Commentary

  • June 29, 2012

    REMEMBERING CINERAMA (Part 54: Omaha)

    Image

    Compiled by Michael Coate

    The following is a semi-regular series of retrospectives on CINERAMA, the legendary motion picture process that kicked off the widescreen revolution. The series focuses on providing a market-by-market historical record of when and where Cinerama and its multi-panel clones were exhibited. These easy-to-reference articles serve to provide nostalgia to those who experienced the Cinerama presentations when they were new and to honor the movie palaces in which the memorable screenings took place.

    And now… Part 54: Cinerama Presentations in Omaha, Nebraska!

  • June 15, 2012

    REMEMBERING CINERAMA (Part 53: San Jose)

    Image

    Compiled by Michael Coate

    The following is a semi-regular series of retrospectives on CINERAMA, the legendary motion picture process that kicked off the widescreen revolution. The series focuses on providing a market-by-market historical record of when and where Cinerama and its multi-panel clones were exhibited. These easy-to-reference articles serve to provide nostalgia to those who experienced the Cinerama presentations when they were new and to honor the movie palaces in which the memorable screenings took place.

    And now… Part 53: Cinerama Presentations in San Jose, California!

  • June 1, 2012

    REMEMBERING CINERAMA (Part 51: Rochester)

    Image

    Back by popular demand!

    The following is Part 51 in an ongoing, semi-regular series of retrospectives on CINERAMA, the legendary motion picture process that kicked off the widescreen revolution. The series focuses on providing a market-by-market historical record of when and where Cinerama and its multi-panel clones were exhibited. These easy-to-reference articles serve to provide nostalgia to those who experienced the Cinerama presentations when they were new and to honor the movie palaces in which the memorable screenings took place.

    Part 1: New York
    Part 2: Chicago
    Part 3: San Francisco

  • May 25, 2012

    Celebrating the Original STAR WARS on its 35th Anniversary

    Image

    A long time ago in a theater far, far away….
    Celebrating The Original STAR WARS On Its 35th Anniversary

    Compiled by Michael Coate

    Wow! Has it really been thirty-five years? Where has the time gone? It seems like only a short time ago that George Lucas’ endearing space fantasy caught the world by surprise.

    A lot has happened over the years in regard to STAR WARS, and for a lot of people the STAR WARS saga and George Lucas have worn out their welcome. There is no denying, however, that there was a time when STAR WARS was fresh and exciting and had inspired a generation. That time began thirty-five years ago today. To celebrate, presented here is: (1) a list of the theaters where the movie played during its first week of release (to honor those venues famous for being among the first anywhere to show the landmark movie), and (2) a list of the theaters where the movie played for more than one year (to help illustrate the movie’s staggering success).

  • May 24, 2012

    REMEMBERING CINERAMA (Part 50: Portland)

    Image

    Back by popular demand!

    The following is Part 50 in an ongoing, semi-regular series of retrospectives on CINERAMA, the legendary motion picture process that kicked off the widescreen revolution. The series focuses on providing a market-by-market historical record of when and where Cinerama and its multi-panel clones were exhibited. These easy-to-reference articles serve to provide nostalgia to those who experienced the Cinerama presentations when they were new and to honor the movie palaces in which the memorable screenings took place.

    Part 1: New York
    Part 2: Chicago
    Part 3: San Francisco

  • May 2, 2012

    Tim League Discusses Texting Debate on CNN

  • March 6, 2012

    Alone at the movies – confessions of an Oscars geek

    While the Oscars have passed us, I found this interesting piece about one man’s tradition of seeing all the nominated best picture candidates each year. He argues that with the advent of social media, studios can’t use nomination buzz to drive film revenues. Regardless, catching up on the nominees still has an audience as proven in AMC recent showcase.

    Read more at CNN

  • February 13, 2012

    Of manners, movies and the sorry state of spectatorship

    WASHINGTON, DC — A piece in the Washington Post discusses the year in moviegoing. From angry patrons at “Tree of Life” to cranky texters at the Alamo Drafthouse, it covers the highlights from a patron perspective.

  • February 8, 2012

    Programming downsides in Michigan town

    JACKSON, MI — In a commentary in the Jackson Citizen Patriot, a local woman is frustrated with the lack of options at her local theaters. Both of the town’s theaters feature very similar bookings. While she makes a point, some of the comments point towards it being just the byproduct of good business.

    Are theaters in cities like this attempting to broaden their fare and finding poor results or not even trying?

  • October 21, 2011

    Happy 50th, “West Side Story”

    Image

    HAPPY 50th, “WEST SIDE STORY” — THE ROADSHOW ENGAGEMENTS

    Compiled by Michael Coate

    Presented here to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the premiere of WEST SIDE STORY is a list of (most of) the classic, award-winning film’s North American reserved-seat “roadshow” engagements. These were the cities and theaters that exclusively played the film before it was given a general release. The majority of these roadshow engagements were presented in 70-millimeter and six-track stereophonic sound.