Comments from mcmikecroaro

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mcmikecroaro
mcmikecroaro commented about Cinema 150 on Sep 16, 2010 at 10:40 pm

Folks:

FYI….the exterior of this theatre is identical to that of the UA Stonestown in San Francisco which continues to operate as an art house.

Mike

mcmikecroaro
mcmikecroaro commented about Lease expiring on Berkeley's Oaks Theater; new operator sought on Feb 11, 2010 at 9:13 pm

Removing the center wall is absurd. If anything, the facility should be further plexed into four screens, possibly two upstairs and two downstairs.

A very nice theatre……Lets hope a reputable firm signs on a new lease.

mcmikecroaro
mcmikecroaro commented about Cinelux Capitola Cafe & Lounge on Sep 4, 2009 at 8:22 pm

Folks:

Cinelux Theatres, Inc. of San Jose, CA is now operating this theatre. They have a very good reputation and will no doubt better the operation of this facility.

mcmikecroaro
mcmikecroaro commented about Orinda Theatre on Jul 5, 2009 at 7:25 pm

Hi Folks:

My understanding is that the hot greasy steam from a popcorn machine could potentialy damage the ceiling murial in the lobby. This is what I was told and it seems to make sense.

This was an EXCELLENT theatre under Renaissance Rialto / Alan Michaan. It’s hard for me to believe anyone would think otherwise.

Mike

mcmikecroaro
mcmikecroaro commented about Grand Lake Theatre on Jan 27, 2009 at 9:38 pm

Hi Folks:

Thought I would mention that the theatre has newly installed carpet. It’s a great improvemnt over the old worn out carpet.

Mike

mcmikecroaro
mcmikecroaro commented about Alameda Theatre on Jul 25, 2008 at 10:02 am

“Most small theatres can not afford a projectionist in the booth at all times.”

Millions of dollars are spent on a brand new 8 pleax and they can’t afford to have one projectionist in the booth at all times? I don’t buy it.

Mike

mcmikecroaro
mcmikecroaro commented about Alameda Theatre on Jun 4, 2008 at 5:35 pm

Focus probelms….soft borders…..I’m glad I haven’t visited this theatre yet.

Who installed the projection booths? Doesn’t one normally run various test loops to check on focus, depth of field, border sharpness etc?

If I’m not mistaken this is the company that used to run the Elmwood and Rheem Theatres. The presentation at both of those theatres was often lacking.

Mike Croaro

mcmikecroaro
mcmikecroaro commented about Grand Lake Theatre on Aug 18, 2007 at 4:05 pm

“Allen either needs to put some money back into the theatre or give it to Landmark to run as a specialty house.”

What a joke. Landmark runs some of the most run down theatres. The notion that they would invest money on to the site is very hard for me to believe. We should all hope that Allen hols on tho this theatre for a very long time.

mcmikecroaro
mcmikecroaro commented about Stonestown Twin on Aug 18, 2007 at 9:39 am

This theatre shows only arthouse films. They very often have understated soundtracks. Sometimes patrons mistaken this subtleness as the sound system and/or surrounds “not working”. Want loud blaring sound….go to a hollywood film.
“Watch out a spider may come down on your popcorn” – how ridiculous!

On another note, as of 8/17/07 this is now the last UA theatre in San Francisco. Their once great presence is over.

mcmikecroaro
mcmikecroaro commented about United Artists Berkeley 7 on Apr 25, 2006 at 5:43 pm

Hi Folks:

The managment of the Berkeley 7 tells me they are working to upgrade and clean up the theatre. The two main downstairs auds have a brighter image as the mirrors in each Christie consoles were replaced. They are also working to replace the missing glass from the various light fixtures. Glad to see them maintain the theatre.

Presentation has been very nice during my many visits. The auds are clean.

Mike

mcmikecroaro
mcmikecroaro commented about Stonestown Twin on Apr 25, 2006 at 5:37 pm

Greetings Everyone:

Yes the staff is very friendly and the place is kept very clean. UA should have torn out the angled ornamental wall at the front so as to open the screen horizontally for scope. Let us not forget the huge (and free) parking lot!

Meanwhile UA continues to upgrade the theatre. They are presently refurbishing the 19th Avenue roadside marquee with new faceplates. The old ones had yellowed from age. Lets hope the trend is continued.

Mike

mcmikecroaro
mcmikecroaro commented about Palm Theater on Oct 23, 2004 at 11:21 am

The architect of the Palm theatre was William B. David, who designed a few others around the bay area.

mcmikecroaro
mcmikecroaro commented about Meridian Quad 6 on Aug 30, 2004 at 8:05 pm

Hi Folks:

Blumenfeld Theatres was the last operator to run this complex.

mcmikecroaro
mcmikecroaro commented about Town & Country Theatre on Aug 30, 2004 at 8:03 pm

Hi Folks:

I believe that United Artists operated this theatre prior to AMC taking over in the mid 1990’s.

mcmikecroaro
mcmikecroaro commented about Dublin 6 Cinema on Aug 30, 2004 at 7:44 pm

Hi Folks:
I worked for the Enea family but over in Belmont at the Belmont Cinemas 3. I did visit the Dublin 6 a couple of times. It had a strange hall way leading to the different auds that twisted left and right as though you were going through a maze. I seem to recall every aud being completely different with different styles of seats, wall drapes etc. To bad they tore it down.

mcmikecroaro
mcmikecroaro commented about Del Oro Theatre on Jul 9, 2004 at 3:03 pm

As a former projectionist I find it hard to believe that the booth personnel would (or could) turn the brightness of the xenon lamp down so much as to make the screen dim. Rather the xenon lamp was probably very old and with a blackened envelope would produce a dim picture as suggested in an earlier posting.

Mike Croaro

mcmikecroaro
mcmikecroaro commented about Coronet Theatre on Jul 9, 2004 at 2:57 pm

I too was suprised that the Coronet passed on Spiderman 2. I assume it’s because they are playing “I Robot” instead. Likweise I think they should have moved “The Terminal” from the Metro to the Vogue so they could play Spiderman 2 there (instead of vise versa).

mcmikecroaro
mcmikecroaro commented about Stonestown Twin on May 24, 2004 at 8:23 pm

Hi Folks: Just a quick update. In the last few weeks the exterior of the theatre received a new coat on paint. Also painted were the various guard rails in the front of the theatre and the light posts. The theatre has a nice new clean look to it.

Best regards,

Mike Croaro

mcmikecroaro
mcmikecroaro commented about Alexandria Theatre on Apr 15, 2004 at 3:14 pm

I went to the 4 star Cinema only once. I was in worse shape than the Alexandria by far. I can say without hesitation that I will never go back there.

I used to go to the Alexandria at leat twice a month. I miss it greatly.

Mike C.

mcmikecroaro
mcmikecroaro commented about Stonestown Twin on Feb 20, 2004 at 3:47 pm

The San Francisco Chronicle shows the theatre opening in 1971 as the “UA Cinema”. In early November 1973 the theatre closed and was twinned in just 1 week. It reopened at the “UA Stonestown Twin”. As Eric and Steve have mentioned the seating was never re-arranged so the sightlines are somewhat unusual. New carpeting was installed in late in 2003 and it is a great improvement over the decades old orange (yes orange!) carpet.

mcmikecroaro
mcmikecroaro commented about Vogue Theatre on Oct 7, 2003 at 7:43 pm

The Vogue theatre received more upgrades this year. Approx. 3 months ago the entire auditorium interior was re-painted.

mcmikecroaro
mcmikecroaro commented about Alamo Drafthouse New Mission Cinema on Sep 3, 2002 at 10:00 pm

The theatre was last operated by Cinema-cal Theatres. They closed the theatre after someone shot off a gun in the auditorium in the late 80’s or early 90’s.