“The new movie patrons are so dazzled by all this digital garbage that they are fooled to think that it is better than tried and true 70mm and magnetic sound.”
One thing everyone seems to constantly forget is the equipment used isn’t there for YOUR satisfaction. If it were, 70mm and magnetic sound (even on 35mm) would still be the standard.
Digital is used for one simple reason: MONEY. PROFIT.
Moving to a glitzy new building is done for one simple reason: MONEY. PROFIT.
Using digital takes all the distribution (shipping) and photographic (film + lab) costs out of the equation. Result, more money for the studios without doing anything.
The spin machine is constantly working to make you think digital is bigger and better, and it’s irrelevant if it is or isn’t. The spin machine is there to make the studios money. It appears to be working. Now, if only the quality of the movies produced were better, perhaps I’d be more inclined to spend $11 to go see them.
“For that kind of money they should have built it in Upper Saddle River or Mahwah, not Newark.”
I understand you’re only trying to make a point, but they build these sort of things in Newark because there is no “not in my back yard” resistance. Residents of USR or Mahwah would never allow a project such as this to go through.
What’s the cost of a ticket? I’m just curious. I happened past a small multi-screen theater in Wayne (Preekness) NJ this past weekend and all seats were $9.75! $9.75, to see the junk they put out today? At that theater? Holy-molly.
As long as the studios get 75-90% take for the first few weeks, and the theater’s take is the remainder + Concessions, you won’t see excess money going to “extravagances” like the curtain repair, Neon, etc.
Even at my favorite Lafayette, they took out the neon, and replaced it with an easier to maintain row of lamps. Reason: cost.
And, since that system isn’t going to change and go back to the way it was in the old days, don’t expect much to change.
Vito has a point, if the curtains are broken, they should be fixed. There’s no excuse. You either fix them, or decide you ain’t gonna use ‘em. This sounds like a money issue with management. To them, the curtains are probably a “waste of money” issue.
Vito, if the curtains are wrapped around a motor drum, (or whatever the curtain actuator system is) they probably cannot be worked manually, in the traditional sense.
You can be certain it will be demolished. That was already in the cards as has been said before. The “when” is the only question. A Wal-mart? I doubt it. Land plot not big enough, and traffic is already atrocious on Rt 4. There’s already a Wal-Mar on Rt 46 in Saddle Brook (incidentally on the plot of the old Rt 46 Drive-In). I also don’t think Wal-Mart would be interested in another store that can only stay open 6 days a week.
The status of this theater needs to be changed to “Demolished”, but like the Rt 4 Tenplex, I’ve sent messages to whoever administers this site, and they just go ignored. Very annoying.
Update: No longer a pile of rubble. It is now a parking lot, paved, with curbs and all. You would NEVER know a building was ever at this location had you not seen it yourself.
"don't know much about the sony sdds.. it didn't work most of the time."
Not surprising, considering the location Sony chose to put the sound! For those not in the know, the SDDS digital track was placed on the edges of the film, the area subject to the most mechanical friction and wear. So the track got scratched and worn, and didn’t read properly.
Hey, don’t shoot the messenger. I’m not the only one that is speaking the truth, and have the same memories you do, so please don’t single me out. Theaters have become a cut throat business. Studios want to make their investments back in one or two weekends, not months or years anymore. Show it, reap the cash, destroy the prints. That’s how it works. Exhibition companies will do what it takes to draw people away from the home theaters. In the 50’s it was the studios that fought TV with CinemaScope, Cinerama, Stereo Sound, 3D, and VistaVision. Today it’s the exhibitors leading that charge.
I also don’t believe I ever told anyone to “get over it”.
And he’s correct. Sorry, but it IS all about the money, and good money isn’t going to be thrown out for bad. Not by a company like AMC.
Folks, the building’s 40 years old! You can be sure it has infrastructure problems by this point in time. It would cost a million+ dollars to tear away the other sections and refurbish it to a single screen house. And for what? Art films? Where is that money going to come from? You had “Cinema 35” (Rt 4 west, just before Rt 17) on the other side of the highway for years, it didn’t survive. It showed films like this.
I’m sorry to sound so negative, but that’s the realities of the economics.
And how is this expansion of the Bergen mall going to stretch around the back of the Shop Rite, and go down a hill to connect with the old Texplex property? There is a significant change of grade between those two lots. Don’t forget the auto dealer there too, and Toys R Us.
I did forget to say that the Stanley Warner Rt 4 SINGLE SCREEN Theater WAS a showplace in every sense of the word. Even when it was a triplex it was still a showplace. For me it lost it when the other theaters started being added on.
Yes, Pete, you are partially correct. AMC is going for the “showplace” appeal. Look at the Loews’s Jersey. That’s “showplace appeal”. No different then as it is today. AMC I’m sure feels the old stand-alone location isn’t worth putting any money into. It is after all a 40 year old building that has seen it’s glory days, and served everyone well. The mall has more traffic, and coupled with the new food wing, will attract families. I can understand their logic. Money people, it’s all about the money.
No, the words were properly chosen from the AMC point of view (not mine). I’ve been going to the Tenplex since 1968. I remember the single Cinerama screen. I sat in row 1 to be given the headache of my life from watching 2001. I saw lots of movies there, and enjoyed them all. I saw Star Wars there on day one, show one. I have the same memories you do.
To AMC the place is a stand-alone, old, dump.
And yes, AMC is ONLY interested in the money. I keep wondering why people forget that EVERYTHING is only about the money. AMC feels they will more than recoup their investment in the new location, and you know what? They probably will.
We no longer live in a world where a film plays exclusive in one theater for 3 months or more before going into general release. Todays it’s break it out on 5,000 screens all at once and make it all back in two weekends. Sad, but true. Let’s not also forget the quality and kind of movies being made either.
“The new movie patrons are so dazzled by all this digital garbage that they are fooled to think that it is better than tried and true 70mm and magnetic sound.”
One thing everyone seems to constantly forget is the equipment used isn’t there for YOUR satisfaction. If it were, 70mm and magnetic sound (even on 35mm) would still be the standard.
Digital is used for one simple reason: MONEY. PROFIT.
Moving to a glitzy new building is done for one simple reason: MONEY. PROFIT.
Using digital takes all the distribution (shipping) and photographic (film + lab) costs out of the equation. Result, more money for the studios without doing anything.
The spin machine is constantly working to make you think digital is bigger and better, and it’s irrelevant if it is or isn’t. The spin machine is there to make the studios money. It appears to be working. Now, if only the quality of the movies produced were better, perhaps I’d be more inclined to spend $11 to go see them.
“For that kind of money they should have built it in Upper Saddle River or Mahwah, not Newark.”
I understand you’re only trying to make a point, but they build these sort of things in Newark because there is no “not in my back yard” resistance. Residents of USR or Mahwah would never allow a project such as this to go through.
Now, back to the triplex!
$11? Brother.
The theater I was referring to is this one:
Wayne Preakness Cinema, also run by Clearview
/theaters/11614/
What’s the cost of a ticket? I’m just curious. I happened past a small multi-screen theater in Wayne (Preekness) NJ this past weekend and all seats were $9.75! $9.75, to see the junk they put out today? At that theater? Holy-molly.
As long as the studios get 75-90% take for the first few weeks, and the theater’s take is the remainder + Concessions, you won’t see excess money going to “extravagances” like the curtain repair, Neon, etc.
Even at my favorite Lafayette, they took out the neon, and replaced it with an easier to maintain row of lamps. Reason: cost.
And, since that system isn’t going to change and go back to the way it was in the old days, don’t expect much to change.
In fact, it may get worse.
Vito has a point, if the curtains are broken, they should be fixed. There’s no excuse. You either fix them, or decide you ain’t gonna use ‘em. This sounds like a money issue with management. To them, the curtains are probably a “waste of money” issue.
Vito, if the curtains are wrapped around a motor drum, (or whatever the curtain actuator system is) they probably cannot be worked manually, in the traditional sense.
You can be certain it will be demolished. That was already in the cards as has been said before. The “when” is the only question. A Wal-mart? I doubt it. Land plot not big enough, and traffic is already atrocious on Rt 4. There’s already a Wal-Mar on Rt 46 in Saddle Brook (incidentally on the plot of the old Rt 46 Drive-In). I also don’t think Wal-Mart would be interested in another store that can only stay open 6 days a week.
“(since the audience should never ever see a blank white screen)”
Pete, I think you’re in the minority here! I can’t think of a theater other than the Lafayette (and the Ziegfeld) that even has curtains.
[sarcasm] Curtains would block the screen from still slide advertising. You can’t do that you know.
It’s true, Lafayette Ave is Route 59.
This is very interesting.
So Pete, do you suppose then the street was named after the theater, or the theater named after the street?
Magnetic sound still lives in my home theater, the 35mm version anyway, and it sounds glorious.
The status of this theater needs to be changed to “Demolished”, but like the Rt 4 Tenplex, I’ve sent messages to whoever administers this site, and they just go ignored. Very annoying.
I think people are more likely to use this parking area for the twin restaurants that are next door. This pot is fairly distant from the mall.
Update: No longer a pile of rubble. It is now a parking lot, paved, with curbs and all. You would NEVER know a building was ever at this location had you not seen it yourself.
They went to the AMC 16 at the GSP :)
I wonder where those are headed. My basement maybe?
Booth-8910, is that a Norelco 35/70 machine in the foreground?
Not surprising, considering the location Sony chose to put the sound! For those not in the know, the SDDS digital track was placed on the edges of the film, the area subject to the most mechanical friction and wear. So the track got scratched and worn, and didn’t read properly.
Hey, don’t shoot the messenger. I’m not the only one that is speaking the truth, and have the same memories you do, so please don’t single me out. Theaters have become a cut throat business. Studios want to make their investments back in one or two weekends, not months or years anymore. Show it, reap the cash, destroy the prints. That’s how it works. Exhibition companies will do what it takes to draw people away from the home theaters. In the 50’s it was the studios that fought TV with CinemaScope, Cinerama, Stereo Sound, 3D, and VistaVision. Today it’s the exhibitors leading that charge.
I also don’t believe I ever told anyone to “get over it”.
I sent a message to the administrators to change it to “Closed”
I said that last week. It appears to be an administrative function.
Pete said: “…and lose a fortune :)”
And he’s correct. Sorry, but it IS all about the money, and good money isn’t going to be thrown out for bad. Not by a company like AMC.
Folks, the building’s 40 years old! You can be sure it has infrastructure problems by this point in time. It would cost a million+ dollars to tear away the other sections and refurbish it to a single screen house. And for what? Art films? Where is that money going to come from? You had “Cinema 35” (Rt 4 west, just before Rt 17) on the other side of the highway for years, it didn’t survive. It showed films like this.
I’m sorry to sound so negative, but that’s the realities of the economics.
And how is this expansion of the Bergen mall going to stretch around the back of the Shop Rite, and go down a hill to connect with the old Texplex property? There is a significant change of grade between those two lots. Don’t forget the auto dealer there too, and Toys R Us.
I did forget to say that the Stanley Warner Rt 4 SINGLE SCREEN Theater WAS a showplace in every sense of the word. Even when it was a triplex it was still a showplace. For me it lost it when the other theaters started being added on.
Yes, Pete, you are partially correct. AMC is going for the “showplace” appeal. Look at the Loews’s Jersey. That’s “showplace appeal”. No different then as it is today. AMC I’m sure feels the old stand-alone location isn’t worth putting any money into. It is after all a 40 year old building that has seen it’s glory days, and served everyone well. The mall has more traffic, and coupled with the new food wing, will attract families. I can understand their logic. Money people, it’s all about the money.
No, the words were properly chosen from the AMC point of view (not mine). I’ve been going to the Tenplex since 1968. I remember the single Cinerama screen. I sat in row 1 to be given the headache of my life from watching 2001. I saw lots of movies there, and enjoyed them all. I saw Star Wars there on day one, show one. I have the same memories you do.
To AMC the place is a stand-alone, old, dump.
And yes, AMC is ONLY interested in the money. I keep wondering why people forget that EVERYTHING is only about the money. AMC feels they will more than recoup their investment in the new location, and you know what? They probably will.
We no longer live in a world where a film plays exclusive in one theater for 3 months or more before going into general release. Todays it’s break it out on 5,000 screens all at once and make it all back in two weekends. Sad, but true. Let’s not also forget the quality and kind of movies being made either.