AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

to brucec: The AFI Silver doesn’t announce theatre assignments because they are subject to change, even within the day. There could be a film scheduled in Theatre II, but if it sells out and there are less tickets sold for a show in Theatre I, the theatre assignment could be swapped on the spot to ensure the least amount of “turn-aways” (guests who visit the theatre but are “turned away” because of a sold out show). A good rule of thumb for the Silver: the repertory programs are usually in Theatre I, unless there’s a new film with high ticket demand, such as JUNO presently.

Howard, I’m glad you enjoyed your movie in one of my favorite seats in the AFI’s Historic Theater. What a treat, eh? Perfect movie presentation, eating a snack while stretched out in comfort, without worrying about who is behind or in front of you. Now if only a robe and bedroom slippers were the accepted theater attire decorum… :)

I’m sure theater owners pay for THX certs otherwise they can’t claim they are THX certified and use the advertising to distinguish themselves from the other multiplex boxes. If you notice in the Post, some venues do advertise this fact such as BowTie Annapolis. What I don’t like is the movie print ads, themselves, don’t have the little THX logo by those theaters that do show the movies in their certified auditoriums, much less digital stereo (DTS, DD, EX, etc) and digital projection. Its now just one big ad and you call a number or check the directory.

I’ve always enjoyed sound format and projection format trailers before the actual movie starts, but fewer of the plexes do them anymore. With the sound format trailer, the audience gets a sense as to what the theater’s sound system is capable of and with THX hitting all those sound levels AND the subwoofer vrooom, leads to great anticipation because of the startled auditory senses. If movie theater managers want to ensure audiences come back, they need to reenforce the positives of patronizing and that is the great sound and picture. So, play the damn THX trailer, please loud.

Let’s hope AFI show other 70mm features in ‘08 than the usual fare…PLEASE?

yes, the manager did say the curtain will be repaired.

Historic Auditorium ran a THX trailer, or whatever it is called. Mazza Gallerie on Sunday didn’t. I was almost under impression that nobody pays for THX certification anymore? AFI still does?

When I walked into both auditoriums 2 & 3, the curtain was totally closed pre-film. I only stayed for a minute. Thank you, and AFI for arranging for such great film projection and sound. The overall presentation really is world class.

I’ve only seen you in person, a few years ago, at the Uptown, chatting with you in the projection booth.

Friday, December 21, I saw at 5 PM, Juno in the historic auditorium. After buying my ticket in the new building, I was able to walk into the historic Art Moderne lobby.

I sat in the last row, with the tables that JordarMovieFan sits to eat his stuffed pretzels. The lady next to me had a soft pretzel (not stuffed) and a cup of beer.

Movie projection & digital surround sound were excellent.

After Juno was over, the other movies had not started, so I briefly walked into the newer auditoriums. Juno was shown without any curtain being present, so I presumed curtain only used for special presentations? But, no, curtains were closed in the newer auditoriums! I asked, and the manager told me historic auditorium’s curtain has been broken at least a month, a chain broken.

I’d rather see a 70mm epic at the Uptown, with its huge Cinerama sized screen! However, overall, the AFI Silver is a great moviehouse with an excellent program of films.

Screen sizes have been added to the Introduction. Steve Guttag’s comments about Auditorium 2 seem to be verified by the screen size and by the photos on the theater’s website.

Howard,

They used to have these delicous jalapeno cream cheese stuffed pretzels that were sooo good. If made right, its the perfect balance of crusty shell, the kosher salt and melting hot but not volcanic hot cheese with the right amount of jalapeno zing that’s, oh so yummy! The last time I was there..probably when they had 2001 a year ago, they were out of that, actually most of their snacked goods were GONE except for popcorn, soda and alcohol. I was so disappointed!

Nice photos, Howard. The last set is good in that you capture some of the better seats in the back that are spread out and not congested. If I’m snacking on something like their hot stuffed pretzels, I like the snack tables adjacent to the seats in the back. My friends and I snuck in sandwiches and soup from the Panera, next door, and had a good time with our movie!

On the other hand, the pictures point out the rather smallish screen. Small in comparison to some of the better single houses of yesteryear, sadly gone forever. I do wish that in ‘08, they have more 70mm other than Lawrence and 2001.

Step inside!
current photos of the historic, main Auditorium:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/159111720/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/159111720/

organ console:
View link

The historic SILVER theater is much bigger than 400 seats. The SILVER was bigger than the AVALON by a good 30%. Although AFI reduced the seating when they renovated, during my 1,000+ visits here when Warner’s owned it, the capacity was approx. 1,000 seats. Later, under KB ownership, it was sometimes used for first runs — because of its size and location. For example, when the KB Cinema was swarmed with people wanting to see THE EXORCIST, KB ordered another print and played it at the Silver.

I agree totally that on website, AFI should identify which film is in the historic auditorium!!

As to the Avalon, under various management over the years, that theater has always specified Avalon 1 (the beautiful huge downstairs auditorium) or Avalon 2 (upstairs). I'v seen a movie upstairs since the nonprofit community tookover, and it isn’t inappropriate for an arthouse film. It isn’t a huge auditorium or screen, but it has been refurbished as comfortable as possible. I’d rather see a movie upstairs any day than in NYC’s Lincoln Plaza.

Obviously most people using this website are interested in HISTORIC theatres. Whether “broom closets” is a fair description of the two new auditoriums sidesteps the point that AFI magnagement willfully does nothing to offer the customer a choice —– nothing to let us know which film is in the historic theatre, which is in the closet. How difficult is it to make such information available by phone? I want the AFI to be up front with customers as to what’s playing where.

In the nearby historic AVALON THEATRE, you can go to their website on any given day, or prior day, to find out what film is in the historic theatre and which is in the broom closet upstairs —– although they call the broom closet Avalon #2, that’s OK. The AFI are control freaks and would never do anything so helpful or honest.

The ‘shake’ that I speak of is when they play any trailer (film) especially the THX sound one, that usually precedes the main attraction. Since they didn’t play it for 2001, there wasn’t any shake.

I am in totally agreement with you about the other theaters here. I’ll take the AFI ‘broom closets’ over anything that their neighbor Consilidated has (and believe me they aren’t as good) or the nearby Regal Rockville 13, or the shoebox AMC White Flint 5 anytime anyday. Though to be perfectly honest, I’ve never watched a movie in the smallest AFI auditorium (lucky me).

I wish the AFI would play other 70mm movies than this film and “Lawrence of Arabia.” With their pull and industry contacts and affiliation, they should be able to do better for us east coast moviefans. We’re treated like step children here! And, yes, I’ve written to them to no avail. The last time they played “West Side Story,” “Sound of Music” and “Mary Poppins”(?) they were all in 35mm.