Comments from JLMovieBuff

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JLMovieBuff
JLMovieBuff commented about 1980s-90s on Apr 13, 2023 at 9:20 pm

Great photo! Whoever posted it, how and where did you find this old photo? Though its not easily discernible, the box-shaped sign to the left of the “Hoover Square 6” was directly over the former entrance to the arcade that also opened into the theater lobby for many years. The small circular feature in the sign was a logo for Cobb Theaters. I had forgotten the “6” font, which was typical in signage of the 1980’s.

JLMovieBuff
JLMovieBuff commented about Vestavia Theatre on May 14, 2021 at 11:27 pm

There seems to be an error in the description. I distinctly recall this theater still being open in the late 1980’s very early 90’s (circa 1987-90) when I was preteen. I think it was a dinner-and-a-movie concept for a time. I do know it was operating as a second run theater by the old Cobb Theaters circuit at that time. I never saw a movie there, as most of the movies were for more mature audiences which would have appreciated the dinner/movie gimmick that has made a comeback (Covid19 restrictions aside) in luxury theaters.

JLMovieBuff
JLMovieBuff commented about Regal Wildwood 14 on May 14, 2021 at 11:19 pm

I loved this theater when I was a teenager in the 1990’s. I saw many movies here. It was the standard 14 screen theater with a gentle sloping entry from the shopping center entrance. About the time I went off to college in 1997, the now defunct Carmike Theaters built a standalone movieplex just down the road. The Wildwood Shopping Center had apparently fallen on hard times in early 2000’s when Wildwood 14 was demolished.

JLMovieBuff
JLMovieBuff commented about Palace Cinema on May 14, 2021 at 11:12 pm

I visited this theater once in late November 1999. I can only hope that the current operators (Covid19 pandemic) aside, have greatly improved this old movie house. At that time, it was a second-run aka discount theater. I took my sister to see a discounted running of The Sixth Sense, shortly before its release on home video. I just remember how dilapidated, uninspiring and dirty the building was. It seems from the photos, the owners have at least tried to remedy the dated décor with a a castle themed façade. I recall only a simple ticket window leading into a cramped 1970’s era concessions lobby. Has anyone visited this theater in recent times and is a first-run theater?

JLMovieBuff
JLMovieBuff commented about AMC Bellevue 12 on Dec 8, 2020 at 1:28 pm

The Facade was probably a Carmike design that AMC had to retrofit last minute. On this date, this building still looks just like this photograph. The white colored awning gives an impression that something is missing, e.g. a scrolling LED marquis with cinema, movies, and advertisements.

JLMovieBuff
JLMovieBuff commented about AMC Classic Lorna Ridge 10 on Aug 25, 2019 at 11:46 pm

Just wondering what the current status is of this old by-gone theater? Pricing, decorum, concessions? Is it up to scratch in this cutthroat cinematic economy?

JLMovieBuff
JLMovieBuff commented about AMC Classic Madison 10 on Aug 22, 2019 at 8:07 pm

The AMC Classic Madison 10, hereafter Madison 10. remains an inexpensive first run movie going experience. The theater opened under the defunct Carmike-Wynnsong Cinemas moniker and décor. Back in the 1990’s, Wynnsong was one of Carmike’s more upscale multiplex brands, that were purpose built and prevalent in robust midsized suburban markets (typically 8-12 screens). In its Carmike hey day, the Madison 10 was built to service the then flourishing Nashville neighborhoods & suburbs of Rivergate-Madison, Goodlettsville, and Rayon City.

The Madison 10 was constructed with 10 screens, featuring many mid 90’s cinematic amenity firsts: stadium seating in some auditoria, digital sound systems, and other features that were otherwise not available in the immediate vicinity. In later years, Carmike would install newer sound systems and early versions of, though-not-quite-obsolete, digital DLP projection equipment. Later upgrades included 3D projectors.

After its acquisition into the AMC brand, AMC somewhat upgraded the theater with mostly, albeit minimalistic, cosmetic changes, newer signage and concessions. Ticket booth windows were eliminated, additional concessions options added and app-based payment systems were installed. The old Carmike marquis with titles, visible in the early 2008 photograph, was replaced with a simple backlit red AMC logo. Entry into the spacious though generic lobby of the multiplex features two sets of concessions (and tickets) stands, though only the left-hand concession stand operates fulltime. The righthand stand is largely obscured with a black curtain and upcoming advert cardboard cutouts. Self serve soda fountain machines and popcorn-butter dispensers are also positioned throughout the lobby. After passing through the lobby, the nondescript corridor that leads to the auditoriums branches left or right. Depending on which is their auditorium of consequence, moviegoers will also pass the restrooms, supply closets, an office and a small, colorfully decorated multipurpose room for events like birthday parties.

Overall, while moviegoers will not be impressed by Madison 10’s lackluster characteristics, some auditoriums still occasionally sport broken seats, exposed masonry, broken ceiling tiles, and other visible signs of age, neglect, indifference and almost nonexistent staffing, the bargain pricing compared to nearby options, plentiful parking and minimal crowds for event movies will ensure AMC continues to operate, though not necessarily update, the Madison 10 for years to come.

I only hope AMC will at least try to restore the Madison 10 with some sort of pride.

JLMovieBuff
JLMovieBuff commented about Grand 18 - Hattiesburg on Nov 21, 2017 at 11:43 am

The Grand 18! Hattiesburg’s gift to the cinema going crowd that attends the University of Southern Mississippi. I lived, studied and worked in Hattiesburg from 2007-09 and this theater had recently opened. The building itself is unimpressive from the outside. Just a box with the window-like vestibule entrance, yet very little signage otherwise, especially considering the building’s prime I-59 freeway overlook, since obscured. The building was constructed on a series of smaller lot parcels that once housed a number of smaller nondescript businesses and homes, that were paved over in favor of motels, specialty businesses and a large apartment complex catering heavily to University students. In fact there is no dedicated roadway entrance to the theater; only a series of oddly aligned local streets through neighborhoods. Someone told me, that the building was a product of Hurricane Katrina (2005) recovery funding earmarks and tax incentives. Developers then greedily, albeit hastily, constructed The Grand 18 sometime in late 2005 to early 2007. The theater itself was constructed with the then latest cinematic innovations in mind including stadium seating, and 3D digital projection, I saw films like Star Trek (2009), Avatar, Indiana Jones 4, and the 2nd, subsequently discontinued, effort in CS Lewis adaptions. By 2017, I would hope the theater’s owners have begun investitures, if only on paper, the latest cinematic fads like recliner seats, in theater food/alcoholic beverage service, and high end video and sound enhancements. Mississippi desperately needs the movie-going destination efforts that people in more affluent states take for granted.

JLMovieBuff
JLMovieBuff commented about Bama Six Cinemas on Sep 7, 2017 at 11:16 am

The Bama 6! I lived and attended college in Tuscaloosa from 1997-2003. This theater was constructed in typical fashion by long-gone Consolidated Theaters and opened in the early 1980’s. It was constructed with six screens in more or less analogous design as the Riverchase 6 (now AMC Lorna Ridge 10) in Hoover, AL. See Lorna Ridge 10 for building details. During its final decades under Carmike, the Bama 6 was coldly overlooked in favor of the Summit 16 in Birmingham. Like the Fox 12 nearby before its demise, Bama 6 operated as a first run theater. Unfortunately, Carmike only did minimal work on the Bama 6 allowing the theater to earn its rockbottom reputation. Because Carmike’s unwillingness to install upgraded amenities, many a theatergoer in Tuscaloosa point-blank refused to see movies here, instead willing to make the 60 mile plus trek to Birmingham. In the end, the Bama 6 was quietly shuttered in mid 2000’s where it sadly remains closed in its dilapidated state. I can find no reason whey the owners of the building have yet to find use for it.

JLMovieBuff
JLMovieBuff commented about Regal Fox 12 Cinemas on Sep 7, 2017 at 11:04 am

Ah the old Fox 12! Located in the mostly defunct McFarland Mall. I lived and attended college in Tuscaloosa from 1997-2003. When I should’ve been studying, or meeting new people, I pined away many an evening and many dollars seeing good and bad movies. When I first moved to Tuscaloosa, Cobb Cinemas chain ran this theater. In late 1997, the Cobb Chain was purchased and integrated into the Regal Cinemas brand and the Cobb name ceased to exist. Regal retained management of this theater up until its closure in 2004, after I had moved far away. During my time in Tuscaloosa, locals dispassionately spoke of both Fox 12 and the nearby Carmike Bama 6, due to the sparkling new Carmike (now AMC) Summit 16 way up in Birmingham that offered the then latest cinema-going amenities. During its entire lifetime, the Fox 12 never installed stadium seating or digital projection. By the time I lived in Tuscaloosa, the Fox 12 had clearly been expanded several times, having read the comments above, from a smaller venue into its final 12 screen configuration. As previously described, the theater’s management had constructed the theater’s screening rooms in hodgepodge fashion however they could fit them into the overall McFarland Mall structure space. On most occasions, Fox 12 ran the latest movies in the auditoriums (most of which had more seats) on the East side (pictured above), whilst older or less-engaging fare were relegated to the west side. The concession stand was seldom operating on the west side. The East side audiotorium featured 6 screens with varying sizes including two large capacity auditoriums (probably sat upwards of 200+) that were constructed during an earlier expansion adjacent to the main mall building. These two screens also sported DTS sound. One unique auditorium on the east side required a foot journey down a very long, descending passageway into a small screen room with high ceiling. A professor of mine anecdotally described this as “descent into hell” on a particular occasion he attended a movie. From comments above, this auditorium may have been an altered design that resulted from the expansion to 12 screens. The West side (pity no photo), meanwhile contained about 6 screens of varying size and ceiling height. The West side had is own restrooms and concession stand (seldom used). At the entrance to West Side, was a sloping ramp that led from the mall corridor to the auditoriums. None of the West side auditoriums were large, only seating about 100 people or less. In the end, the Fox 12, along with the nearby Bama 6 (which closed in the same time period) was shuttered in late 2004 when the newly reconstituted Cobb Cinemas constructed a fancy new standalone 16 screen movie theater a few miles away. From some google maps images, the Fox 12 along with much of the struggling McFarland Mall around it has been razed piecemeal, undoubtedly a relic of leisure unable to survive in modern shopping and entertainment options.

JLMovieBuff
JLMovieBuff commented about Cinemark Cantera Warrenville and XD on Aug 23, 2017 at 3:25 pm

Why did Regal downsize this theater? Did they demolish the unused auditoriums? Or are they just walled off and ignored?

JLMovieBuff
JLMovieBuff commented about Cinemark Cantera Warrenville and XD on Aug 23, 2017 at 3:24 pm

Question #1: What is going on in the right side of the photo? Question #2: Is that ugly plastic sheeting where Regal closed off part of the building? Question #3: why did Regal downsize the building? Question #4: did Regal demolish the disused screen auditoriums?

JLMovieBuff
JLMovieBuff commented about Natchez Mall 4 on Aug 23, 2017 at 2:48 pm

This theater remains Natchezians' only source of Cinematic experience. Like the mall adjacent to it, the Natchez 4 is small and out-of-date. It remains a first-run theater, with comparable pricing to its Regal Cinemas corporate siblings elsewhere in the country. 4 screens, each audiotorium features dual-column, single-aisle configuration, seating about 100 people.

I lived in Natchez from 2010-2012, and saw a handful of movies during that time, though my first true experience was in 2004, when my family, sans me, moved to Natchez. I recall seeing Miracle there 2004, and from 2010 onward to 2012: Iron Man 2, The Expendables, Harry Potter Deathly Hallows pts 1&2, The Hunger Games, and The Avengers. Given the theater’s size and design, sadly the limited availability of movie selections remains a difficulty for Natchez residents.

The building was designed to standards typical of its era, early/mid 1980’s. As of this writing, Regal operates this theater under its United Artists banner, but barely.

The theater features rudimentary concession options, (no fancy dining options), basic ADA compliant accessibility (audio, wheelchairs etc.) and the standard projection equipment systems of the day (the theater does feature 3D projection).

Anecdotally, I have heard that the only significant upgrades this theater has undergone are entirely cosmetic…occasional paintjobs, occassionally new standard seats (no stadium seating or the newer lounge-lay-back design), and a few A/V upgrades. Digital sound was only added in the late 90’s, 3D projection in early 2010’s, long after many other theaters upgraded.

Natchez, MS deserves better.

JLMovieBuff
JLMovieBuff commented about AMC Classic Lorna Ridge 10 on Aug 23, 2017 at 2:18 pm

Since its integration into AMC, does this theater remain a second run “discount” theater? If so, what is the pricing? Has AMC undertaken any major upgrades to the building and/or the movie-going experience?

JLMovieBuff
JLMovieBuff commented about AMC Classic Lorna Ridge 10 on Aug 23, 2017 at 2:16 pm

I have some fond memories of this theater. I was very young when it opened circa 1982-83. Originally opened as the Riverchase 6 operated by now defunct Consolidated Theaters circuit, later Carmike, now AMC. Carmike Cinemas assumed ownership, circa 1990, they began the expansion into its 10 screen configuration, whence it was rechristened Carmike Riverchase 10…“Carmike 10” in the vernacular. I acquiesce that I have not stepped foot inside this theater since the 1990’s.
The theater was downgraded to second run “discount” status sometime in later 1990’s to early 2000’s with bargain pricing.

In its glory day, The first features I recall was the louvered/brick façade still more or less visible today minus the red stripe (see image above). Title marquees dominated the front roof.
-At the time of its opening, this first run theater featured 6 screens. The lobby area was spacious, though minimalistic, with adjoining videogame alcoves (in truth, these alcoves were really just darkened corners) leading up to the box office window. -Behind the box office, was the U-shaped concession stand. Standard movie concession fair: popcorn, candy, sodas. The auditoriums were/are arranged in dual (symmetrical) corridors (each with their own restrooms (2 sets). The original building configuration (including its exterior louvered-concrete façade was also used on the Bama 6 theater in Tuscaloosa which opened around the same time and remained as such until its closure. -By 1990, the building had been expanded to 10 screens, though I am not certain if it required building out new structures or retrofitting some of the older/older auditoriums into additional, albeit smaller auditoriums. This 10 screen configuration remains to this day. -During this building expansion, the aforementioned spacious lobby was downsized, videogame alcoves were eliminated and the front entrance, with box office, was opened to the outside with a skylight (visible in the google photo). -Each auditorium (pre building expansion) featured gently sloping floors, burgundy red curtains, and were arranged in 3-column, two-aisle seating configurations with the center column containing double # of seats as the two outer columns. Each auditorium sat approximately 150-200 people. -The expansion auditoriums, excluding those that were not altered, featured only single column seating configurations and seat less than 100.

I recall seeing many movies here at the currently designated AMC Classic Lorna Ridge 10: eg Back to the Future, Dragnet, Snow White and 7 Dwarfs (rerelease), Star Trek IV: the Voyage Home, Santa Clause: the Movie, Benji the Hunted, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, and Mac & Me (arguably one of the corniest movies of all time). After it was expanded to 10 screens, I remember seeing The Naked Gun 2 and a half, The Fugitive, The Firm, and The Mask. Alas, I cannot recall with any certainty that last movie I saw in this theater, as I left Hoover for good in 1998. Anecdotally, I heard the general condition of this theater remained relatively unchanged from its expansion to ten screens, downgrade to discount status, and eventual integration into the AMC theater circuit.

JLMovieBuff
JLMovieBuff commented about Hoover Square 6 on Aug 23, 2017 at 1:14 pm

I was a young kid when this 6 screen multiplex opened in the 1983 opened as a first-run theater in what was then known as the Hoover Square shopping center facing US Highway 31 (Montgomery Highway). Other tenants included a hair salon, TCBY and the still-in-business TJ Maxx which expanded its own footprint in the late 80’s.
As a five-year old, I remember first seeing Return of the Jedi here. I recall seeing numerous movies such as The Last Starfighter, The Never-Ending Story, Rocky IV, and the then 35th anniversary rerelease of 101 Dalmatians.

Hoover Square 6 through its entirety, was the standard 6 screen single-hallway structure with box office & concession stand at the front entrance.

Some general features about this theater: -it displayed the typical Cobb Theaters (later Regal) decorum (carpets, wallpaper etc) for the era. -The auditoriums were all more or less the same size, seating approximately 100-150 in single or double isle configurations. -The screens were the typical size for the era.
Overall the theater was unimpressive in its design, built for function rather than aesthetics. -Circa 1988-1990, the theater was downgraded to second run status up until its shuttering with cheaper ticket prices…$1, later increased to $1.50. I distinctly recall seeing more movies here than the first run theaters elsewhere in the Hoover area, mostly because the movies were either none-to-my-liking or I wanted to see them again before the movies were released on home video: Late for Dinner (1991), Aspen Extreme, Forrest Gump, Mortal Kombat, Jurassic Park (the only time I actually paid to see it again). The last movie I recall seeing in this theater before I left Hoover for good was The Fifth Element in late 1997. Alas, in all cases, the picture/sound quality of films had degraded. -One quirky feature I remember was there was only one set of Restrooms for the theater, but the men’s room required passing through a short corridor passing a series of anonymous doors that led to the theater’s management office, supply closets, and a stairway up to the projection booths.

Originally, in an adjacent storefront (left/south side) was a separate and spacious videogame arcade attached to the theater lobby via a double glass doors directly across from the concession stand. The arcade was shuttered in the late 80’s-early 90’s and a few videogame machines were installed in the main lobby.

At the time of its closure, Regal Cinemas had assumed control over the Cobb Theaters theater circuit, and had been gradually closing older/smaller cinemaplexs, in favor of newer and larger theaters. Sadly this theater was included in those closures.