soundmotor
10-08-2007, 01:54 PM
My daughter wanted to take her GF's to dinner & a movie for her birthday party. A friend of my wife's suggested the above and my daughter liked the idea. The latest Harry Potter was on tap and none of us had seen it so that is what we did.
The experience -
Typical 70's strip mall theater with a lobby that could have been for a bowling alley, roller rink, etc. Clean but nothing that knocked you out or said too much about it. If it had been tatty you'd think the place was barely hanging on but it wasn't. Everything was new if not especially impactful from a design standpoint. It did not creep you out though, just bland. By the time we went into the show, there was a pretty full group of maybe 60-70 people total. I'd guess that 100 is a full house. The theater interior was spotless. New carpet, seats, tables, mint screen, & new JBL surrounds down the side. Nice lighting too. No question that the effort was put into the theater section.
The birthday deal was $12.95 a person which included pitchers of soda, popcorn, and a choice of nachos, chicken fingers, & something else that I don't recall. There was also a "full" menu w/ typical summer beach fare such as burgers, fish & chips, pizza, beer, & wine. Yep, a brew at the table for me next time! Without the birthday deal, regular admission is $5 for the movie and then whatever you order off the menu which was fairly priced. Every movie on the schedule was first run or near first run. "Eastern Promises" w/ Viggo Mortensen was on the rotation and my wife & I will likely hit it in the short term.
The waitress & other servers were great. Popcorn was immediately brought out as the movie started. Picture & sound were on par with a regular theater. Within 15 minutes the food came out. For what is was, it was excellent and plenty of it for your serving. Throughout the film yet unobtrusively, the staff made sure we had everything or took care of us if we needed more. As most were eating, there was almost no talking or distractions and the crowd was older too. My daughter's group were the only sub 15YO's present. About 15 minutes before the credits rolled the tab was dropped off & picked up at the tables, quietly and discreetly. Even though the staff did indeed move about on a pretty much constant basis, they were never a distraction at all. It was almost like watching a movie at home.
Halfway into the film my son leaned over and said, "Dad, this is great, we have to do this again." Could not have said it better or agree more. I love going to the movies and enjoy them even when the experience is anything but optimal. This however was a completely different experience. Relaxing, enjoyable, and dare I say it, adult? I had low expectations going in and left giving this one a solid A. I really cannot remember when I've enjoyed going to a film as much as this!
:thmbsp:
The experience -
Typical 70's strip mall theater with a lobby that could have been for a bowling alley, roller rink, etc. Clean but nothing that knocked you out or said too much about it. If it had been tatty you'd think the place was barely hanging on but it wasn't. Everything was new if not especially impactful from a design standpoint. It did not creep you out though, just bland. By the time we went into the show, there was a pretty full group of maybe 60-70 people total. I'd guess that 100 is a full house. The theater interior was spotless. New carpet, seats, tables, mint screen, & new JBL surrounds down the side. Nice lighting too. No question that the effort was put into the theater section.
The birthday deal was $12.95 a person which included pitchers of soda, popcorn, and a choice of nachos, chicken fingers, & something else that I don't recall. There was also a "full" menu w/ typical summer beach fare such as burgers, fish & chips, pizza, beer, & wine. Yep, a brew at the table for me next time! Without the birthday deal, regular admission is $5 for the movie and then whatever you order off the menu which was fairly priced. Every movie on the schedule was first run or near first run. "Eastern Promises" w/ Viggo Mortensen was on the rotation and my wife & I will likely hit it in the short term.
The waitress & other servers were great. Popcorn was immediately brought out as the movie started. Picture & sound were on par with a regular theater. Within 15 minutes the food came out. For what is was, it was excellent and plenty of it for your serving. Throughout the film yet unobtrusively, the staff made sure we had everything or took care of us if we needed more. As most were eating, there was almost no talking or distractions and the crowd was older too. My daughter's group were the only sub 15YO's present. About 15 minutes before the credits rolled the tab was dropped off & picked up at the tables, quietly and discreetly. Even though the staff did indeed move about on a pretty much constant basis, they were never a distraction at all. It was almost like watching a movie at home.
Halfway into the film my son leaned over and said, "Dad, this is great, we have to do this again." Could not have said it better or agree more. I love going to the movies and enjoy them even when the experience is anything but optimal. This however was a completely different experience. Relaxing, enjoyable, and dare I say it, adult? I had low expectations going in and left giving this one a solid A. I really cannot remember when I've enjoyed going to a film as much as this!
:thmbsp: