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The latest movie theater news and updates
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June 15, 2012
ArcLight announces expansion to Bethesda
BETHESDA, MD — The Southern California luxury chain, ArcLight, is building its first theatre on the east coast. Of course they will feature the standard ArcLight amenities of reserved seating and no ads.
Read more at First Showing.
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June 14, 2012
Portage fate to be determined
CHICAGO, IL — The future of the Portage Theater is to be determined this Friday June 15th at a final zoning board meeting at 9AM. It will decide whether or not to allow the Chicago Tabernacle Church to purchase the theater for their new worship space. The church has not entertained suggestions for alternate locations in the area, including the former Belpark Theater.
The Portage Park Neighborhood Association is busing 50 residents to the Loop meeting to protest the church’s purchase. Ald. John Arena and many local business owners contend that the church taking over the theater will make drawing new businesses to the Six Corners neighborhood very difficult, especially bars and restaurants, which could not serve liquor near a church. Film critic Roger Ebert has also weighed in on the side of the Portage Theater, saying, “Chicago has countless churches, but not enough theaters like the very special Portage. Help save it.”
Read more in the Huffington Post.
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Manhattan Village 6 closes
MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — After over 20 years in business, Pacific closed the Manhattan Village late last month. They aging theatre could not keep up with nearby competition anymore.
Read more in the Manhattan Beach Patch.
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June 13, 2012
Patio starts Kickstarter campaign
CHICAGO, IL — Theaters around the world have been struggling to make the jump to digital. The Patio Theater in Portage Park has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for a digital projector — which is a necessity for their business to continue.
Check out their Kickstarter site along with some great pictures.
(Thanks to senorsock for providing the photo.)
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Cinema Grill shuts down
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — After 13 years, the Cinema Grill is shutting its doors. They didn’t list a reason but urge residents to visit the area’s other independent theaters.
Read more in the Indianapolis Business Journal.
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June 12, 2012
Future of Staunton Mall movie theaters unclear
STAUNTON, VA — The Staunton Mall Cinema has been on shaky ground lately as the theatre’s new independent owners are struggling to keep the place running. They’ve yet to make the jump to digital and the declining mall’s owners haven’t made it any easier.
Read more in the News Leader.
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New Bremerton cinema hopes to start showing movies in mid-June
BREMERTON, WA — The new SEEfilm Bremerton Cinema is aiming to open soon and could have some new restaurants nearby. One of the theaters will be a VIP screen with special seats and a bar.
Read more at {KPBJ](http://kpbj.com/feature_articles/2012-06-05/new_bremerton_cinema_hopes_to_start_showing_movies_in_mid_june).
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June 11, 2012
Who says drive-in movies are dead?
LOCKPORT, NY — Others may be struggling but Rick Cohen’s Transit Drive-In is still a popular attraction in the area. By paying attention to competitors and keeping prices family friendly, his drive-in is still a summer favorite.
Read more in the Buffalo News.
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Scenes of Coming Attractions: Hartford’s Front Street movie theater
HARTFORD, CT — Hartford’s Front Street development has its new theatre rising up. The project mentioned late last year is still aiming for a summer opening.
Read more and see a pic in the Hartford Courant.
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June 8, 2012
REMEMBERING CINERAMA (Part 52: New Orleans)
Compiled by William Hooper & 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 52: Cinerama Presentations in New Orleans, Louisiana!