Comments from Paul Fortini

Showing 1 - 25 of 649 comments

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about State Theatre on Sep 22, 2023 at 1:14 pm

A nice evening photo https://www.flickr.com/photos/dgaken/53202641181/in/dateposted/

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about Des Plaines Theatre on Jun 4, 2023 at 1:36 pm

I re3cently went to see The Great Pretenders (a Pretenders Tribute Band) here recently and I thought, “What a great restoration!” The previous time I was in here was in 1990 to see the movie “Joe Vs the Volcano'. I remember thinking, "What a dump” back then.

As a side note, the Great Pretenders are also known as Deacon Bleus, a Steely Dan Tribute Band.

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about State Theatre on May 16, 2023 at 12:45 pm

A photo of the marquee can be found here https://www.flickr.com/photos/dgaken/52901550729/in/feed-37557200-1684203949-1-72157721670310168

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about AMC Showplace Niles 12 on Apr 30, 2023 at 2:05 pm

Per the above cmments, this theatre is still open.

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about Aztec Theatre on Mar 7, 2023 at 12:34 pm

A great photo can be found here https://www.flickr.com/photos/dgaken/52731299581/in/feed-37557200-1678165103-1-72157721660595872

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about New 400 Theaters on Mar 3, 2023 at 1:18 pm

The end of the road for the New 400 may be near. According to a CBS Channel-2 news report, dated March 2, 2023, the owner of the theater said that he plans on cllosing it in 2023. Attendance has not bownced back from the 2020 Pandemic closure. The report further stated that the theater will likely become a bar, nightclub, or restaurant.

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about Pickwick Theatre on Dec 27, 2022 at 5:00 pm

It is a shame that the Pickwick is closing. I remember coming here with my cousins (who lived within walking distance) to see kids' matinees on Saturday afternoons.

Classic Cinemas is the only possible chain I can think of to take over the theater. But they may have their hands full with the recent take over of the LaGrange.

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about LaGrange Theatre on Nov 26, 2021 at 11:33 pm

It’s been closed for quite some time because of COVID. No word on when it’s going to re-open.

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about State Theatre on Nov 26, 2021 at 11:30 pm

A recent photo can be found here https://www.flickr.com/photos/37640374@N04/51706530301/in/feed-37608235-1637952842-1-72157719988212419

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about Piper's Alley Theatre on Aug 22, 2021 at 3:32 pm

My photo was actually taken on July 17, 2021.

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about Wilmette Theatre on Jul 31, 2021 at 1:14 pm

Like all cinemas, it was closed because of Covid-19. Per its website, it is currently closed because of renovations.

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about Landmark at the Glen on Jul 29, 2021 at 6:37 pm

What a shame that this place closed. Have any plans been announced regarding its future?

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about Cinema Chatham powered by Emagine on May 4, 2021 at 1:24 am

Cinemark Fan–glad to see you’re still here and posting. I’ve slowly gotten back into this website.

This theater seems to have had more than its share of ups and downs.

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about Granada Theatre on May 4, 2021 at 12:32 am

A photo of the Granada can be seen here https://www.flickr.com/photos/elzopilote/51154336185/in/feed-7240-1619959354-3-72157719080642001

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about AMC NewCity 14 on Apr 20, 2021 at 3:38 pm

This will rank as one of Chicago’s shortest-lived cinemas. I always thought that the place was rather pricey plus you had to pay for parking.

Will this cinema ever return? I’m not so sure. The fallout from the pandemic has veered potential customers to streaming. Plus this area is over-screened. The Webster Place and the City North 14 are a stone’s throw away (and who knows if Regal plans to re-open them). Plus the Logan is fairly close too.

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about Ogden 6 Theatre on Jun 6, 2020 at 12:41 pm

“A decision was made to shutter the theatre permanently without future movie screenings and announced in June of 2020.”

I think this will be the fate of many cinemas within the next 12 months.

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about Squirrel Hill Theatre on Dec 10, 2019 at 1:56 am

Whatever happened to this place? Was it ever demolished?

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about AMC Dine-In 600 North Michigan 9 on Dec 10, 2019 at 1:45 am

It’s now a Dine-In

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about AMC Dine-In Block 37 on Nov 26, 2019 at 1:35 am

As I remember, this theater was actually built around 2005-2006 when the whole “Block 37” was built. It was supposed to have3 been operated by Muvico. but the deal fell through and in fact the cinema sat mothballed for several years. Finally AMC agreed to operate it.

I also find it interesting that the complex and the cinema were named for the derisive name for the project. The short version is that the City of Chicago demolished the black circa 1989-1990 for “urban renewal” and the block sat vacant for many years. Block 37 is the city’s official “block” # for the site.

The block was also the site of the Roosevelt and the United Artists theaters.

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about Cinema Chatham powered by Emagine on Nov 26, 2019 at 1:26 am

Interesting that of the three former ICE (Inner City Entertainment) theaters that opened in 1997, this survived whereas the other two have closed. The Lawndale sits empty and the 62nd & Western has been demolished.

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about ICE 62nd & Western on Nov 18, 2019 at 1:00 am

This theater has been demolished https://www.flickr.com/photos/25165196@N08/48571417847/in/album-72157668685405374/

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about Portage Theatre on Aug 1, 2018 at 12:34 am

Anything new happening at the theater?

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about Himalaya Palace Cinema on Aug 1, 2018 at 12:24 am

Recent photo here https://www.flickr.com/photos/93173492@N00/41948117970/in/pool-53328547@N00

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about Rivoli Theatre on Jul 27, 2018 at 12:52 pm

A recent photo of the theater can be seen here https://www.flickr.com/photos/139006479@N05/42862546474/in/pool-82838546@N00/

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini commented about Lyons, WI - Showboat movie theater shuts down on Jul 22, 2018 at 5:05 pm

Is it going to be demolished?