Comments from optimist008

Showing 101 - 125 of 137 comments

optimist008
optimist008 commented about Parkchester community seeks to preserve 74-year-old theater on Feb 7, 2014 at 11:56 am

To the above, unconfirmed rumor that another theater will open as part of the Whitestone Cinema Paragon Outlet Mall project. The original developer of the HUB retail project proposed a theater and that project fell through, no theater there woth the newest developer. Agree with you, Bronx is “underscreened.” A theater was also planned for the original dead Kingsbridge Armory mall.

optimist008
optimist008 commented about Whitestone Multiplex Cinemas on Dec 26, 2013 at 8:38 am

Heard from an insider that there is a strong possibility of another theater opening here as part of the proposed Paragon Outlet Mall. I am GUESSING it might be National Amusements once again. They could easily squeeze it in as a top floor location or basement multiplex as done with their 161 St location. But this site begs for another theater so badly…

optimist008
optimist008 commented about Happy Thanksgiving on Nov 29, 2013 at 10:52 am

Many thanks to you too and belated Happy Thanksgiving. Thanks so much for creating and maintaining such a wonderful site and I look forward to the book being written by Ross. I am very happy that you are recognized by the film industry in Boxoffice magazine and elsewhere.

optimist008
optimist008 commented about Sports fans seek refuge in theaters on Sep 26, 2013 at 2:35 pm

Pay Per View events actually statrted out in movie theaters during the 1960’s and 70’s. Remember those telecasts of the Ali boxing matches, Daytona 500, Opera, etc?? With more cable subscribers “cutting the cord” it’s likley providers like NCM ( Fathomevents.com) will flourish. They don’t even advertise their sell outs of the MET Opera broadcasts. Here in the northeast, Digiplex theaters is positioning itself primarily for pay per view events.

optimist008
optimist008 commented about Syosset Triplex on Sep 25, 2013 at 5:08 pm

BarryM,,

All old issues of Boxoffice are posted on their website, Boxoofice.com, look for “The Vault” section to find them.

optimist008
optimist008 commented about Central Plaza Cinema on Sep 23, 2013 at 4:40 pm

The Hudson Mall cinema , Jersey City, NJ is the last GCC structure still standing ???

optimist008
optimist008 commented about Central Plaza Cinema on Sep 21, 2013 at 9:45 am

joemasher,

Is it possible that another theater chain will assume the new lease??????????

optimist008
optimist008 commented about Central Plaza Cinema on Sep 20, 2013 at 10:41 pm

P.S. Webmaster: The correct seat count was 1700, not 1900 back in the GCC days as a single screen as per Boxoffice magazine.

optimist008
optimist008 commented about Central Plaza Cinema on Sep 20, 2013 at 10:40 pm

One of the merchants nearby tells me they are renovating and not closed permanently as said in their phone recording today. No way Bow Tie would have bought this theater and closed it after three short months. If they actually do re open, they should run specialized films to piggy back Alamo Drafthouse down the block.

optimist008
optimist008 commented about Regal New Roc Stadium 18 IMAX & RPX on Sep 4, 2013 at 1:20 pm

FYI: They are converting one auditorium near the inner concession stand into an RPX auditorium and it should open very soon as per management. Their Times Square RPX screen is good, but nothing great and not worth the extra money. I snuck in to briefly check it out!!!

optimist008
optimist008 commented about AMC Lincoln Square 13 on Aug 28, 2013 at 4:46 pm

Are they still handing out invites outside this theater for test screenings???

Have not seen them lately

Thanks Much

optimist008
optimist008 commented about Alamo Drafthouse Yonkers on Aug 12, 2013 at 7:58 pm

CORRECTION TO THE ABOVE:
Google: Beech Cinema vs. Twentieth Century Fox Film

optimist008
optimist008 commented about Alamo Drafthouse Yonkers on Aug 12, 2013 at 7:53 pm

Question: Noticed that this theater is running a few of the same films also palying up the block at Bow Tie Central Plaza. Does this mean as the newest theater here, Bow Tie now loses the distribution tracks of several major studios??? This is how it happened in the 1960’s with the advent of shopping center theaters , the downtown theater became second fiddle to the film distributors. Are the studios bound to the exhbitors with exclusive licensing agreements?? If you Google “Beech Cinemas vs. General Cinema,” you will see a past lawsuit against 20th Century Fox involving alleged collusion between exhibitors and studios here in Westchester County, NY. John J. Fink and Scott Neff, please chime in on this!!!

optimist008
optimist008 commented about Movie theaters roll out marquee architecture on Jun 19, 2013 at 8:53 am

telliott,

FYI: If you have a public library card, it may enable you full access to WSJ, NY Times and many other pay per view periodical sites.

optimist008
optimist008 commented about Whitestone Multiplex Cinemas on Jun 19, 2013 at 8:51 am

To the above: I wholeheartedly agree with you. The area is now totally ripe for another multiplex. Take your story to the local media, I am curious if any other theater chains have expressed interest in opening up in the same area. A monumental opportunity will exist when the Whitestone closes late summer/early fall as planned.

optimist008
optimist008 commented about Whitestone Multiplex Cinemas on Apr 18, 2013 at 12:46 pm

Scott,

It is quite doubtful that the planned outlet mall will include a movie theater. Yes, it would be smart given the immense success of the current multiplex, but not likely to occur…

optimist008
optimist008 commented about Whitestone Multiplex Cinemas on Apr 18, 2013 at 10:38 am

Supposed to be closing the end of the summmer or later depending on the approvals for the Paragon Outlet mall that is opening on this site. Again, once this theater is gone, a huge void and opportunity exists for another exhibitor to open in the same area.

optimist008
optimist008 commented about Whitestone Multiplex Cinemas on Apr 5, 2013 at 1:23 pm

As of yesterday, their big 3 sided sign is advertising the Pargaon Outlet mall to open soon on this property.

A monumntal opportunity exists for another exhibitor to fill the void when this theater eventually closes. This was probably one of Redstone’s top grossers in NY State if not beyond. Lost opportunities exist because a majority of other exhibitors fear opening in the Bronx. 150 single screens were operating in this borough during the 1960’s and the population now is even bigger so Bronx remains under screened for sure…

optimist008
optimist008 commented about AMC Palisades 21 on Jan 21, 2013 at 8:33 am

Heard from a Regal manager that they are taking over this location. Don’t know when this may occur or why AMC might be leaving.

optimist008
optimist008 commented about Update on The Ziegfeld: 'The Master' doesn't help on Sep 27, 2012 at 1:39 pm

All excellent comments above!!!
John Fink: FYI-Clearview Central Plaza in Yonkers went digital a long time ago as did their nearby Bronxville location. Both theaters remain quite viable.

Off topic, but has anybody heard if any other exhibitors are looking to open in the southeast Bronx now that the Whitestone Cinema property was sold??? The entire borough remains underscreened and a major opportunity exists for a progressive exhibitor seeking market share when the Whitestone is replaced with an outlet mall.

optimist008
optimist008 commented about Alamo Drafthouse Yonkers on Jun 16, 2012 at 7:39 pm

This theater is closing on June 24, 2012 as per a notice posted. Apparently this is a result of the newly opened competitior National Amusements Ridge Hill cinema.

optimist008
optimist008 commented about Cablevision looking to sell Clearview chain on May 15, 2012 at 2:27 pm

John,

It was reported just a few weeks back that Sundance has proposed opening a new multiplex here in Dobbs Ferry, NY, next to the Saw Mill Parkway, as part of a larger mixed use complex that seems to have the pending approval of the local municipality.

optimist008
optimist008 commented about Cablevision looking to sell Clearview chain on May 15, 2012 at 12:56 pm

Hey Mark,

I still read your posts on Facebook and it’s always great hearing from you…really sorry your career ended the way it did and the non IATSE presentations continue to suffer, even in the big chains like Redstone. FYI: Another retail developer wants to include a movie theater in the latest RFP’s submitted for the Kingsbridge Armory in Da' Bronx. National Amusements is the likley chain as they were interested last time around with this project. They are not doing so well on weekdays, but better with attendance on weekends at the new Ridge Hill, Yonkers location. The latest Bronx HUB development plan does not include a theater this time, but did last time when Related Companies was chosen and backed out for reasons unknown. The chain was never identified, but I am betting it was Redstone..

Clearview Bronxville remains a strong arthouse and I predict it will be sold to another small chain. Hopfully, Central Plaza will too…

optimist008
optimist008 commented about Cablevision looking to sell Clearview chain on May 15, 2012 at 9:38 am

John Fink,

FYI: Clearview’s Bronxville and Central Plaza, Yonkers locations have held on despite the increased presence of National Amusements nearby. In fact, when General Cinema ran Central Plaza Cinema way back, it was their best grossing theater in NY State. However, with the recent opening of Redstone’s Ridge Hill, Yonkers location, this theater and Movieland next store may be slightly affected as time goes on. I do agree with you that Clearview’s presentations stink with poorly lit screens most of the time. Hope these two theaters survive!!! If the chain has no buyers, would Cablevision close these sites????

optimist008
optimist008 commented about Largest seat count in a 1960'S single screen theater? on Sep 16, 2008 at 10:55 am

movie534,

I have an IA related question for you…please private message me via

Thanks Much.