Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Anyone familiar with Muvico theatres?

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Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 03-24-2005, 04:18 AM:

Is anyone familiar with Muvico theatres?

Check the theatres on their site, especially the Egyptian, Peabody, & Parisian:
http://www.muvico.com/main/muvico_alltheaters.htm

I don't have to have retro, but I hope this means the end of the hideous Warehouse Store theatre architectural style hanging around for 2 decades that succeeded the hideous 70s cinderblock shoebox twin style. I'm tired of theatres that look like a Best Buy with two more colors of neon & a concession stand!

Posted by Mark Ogden (Member # 43) on 03-24-2005, 08:46 AM:

Muvico is a chain that began in Florida and is slowly working its way up the East Coast. They have a deal in place to develop a megaplex at the New Jersey Meadowlands Xanadu complex, if it ever gets off the ground. The theatre will include an outdoor screen on the roof of the building, for use during the warm months. What they will do about the Meadowland’s legendary mosquitoes has not been announced.

We spend a lot of time at Muvico when we are in Florida, especially their Ybor City and Baywalk houses. They certainly do things in a big way, and as you see from the website their theatres are pretty lavishly appointed (to me, though, they look like fin-de-siecle whorehouses). At some of their theatres, a few of the screens are segregated into a 21-and-over section, with full bar service. My moviegoing experience with them is that their projection and sound are very good, I’ve never been moved to complain once.

Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 03-24-2005, 09:11 AM:

My brother worked as a floor staff supervisor (they call them coordinators) at the Muvico theater in Baltimore for a couple of years. (He lurks here from time to time, but I don't think he's ever signed up.) I've been there a couple of times to see him. Once to see a movie, and it was a pretty good presentation, although it was a smaller auditorium.

We asked the managers for a booth tour, which was a treat for both of us because HE had never been up there either! It was a nice setup. CP650s with basement readers in every house, two DTSs which were broken, and I believe they were millenium projectors, but I can't remember for sure. Lots of good stuff at the concession stand including pizza, chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, chicken fingers, etc.

Posted by Aaron Mehocic (Member # 15) on 03-24-2005, 11:31 AM:

Their founder and current CEO is an Iranian immigrant, a Mr. Hashimi, I believe. He and Muvico were featured some years ago in an article in Boxoffice Magazine. What struck me most from the piece was this guy's determination to build a corporation, not just own a chain of movie theatres. That says a lot about his work ethic, but I wonder where he got his initial start-up capital?

Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 03-24-2005, 11:40 AM:

He built a smaller chain in the early 90's that he sold to Regal and started over.

Posted by Lyle Romer (Member # 1266) on 03-24-2005, 12:37 PM:

What is interesting is that at least with some of the theatres, Muvico builds them and then sells them to an investment firm with a contract to operate them.

I guess it makes some sense so that Muvico pulls their capital out of the project quickly even though they don't get all the long term profit. I'm pretty sure this was done with all the new-build South Florida Muvico's.

I give Muvico a lot of credit for their designs. It makes you feel like you are getting something for your money. Of all the Muvico's I've been to, I like the one in Boca Raton, FL the best. It is "themed" like an old time movie house. Although less "impressive" than the over the top egyptian themes and whatnot at the other theatres, I think it fits more with a night at the movies. I think the over the top themes are a little too "Disney World" but it's still a lot better than no interior design at all.

One cool thing they did was worked with Dolby to make a combined Dolby Digital/Feature Presentation trailer. It uses the Dolby "Egypt" snipe but at the end it fades to black and has the Muvico feature presentation tag but the audio from the Dolby trailer is still present. I believe that all of their screens circuit wide are Dolby Digital.

Posted by Timothy Ervin (Member # 733) on 03-24-2005, 01:44 PM:

I have heard they have some beautiful and awesome theatres. I do not know anything about thier management style or operations.

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 03-24-2005, 02:54 PM:

We where a vendor with his first chain when he was robbing Peter to pay Paul to stay afloat with the existing houses he was aquiring. His first themed sixplex with planets and stars was built in North Miami in the late 1980's and from then on everything was themed to the max. He obtained initial investments from out of USA investors based on his proven drive and tight management. His equipment is supplied by the same dealer for many years and I assume that most of his work is just for him. At least he is building movie palaces instead of dressy warehouses [Smile]

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 03-24-2005, 03:00 PM:

I installed Mega 8/70s at both the Peabody Place in Memphis and the Pointe in Orlando. Both very nice theatres. Looked like they spared no expense in building them.

Rick

Posted by Don Furr (Member # 1469) on 03-24-2005, 03:14 PM:

I lived in Ft. Lauderdale for a couple of years and frequented the Davie location (Paradise). It was always a quality show and I never had a complaint [thumbsup]

Don

Posted by Dean Kollet (Member # 1789) on 03-24-2005, 07:44 PM:

I've heard, from many people here in FL, that the reason he is spending so much on theatres is simple...it's a tax shelter. It makes sense to me, seeing as a corperation's goal is to put as much money in their pockets as possible, but I haven't really looked into it. I do know that they stole a BUNCH of AMC's managers in Florida when they built their theatres around the state.

Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 03-25-2005, 09:32 AM:

I visited the one in West Palm Beach; it was very nice. I seem to remember they have EAW surround speakers... It had a bar area, game room, and a nursery. It was located in a downtown area with resturants, shops, etc.

Posted by Joseph Pandolfi (Member # 223) on 03-31-2005, 07:47 PM:

I been to the one on I drive in Orlando. I remember getting the tickets on the floor above the street level in a seperate booth and entering the theatre on the third floor.

Posted by Aaron Mehocic (Member # 15) on 06-25-2005, 02:39 PM:

For archival purposes here is the latest newsblurb out there about Muvico from Reel Source News , Vol. XXV, Issue 25, June 19, 2005, page 3.

quote:
'MUVICO' ADDS SPECTACLE TO MOVIES IN MALLS
As mentioned in the Wall Street Journal this past week, more themed megaplexes are opening in malls around the country because of Florida-based chain Muvico Theatres Inc. Monstrous theatres like the Egyptian 24 in Hanover, MD and the Parisian 20 in West Palm Beach, FL have proven how lucrative they can be after their revenues rose from $12 million in the late 1990's to $130 million today. Founded by President Hamid Hashemi, Muvico plans to build the nation's biggest theater by seats - 6,500 on 26 screens. By enticing moviegoers with glitz, gaud, and sheer size, Muvico creates a kind of mini-Las Vegas atmosphere. The Egyptian, for example, flaunts reproduction hieroglyphs and huge statues. Hashemi explained to the Wall Street Journal, "with the shortening of the window between the DVD and the theatrical release we really have to create an event."

Whether creating "an event" in this way will revitalize a waning distribution industry is left to be seen. After the mid-1990's inundation of megaplexes, big chains like Loews, United Artists, and Regal filed for bankruptcy in the early part of this decade. As Muvico expands, with its 20+ screen theatres, not only will big chains lose a chunk of the market but many independently ran and operated neighborhood cinemas will be more and more hard pressed to draw moviegoers. No doubt theatres will need to emphasize the "experience at the movies" to keep crowds coming with home entertainment systems quickly mimicking the movie-watching experience, but whether Hashemi's belief that "bigger is better" will win out in movie marketplaves is yet to be seen. At the very least, Muvico might be the necessary incentive for smaller movie chains to create more magical experiences in more creative ways.

Clearly a mis-leading title, but I think this brings some type of clarity to Muvico's business plan - not that any of us could have already figured it out.

Posted by Franklin Armstrong (Member # 1448) on 06-25-2005, 08:44 PM:

Yeah I worked at Pointe 21 When they had Imax and had it ripped out then but in mega systems ran Beauty and the beast I have that movie replaying over and over in my mind [puke]

It was fun [sleep]

and i left since it was not working out tring to become a manager there. I still know and talk to people there. Its an ok ~~~ theater chain to work for [beer]

Posted by Dennis Benjamin (Member # 1137) on 06-25-2005, 10:20 PM:

I worked for them a total of 6 months in thier Davie location. Hamid is a typical, eccentric millionaire who started in Real Estate and transitioned into the theatre business in the late 80's. His wife Deanie (who he met at a theatre) was the original 'brains' behind the operation. Now he has a bunch of former industry professionals running the company. Including a few AMC people.

It's all big and flashy. But it had it's pitfalls and that is why I felt the urge to leave only after the 6 months I was there.

I had heard that Wayne Hyzenga (spelling?)was a 'silent partner' in Muvico for a period of time. He owned the "Dolphins" and the "Marlins" at one point. He was Miami's original 'trash collector' and now is a billionaire...

Posted by Lyle Romer (Member # 1266) on 06-26-2005, 12:25 AM:

quote: Dennis Benjamin
I had heard that Wayne Hyzenga (spelling?)was a 'silent partner' in Muvico for a period of time.

I don't know where that came from. Wayne Huizenga does not have anything to do with Muvico. There is a silent partner who pretty much made the over-the-top themed theatre concept possible but it isn't Wayne.

I would rate Muvico as better than average but they seem to put a lot more money and focus into the lobby and the hallways instead of the auditoriums. I tend to go to Muvico because it's the only non-Regal, all digital, all stadium theatre within 20 minutes of where I live and normally the prints are in focus and not scratched.

The sound systems are pretty good but a lot of the screens are kind of smallish. At the flagship paradise 24 in Davie, fl there are no auditoriums over 300 seats as far as I can tell.

Posted by Dennis Benjamin (Member # 1137) on 06-26-2005, 08:49 AM:

Wow! I am glad that was cleared up. Maybe he and Hamid are just friends (hence the reason I saw Wayne Huizenga at the Muvico corporate office before). Anyways...

That is correct that the auditoriums at the Paradise are all under 275 seats (maybe under 250?). When they built the Arundel Mills location in Baltimore - they put in larger auditoriums and consequently Arundel Mills became the highest attended theatre in the nation (it helps to have 400+ seat auditoriums). They had been talking for years about adding two 500 seat auditoriums to Davie. However, now that they have rented out all the space to new restuarants - that won't happen. The restuarants out front take up the extra parking they would have needed.

Posted by Lyle Romer (Member # 1266) on 06-26-2005, 08:13 PM:

quote: Dennis Benjamin
They had been talking for years about adding two 500 seat auditoriums to Davie. However, now that they have rented out all the space to new restuarants - that won't happen. The restuarants out front take up the extra parking they would have needed.

And with South Florida real estate prices, I guarantee you that the sale or lease of the land for the restaurants is far more profitable than two 500 seat auditoriums would have been.

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 06-27-2005, 08:45 AM:

Hamid's other investors where from the Middle East and he has approached some out of the USA cinema owners for partnerships. Wayne is also better known for Blockbuster and Auto Nation [Wink]

[ 06-27-2005, 11:24 AM: Message edited by: Richard Fowler ]

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 06-28-2005, 12:52 PM:

Muvico mentioned in this news story: Young workers want it all, now

quote:
And Muvico, a company with movie theaters in a few Southern states, gives sporting goods and music gift certificates to young staffers who go beyond minimum duties.

"If you just expect them to stand behind a register and smile, they're not going to do that unless you tell them why that's important and then recognize them for it," says John Spano, Muvico's human resources director.

Posted by John T. Hendrickson, Jr (Member # 849) on 06-29-2005, 07:36 PM:

I have heard rumblings that this behemouth is on the auction block, and that several deals for its sale were close to happening, but fell through at the last minute.

Given that they spare no expense in building huge complexes, I'm wondering if the will ever re-coup their investment?

Posted by Lyle Romer (Member # 1266) on 06-30-2005, 09:23 AM:

I wouldn't be surprised if it is on the auction block. I remember reading in Boxoffice a few years ago that at least the Pompano and Davie locations were sold to a holding company after completion. Muvico was then contracted to run them. I don't know how many others were done that way.

I think it'll probably be tough for them to recoup the investment. They spend so much more on construction than any other company. Sure they are very busy in most locations but if the formula worked of creating over the top themes for ridiculous cost I would think AMC or Regal would be building the same type of theatre. I would think that they have done an analysis and determined it's not worth the cost.

Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 06-30-2005, 05:29 PM:

I have heard rumors about them being for sale as well ... Regal rings a bell ...

Posted by Lyle Romer (Member # 1266) on 07-30-2005, 10:38 PM:

Somebody mentioned to me that there could be a deal in the works with AMC. Has anybody heard anything new about these rumors. I assume if somebody does buy Muvico, that will be the end of the muvico style themed build.

Posted by Scott D. Neff (Member # 185) on 08-04-2005, 01:21 AM:

The same way we'll never have a new Loews build ever again once AMC absorbs them.

I found it kind of interesting that Regal has continued building in the style of the major chains they've taken over, at least on the outside. Some of the Regal's in Florida are the Cobb Hollywood style, but once you step inside it's clear Cobb didn't build them. Same thing with newer plex in Alhambra, CA... an odd Edwards-Regal hybrid. Has Regal mimicked any UA builds since the takeover?

Posted by Mike Williams (Member # 1140) on 08-04-2005, 08:39 AM:

quote: Scott D. Neff
Has Regal mimicked any UA builds since the takeover?

Gallery Place in Washington, DC is a UA site built by REG.

Posted by Stephen LaPadula (Member # 3050) on 08-07-2005, 01:41 AM:

Trying not to get off topic but

Regal/Edwards mixes can be seen in the Corona 18 and the Alhambra 14 in CA.

Regal/UA mixes can be seen in Gallery Place 14 DC and Colorado Mills 16 in Co.

All 4 theatres were planned by their respective chains before the merger.

Regal has said in the past that moving forward, new theatres will be branded according to the market they are in (which brand already has a presence in the area)

In terms of hybrid builds, Regal uses bits and pieces of the chains it acquires to find the best mix. This is also true for operations, concessions ect.

Back to the topic at hand, the Pompano location impressed me. They are going for the awe and wow factor. Seems to be working as their box office is up this year!?!? [Eek!]

Posted by Heath Dutton (Member # 3265) on 08-13-2005, 03:11 PM:

I've been to two of the Muvico's in Fl, and I really enjoyed those theaters. The presentation off screen isn't nearly as important to me as on screen, but I was never dissapointed by the movie presentations at either Muvicos. They were also clean, smelled good, and weren't horribly crowded.

One thing I did notice though, is that their projectionists often did not use the attached trailer. This anoyed me most when I sent somone to a Muvico to see Star Wars Ep1 for the second time, just to see the Matrix Reloaded trailer.

Posted by Michael Coate (Member # 757) on 08-14-2005, 09:16 AM:

Not to drag this off topic...

quote: Heath Dutton
One thing I did notice though, is that their projectionists often did not use the attached trailer. This anoyed me most when I sent somone to a Muvico to see Star Wars Ep1 for the second time, just to see the Matrix Reloaded trailer.

Huh?! "The Matrix Reloaded" (1) was released four years after "Star Wars: Episode I," and (2) wouldn't have been the attached trailer anyway given it was released through a different studio. (Wasn't the attached "Episode I" trailer "Lake Placid" or that "Anna And The King"/"Titan A.E."/"Fight Club" combo?)

Perhaps you meant "Episode II," but it still wouldn't have been attached.