Comments from TJinSF

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TJinSF
TJinSF commented about Embarcadero Center Cinema on Feb 4, 2022 at 7:07 am

“A Hero,” “The French Dispatch,” “Belfast,” “Gamestop: Rise of the Players,” “Red Rocket,” and “The Velvet Queen” were also showing today. The titles listed by m00se111 above are the first four listed, so perhaps the full page did not load for them? It would appear all 7 screens were open, given the showtimes. The last film to start was “Flee” at 7:55.

TJinSF
TJinSF commented about Twin Lakes Cinema I & II on Nov 25, 2020 at 6:55 pm

https://www.propertypanorama.com/instaview-tour/irmls/202031415

This theatre is presently offered for sale. Its online presence suggests it has not been open since March.

TJinSF
TJinSF commented about Lincoln Theatre on Nov 19, 2020 at 5:27 pm

https://www.heraldpubs.com/2020/11/14/historic-st-clair-county-theatre-to-be-used-for-jury-trials/?fbclid=IwAR2UmA8cyum19urPz-Az9-AeSfPPdPDKlMLy5XUTA5XCw_ESOvJ9JYoV6vM

An interesting temporary use for the theatre during COVID.

TJinSF
TJinSF commented about Sonoma 9 Cinemas on Nov 5, 2020 at 7:15 pm

Cinema West will not reopen this theatre, closed since March. Owner Dave Corkill: “We find ourselves forced to close and out of business because of a virus no one could have predicted and the irresponsible conduct of those that are spreading it. We regret that we will no longer be able to serve the Sonoma community and we thank everyone that supported our business, including our great staff and many guests.” The operators of the shopping center say they will look for someone else to run the theatre but note it had struggled before COVID. For now, it is closed.

https://www.sonomanews.com/article/business/covid-casualty-sonoma-loses-its-multi-plex-cinema/

TJinSF
TJinSF commented about Park Plaza Cinemas on Oct 30, 2020 at 1:30 am

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/29/business/media/pandemic-small-movie-theaters.html

Interesting little write-up in the New York Times on this facility.

TJinSF
TJinSF commented about Lorenzo Theatre on Oct 24, 2020 at 12:08 am

https://twitter.com/AlamedaCoFire/status/1319774338086653953

The theatre is burning again today. Stabilization work has been ongoing since the June 5 fire as new operators (Matt Delima and Kris Dorrance) had been engaged prior to that date. No word released on the case of that fire, and nothing yet known about today’s, but I hope this will not be the end of the story.

TJinSF
TJinSF commented about Colfax Theatre on Oct 21, 2020 at 8:17 pm

https://www.facebook.com/TheColfaxTheatre/?tn=kCH-R&eid=ARC8iKMQIGRbedmMWOmd1bhmE_KOtLkPrYlJ8cVC151efKjv4_ftF85MQd60cl9nTxBnLhloWCGz6bc1&hc_ref=ARRZgKj0-6okCfp1Xtv3iJdwPcHjftNaXd9rWrA5F67huXAQkOEZIDH5HZ06urQRaMg&fref=nf

The theatre is once again operating.

TJinSF
TJinSF commented about Dos Palos Theatre on Sep 22, 2020 at 11:30 pm

Does anyone have a recent update on this theatre? I understand it has been closed for several years and that the building was for sale earlier this year. Quick searches don’t turn up much of a footprint.

TJinSF
TJinSF commented about Cinelounge Tiburon on Sep 17, 2020 at 1:04 am

https://www.thearknewspaper.com/single-post/2020/09/16/Tiburon-Playhouse-becomes-‘casualty-of-pandemic’

Cinema West will not reopen this theatre. They have negotiated their way out of the lease.

TJinSF
TJinSF commented about Rialto Theatre on Aug 20, 2020 at 5:18 pm

https://www.kiiitv.com/article/news/demolition-begins-on-alices-historic-realto-theater/503-b2158624-f6ff-4edb-a0bf-17772eef4114?fbclid=IwAR1HatEXjWD3-oVYi8Zuf0zekmYEBVtEKOw8JRc3AC1GHscOgoWezUPfJSg

Demolition has started at the Rialto.

TJinSF
TJinSF commented about LOOK Dine-In Cinemas W.57th on Aug 18, 2020 at 3:45 am

https://www.google.com/amp/s/deadline.com/2020/08/landmark-at-57-west-theater-new-york-closes-1203015903/amp/

This location will not reopen, as Landmark and the landlord could not agree on a lease renegotiation.

TJinSF
TJinSF commented about Liberty 1 & 2 Theatres on Aug 13, 2020 at 1:51 am

Yesterday’s update from “The Liberty Twin Theater: The Next Generation” on Facebook: “The Libertyville Village Board 7 to 0 accepted the findings of the Historical Preservation Commission to deny the demolition permit for the Liberty Theater! There is a lot of work to still be done, but this is a great first step on the path towards keeping the revitalization efforts with turning the Liberty into something we can all be proud of for years to come!”

TJinSF
TJinSF commented about Ioka Theater on Aug 3, 2020 at 7:03 am

My impression was that the anticipated restoration cost was perhaps inflated in order to give the developer another reason not to have to compromise the views from the potentially affected units. That seems to me to be the real rub here.

TJinSF
TJinSF commented about Capitol Cinemas on Jul 27, 2020 at 10:41 pm

https://www.wsmv.com/news/kentucky/its-really-hard-to-lose-it-1939-theater-closes-amid-pandemic/article_9b64b71c-cba1-11ea-b27e-df98667f73fa.html

Despite some community support and attempts to keep it going, the Capitol has closed for now.

TJinSF
TJinSF commented about Ioka Theater on Jul 27, 2020 at 10:34 pm

https://www.unionleader.com/news/local/exeter-commission-vote-would-force-new-ioka-owners-to-keep-marquee/article_522a20f1-7938-5087-a283-b92abcdedd55.html?fbclid=IwAR1lTsRmPFadXaX5l6_HgkQqxsatNM0q4wCbwFyacu-WpkCS0h1Y5tGn3Ho

A report about the proposed redevelopment of the building and a dispute over whether the marquee will stay or go.

TJinSF
TJinSF commented about Century Cinema on Jun 28, 2020 at 9:45 pm

https://www.marinij.com/2020/06/28/cinemark-jettisons-corte-madera-movie-theater/

The Marin Independent Journal published this article about the closure, which also touches on the effort of other Marin County theatres to weather the present crisis.

TJinSF
TJinSF commented about Metro 4 Cinema on May 21, 2020 at 1:48 am

https://gvwire.com/2020/04/27/pandemic-permanently-shutters-hanford-movie-theater/

This theatre was closed by Movie Heroes on April 24.

TJinSF
TJinSF commented about Vision Theatre on Apr 21, 2020 at 7:49 pm

This theatre, still under renovation, suffered “significant damage” in a fire early this morning, possibly related to a nearby homeless encampment.

https://www.foxla.com/news/fire-ignites-at-leimert-park-theatre-with-nearly-90-year-legacy

https://www.facebook.com/lloyd.mccloud.7/videos/10216403091978607

TJinSF
TJinSF commented about Rex Theatre on Feb 11, 2020 at 8:35 pm

https://www.nhpr.org/post/historic-rex-theater-reopens-downtown-manchester#stream/0

This venue has reopened as the Rex, operated by the same group that operates the Palace. It is focused on live events and I do not know whether it is equipped for film at this time.

TJinSF
TJinSF commented about Dark Room Theater on Feb 7, 2020 at 7:03 pm

https://uptownalmanac.com/2015/08/founder-dark-room-theater-opens-about-venues-closure

All indications are that this venue, which was never much of a movie house, closed in 2015. The article above discusses, among other things, the operator’s assertions that the theatre closed after a chain of events set in motion by a zoning complaint. The space appears to have remained vacant since then.

TJinSF
TJinSF commented about Opera Plaza Cinema on Feb 6, 2020 at 9:13 pm

https://www.sfchronicle.com/local-politics/article/Nonprofit-swooping-in-to-save-SF-neighborhood-15032769.php#photo-18986125

The SF Neighborhood Theatre Foundation, which owns the Vogue and leases the Balboa, has secured a ten year lease at the Opera Plaza. $1.2M in updates will be undertaken, funded by local philanthropists. The theatre is not expected to close entirely during this work, which includes unspecified interior upgrades and improved signage. Long term disruptive construction along Van Ness will conclude next year and it is hoped this theatre will take advantage of renewed interest in the neighborhood. Landmark will remain the operator. Great news from the SFNTF! I appreciate the convenient of this intimate theatre, but it has gotten really threadbare, so I look forward to the renovation.

TJinSF
TJinSF commented about Clay Theatre on Jan 18, 2020 at 7:41 pm

I think this is the Vogue. I agree it is definitely not the Clay.

TJinSF
TJinSF commented about Rheem Theatre on Dec 20, 2019 at 8:51 am

The Rheem reopened yesterday under Cinema West with “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.” I had not visited under previous owners/operators but enjoyed myself and will return as I am able. The staff members I spoke to were very happy to welcome us to the theatre.

The marquee and terrazzo entryway with external ticket booth (which appeared configured for use but was not open this evening) make for an impressive entry. The murals in the main auditorium, which I heard might be at risk in the renovations, were resplendent, and the electric recliners comfortable if not exceptional. Picture and sound also very good: at times the sound seemed to shake my body and chair, which was fine for a star war but might annoy during a different kind of movie. It’s a “giant screen,” wall to wall, so no masking or curtains drawn before and after the show.

Food was fine, the standard fare (popcorn, candy, hot dogs, nachos, pretzels) with a few surprises (well seasoned wedge French fries) and beer, wine, and frozen cocktails to come soon. Prices were comparable to similar theatres but I might try something in the adjacent shopping center on my next visit. There were a few nice places in the lobby to rest a while and start nibbling before entering the auditorium, although signs cautioned that the well preserved phone booths in one corner were for display only.

One last touch was a series of photos of stars in the hallway between auditorium entrances. Some usual suspects (Mickey Rooney and Margaret O’Brien) and some one sees less of (Cloris Leachman). While perhaps the theatre lacks the grandeur of some other historic houses, I found it warm, inviting, and charming. And I’ll confess that I enjoyed having a fancy seat to play with for a change! After witnessing the last night at the Guild in Menlo Park a few months ago, I was glad to witness the first night at the reopened Rheem, and hope this is the first of more to come.