I’ve been a loyal patron of the Big Newport for over 30 years now. For my money, there just isn’t a better place to see an “event” film in OC than in the massive, velvet-draped main auditorium. That said, Regal really needs to stop tinkering with the showtimes for films on the big screen. I checked the paper for Iron Man 3 on Friday and the first showing was at 10 AM. Ok, so the wife and I get up early on Sat morning with the intent of catching the first show and while grabbing some breakfast out I by chance glance at the showtimes again and they’ve changed to 10:30 AM. The 10AM is now on one of the smaller screens. This is the second time in a year, that I know of, where the times for the big screen have changed within 24 hours. Sure, the times stay the same, but the screens sure don’t.
Regal needs to understand that the big screen is a bit of an institution in Orange County and that people actually do make the trek from all over the region to see a movie there. In the old days, you looked at the showtimes for the big screen on Friday and knew your movie would be playing at those times at least until the following Thursday. You didn’t have to check back daily to see if the times had changed.
Even Regal’s staff members weren’t sure what showtime was on the big screen this past Saturday morning. And the marquee hanging over the lobby doors wasn’t helping matters either: it listed the first show on the big screen at 10AM, not the 10:30 posted in Saturday’s paper.
I was hoping to catch Star Trek, Man of Steel and The Lone Ranger on the big screen this summer but I’m thinking the AMC in Tustin is looking like a better choice. At least there I don’t have to keep checking showtimes on a daily basis.
AFI Night at the Movies returns to Arclight April 24. Highlights include: Blade Runner, Pulp Fiction and The Thing. As usual one of the 13 films screens in the Dome: this year it’s In The Heat of the Night, introduced by Sidney Poitier.
Looks like Arclight has added some additional one-shot retro screenings at the Dome: East of Eden (April 7), Moulin Rouge/Romeo & Juliet (April 14), Slendor in the Grass (April 23), The Untouchables (April 30) and Citizen Kane (May 1).
Nice to finally hear from somone who went to one of the retro screenings. Glad to hear “Aliens” was a hit, Cliffs. Here’s hoping Arclight will indeed see the merits of retro screenings in the Dome and keep them going year-round. Let us know your thoughts on any future retro screenings you attend. I’m still waiting to hear from anyone who caught “Days of Heaven” back in Feb.
The Dome will also host a Die Hard Marathon on Feb 13: All five films, including the premiere of A Good Day to Die Hard. First film starts at 11:15 AM. Price is $35. https://www.arclightcinemas.com/movie/die-hard-marathon?lid=1001
This wasn’t a bad little theater in its day. I remember frequenting the place quite often as a kid throughout the ‘70s and '80s (used to meet my grandparents for Sunday brunch at the nearby Barclay Inn) but for the life of me the only two flicks I can remember seeing there are Rocky III and Spaceballs. Maybe the original Rocky in 1976. I do recall going back in the early '90s for The Dark Half with Timothy Hutton.
I’m pretty sure this was the theater I saw Rocky IV on Thanksgiving night in 1985. My first and only visit as I was in from out of town for the holiday visiting family. I remember it being kind of small and intimate, not a venue with 1200 seats.
Also getting evening one-shot screenings at the Dome: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (March 3), Raging Bull (March 10), Aliens (March 13), Back to the Future (March 24) and Say Anything (March 27).
Terrence Malick’s “Days of Heaven” will get a one-shot screening at the Dome on…wait for it…Super Bowl Sunday (Feb 3, 2013). Are you kidding me? https://www.arclightcinemas.com/movie/arclight-presentsdays-of-heaven?promo=spotlightM1
I see the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica is screening a new 4K restored print of Lawrence of Arabia on Sun., Nov 25 for its 50th Anniversary. Why in the world is this not screening at the Dome? This is a landmark film that truly needs to been seen on the largest screen possible. Arclight’s actions, or lack there of, are beginning to mirror those of Lakers owner Jim Buss: consistent head-scratchers.
I like reserved seating. It just doesn’t guarantee you a seat, it guarantees your seat. I’m sure everyone has a favorite place to sit in a theater, especially at the Dome. Reserved seating guarantees my seat remains my seat.
I agree we’ve lost the pageantry of going to the movies. I do think, however, the Dome is the only theater in town offering some of that lost experience. Their curtain stays closed, we’re treated to classic film scores before the show and with the exception of trailers, there’s no on-screen advertising. For that, I’d pay a premium price every time.
Frankly, second-run theaters have reinvigorated the exhibition business. As I mentioned in an earlier post, Starplex’s Woodbridge 5 is doing gangbuster business as a bargain house. They went digital two years ago and can show anyhing that’s out there, 3D included. One just has to look at the lines in front of the place on a Saturday night to realize second-run theaters are not “a thing of the past.” Moviegoers are hungry for cheaper alternatives, especially in family-friendly places like Irvine and Tustin. Starplex is doing it, so is Regency. Regal should have recongized the opportunity and jumped on it. If it doesn’t fit your current model, change the model.
As far as a gut-rehab, I don’t buy it. Its location (second-floor)and large footprint make it a very unique property. With the exception of maybe a restaurant or food court, I can’t see anything else going in there. Restaurants, however, have been closing over there for years so I doubt anyone new would come in. I’m pretty sure it was the lease that expired and the Irvine Company will look at new theater operators first, as they did when Edwards closed the Woodbridge 5.
Just heard about the closure. Regal really dropped the ball on this property. It could have been a viable, rather profitable second-run theater if they just brought the prices down to relect the product and environment. Offering reduced pricing on just Sundays and Tuesdays was a joke. Just look at what Starplex did with the old Woodbridge Theater in Irvine. They’re charging $2 a head for second-run flicks and doing gangbuster business everyday. It’s like the early ‘80s over there. With any luck, they’ll rescue the Tustin 6 and make it a destination once again.
The Dome is screening Michael Anderson’s “Logan’s Run” on Saturday, Sept. 8 @ 8PM. Apparently it’s a brand new digital restoration. Man, it would be fun to see that film on the big screen again after 36 years. Link below.
https://www.arclightcinemas.com/movie/arclight-presentslogans-run?lid=1001&filter=dome
Here’s hoping the newly restored 4K Lawrence of Arabia gets at least a week-long stint at the Dome this October. Apparently the film will be re-released theatrically Oct 4 prior to its Blu-ray release in Nov. As Oct 4 is a Thursday, I’m hoping it’s not one of those one-day screenings that pop up at the chain multiplexes from time to time. The Dome did give Lawrence a week-long 40th Anniv showcase back in 2002. Fingers crossed.
This wasn’t a bad little theater in its day. As we frequented the mall most Saturdays, it was rather convenient to start or end our excursion with a movie. I remember seeing Back to the Future, The Untouchables, Planes, Trains and Automobiles(the night before Thanksgiving) and The Fisher King there. I also remember it as the first place I saw the teaser poster for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. May of ‘84 couldn’t come fast enough. There was also a great little Crown Books a few stores up and it always featured novelizations front and center of whatever films were currently showing at the theater.
Another nice post, Michael. Thanks. As I was six at the time of its initial release, I can’t remember whether I saw Star Wars at the City Center in Orange, CA opening weekend or later at the Big Newport. Somehow the City Center feels right. Wherever it was, I definately
remember it as the day I fell in love with power of pure cinema. That love burns brightly in me to this day and will most likely never fade. For that I offer thanks to George Lucas, John Williams and my mom, who not only indulged my every Star Wars whim for the next six years but made sure cinema remained a constant in my life going foward.
jsittig: I see Ben-Hur does play a couple of other times throughout the weekend at Arclight but it’s only at the Dome for the one showing(Sun, May 13). Sorry, just not the same experience on the other screens. This is the type of film that should get at least a one-week run at the Dome, like The Godfather did a few years back.
Wow! I’ve been waiting forever for Ben-Hur to screen at the Dome. Too bad it’s a one-shot deal, on Mother’s Day no less. Oh well. Somebody tell me how it was.
I’ve been a loyal patron of the Big Newport for over 30 years now. For my money, there just isn’t a better place to see an “event” film in OC than in the massive, velvet-draped main auditorium. That said, Regal really needs to stop tinkering with the showtimes for films on the big screen. I checked the paper for Iron Man 3 on Friday and the first showing was at 10 AM. Ok, so the wife and I get up early on Sat morning with the intent of catching the first show and while grabbing some breakfast out I by chance glance at the showtimes again and they’ve changed to 10:30 AM. The 10AM is now on one of the smaller screens. This is the second time in a year, that I know of, where the times for the big screen have changed within 24 hours. Sure, the times stay the same, but the screens sure don’t.
Regal needs to understand that the big screen is a bit of an institution in Orange County and that people actually do make the trek from all over the region to see a movie there. In the old days, you looked at the showtimes for the big screen on Friday and knew your movie would be playing at those times at least until the following Thursday. You didn’t have to check back daily to see if the times had changed.
Even Regal’s staff members weren’t sure what showtime was on the big screen this past Saturday morning. And the marquee hanging over the lobby doors wasn’t helping matters either: it listed the first show on the big screen at 10AM, not the 10:30 posted in Saturday’s paper.
I was hoping to catch Star Trek, Man of Steel and The Lone Ranger on the big screen this summer but I’m thinking the AMC in Tustin is looking like a better choice. At least there I don’t have to keep checking showtimes on a daily basis.
Can’t say I remember a hotel by the Cinedome. There’s been a Motel 6 across the street since as long as I can remember, along with a Dennys.
AFI Night at the Movies returns to Arclight April 24. Highlights include: Blade Runner, Pulp Fiction and The Thing. As usual one of the 13 films screens in the Dome: this year it’s In The Heat of the Night, introduced by Sidney Poitier.
Looks like Arclight has added some additional one-shot retro screenings at the Dome: East of Eden (April 7), Moulin Rouge/Romeo & Juliet (April 14), Slendor in the Grass (April 23), The Untouchables (April 30) and Citizen Kane (May 1).
Nice to finally hear from somone who went to one of the retro screenings. Glad to hear “Aliens” was a hit, Cliffs. Here’s hoping Arclight will indeed see the merits of retro screenings in the Dome and keep them going year-round. Let us know your thoughts on any future retro screenings you attend. I’m still waiting to hear from anyone who caught “Days of Heaven” back in Feb.
So did anybody catch “Days of Heaven” last night at the Dome? Do tell.
The Dome will also host a Die Hard Marathon on Feb 13: All five films, including the premiere of A Good Day to Die Hard. First film starts at 11:15 AM. Price is $35. https://www.arclightcinemas.com/movie/die-hard-marathon?lid=1001
This wasn’t a bad little theater in its day. I remember frequenting the place quite often as a kid throughout the ‘70s and '80s (used to meet my grandparents for Sunday brunch at the nearby Barclay Inn) but for the life of me the only two flicks I can remember seeing there are Rocky III and Spaceballs. Maybe the original Rocky in 1976. I do recall going back in the early '90s for The Dark Half with Timothy Hutton.
I’m pretty sure this was the theater I saw Rocky IV on Thanksgiving night in 1985. My first and only visit as I was in from out of town for the holiday visiting family. I remember it being kind of small and intimate, not a venue with 1200 seats.
Also getting evening one-shot screenings at the Dome: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (March 3), Raging Bull (March 10), Aliens (March 13), Back to the Future (March 24) and Say Anything (March 27).
Terrence Malick’s “Days of Heaven” will get a one-shot screening at the Dome on…wait for it…Super Bowl Sunday (Feb 3, 2013). Are you kidding me? https://www.arclightcinemas.com/movie/arclight-presentsdays-of-heaven?promo=spotlightM1
I see the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica is screening a new 4K restored print of Lawrence of Arabia on Sun., Nov 25 for its 50th Anniversary. Why in the world is this not screening at the Dome? This is a landmark film that truly needs to been seen on the largest screen possible. Arclight’s actions, or lack there of, are beginning to mirror those of Lakers owner Jim Buss: consistent head-scratchers.
I like reserved seating. It just doesn’t guarantee you a seat, it guarantees your seat. I’m sure everyone has a favorite place to sit in a theater, especially at the Dome. Reserved seating guarantees my seat remains my seat.
I agree we’ve lost the pageantry of going to the movies. I do think, however, the Dome is the only theater in town offering some of that lost experience. Their curtain stays closed, we’re treated to classic film scores before the show and with the exception of trailers, there’s no on-screen advertising. For that, I’d pay a premium price every time.
Frankly, second-run theaters have reinvigorated the exhibition business. As I mentioned in an earlier post, Starplex’s Woodbridge 5 is doing gangbuster business as a bargain house. They went digital two years ago and can show anyhing that’s out there, 3D included. One just has to look at the lines in front of the place on a Saturday night to realize second-run theaters are not “a thing of the past.” Moviegoers are hungry for cheaper alternatives, especially in family-friendly places like Irvine and Tustin. Starplex is doing it, so is Regency. Regal should have recongized the opportunity and jumped on it. If it doesn’t fit your current model, change the model.
As far as a gut-rehab, I don’t buy it. Its location (second-floor)and large footprint make it a very unique property. With the exception of maybe a restaurant or food court, I can’t see anything else going in there. Restaurants, however, have been closing over there for years so I doubt anyone new would come in. I’m pretty sure it was the lease that expired and the Irvine Company will look at new theater operators first, as they did when Edwards closed the Woodbridge 5.
Just heard about the closure. Regal really dropped the ball on this property. It could have been a viable, rather profitable second-run theater if they just brought the prices down to relect the product and environment. Offering reduced pricing on just Sundays and Tuesdays was a joke. Just look at what Starplex did with the old Woodbridge Theater in Irvine. They’re charging $2 a head for second-run flicks and doing gangbuster business everyday. It’s like the early ‘80s over there. With any luck, they’ll rescue the Tustin 6 and make it a destination once again.
What, no reviews of The Master in 70mm?
The Dome is screening Michael Anderson’s “Logan’s Run” on Saturday, Sept. 8 @ 8PM. Apparently it’s a brand new digital restoration. Man, it would be fun to see that film on the big screen again after 36 years. Link below. https://www.arclightcinemas.com/movie/arclight-presentslogans-run?lid=1001&filter=dome
Jsittig: Any chance the Dome will screen Lawrence of Arabia this fall for its 50th anniv?
Here’s hoping the newly restored 4K Lawrence of Arabia gets at least a week-long stint at the Dome this October. Apparently the film will be re-released theatrically Oct 4 prior to its Blu-ray release in Nov. As Oct 4 is a Thursday, I’m hoping it’s not one of those one-day screenings that pop up at the chain multiplexes from time to time. The Dome did give Lawrence a week-long 40th Anniv showcase back in 2002. Fingers crossed.
Make that a Walden Books, not Crown. My bad.
This wasn’t a bad little theater in its day. As we frequented the mall most Saturdays, it was rather convenient to start or end our excursion with a movie. I remember seeing Back to the Future, The Untouchables, Planes, Trains and Automobiles(the night before Thanksgiving) and The Fisher King there. I also remember it as the first place I saw the teaser poster for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. May of ‘84 couldn’t come fast enough. There was also a great little Crown Books a few stores up and it always featured novelizations front and center of whatever films were currently showing at the theater.
Looks like tickets are really moving for the opening weekend of The Dark Knight Rises at the Dome. My favorite seats are gone already.
Another nice post, Michael. Thanks. As I was six at the time of its initial release, I can’t remember whether I saw Star Wars at the City Center in Orange, CA opening weekend or later at the Big Newport. Somehow the City Center feels right. Wherever it was, I definately remember it as the day I fell in love with power of pure cinema. That love burns brightly in me to this day and will most likely never fade. For that I offer thanks to George Lucas, John Williams and my mom, who not only indulged my every Star Wars whim for the next six years but made sure cinema remained a constant in my life going foward.
jsittig: I see Ben-Hur does play a couple of other times throughout the weekend at Arclight but it’s only at the Dome for the one showing(Sun, May 13). Sorry, just not the same experience on the other screens. This is the type of film that should get at least a one-week run at the Dome, like The Godfather did a few years back.
Wow! I’ve been waiting forever for Ben-Hur to screen at the Dome. Too bad it’s a one-shot deal, on Mother’s Day no less. Oh well. Somebody tell me how it was.