This is topic "Cinema de lux" in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 10-17-2002, 08:28 AM:
That's the tagline for the luxury theaters run by National Amusements.The first is The Bridge in Los Angeles, which opened earlier this year. The second is the Island 16 on Long Island, which opens tomorrow.
To make this debut even more impressive, the Island 16 opens its doors with Punch-Drunk Love and Bowling for Columbine -- only one week after they open in Manhattan.
Posted by Martin Brooks (Member # 1269) on 10-17-2002, 08:01 PM:
The only info on the web site about the theatre is this:
quote:
Director's Halls:Our most premium seating halls known as "Director's Halls" feature extra-wide Ultra Leather seats and assigned seating. The Director's Halls are equipped with state-of-the-art wall-to-wall screens, Dolby EX Surround Sound and stadium seating. By purchasing a Director's Hall ticket, you are automatically reserving a specific seat in the theater allowing for more convenience and more time to experience everything else Island 16 has to offer. No more waiting in line or sending your companions into the hall to find "good seats" while you purchase concessions. Enjoy the music, take in the atmosphere, and an usher will show you to your personal seats when you are ready.
So are only some of the screens in each complex "Director's Halls"? Do they charge more for these screens? What else is special about the place?
Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 10-18-2002, 12:56 AM:
Sounds like the same concept as GCC's "Premium Cinema." At least in the Framingham location, the idea is that you pay a marked-up price (about $15, I think) for the privilege of sitting in a small THX-certified house with leather chairs and free popcorn and are given the opportunity to spend more money on food and alcoholic beverages. Films are typical mainstream fare. Customers must be 21+. The "Premium Cinema" has its own entrance and lobby area separate from the main theatre and reservations are recommended (required?). They show screen ads before the show using an LCD data projector, but premium cinema customers are spared any film ads.I never thought that this concept would take off, but apparently it has been at least somewhat successful.
Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 10-18-2002, 02:04 AM:
A friend of mine works for Kinoton and he was sent to Moscow to support the opening of a new theater there. They also had one "hall" which was furnished with huge leather sofas. It was, of course, the "luxury lounge". I do not know if they serve vodka and caviar with the movie, but it seems likely.
Michael
Posted by Martin Brooks (Member # 1269) on 10-18-2002, 10:33 AM:
They have an ad in the NY Times today. Four of the 16 theatres are "Director's Halls." They have leather seating and "concierge-style premium service," which I guess means they have minimum-wage kids running out to get your popcorn for you.They also have a full service bar and restaurant "plus an assortment of great foods and treats including Sbarro, Nathan's and Ben & Jerry's." Doesn't sound very upscale to me.
If it's THX, they're not promoting the fact and from the sound of the ads, all screens have Dolby Digital EX. I guess they haven't installed either DTS or SDDS.
Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 10-18-2002, 05:19 PM:
Based on its first-week bookings the Island 16 should be a mix of mainstream and upmarket/arthouse product.The Island 16 has a Suffolk County (central/eastern Long Island) exclusive on Bowling for Columbine this week. The UA East Hampton is tied up with a film festival through Sunday. The Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington is a 3-screen arthouse and can't afford to show all the titles it wants.
Martin B: National Amusements is 100 percent Dolby Digital in all its new builds.
Posted by Paul Linfesty (Member # 214) on 10-18-2002, 07:12 PM:
For several months now, the Bridge complex in West L.A. has advertised "Free Upgrade this week" for ONE of their two "Director's Halls."
Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 10-18-2002, 07:16 PM:
What is Sbarro?
Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 10-18-2002, 07:46 PM:
Sbarro is an Italian pasta and pizza eatery that is most malls and many airports around the world. "B"-grade at best.
Posted by David Favel (Member # 1125) on 10-18-2002, 08:40 PM:
The cool thing about luxury seating/free popcorn is that most people who buy these seats don't eat popcorn.
Posted by Aldo Baez (Member # 790) on 10-19-2002, 01:01 AM:
Very nice theatre the bridge is, but very expensive, I think student is 9.00? They have a bar and stuff and some gourmet concession items and some funky furniture for the lobby but the theatres are just regular old stadium ones never been in a directors hall yet.
Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 11-05-2002, 06:09 PM:
The Bridge: cinema de lux opens Friday in Philadelphia. Details here
Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 12-09-2003, 06:26 PM:
Two more "Cinemas de lux" open Friday: the City Center 15 in White Plains NY (Westchester County) and the Fairfax Corner 14 in Fairfax VA (Washington DC metro).
The National Amusements website has details -- just click on the logos on the home page.