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Author Topic: AMC continues to eat up theatres Mike Spaeth Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1129 From: Marietta, GA Registered: Jul 2000 posted 12-12-2003 08:52 PM                        latest victim - Megastar Cinemas Friday, December 19, AMC assumes operations of 3 of the 5 Megastar locations (Lithonia, GA; 2 Minneapolis locations). [ 12-19-2003, 06:39 PM: Message edited by: Mike Spaeth ]  |  IP: Logged Mike Olpin Chop Chop! Posts: 1852 From: Dallas, TX Registered: Jan 2002 posted 12-13-2003 04:15 AM                     That's OK - AMC wouldn't have any good theatres if not for the ones they bought out.  |  IP: Logged Jesse Stanley Film Handler Posts: 19 From: Chillicothe, OH, USA Registered: Jul 2001 posted 12-13-2003 11:35 AM                     They only have built some of the most profitable MultiPlexes is all they have done.  |  IP: Logged Chris Hipp Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1462 From: Mesquite, Tx (east of Dallas) Registered: Jul 2003 posted 12-13-2003 12:49 PM                     Most profitable, yes I would have to agree with that, but at what cost? Being too cheap to properly train projectionist to not scratch prints, being too cheap to properly staff the booth (having one person run 30 projectors), being too concerned about legal issues to kick someone out of booth that is blind as a bat, the list goes on. AMC is improving but it has a LONG way to go in the way that the booth is percieved in the company.  |  IP: Logged Mike Olpin Chop Chop! Posts: 1852 From: Dallas, TX Registered: Jan 2002 posted 12-13-2003 01:58 PM                     It would also help them to start placing there speakers correctly, and limit their dependancy on SDDS as a primary format. They are getting better, but very slowly.  |  IP: Logged William T. Parr Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 823 From: Cedar Park, TX Registered: Nov 2000 posted 12-13-2003 03:03 PM                     Maybe now that Megastar is dissapearing J.C Cowles might come back on and be a participant. Megasucks Cinema asked him not to particiapte after they had hired him. What I do onmy own time is not my employers business.  |  IP: Logged Manuel Francisco Valencia Expert Film Handler Posts: 151 From: Oklahoma City, OK, USA Registered: Dec 2000 posted 12-13-2003 06:47 PM                     Correct me if I'm wrong fellas but didn't AMC lose their battle with the ADA just recently as well.  |  IP: Logged Mike Spaeth Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1129 From: Marietta, GA Registered: Jul 2000 posted 12-13-2003 07:22 PM                        AMC settled to avoid a judgement being rendered against them. In this settlement, they agreed to spend several million dollars updating 113 megaplex theatres.  |  IP: Logged Zach Zagar Film Handler Posts: 45 From: Jefferson City, MO Registered: Mar 2000 posted 12-14-2003 08:44 PM                        Profitable is not a busy 30 plex. Do you realize how long it'd take to pay that sucker off? The property taxes? Heck their electricity bills on a weekday aren't probably covered by their grosses that day. Busy is one thing, but too much info, that we don't have privy to, help determine the profitability of a theater. Another thought... when you open 8 prints of a movie... who gets most of that money? I don't work at a 30-plex, but I wonder if their movies that don't sell out opening weekend on all those screens have any legs, so they can get good grosses on those when the contract slides a bit.  |  IP: Logged Charles Everett Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1470 From: New Jersey Registered: May 2001 posted 12-19-2003 04:17 PM                     AMC has taken over the MegaStar Maple Grove (Twin Cities), and MegaStar Southdale Center (Twin Cities) and MegaStar Stonecrest Mall (Atlanta). This is per a press release posted today on the AMC website. Coincidentally, those three theaters are all 16-screen megaplexes.  |  IP: Logged Bill Carter Expert Film Handler Posts: 162 From: Minneapolis, Minnesota Registered: Sep 1999 posted 12-19-2003 06:16 PM                     The MegaStar Southdale is literally just a couple of blocks from the AMC (formerly GC) Centennial Lakes 8. They've fought each other hard for product since the Megastar opened, so I guess this means AMC won.  |  IP: Logged Tim Reed Better Projection Pays Posts: 5246 From: Northampton, PA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 12-20-2003 04:50 PM                       So, what are there now, 3 theatre circuits?! Where's the Justice Dept. on all this?  |  IP: Logged Nicholas Suchyta Film Handler Posts: 62 From: Washington, DC Registered: Nov 2003 posted 12-20-2003 06:02 PM                     You know how it goes Tim, the Justice Department is too busy worrying about "real" issues, like pay raises.  |  IP: Logged JC Cowles Film Handler Posts: 77 From: St. Paul, MN Registered: Jun 2001 posted 01-02-2004 02:07 AM                     Wow, William, after a long absense from Film-Tech, within the first 10 posts I read, I see my name mentioned. And what a thread to be mentioned in. I can't believe you still remember that. I have since left the theatre industry, but still love cinema. And I love it even more knowing Megastar flopped in the twin cities! I still remember their little pep talks and how they swore their ultra-luxurious 16-plex would put the ancient local 4-screen (Loews i think?) out of business in months and the (then GCC) 8 out of business within a year or so. They also had a strong desire to bring art house pictures to the area. Well, hmm, geee....The little 4-plex was purchased by those wonderful folks at Landmark--so there goes the art house--and the decades old 8-screen theatre 5 blocks down the street didn't close down either. Even after giving Megastar most of the blockbuster hits. Its kinda crazy thinking about it. I worked for General Cinema and left to see what Megastar had in store...got fired before the doors opened and returned to General Cinema, which then became AMC. Now AMC buys Megastar, so even if I stayed with Megastar, I could have ended up with AMC. I'm not a huge AMC fan, but it cracks me up to learn about this. I haven't talked to my friends who work at the Southdale, Edina location since I left the theatre industry, but some of the stories they've told me about that place makes me wonder what took them so long to fail. C'ya, but i wouldn't wanna be ya, Megastar -- Memories: FORUM: Megastar Cinemas..Any Impressions?  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 01-02-2004 03:32 AM                     Hey, there he is! Good to know you're still around and doing well JC.  |  IP: Logged

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