Comments from markp

Showing 1,601 - 1,625 of 1,772 comments

markp
markp commented about Belvedere Theatre on Apr 11, 2008 at 1:25 pm

I was wondering the same thing. It sounds like he was.

markp
markp commented about Ziegfeld Theatre on Apr 10, 2008 at 2:24 pm

I’m sorry Howard, but when it comes to Clearview, there’s a nerve that gets pinched every time. As far as Al’s comment, it is that incompetence he speaks of by a rotten few, that ruined the job for people like me. Most of the chains and independents are all sharing the booth these days. You both have to forgive me, but 33 years on the job will do this to a person.

markp
markp commented about Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox on Apr 10, 2008 at 3:28 am

I am assuming it was un-triplexed. Also, not showing movies until 2020 would include old time movie festivals as well?

markp
markp commented about Ziegfeld Theatre on Apr 10, 2008 at 3:23 am

I can’t see how they wouldn’t use union projectionists. Local 306 is one of the last strong projectionists unions. But, given how Jimmy D and his band of pencil pushers got rid of the rest of us, (including myself) I would not put it past them that they tried manager/operator, especially that night the boob manager said the focus was bad because they were projecting reel-to-reel. Give me a break. My 15 year old daughter could have come up with a better excuse, and she knows nothing about projection.

markp
markp commented about Mahoning Drive-In on Apr 9, 2008 at 8:18 pm

I remember passing this drive-in many times when I would visit my buddy who managed the nearby Mahoning Valley Cinema 8. He told me the place did great business all summer long. Of course that was over 6 years ago, but I hope this place keeps going.

markp
markp commented about Where to see Indiana Jones? on Apr 9, 2008 at 8:05 pm

G. Feret, I think they are getting May 22 because many theatres will probably be doing either 8 P.M. or 10 P.M. shows on thursday night. I know the theater I work in will probably get it on 2 screens (both 35MM) and I’m sure if given the oppertunity, the owner will run shows on thursday night. Also, couldn’t agree with you more about Karen Allen. Don’t know why she wasn’t around in #2 or 3.

markp
markp commented about Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas on Apr 9, 2008 at 1:54 pm

OK Jon, you got me on at least one point, and when someone is right, I admit being wrong. I have been an IATSE projectionist for almost 33 years now. In all my time, working in grindhouses to multiplexes, I have always, always tried to give 150%. My father, who was IA for 55 years tought me that. The only sad thing was, that even when we started to get those ‘secret shoppers,’ and I would get scores of 96 – 100%, I was still looked at as a liability. My booth was so clean, you could eat off the floor. My projectors always looked like they came out of the crate, day one. My presentations never scratched, or dirty, even as I went from reel-to-reel, to platters. For this, I was told by the last major chain I worked for 4 years ago, that I was a dinosaur. So I guess what I’m saying is that all the good people are gone, replaced by kids and popcorn poppers who don’t know, and don’t care about presentation. (if they even know what it means) Thanks for calling me on that one.

markp
markp commented about Where to see Indiana Jones? on Apr 9, 2008 at 1:42 pm

As the article above stated, Spielberg shot the movie on film. He is still of the belief that movies be shot and projected on FILM. He has not, at least for now, embraced this whole digital thing, the way his buddy Lucas did. I give him all the credit one deserves.

markp
markp commented about Movieworld Douglaston on Apr 9, 2008 at 3:21 am

News has been posted about Bowtie Cinemas taking over the American Theatre in the Bronx. Maybe its possible they can take this one over as well.

markp
markp commented about Basie Center Cinemas on Apr 8, 2008 at 5:09 am

Very small twin that a few years ago needed some spruceing up. Seems to have been carved out of what would have been an old store or warehouse. Nothing special.

markp
markp commented about Sayrewoods Theatre on Apr 8, 2008 at 4:54 am

Theatre was showing “Joe Hill” a paramount picture, in November of 1971. One of the last regular pictures to play here.

markp
markp commented about Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas on Apr 8, 2008 at 4:29 am

Thanks. Tell that to Howard and Jon above. They all think this digital thing is the end all be all.

markp
markp commented about Brooklyn Paramount on Apr 6, 2008 at 4:59 pm

I seem to remember running a movie based on that 1956 image posted above. If memory serves me, I think it was in 1978, and was called “American Hot Wax.” If that is the movie, and the events followed true, than it really was a great time to be around.

markp
markp commented about Waikiki 3 on Apr 6, 2008 at 1:34 pm

I had the pleasure to visit this theatre in March of 1991, when I was out there on my honeymoon with my first wife. It is really a shame that this beauty is gone. What became of the organ?

markp
markp commented about Bow Tie Cinemas appoint Chief Film Officer on Apr 6, 2008 at 6:16 am

Oh yeah, I forgot. All these big chains run by pencil pushers got rid of all us union guys over the past 20 years. That’s why we now do stage work for a living. ( at least I still get to run movies part-time in a shared union booth.)

markp
markp commented about Movieworld Douglaston on Apr 6, 2008 at 6:10 am

New York Post listing for Friday April 4, 2008, “Theatre Closed”.

markp
markp commented about Bow Tie Cinemas appoint Chief Film Officer on Apr 5, 2008 at 6:12 am

Maybe you guys can find a way to buy Clearview, and restore it to its former glory, with qualified UNION projectionists, and people who actually care.

markp
markp commented about More 3-D films coming on Apr 5, 2008 at 6:11 am

Good point Bob.

markp
markp commented about Kings Theatre on Apr 5, 2008 at 6:01 am

Please Luis, find out for us. I would have went, but I’m working in the projection room out here in Jersey all day Monday.

markp
markp commented about Ziegfeld Theatre on Apr 5, 2008 at 5:57 am

Yep, that’s good ole Jimmy D and his band of pencil pushers hard work at it again. They don’t have a SINGLE manager in the entire clearview chain who’s been a manager for 29 years. The a-holes fired them all, or made life so miserable, they quit. I know, I witnessed a lot of it during my time there. All these crack heads they have working now only know “platters” (not only the easy way out, but the ruination of the industry in general) Give ME reel-to-reel anytime, and it will be flawless. I’ve just recently done it in a reportory, and will again in a few weeks. So all you Ziegfeld lovers, get on the horn and speak up. There is absolutly NO reason for that kind of DUMB answer about the focus. Clearly, this person has NO CLUE AT ALL, just like most of them who work for Clearview.

markp
markp commented about Is a free movie theater feasible? on Apr 4, 2008 at 4:00 pm

I have had the same crazy thought at times. I would LOVE to be able to run some of the old movies I did from the late 60’s and into the 70’s. As a union projectionist now for almost 33 years, I have many fond memories of the days of the “double feature”. The only problem I see, other than getting film, if that was your thinking, is that everything is on DVD, and our culture is so NOW oriented. No one seems to care about yesterday. (except those of us here on CT)

markp
markp commented about More 3-D films coming on Apr 4, 2008 at 3:53 pm

They say, Love movies, that this whole “digital” thing is going to be the “end all be all”. I always have, and always will prefer good old 35mm to anything. And yes they can call me old fashioned, but I have been running it for almost 33 years, and as my dear old father used to say, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

markp
markp commented about Oceanside Twin on Apr 4, 2008 at 3:49 pm

Another one bites the dust.

markp
markp commented about Regency Village Theatre on Apr 4, 2008 at 3:48 pm

As a projectionist of almost 33 years, some of these titles bring back memories. I remember running many of the above titles as a “co-feature” in some of the “dollar houses” I started out in. Great movie line-up above Mike, and a great time in the movie industry as well. Wish I could go back in time.

markp
markp commented about Polk Theater on Apr 4, 2008 at 5:24 am

Good point.