Lafayette Theatre
97 Lafayette Avenue,
Suffern,
NY
10901
97 Lafayette Avenue,
Suffern,
NY
10901
37 people
favorited this theater
Showing 601 - 625 of 915 comments
Thanks for the input Aldo…I was waiting for when an “idiot” finally got on this forum…I guess the wait os over…you’re it!!!…you’re probably the one working the projector. I assume one of your favorite movies of all-time is “Transformers”. Great news pal, there’s a sequel coming soon and maybe the Lafayette will get it.
BTW….tell me what you didn’t like about “Rocky”, can’t wait.
“Those darn teenagers with their ipods and their pornography."
-Grumpy old man
Grow up Rhett.
Also buddy, if you knew anything about cinema “Rocky” wouldn’t be one your your “ALL-TIME favorites”.
“What I’ve noticed the past few movies, is it’s dark . The projectionist is not giving the lamp enough juice, they’re cutting back. But, I’m probably wrong and "it’s the print”."
Well Rhett, as someone who is familiar with the equipment in the Lafayette booth, and has operated it few times, I can tell you there is no “brightness” adjustment on the Xenon lamp. It is just “on” and operates at a regulated voltage/current, and puts out 2kw. You can’t “cut back” on output to a noticeable degree.
I was just as Star Trek the other night and the screen illumination was fine. There is a minor difference between the two lamphouses though that has been that way for as many years as I’ve been going, but it’s a color temperature difference I believe due to the mirror (Pete can add more on this), but not a brightness issue. Now, unless something has happened since I was there on Tuesday, which I guess is possible, I don’t know what to say.
Hi, rhett!
Sorry about the experience that you had with such a cool movie. What a shame that management couldn’t/wouldn’t hire somebody with more experience as a film projectionist instead of a rookie high school kid! That’s really disgusting. Truthfully, had it been ME, I would’ve been absolutely spitting tacks, if one gets the drift. Again—totally inexcusable, what this kid did, but I blame the theatre management for hiring a young kid who didn’t know what he was doing to preside over the projection of a film during the weekend, when there was probably nobody else to monitor. As for the father and kid who in the audience who were yakking throughout the film, why didn’t somebody get the usher and tell them to shut the hell up or get out? Somebody should’ve, imho. Too bad the theatre was short-staffed for the Memorial Day Weekend, and that management couldn’t hire people who were more competent. Lots of kids today have the attitude that they can do what they want the way they want, and don’t seem to care about others or have respect. Again—sorry to hear about that experience, rhett.
“Rocky”, one of my ALL-TIME favorites and one of the WORST movie experiences EVER!!! You dropped the ball on this one Lafayette. Firstly, the movie begins, the framing is off, and the projectionist takes a while to get it right. Then , and most important, The movie is out of focus for the ENTIRE first half of the picture. I went to complain and the high school kid behind the counter gives me the STOCK answer I’m sure he tells all the seniors..“it’s the print”. Instead of setting him straight, as my first job was at a movie theater, I’m 30 years older than he and have forgotten more about movies than he or the high school staff working that day will ever know, instead of arguing, I go back to my seat seething…it’s NOT the print. Actually, the print was good, not much scratches etc. At one point, the focus ring moves and the focus is taken care of. What I’ve noticed the past few movies, is it’s dark . The projectionist is not giving the lamp enough juice, they’re cutting back. But, I’m probably wrong and “it’s the print”. The audio is cranked up, no equalization and it kills the ears.
Then, during a reel change, the framing goes off (again) The projectionist doesn’t move the framing down enough so the whole rest of the picture shows full body with all the heads cut off at the top. The projectionist didn’t have the sense to see and make the adjustment. But, I’m sure it was “the print” as well
I’m assuming this being Memorial day that the real projectionist took off and the people working Rocky were not the “A” team?
This is not a way to build a series and get people to come. I think for “Annie Hall” you might get a dozen or so. I’m not coming to that one based on today. I could NOT enjoy “Rocky” at all. All the projectionist goofs took away from the movie completely. It didn’t help that some father and his kid were talking through the whole film as the dad thought the kid would like Rocky, he didn’t, plus the kid was a pain and BOTH were inconsiderate to all around them.
It was the first tiime in my life I couldn’t wait for “Rocky” to end. “It was the print”….right! So, yes, Pete and Nelson…you WERE missed today!!
“Rocky” is a cool movie. I saw it when it first came out. Hope you enjoyed it!
Rocky Will be the “CLASSIC” movie the morning. I look forward to seeing it on THE BIG SILVER SCREEN!
I live in Danbury, Connecticut. In spite of being well over an hour away from Suffern, I was a frequent attendee at the Saturday morning showings and the fabulous fall horror and sci-fi festivals. What a shock it was to hear that BSC was moving its operations, and what an incredible loss for the Lafayette and for all who love film AND the Lafayette. But I see I’m late to the party. What can I say that everyone else here hasn’t already covered?
I just wish I’d thought to check here a couple of months ago. At least then I would have learned that SOME classics were being shown at the Lafayette after Big Screen Classics moved. It is mindboggling to me that there was no announcement or mailing to people already on the list; and further, that there is little or no web presence or other advertising, that I can see, promoting the Lafayette as it should be promoted. This is incredibly disheartening.
So… What can we do to help change things for the better?
Would I drive such a long distance to see a first-run film? I’ll think about this and try to make it happen. Everything would have to fall into place for the occasion to be right. It would have to be something I’m really excited about seeing. Goes without saying.
As for the new venue for Big Screen Classics…others have already spoken for me with regard to the awkwardness of the location and (sorry!) the less desirable theater, and of the Wednesday nights in particular. I’m very sorry to say I didn’t make any of them this time around, but I WILL do better in the future.
Nelson and Pete, thank you so much for everything! More later.
When Nelson and crew ran the Lafayette they changed over the movies at a faster rate.Most movies ran only 2 weeks (except for Harry Potter or The Dark Night)
99% of the films today only have “legs” for two weeks.In a single screen theatre it is crucial to not let a movie run to long..
Night At The Museum II would have been PERFECT for The Lafayette.It would have attracted folks from age 8-80. Parents with their kids teens, couples. I WAS in the theatre on opening weekend of Night At The Museum and their were over 800 people there!
UP will be in 3D and IMAX so many people will go see it that way.Not such a good booking for The Lafayette.
SOS to Nelson, Bob and Pete the Patient is Ailing and need of a team of skilled Doctor’s to bring her back to good health!!
1 broken curtain mechanism + 1 half blown out marquee + the cost of repair and / or replacement = Boston saying “ Uh, no, too much to fix. Leave it as it is.” Schumucks.
Peter, I was told that Star Trek will probably remain another week. I think the next show booked is “UP”, as that is what was on the back side of the display the put outside the door.
Yes, I realize the Lafayette is a first run theater. Always knew it. The problem is the way films are booked. Star Trek opens on something like 5000 screens, and in a week or two it’s played out, yet the theaters are forced to keep it longer than that “play out” time. It’s why single screen theaters can’t make it. While I may like an audience of 10 people, it’s suicide for the venue.
If it does play another, the attendance sure isn’t even going to pay for the electricity to run the place. You don’t make much money on 10 people @$9 a head.
I specifically went to the Lafayette because it’s one of my favorite theaters. It’s close. And I knew I would be seeing it in relative emptiness. But, like I said, I seem to attract nuisances.
With regards to the curtain mechanism being burned out I hope it is fixed quickly.I have been going to the Lafayette since 1980 and have NEVER attended a screening without the curtain working.
Jeff sorry to hear that your movie going experience was not as good as it could have been.I am glad you drove up to Suffern and supported The Lafayete!!
The classic shows are a lot of fun, but do not pay the bills.The Lafayette has to rely on the regular films to keep the theatre going.
I did see Star Trek on opening weekend (Sat nite) There was a very nice sized crowd.I hope the Lafayette screens Night At The Museum 2 this Friday.
Yes, I liked the movie, very much in fact. Except I have some problems with the story which I won’t mention here as it would spoil it for those have have not seen it.
The audience (actually just those 5) was not a problem once I moved away. I like going to the Lafayette, which is why I went there to begin with.
Sorry you had a bad audience, Jeff. But did you like the movie? I want to see it again, myself. I haven’t done that with a new movie in years.
I went to see STAR TREK at the Lafayette last night. It was like a private show, with only 15 people in the auditorium. And, would you believe it, even with only 10 people there, the five additional ANNOYING ONES came in late, right after the feature starts (as usual) and with that entire auditorium to pick from they plop themselves right behind me, and the kids are rowdy, noisy, the parents are talking, scolding the kids, and they start munching on the crunchy popcorn, etc. Fortunately I had several more rows ahead of me that were unoccupied so I moved up. I’m sure they know I moved because of them.
This was my reminder why I don’t go to regular movies.
Show and sound were good. I was told the attendance numbers were good for the first two weekends, and the week in between, but dropped off sharply this Monday.
For those going to the classics show this Saturday, you may find a surprise. The curtain is broken, so it’s open all the time. The motor is burnt out. When you walk in the screen is showing, and it’s dark on stage because the curtain mechanism controls the footlights – curtain open, no footlights. Will Boston pay to fix the curtain? I’m told a call was in about it. We’ll see.
Absolutely, Peter!! That’s agreed.
The sheets should days “What Movies Would you like to see in the future” not just plain paper of course
Printing out sheets and handing them out to folks in the theatre so they could write in the films they want to see would be a wonderful idea. More movie theatres should do that, imho.
Rhett I agree with you! I am glad that there is a series on Sat morning.Rocky,Midnight Cowboy,Annie Hall and Network were movies I only had a chance to see on video.
In the fall hopefully more films from the 1930’s-1950’s will be screened.
Perhaps if sheets were printed and handed out in the theatre folks could write in the films they want to see.
OK…I think this series is a good thing. Let’s give credit to the powers that be for getting a film festival up and running. Which is what I think the thought process is behind it. I’ll assume that they’re planning out the next one with more thought and with more emphasis on older classics. There wasn’t much time to plan and I applaud the lafayette for at least getting us some great movies to be shown. The seniors will get over it. At least there’s a series. With time and planning and YES, definitely advertising, the series will take off again…GOOD JOB THAT WILL ONLY GET BETTER…LOOK FORWARD TO “ Rocky”
Peter….. Thank you for the “fine-tuning”…. bit of a memory “glitch”, there.
But,no matter continued success for future film festivals at the Lafayette are always hoped for.
Is there anything, beyond regular attendance that we, the regular attending audience can do to help ensure a bright future for classic film festivals at the Lafayette?
Okay—thanks for the info, PeterApruzzese. Sorry about the mix-up.
bolorkay –
Not to put to fine a detail on it, but “Big Screen Classics” were run by us this season at the Cedar Lane Cinemas in Teaneck.
The current shows at Lafayette are called the “Town of Ramapo Film Festival” & other various names.
I’m glad to hear that “West Side Story” finally played in the Lafayette Theatre, especially since it looks like yet another perfect movie palace theatre to show a great film like that. Sure wish I could’ve been there!