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Topic: "Cinema de lux"

Charles Everett
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1470
From: New Jersey
Registered: May 2001

posted 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.

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Martin Brooks
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 900
From: Forest Hills, NY, USA
Registered: May 2002

posted 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?

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Scott Norwood
Film God

Posts: 8146
From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99

posted 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.

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Michael Schaffer
"Where is the
Boardwalk Hotel?"

Posts: 4143
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Apr 2002

posted 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

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Martin Brooks
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 900
From: Forest Hills, NY, USA
Registered: May 2002

posted 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.

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Charles Everett
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1470
From: New Jersey
Registered: May 2001

posted 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.

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Paul Linfesty
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1383
From: Bakersfield, CA, USA
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 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."

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Michael Schaffer
"Where is the
Boardwalk Hotel?"

Posts: 4143
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Apr 2002

posted 10-18-2002 07:16 PM

What is Sbarro?

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Ian Price
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1714
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 99

posted 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.

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David Favel
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 764
From: Ashburton, New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 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.

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Aldo Baez
Master Film Handler

Posts: 266
From: USA
Registered: Mar 2001

posted 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.

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Charles Everett
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1470
From: New Jersey
Registered: May 2001

posted 11-05-2002 06:09 PM

The Bridge: cinema de lux opens Friday in Philadelphia. Details here

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Charles Everett
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1470
From: New Jersey
Registered: May 2001

posted 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.

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