jersey. And I also know 70MM from my days of running it in the mid to late 80’s. I guess it was a lucky thing someone in the audience did know how to fix it. But wow, that sure doesn’t say much for the operation of this wonderful theatre. I run reportory in some theatres here in NJ, and I would die just to be able to run 70MM again. In all my years, I never had the kinds of problems I read about here. But again, that’s what clearview wants, and that’s what they get.

markp
markp commented about Alameda Theatre cuts corners with non-union workers on Jul 9, 2008 at 10:58 pm

I am an IATSE member now for almost 30 years. (33 if you count my apprenticeship). I remember when all we had in my local was projectionists. Now, I am the only one left who relies on it for income. And even with that, I share the booth with management. It is a 10 screen theatre I work in, and I must be honest, even though I give them 150%, they really don’t need me. And it pains me to say this, because my father was a projectionist for 55 years before passing on 15 years ago. He made a nice life for all of us, nice house, nice cars, etc. It is a sin the way we IATSE projectionists have been treated the last 15 to 20 years. But that’s what corporate america has done to every industry anyway, so why would it be different for us? Good luck in CA. I hope you are successful.

markp
markp commented about Rivoli Theatre on Jul 9, 2008 at 4:09 pm

It WAS beautiful, and its a sin that it was destroyed. This building, along with many other old palaces, were built of brick, mortar and plaster, not like these sheetrock screening rooms they build today.

markp
markp commented about AMC Rockaway 16 on Jul 9, 2008 at 4:03 pm

Hello Justin. I’m curious of your age, only because its funny when you speak of movies having a long run, you think 2 months is long. When I first got into the business 30 some years ago, 6 to 8 months was a long time, and when my father, God rest his soul started in the late 30’s, movies would run for over a year sometimes. Its funny how each generation has its particulars. I’m not crazy about the whole batman thing, but you enjoy. For me, its more Wall*E and things of that nature.

markp
markp commented about Big-screen giant Imax eyes digital future on Jun 28, 2008 at 3:36 pm

Good to know some people like Nolan and Spielberg still respect film, like I do. Like I’ve always said, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

markp
markp commented about Last night at Rialto on Jun 17, 2008 at 10:47 pm

Does anyone know what will become of the Rialto, and why has it closed?

markp
markp commented about Newton Theatre on Jun 13, 2008 at 9:30 pm

No listings in the Star Ledger. Is it open? And if it is how is business been so far?

markp
markp commented about Beach 4 Theatre on Jun 13, 2008 at 9:23 pm

What will happen after the one year lease is up? Will the foundation get more time to try and save this theare? As a non-profit, they should be allowed ample time to try and secure the funding neede to purchase and save this theatre.

markp
markp commented about After 30 years, GREASE is still the word! on Jun 13, 2008 at 9:16 pm

I remember running Grease that entire summer. We did not change a movie on that screen until the beginning of Nov. We were still selling out an 800 seat theatre up till Halloween that year. What a summer, what a movie.

markp
markp commented about Happy 15th anniversary, "Jurassic Park" and DTS!!! on Jun 13, 2008 at 9:13 pm

I remember 2 things about Jurassic Park that summer. 1) I was running it at a 14 screen theatre, and we had it on 2 screens, and we kept both prints until Thanksgiving, when we let go of one, and kept the other print until the following February. And 2) I was in Shamokin PA. that summer for a friends wedding, and I remember him taking me to now demolished Victoria theatre, and there were about 1400 people in this theatre that night. ( and this was 5 weeks after it opened)

markp
markp commented about Sony to offer HDTV events in movie theaters on May 28, 2008 at 6:16 am

Wouldn’t we all like to know. I’m sure it will be another excuse to jack em up, you know, new technology and all that stuff.

markp
markp commented about Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas on May 28, 2008 at 6:08 am

I got so excited, I meant to say SAYING, sorry.

markp
markp commented about Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas on May 28, 2008 at 6:02 am

Someone give Boczki a cigar!!! FINALLY someone who agrees with what I’ve been sating.

markp
markp commented about Regal Times Square on May 28, 2008 at 5:59 am

Yes Ed, ALL multiplexes are cold and soulless. Maybe THAT’S why we like our old treasures so much.

markp
markp commented about Avalon Theatre on May 23, 2008 at 7:25 am

Amazing to see a huge auditorium like that still intact in 2008. Everywhere I’ve worked, that would have been carved up into 4 or 6 screens by now. Truly a gem.

markp
markp commented about Ziegfeld Theatre on May 23, 2008 at 7:21 am

Hi Ziegfeld Man, Movie534 here, as far as your above post, well you know where I stand on that. After 33 years in the booth, film is it for me. However, I am glad to here that you enjoyed the new Indy movie. I am getting ready for work now. I will be running 4 prints of it in the place I work at today. I may even be able to watch the last show, as it is the last one to start for the day. I wont be getting home till after 2 a.m., but if I see it, I’ll leave a post on how I liked it. Have a nice holiday weekend.

markp
markp commented about Squire Theater on May 21, 2008 at 8:51 am

Sorry to hear of your lousy expeirience Love Movies. But I can say I’m not surprised. I mean I worked for Clearview for almost 8 years before they canned the union, and you must remember, this chain is run by Jimmy Dolan and his band of pencil pushers. They only worry about making things look good for the stockholders. I remember all the rules and procedures they had back in the day, and not a one was followed. Plus, the guy who is now the district manager for your area is the biggest fool of all. He’s only there to help get rid of the union projectionists and make sure the concession prices keep going up to make the profit margins, and himself, look good.

markp
markp commented about My movie memories of summer 1978 on May 20, 2008 at 9:54 pm

Boy that list brings back memories. As an apprentice projectionist that year, I remember running film numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, 11, 12, 16 and 17. And most of them played for what seems forever, not just weeks, but months. Give me those days anytime.