Comments from sporridge

Showing 1 - 25 of 234 comments

sporridge
sporridge commented about Gateway Theatre on Apr 30, 2021 at 9:27 pm

The Fort Lauderdale Film Festival has signed a lease to reopen the Gateway post-lockdown, scheduled for Memorial Day weekend. Plans are to continue the blend of art and mainstream film bookings. Eventual renovations are planned.

sporridge
sporridge commented about Cinemas 4 at Pompano on Feb 2, 2020 at 6:21 pm

When it became painfully apparent what was lost in twinning: “The Sound of Music” looked incredibly small in comparison with the space as a single screen.

sporridge
sporridge commented about Cinemas 4 at Pompano on Feb 2, 2020 at 6:19 pm

Exterior box office south of the main building, eventually brought indoors.

sporridge
sporridge commented about Cinemas 4 at Pompano on Feb 2, 2020 at 6:17 pm

“Stero Sound” that never worked all that well, and one auditorium with the screen placed at an uncomfortable slant. Still, gave it an extra 13 years' run until Muvico 18 came along.

sporridge
sporridge commented about Ultravision Theatre on Feb 1, 2020 at 7:06 pm

(Replacing a couple long-ago comments that had now-defunct links)

Almost simultaneous with Deerfield’s grand opening, ABC Florida State also brought the Ultravision concept to a new build not far away in Palm Beach County, the single-screen Dolphin in Palm Springs:

/theaters/31804/

Like the Ultravision Deerfield, the Dolphin was shuttered by the mid 80s, becoming one of the first local locations of Home Depot. Nowadays, can’t look in the pizza section at Aldi without thinking the Rocky Horror Shadowcast once frolicked not far away…

sporridge
sporridge commented about Cinemas 4 at Pompano on Feb 1, 2020 at 6:52 pm

After lengthy delays, the former Pompano Cinema is among several buildings (also the former tire shop and retail spaces to the south) now under demolition. A WalMart Neighborhood Market is planned for the site.

sporridge
sporridge commented about Coral Ridge Theatre on Jun 24, 2018 at 10:07 pm

With a new shopping center planned for the site, the former Florida State ABC Coral Ridge and its surrounding retail spaces were demolished in May/June 2018, 30 years after its end as a movie theatre. The building subsequently became a sports bar, then a strip club.

sporridge
sporridge commented about AMC Dine-In Coral Ridge 10 Theatre on May 2, 2015 at 8:29 pm

Fork & Screen = open to all ages. Cinema Suites = 21 and over only (with beer/wine service). So far, the food is superior to what I’ve tried at the competition. I’m also glad to see one of my favorite theaters finally refurbed.

The lobby refit includes a new bar, MacGuffins — Hitchcock reference intended.

sporridge
sporridge commented about Ultravision Theatre on Feb 1, 2015 at 12:41 pm

I never knew Raul Trellis by name, but I think I remember him: Tall gentleman?

Around 10 years after the Ultra-Vision closed, went on a weekend art film trek to Coral Gables, when the Miracle had occasional subtitled fare. If it’s the same man I’m thinking of, my ticket was torn by Raul, and he recognized me immediately.

Meantime, the former Ultra-Vision property now hosts Aldi, Chipotle, and Panera Bread.

sporridge
sporridge commented about Ultravision Theatre on Jan 7, 2014 at 10:35 pm

Coming soon where the Ultra-Vision once stood: Aldi. Additional stores supposed to follow.

sporridge
sporridge commented about AMC Pompano Beach 18 on Jan 7, 2014 at 10:34 pm

Carmike Cinemas is taking over the Pompano/Broward 18, along with the other remaining theaters in the Muvico chain.

sporridge
sporridge commented about Regal 18 on Jan 7, 2014 at 10:30 pm

After 20 years in business, the Delray 18 closed abruptly in November 2013. Word had circulated for the better part of the year that L.A. Fitness was poised to take over the space.

Meantime, a new iPic complex is aiming for a 2015 opening not too far north, on the former site of the Delray Beach Library off Atlantic Avenue.

sporridge
sporridge commented about Las Olas Cinemas on Jan 7, 2014 at 10:26 pm

Closed sometime toward the end of 2013, and any mention removed from the Frank Theaters Website.

The whole Las Olas Riverfront complex continues to struggle, and various redevelopment possibilities continue to be floated.

sporridge
sporridge commented about Westown I & II on Mar 16, 2013 at 8:17 pm

For those keeping track of former Ultra-Vision venues, there were also two in South Florida: The Ultra-Vision Twin in Deerfield Beach (now demolished after 25 years as a church)

http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/15990

and the Dolphin in Palm Springs (near West Palm Beach)

http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/31804

Lifespans for both: 1971 to 1985.

The photo of the Westown is very similar to a Deerfield Ultra-Vision auditorium.

sporridge
sporridge commented about Ultravision Theatre on Feb 26, 2013 at 8:54 pm

Demolition began on February 25 at the former Deerfield Ultra-Vision Twin. Retail space appears slated to follow.

sporridge
sporridge commented about Plantation Cross Roads on Jan 5, 2013 at 10:08 pm

I’m told Plantation Crossroads finally closed in January 2012 after a 35-year run. A new CVS Pharmacy now fronts University Drive: I’m unaware if the rest of the Mercede Center and the theatre were demolished. Nearest screens are now Frank Sunrise, Regal Sawgrass, and Ridge Cinema.

sporridge
sporridge commented about Dolphin Theatre on Jul 30, 2012 at 8:34 pm

Boxoffice Magazine’s “The Mark of the Modern,” featuring the Dolphin and other Ultra-Vision destinations, from 1971 (link to first page of article): http://www.boxoffice.com/the_vault/issue_page?issue_id=1971-10-25&page_no=162#page_start

sporridge
sporridge commented about Warnor Theatre on Jul 20, 2012 at 11:21 pm

Florida State closed the Warnor on June 12, 1963 — and opened their new Coral Ridge Theater about four miles north the following day. “Duel of the Titans” with Steve Reeves appears to have been the Warnor’s final movie. The property was indeed sold to the Fort Lauderdale Daily News. (From searches of The Miami News/Google News)

sporridge
sporridge commented about Coral Ridge Theatre on Jul 20, 2012 at 11:09 pm

Local chain Claughton Theaters initiated construction (at $250,000) of the Coral Ridge, but sold the venue to Florida State shortly before opening in June 1963 with “The Nutty Professor.” Florida State’s purchase required the approval of the US Justice Department, under terms of the Consent Decree. Original seating was for 1,000, with 42 inches' leg room between rows. The Coral Ridge’s debut happened simultaneously with the closing of Florida State’s Warnor in nearby downtown Ft. Lauderdale. (From various pages in a search of “Claughton Theaters” on Google News' The Miami News archives.)

Cinemark Theaters took a brief turn at running the Coral Ridge in its final days, their sole entry in the South Florida market until their purchase of several Muvico megaplexes.

sporridge
sporridge commented about iPic Boca Raton on Feb 15, 2012 at 8:01 pm

Further iPic news: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/careers/fl-ipic-theater-reveal-20120215,0,4276055.story

sporridge
sporridge commented about iPic Boca Raton on Jan 21, 2012 at 12:46 pm

More at this probably limited-time link: http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2011-12-14/news/fl-brf-watch-1214-20111214_1_ocean-strand-joe-pedalino-rezoned

sporridge
sporridge commented about iPic Boca Raton on Jan 21, 2012 at 12:46 pm

iPic Theaters is now scheduled to renovate the Mizner Park Cinema space as a boutique theater with restaurant and bar, reopening scheduled for May 2012.

sporridge
sporridge commented about AMC Sunrise 8 on Dec 5, 2011 at 6:20 pm

Made a rare visit not too long ago, and at least one of the (original) smaller auditoriums was finally equipped with stereo sound. To think there was a time I’d be doing art movie double or even triple features there…

sporridge
sporridge commented about PGA Cinema 6 on Nov 20, 2011 at 3:02 pm

This time, they may not be back. Redevelopment for big-box retail may be next.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/6-screen-pga-gardens-cinamax-closes-1826031.html

sporridge
sporridge commented about Don & Ann Brown Theatre on Oct 11, 2011 at 10:47 pm

Time for another name change: It’s now The Don & Ann Brown Theatre, new home of Palm Beach Dramaworks, with another round of extensive renovations. Substantial coverage at http://www.palmbeachdramaworks.org/clematisnews.php