Comments from Chris Utley

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Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about AMC Esquire 7 on Dec 20, 2022 at 8:23 am

Made it back here for the first time in 20 years during Thanksgiving 2022. It was an immense joy to be back in the theatre that helped to spark my lifetime love for cinema.

The decreases in seating capacity actually help to enhance the film experience here. They’ve brought the box office indoors which leads to a super cramped lobby and concession area. But the presentation was excellent. And I love what they’ve done to the original auditorium. Also interspersed throughout the theater are photos commemorating its various incarnations - as original single screen house, to the old #4 addition in the mid 1970’s and beyond.

Huge photo dump added! Enjoy!

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Thunderbird Drive-In on Jan 20, 2022 at 2:23 am

12 years after that…”debate” about movie titles at the T-Bird began, the St. Louis area newspapers are now archived online. I have embarked on my own personal tracking of the old St. Louis movie theater listings from the 1970’s and the T-Bird listings under the Mid-America banner show roughly 75% Blaxploitation, 10% Kung-Fu, 10% Horror and a scant 5% mainstream titles (like westerns and such).

I suspect that the memories of those residents that were mentioned before are from the days of traveling to the Airway, St. Ann 4 Screen, Holiday & North Twin to see those big ticket titles. Because none of those played here. And we now have the receipts.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about 1951 photo courtesy of the Fiftiesville Facebook page. on Jan 20, 2022 at 2:04 am

Thanks for confirmation

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Tivoli Theatre on Dec 9, 2021 at 3:28 am

I believe the theatre was purchased by a church and they’re now running church services in the main auditorium. Not sure if they still show films.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Cinemark 14 Music City Mall XD on Dec 7, 2021 at 10:48 pm

This one has my favorite XD auditorium of them all. Where all the others I’ve seen have tall screens, this one has a bonafide super wide 2:40:1 fixed length screen, making Scope films look how they’re supposed to look. I make the drive out to this place twice a year just for that experience alone!

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Coyote Drive-In on Dec 7, 2021 at 10:41 pm

The grounds are now an industrial park. No trace of this short lived drive-in remains.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Creve Coeur Cine' on Mar 7, 2020 at 6:13 pm

Yup. That’s where I saw Star Wars & Empire Strikes Back!

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Rubidoux Drive-In on Feb 26, 2020 at 3:05 pm

Rubidoux is also the name of that particular area of Riverside.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Coyote Drive-In on Feb 26, 2020 at 8:55 am

Coyote tried expanding into Alabama and North Dallas (Lewisville) but, sadly, they did not find success with the Lewisville location now demolished after only 2 years in operation and the Alabama location sold and operated by another firm. This original Fort Worth location is the last man standing and is packing in the crowds. They have since added live music and food trucks to their repertoire. I, personally, don’t have issues with the aforementioned ambient light from surrounding areas interfering with the feature presentation (but then again I park on the 2nd/3rd row whenever I come here).

It is a tough drive coming here from Plano during Friday rush hour but it’s a drive I’ll gladly take in order to help this fabulous drive-in stay in business!

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Strike + Reel on Feb 26, 2020 at 8:37 am

If Dave & Busters and your friendly neighborhood multiplex had a baby, this would be the result! Movies/restaurant/bowling/laser tag/arcade all under one roof! I saw a film in their large XD room (Cinemark’s licensing XD to theatres they do not own) and it was pretty nice!

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Cinemark West Plano XD and Screen X on Feb 26, 2020 at 8:30 am

There is now a Virtual Reality attraction called “The Void” housed just to the right of the theatre lobby. It charges separate admission from the theatre.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Cinemark Central Plano on Feb 26, 2020 at 8:24 am

Went here once in its discount show formation and once post renovation. The renovation turned out to be pretty nice!

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about AMC Valley View 16 on Feb 25, 2020 at 7:29 pm

In the meantime, as it walks it’s slow death march into oblivion, AMC’s now charging only $5.99 a ticket all day every day for FIRST RUN flicks. Needless to say, they’re packing em in at those prices!

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Coyote Drive-In on Feb 25, 2020 at 7:11 pm

We never got the whole story from Coyote ownership. Just a repetitive spiel about how the location was “underperforming.” They surrendered their Leeds, AL location to another firm as well. All they have left is their Fort Worth location – which is packed like sardines on Spring & Summer weekend nights. It’s a pain to get to from North Dallas, though.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Studio Movie Grill The Colony on Feb 25, 2020 at 7:09 pm

This theatre is headed for a bit of friendly competition as a Galaxy Theatres location is opening about 1 mile away in the Grandscapes center around Summer 2020.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Angelika Film Center & Café-Plano on Feb 25, 2020 at 7:04 pm

Very busy arthouse venue (that will occasionally sneak in a blockbuster title). Entrance in on the 1st floor while all 7 auditoriums are on the 2nd floor. With no other arthouse options on this side of town, this theatre should be in business for a long long time to come.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Moviehouse & Eatery McKinney on Feb 25, 2020 at 6:59 pm

Decent dine-in theatre with good food…and so-so theatrical presentation. The theatre and all of its sister locations are now run by Cineopolis who bought the chain in 2019.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Las Colinas on Feb 25, 2020 at 6:52 pm

Another great Alamo venue!

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Galaxy Drive-In on Feb 25, 2020 at 6:48 pm

This is the closest drive-in to my home in Plano. Easy (but kinda long) drive as it’s a straight shot from 75 as it transitions into I-45. Love the low prices, the popcorn & it’s quite possibly the best digital projection I’ve ever seen at a drive-in! And I REALLY love the classic era pre-show and intermission reel!

The grounds could use a bit more attention in terms of upkeep but, with the traditional drive-in experience making a slow death march towards extinction it’s a necessary endurance to preserve a great spring & summer tradition!

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about AMC Village On The Parkway 9 on Feb 22, 2020 at 11:06 am

This auditorium is now a Dolby Cinema room

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Studio Movie Grill Plano on Feb 22, 2020 at 11:01 am

Someone heard my criticisms. The sound has most definitely been updated. I like coming here on Discount Tuesdays when tickets are just $5.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Alamo Drafthouse Lake Highlands on Feb 22, 2020 at 10:48 am

Great venue!

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Electric Dusk Drive-In on Feb 13, 2019 at 7:42 am

LOL @ Joe. Having attended both of those D/I’s regularly, you’re prone to see more SUV’s, Flat bed trucks and minivans with kiddos running around them than any Passion Pit behavior!

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Vermont Drive-In on Jan 10, 2019 at 5:39 pm

Yep. Whole thing’s been torn down with no remains for about 20 years now.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Northland Cinema on Jan 10, 2019 at 2:58 pm

This is a picture of the adjoining mall, not the actual movie theatre