I live right on the other side of the river in MN so I figured I’d check this one out. Been curious about it over the years cause you can see it from the freeway if you’re driving through WI on your way to somewhere else.
Wasn’t every busy for a summer weekday. Very comfy. Leather rocking seats, stadium seating, all that jazz. They give you the cups and you fill your own cup around the corner. Kind of weird. There are signs that say ‘Only large get free refills’ but I don’t think they can enforce that well. It’s a little out of the way down a frontage road but 2-3 minutes from major shopping and a highway so I’m sure it does well. I’d go back.
A pretty good theater, now run by Marcus Cinema. Went there about 6 months ago with a friend on her birthday. These kids disturbed our showing, so management gave us free passes. Those were even good at the Century across town. Since they are both Marcus theaters, sometimes on theater plays a film the other doesn’t.
A decent theater. Been there a couple of times. Good for the college crowd. I like it because while a multiplex, it’s still kind of small and intimate, and a reminder of what more theaters were like in the 90’s.
Pretty decent theater. Nice decor, a great brand new bar, and an ultra screen with a 21+ section featuring leather seats where the waiter runs by and asks if you want more drinks. The bar is my favorite though. I just wish they’d find a way to bring more people in.
Decent theater. Brand new chairs that are comfortable and easily the best concessions prices around. Example: a combo of 2 large refillable drinks and 1 large refillable popcorn will only set you back ten bucks! Also prices only range from 4-6 dollars. That’s because of the downside. First of all, no stadium seating and the screens aren’t as big as other more modern theaters. Second, they don’t support 3D at all. I don’t need it for every film, but when Avatar or something like that opens I’m going to go elsewhere. Overall however, a decent theater. I go here from time to time. I prefer going to AMC Rosedale, but if my friends insist on seeing a movie on the weekend, I’d rather pay lower prices here
The theater tends to do ok, despite its conditions. A lot of families go there on the weekends. That’s its best business. Iron Man and Dark Knight had sell out showings, I know that much. Sometimes they only had a few movies playing at a time. Right now there are like 6. Also kids movies sometimes last months. ‘UP’ I think was there for like 4 months, even after it was on DVD. I live in the area so I go there occasionally. You know look its an old theater so I guess some of the cosmetic stuff listed above isn’t a huge issue. Its just the service has been lacking lately. That’s kind of turned me off to going there.
In the winter time they don’t open their doors Monday-Thursday until the 4 pm-ish block of films. I guess it keeps cost down. A movie there on a weeknight is generally not too crowded. Sometimes its equal to a first run depending on whats playing, sometimes you might be one of a handful of people. I was alone for a couple movies one time. But the prices for family is the real draw. Popcorn, drinks, and snacks are practically half price of a major chain and tickets are never more than 2 bucks a person. So they do all right for themselves I would think. They’re still around.
If its a warm night, and you have a decent radio or stereo system, not a bad way to go. 7.75 buys access to all 3 movies in a night if you choose (although you can’t leave the property and come back). They tune the sounds via a dead FM frequency hence the need to use your car radio or some other radio. I wouldn’t make this place a habit because you have to get comfy, run up your battery, you miss details like what the text message the person in the movie got said because you are clear across the other end of the lot, but is cool to do once and say you did it.
A superb theater and a true ‘Cinema Treasure’. They frequently hold special screenings of old classic films. In October of 2009 every Thursday was Paul Newman night. They showed ‘The Hustler, 'Cool Hand Luke’, etc… Every December they devote a Sunday to showing the entire ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, often including the extended editions, which are rarely seen on movie screens. Every June they host a screening of ‘Serenity’ to help benefit “Equality Now”, an organization whose stated purpose is to protect the human rights of women around the world. The Riverview uses the screen for presidential and vice presidential debates during election season. These air in High Definition widescreen and admission is free. They also show the presidential inauguration for free admission.
The main business is in showing ‘Second Run’ films (which should be added to the description of this theater’s function), but the true worth is in the older movies. Patrons can also get a hot cup of coffee or a hot cocoa to watch their movie with and it is stadium seating.
Ed Asner visited the Riverview Theater on September 29th, 2009 and gave a talk about his ‘UP’ character Carl Frederickson, and the lessons we can learn about aging and intergenerational relationships. The discussion was followed by a screening of the film.
I hope this theater stays around for a very long time and doesn’t change a thing.
One small note, they don’t take credit or debit cards. Not a big deal, as it adds to the atmosphere. There is an ATM on site.
A superb theater to see the latest Hollywood movie in! Some movies will be presented in letterbox to the the ratio of the movie to the size of the screen, like ‘Star Trek’ for example, but it is still much larger than any other theater. Its a treat to see any film at this IMAX theater.
The one drawback is their concessions. The popcorn is horrible and they show no signs of changing it. Plus even their drink prices are steep.
So overall, worth the extra money if a big action film is opening up, especially something in 3D like ‘Avatar’. Just don’t plop down extra money for snacks.
This is a good theater as I commented on above but the IMAX is FAKE. It is merely IMAX technology, not a true IMAX screen. In truth, the screen is SMALLER than the Ultrascreen their competitor Marcus has in Oakdale. Go to the Great Clips IMAX Theater for real IMAX.
What. A. Dump. Ok look I give props to the owner for trying to keep a discount theater open. But the bathroom stalls are going to come down one day. They hang on with a screw. The chairs in the auditoriums are VERY low and you feel like you have gone crashing into the floor to sit down. If you are unlucky enough, you sit in one of the broken chairs they refuse to rope off. The staff is perpetually lazy and even the manager girl can be seen sitting doing nothing when there is a long line. I complained to her and she said it was none of my concern. I only missed ten minutes of the movie because she wouldn’t help the other young girl shoveling popcorn. Also in the winter it is freezing and they won’t turn up the heat. In the summer, it is stifling and they won’t turn up the air. Skip it. Go to the Maple Grove 10 or Riverview
This theater used to sit on the corner of Beam Avenue and Southlawn Drive in Maplewood MN. As it says above it was a 6 screen United Artists Theater and the signs prominently billed it as UA. The theater was tucked into the intersection corner. You had to drive in to the Maplewood Mall parking lot to enter as that was its neighbor. The original UA theater was on the other side of the mall on almost the opposite corner. When this theater was demolished a ‘Park & Ride ’ for the Metro Transit bus was established.
I enjoy seeing movies here now. They have a special 5 dollar price Mondays-Thursdays and weekends before 4 PM. That’s not so bad. Plus their large popcorn comes in a bag so its easy to sneak a bag back in a couple times.
I live right on the other side of the river in MN so I figured I’d check this one out. Been curious about it over the years cause you can see it from the freeway if you’re driving through WI on your way to somewhere else.
Wasn’t every busy for a summer weekday. Very comfy. Leather rocking seats, stadium seating, all that jazz. They give you the cups and you fill your own cup around the corner. Kind of weird. There are signs that say ‘Only large get free refills’ but I don’t think they can enforce that well. It’s a little out of the way down a frontage road but 2-3 minutes from major shopping and a highway so I’m sure it does well. I’d go back.
A pretty good theater, now run by Marcus Cinema. Went there about 6 months ago with a friend on her birthday. These kids disturbed our showing, so management gave us free passes. Those were even good at the Century across town. Since they are both Marcus theaters, sometimes on theater plays a film the other doesn’t.
A decent theater. Been there a couple of times. Good for the college crowd. I like it because while a multiplex, it’s still kind of small and intimate, and a reminder of what more theaters were like in the 90’s.
Closed in Summer 2012.
Pretty decent theater. Nice decor, a great brand new bar, and an ultra screen with a 21+ section featuring leather seats where the waiter runs by and asks if you want more drinks. The bar is my favorite though. I just wish they’d find a way to bring more people in.
It’s called the Carmike Cinemas 3 now
An update to my comment from 2.5 years ago. Their popcorn is now decent. I’ve had better, but it is edible.
Decent theater. Brand new chairs that are comfortable and easily the best concessions prices around. Example: a combo of 2 large refillable drinks and 1 large refillable popcorn will only set you back ten bucks! Also prices only range from 4-6 dollars. That’s because of the downside. First of all, no stadium seating and the screens aren’t as big as other more modern theaters. Second, they don’t support 3D at all. I don’t need it for every film, but when Avatar or something like that opens I’m going to go elsewhere. Overall however, a decent theater. I go here from time to time. I prefer going to AMC Rosedale, but if my friends insist on seeing a movie on the weekend, I’d rather pay lower prices here
The theater tends to do ok, despite its conditions. A lot of families go there on the weekends. That’s its best business. Iron Man and Dark Knight had sell out showings, I know that much. Sometimes they only had a few movies playing at a time. Right now there are like 6. Also kids movies sometimes last months. ‘UP’ I think was there for like 4 months, even after it was on DVD. I live in the area so I go there occasionally. You know look its an old theater so I guess some of the cosmetic stuff listed above isn’t a huge issue. Its just the service has been lacking lately. That’s kind of turned me off to going there.
In the winter time they don’t open their doors Monday-Thursday until the 4 pm-ish block of films. I guess it keeps cost down. A movie there on a weeknight is generally not too crowded. Sometimes its equal to a first run depending on whats playing, sometimes you might be one of a handful of people. I was alone for a couple movies one time. But the prices for family is the real draw. Popcorn, drinks, and snacks are practically half price of a major chain and tickets are never more than 2 bucks a person. So they do all right for themselves I would think. They’re still around.
If its a warm night, and you have a decent radio or stereo system, not a bad way to go. 7.75 buys access to all 3 movies in a night if you choose (although you can’t leave the property and come back). They tune the sounds via a dead FM frequency hence the need to use your car radio or some other radio. I wouldn’t make this place a habit because you have to get comfy, run up your battery, you miss details like what the text message the person in the movie got said because you are clear across the other end of the lot, but is cool to do once and say you did it.
Oh forgot to make a comment. Chuck1231 above is wrong. the theater only has TWO screens
A superb theater and a true ‘Cinema Treasure’. They frequently hold special screenings of old classic films. In October of 2009 every Thursday was Paul Newman night. They showed ‘The Hustler, 'Cool Hand Luke’, etc… Every December they devote a Sunday to showing the entire ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, often including the extended editions, which are rarely seen on movie screens. Every June they host a screening of ‘Serenity’ to help benefit “Equality Now”, an organization whose stated purpose is to protect the human rights of women around the world. The Riverview uses the screen for presidential and vice presidential debates during election season. These air in High Definition widescreen and admission is free. They also show the presidential inauguration for free admission.
The main business is in showing ‘Second Run’ films (which should be added to the description of this theater’s function), but the true worth is in the older movies. Patrons can also get a hot cup of coffee or a hot cocoa to watch their movie with and it is stadium seating.
Ed Asner visited the Riverview Theater on September 29th, 2009 and gave a talk about his ‘UP’ character Carl Frederickson, and the lessons we can learn about aging and intergenerational relationships. The discussion was followed by a screening of the film.
I hope this theater stays around for a very long time and doesn’t change a thing.
One small note, they don’t take credit or debit cards. Not a big deal, as it adds to the atmosphere. There is an ATM on site.
A superb theater to see the latest Hollywood movie in! Some movies will be presented in letterbox to the the ratio of the movie to the size of the screen, like ‘Star Trek’ for example, but it is still much larger than any other theater. Its a treat to see any film at this IMAX theater.
The one drawback is their concessions. The popcorn is horrible and they show no signs of changing it. Plus even their drink prices are steep.
So overall, worth the extra money if a big action film is opening up, especially something in 3D like ‘Avatar’. Just don’t plop down extra money for snacks.
This is a good theater as I commented on above but the IMAX is FAKE. It is merely IMAX technology, not a true IMAX screen. In truth, the screen is SMALLER than the Ultrascreen their competitor Marcus has in Oakdale. Go to the Great Clips IMAX Theater for real IMAX.
What. A. Dump. Ok look I give props to the owner for trying to keep a discount theater open. But the bathroom stalls are going to come down one day. They hang on with a screw. The chairs in the auditoriums are VERY low and you feel like you have gone crashing into the floor to sit down. If you are unlucky enough, you sit in one of the broken chairs they refuse to rope off. The staff is perpetually lazy and even the manager girl can be seen sitting doing nothing when there is a long line. I complained to her and she said it was none of my concern. I only missed ten minutes of the movie because she wouldn’t help the other young girl shoveling popcorn. Also in the winter it is freezing and they won’t turn up the heat. In the summer, it is stifling and they won’t turn up the air. Skip it. Go to the Maple Grove 10 or Riverview
This theater used to sit on the corner of Beam Avenue and Southlawn Drive in Maplewood MN. As it says above it was a 6 screen United Artists Theater and the signs prominently billed it as UA. The theater was tucked into the intersection corner. You had to drive in to the Maplewood Mall parking lot to enter as that was its neighbor. The original UA theater was on the other side of the mall on almost the opposite corner. When this theater was demolished a ‘Park & Ride ’ for the Metro Transit bus was established.
I enjoy seeing movies here now. They have a special 5 dollar price Mondays-Thursdays and weekends before 4 PM. That’s not so bad. Plus their large popcorn comes in a bag so its easy to sneak a bag back in a couple times.