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Topic: Name the 10 best multiplexes in the country

Brian Woods
Film Handler

Posts: 32
From: Memphis, TN
Registered: Dec 2005

posted 02-10-2006 04:45 PM

quote:
Mann's Chinese Theatre blows. Or, at least, it did when I visited in February 2000.--Scott Norwood

I am sure someone has been in there since 2000 to check the EQ settings. I was there recently, and everything sounded and looked good. (January 2006) Maybe it would be a good idea to actually go there and check things out before judging things from a half a decade ago? But then again, I don't just judge theater's in my neighborhood. It's kinda like telling everyone your little Timmy is the cutest kid....even with his 3rd ear on his forehead..... [scream]

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Jeremy Jorgenson
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1002
From: Chicago, IL, USA
Registered: Feb 2005

posted 02-10-2006 05:53 PM

I have pointed out before on these threads when this theatre has been bashed, that Grauman's Chinese went through a major renovation in 2001. I haven't seen a film there since June 2004, but at that point, the sound and general presentation was excellent.

However, I wouldn't consider the Chinese a multiplex. [Smile]

=====

As for the Hacienda Crossing 20 & IMAX ... I'm glad that made this list ... I subbed there for about 10 days when they were down to one IMAX projectionist.

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Brian Woods
Film Handler

Posts: 32
From: Memphis, TN
Registered: Dec 2005

posted 02-10-2006 07:42 PM

True, not a multiplex, but worth mentioning. [Wink]

There are not that many single screens left that you can say you had a great experience at. I did like the UA Cornet and UA Metro in San Francisco. I know the Cornet isn't around anymore, but will live on through the Star Wars DVD's Extra's as the premier theater. [evil]

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John McConnel
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 118
From: Okmulgee, OK USA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 02-10-2006 07:58 PM

I'd concur with Brian Woods regarding Malco's Paradiso in Memphis, TN, and put it among the top ten theatres in the country.

And also agree that the Warren in Wichita, KS, belongs in the top ten.

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Jim Ziegler
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 753
From: West Hollywood, CA
Registered: Jul 99

posted 02-10-2006 08:31 PM

There are quite a few theatres in the LA area that I like.. The National Amusments Bridge De Lux is definately one of the most intersting theatres I have been in. I was also impressed by the AMC in downtown Burbank - very well run operation there from what I have seen. Despite growing up in Kansas, I have never been - or even seen - one of Warren's complexes.

On the single screen side of things, the El Capitan on Hollywood Blvd is probably one of the most "fun" expereinces I have had in a theatre in a while. Saw Nightmare Before Christmas there in October. In addition to getting to see that movie on the big screen again, the live organ prior to the show, and the shorts that were shown both before and after the feature really made it an experience to remember.

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Brian Michael Weidemann
Expert cat molester

Posts: 944
From: Costa Mesa, CA United States
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 02-10-2006 09:52 PM

quote: Jim Ziegler
The National Amusments Bridge De Lux is definately one of the most intersting theatres I have been in

I interviewed at this theatre several years back (they've got an IMAX). Yes, it was fairly interesting. It had a different kind of look, but I wasn't particularly impressed. It's a nice complex, though. I can't remember if it was a Borders or a Barnes & Noble next door, but that was a nice bookstore. [Wink]

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Jeremy Jorgenson
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1002
From: Chicago, IL, USA
Registered: Feb 2005

posted 02-10-2006 11:55 PM

quote: Jim Ziegler
AMC in downtown Burbank

I assume you mean the 16 plex? There is also an 8 and a 6, and there used to be a 14 that got torn down for said 16. Anyway, I have the distinction of being the first customer to have his/her ticket ripped at that theatre. I rarely see matinees, let alone on Friday morning ... but I had a particularly long Thursday night and was still wide awake when I got home at 9am ... I decided to stay up a bit longer to check out that theatre (I saw HULK) it just so happened that I was the first one to walk in. [Shrug]

oh well, something to put on my résumé anyway. [Roll Eyes]

... but I agree, it is a pretty decent place to see a movie. As far as one* screeners go, American Cinematheque's renovated Egyptian puts on quite a good show. Two others that were mentioned, the Arclight and the Bridge Cinema de Luxe, I've been to too, and, although neither was bad, they weren't "special" enough to be worth the extra money spent (at the Bridge, they have a couple Director's Hall auditoria, it was also $14/ticket with assigned seating, like Arclight). ... at least on a regular basis, both are worth checking out, and I would have continued to see films there had I still lived out there, but neither became a "regular" theatre for me.

(*well, technically the Egyptian has two screens ... but I've only ever seen anything on the big/main screen)

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Eric Hooper
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 532
From: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Registered: May 2003

posted 02-11-2006 12:41 AM

I have yet to go to a 'megaplex' that I've liked or considered 'the best'. They all pretty much stink. I try to only visit theatres with (max) 5 screens or less.

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Monte L Fullmer
Film God

Posts: 8367
From: Nampa, Idaho, USA
Registered: Nov 2004

posted 02-11-2006 01:51 AM

I've heard that LHM's Mega20 down in South Jordan will outshine the Mega17 in comfort and experience and they're going out all the way with the most new that can be had.

Yet, the 17 will never be overtaken due to the "city within a building" originality - being that the "city" inside was designed from what old downtown SLC used to be with the old movie palaces of old, and been built on LHM's former high school grounds - the Jordan High School (in which I duely remember that high school on that corner of 94th S and State..)

Course, when I became employed with EDWARDS back in 1997 and was in on the booth installs and became presentation manager for this new 21 megaplex that was built in our area, that was a megaplex to be had.

Now, that was something to behold when we opened that complex up and the masses of people that would come to that place to get an experience of their life.

-Monte

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Richard Greco
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1180
From: Plant City, FL
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 02-11-2006 08:51 AM

The Muvico Centro Ybor 20 is great hands down here. Especially the Premier, 21+ section. Leather seating, full bar, NO KIDS....Absolutely worth the admission of 12.50...

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 02-11-2006 10:42 AM

Definately NONE in Utah would fit the "Best In The Counrty" catagory. All very run of the mill plex's around this area. The only difference between them is they vary in size and amount of "run of the mill".

I haeard thorugh the grape vine this week that LHM is only installing film projection equipment on half the new screens at the 20 plex, the other half will be D.C..... Weather thats true will remain to be seen....

Mark

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Bill Enos
Film God

Posts: 2081
From: Richmond, Virginia, USA
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 02-12-2006 10:01 PM

In the Richmond area I'm giving it to the Commomwealth 20 based on the look and feel of the facility. It's fairly new and the lobby is huge with a high ceiling, very spacious. The corridors are wide enough to avoid feeling close, colors are light and airy. It's a Consolidated Theatre, the lone non Regal mpx in this area

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Steve Scott
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1300
From: Minneapolis, MN
Registered: Sep 2000

posted 02-13-2006 10:53 AM

Around MN, the Willow Creek 12 is probably the only one up for consideration. Through Plitt, Cineplex Odeon, Lowes & Muller, the facility has had the same projectionist, Dave Hilgren. Dave has kept the curtain calls on cue & the trailers to a minimum. The lobby & auditoria are kept spotless, & maintainence issues get fixed when they're supposed to. Even after the stadium conversion, the existing auditoria have a great atmosphere; I do miss the Plitt lighting "coves" in the walls when I'm in the new addition. All SR when they opened in '89 & with several new CP650's, it still sounds warm & sweet. Lab splices get removed, trailers cut properly & Mobiliario seats beat out any of AMC's or Carmike's movie factories in town.

Mike Muller was lucky to have the chance to buy and upkeep such a nice site. At one point, he was considering buying the old GCC Shelard Park site in the big office building around the corner from Willow, but Shelard had little opportunity for expansion & the whole space looked really narrow on paper.

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Brad Miller
Administrator

Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99

posted 02-13-2006 04:19 PM

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen
I haeard thorugh the grape vine this week that LHM is only installing film projection equipment on half the new screens at the 20 plex, the other half will be D.C..... Weather thats true will remain to be seen....

Rave is claiming this as well. Supposedly they aren't even going to purchase any more 35mm equipment (sorry Strong!) but are going to equip half of their existing locations with DC projectors and move that equipment to their new locations. Not sure how smart this is. I would fear that theater assignments would be pure hell because not everything will be available in DC for the first few years. I wonder if they will at least be smart enough to put all of the DC projectors on one end of the building, rather than having the projectionist constantly run all over the entire building just to keep up with a handful of 35mm machines. [Wink]

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Mike Williams
Master Film Handler

Posts: 255
From: Knoxville, TN
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 02-13-2006 11:49 PM

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen
I haeard thorugh the grape vine this week that LHM is only installing film projection equipment on half the new screens at the 20 plex, the other half will be D.C..... Weather thats true will remain to be seen....

That can also be good for everyone else in the market to upgrade... When the theater tanks because of a lack of content, there will be a lot of slightly used D.C. projectors out there for cheap! [evil]

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