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The latest movie theater news and updates
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December 28, 2010
New Fandango iPad app
After coming slow onto the scene, Fandango has introduced an app for the iPad with some brand new features.
Fandango, a unit of Comcast Interactive Media, developed the app in-house, as it has all its mobile initiatives. Highlights of the app include a feature called The Pulse that shows the top-selling events and movie tickets purchased through Fandango, movie reviews from professional critics and film fans, and movie-related tweets.
The app also includes mapping technology that detects a user’s location and offers her nearby event and movie titles, theaters and showtimes as well as enabling her to purchase tickets. That feature helps consumers away from home find movies playing in the area—even if they don’t know their current ZIP code.
Read more at Internet Retailer.
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Emagine Theater opens in Rochester Hills
ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — The latest entry in the Michigan-based Emagine Entertainment chain opened on December 21. The new theatre is a thorough reimagining of the former AMC Star Rochester 10 which closed in 2007. The revamped theater features new stadium seating, online seat reservations, digital and 3D technology, and a gourmet pizza kitchen.
The completely renovated building features 10 auditoriums — all with digital projection and sound and stadium seating. Pizza and cocktails are also served (there is a two-drink limit). The decor inside is sophisticated, with tiles and muted colors throughout.
“The building is beautiful, and we are thrilled,” said Ruth Johnson, an Emagine Entertainment executive. “We think we will do very well here; there has been such a positive response so far.”
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December 27, 2010
Library in Providence seeks advice
PROVIDENCE, RI — I’m the Office Manager and an Events & Programing Coordinator for the Providence Community Library system. I’ve started showing movies at one of our locations, using DVDs and a digital projector (onto a blank wall currently), but, as somewhat of a film buff, would like to upgrade to 16mm and eventually 35mm showings. Looking for someone local who could offer advice in choosing the right projector(s), screen and general operation / setup. Also looking to buy, or have loaned or donated, 16mm and 35mm features. We already have a public performance license that covers many of the films I’d like to show. Email me at .
Thank you
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Marcus returns to profitablility
After a rocky start to the year, Marcus Corp., which in addition to its theater assets also owns hotels, was back to making profits in the second quarter.
The lodging and movie theater operator reported that its net income was $2.1 million, or 7 cents per share, in the quarter thatended Nov. 25. That compares with a loss of $323,000, or a penny per share, a year earlier.
Read more in the Green Bay Gazette.
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December 23, 2010
Village Theater in Dallas reopens
DALLAS, TX — The Highland Park Village Theater reopened on December 18 after being closed for renovations for over a year. The renovated theater will function essentially as a twin with digital and 3D capability. There are now also two screening rooms for private parties. A restaurant and in-theater dining will be added in 2011.
It will also have luxury seating and an all-digital projection system. When the food service is fully operational, probably in a few months, theatergoers will be able to order food delivered to their seats.
Last year, Washburne’s group bought Highland Park Village for $170 million from the extended family of Henry S. Miller and a New Orleans investment group. The Miller group had owned the plaza since 1976, when they paid $5 million for it.
There is more in the online Dallas News.
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Riverside Fox book released
RIVERSIDE, CA — The restored Fox Performing Arts Center is the subject of a new book by Michael Elderman.
Marilyn Jacobsen writing in the Riverside Press-Enterprise on November 26, 2010 reviewed the publication. She noted that the photographs document the renovation and restoration of the Fox. Michael’s website has photographs of the Fox and the Mission Inn. The book is available at Riverside Art Museum, Metropolitan Museum, the Mission Inn Museum, Delites and Invites, and at Michael’s studio at Division 9 Gallery, 3850 Lemon Street. Barnes & Noble and Borders Books in Riverside also sell the book. Michael has a few postings on Cinema Treasures comments.
Read more in thePress-Enterprise.
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The fall of the Colonial Twin Theater is documented in Reality Series.
POMPTON LAKES, NJ – Episode 4, of the reality series Colonial Twin Follies depicts a theater in dire straights. A building in disrepair, a projector plagued with technical difficulties, disgruntled customers, not to mention the callous crew! Watch it all unfold, in an episode I thought my friends at Cinema Treasures would appreciate. Enjoy. And Happy Holidays to all!
(May you all paint your masterpiece in memories!) -
December 22, 2010
Irvine Co. revamps Fashion Island movie theater
NEWPORT BEACH, CA — Along with renovations to the entire mall, the Island 7 at Fashion Island is about to undergo a year-long renovation to modernize the 20-plus year old theater.
The next segment of the revamp will focus on transforming the theater into an upscale venue complete with a lobby designed to reflect the retail center’s Italian-style architecture. Updates include adding stadium seating in all auditoriums and wider aisles. The theater will close Jan. 12 and reopen by the 2011 holiday season, according to the Irvine Co.
Read the full story in OC Metro.
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Local citizens renovate, restore, rename, and reopen theater in Wayne
WAYNE, NE — Nearly two years ago, the citizens of Wayne were saddened when the only theater in town, the March Twin closed its doors, requiring them to drive forty miles if they wanted to see a first run film. Deciding the situation to be unacceptable, a focused group there has succeeded to making renovations, restoring the theater to single screen status, rebuilding its stage, installing a new marquee, and installing up-to-date digital projection, including 3D capability. The revamped theater reopened on Dec. 19 as the Majestic showing “Tron: Legacy.”
“It really is more than a movie theater to them. It’s a symbol that they didn’t want their town to be stagnant,” said Melanie Loggins, the theater’s coordinator. “Somebody described this community as restless … they don’t want to settle for how it is.”
The story is in the Sioux City Journal.
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Capitol Theatre in Woodstock has met the wrecking ball
WOODSTOCK, ONTARIO, CANADA — The Capitol Theatre opened in 1908 as the Woodstock Opera House, has been demolished as demanded by the city last June when the structure’s roof collapsed. It was long operated by Famous Players and closed in 1999.
The Capitol, with its gold and burgundy carpeting, was where I worked as a teen in the ‘70s, where I met my future wife – she a cashier of some skill, me a red-coated usher, flashlight tucked neatly into my inner (ripped) pocket.
Then-owner Tom Naylor used to pull up in front of the theatre on packed Friday nights, parking his car Batman-style in a No Parking zone, an acknowledged, flashy perk for the only theatre owner in a small city.
The full reminiscence, with a picture, appeared here.