Enjoying a feature film in a movie theater has been a favorite pastime of Americans for over 100 years. From the Vitascope Hall opened in 1896 in New Orleans to the latest digital IMAX screens being installed around the country today, modern motion picture theaters provide movie-goers with an experience not available anywhere else.
But not all movie theaters are created equal. Seeing a modern film like Avatar or Sherlock Holmes or even a classic like The Sound of Music or Star Wars in a run-down, out-of-date theater with a small screen and an aging sound system can actually be a disappointment and certainly doesn’t do justice to all the efforts put into its production. While a good story is certainly the first ingredient of an enjoyable movie, a presentation with a vivid picture, allowing us to effortlessly see every detail, and with clear sound, allowing us to easily understand all dialog and experience lifelike sound effects, allows us to get the most out of that story. Being picky when it comes to choosing a movie theater can have tangible benefits to the enjoyment of the film.
But how do we separate the good from the bad? Movie theater companies like Regal, AMC or Muvico are generally more interested in selling you on the amenities of their facility than the quality of their presentation, so don’t expect much help from them. Newspaper movie listings and even most online showtime directories don’t provide sufficient information for you to be able to decide which theaters are superior. A little investigation and research on your part are in order.
Following are some generalizations to get you on the right path in selecting a quality movie theater. There are exceptions to all of these statements, however, so, ultimately, you’ll have to audition a theater (or even a specific screen within a theater) to make a final judgement.
Newer movie theaters are generally a safer bet. Opening a movie theater is an expensive venture; it would be unwise for the proprietor not to employ the latest and greatest equipment and design if the owners want a long-term return on their investment. Newer theaters boast digital sound systems, bright screens and comfortable seating. But don’t automatically rule out older movie houses; many iconic theaters frequently upgrade their facilities to keep up with modern times. My all-time favorite movie theater is Mann’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, CA, which opened in 1927. Seeing a movie there is an event; the old-time architecture in conjunction with the latest in projection and sound equipment are truly inspiring. I saw the restored version of The Exorcist at the Chinese Theater in 2000 and was, surprisingly to me, scared out of my wits, thanks, in part, to the huge screen and sound system. And across the street from the Chinese Theater is the magnificent El Capitan, the Disney-owned theater that originally opened in 1926. I saw The Haunted Mansion there in 2003; just as with all things Disney, they really know how to put on a show (check out the custom book they created for visitors of the behind-the-scenes prop and set tour).
Select cinemas with larger screens. A huge image that dominates your vision almost always creates a more engaging experience and finding a theater that features larger screens often indicates that the facility was designed to showcase blockbuster films for mass audiences. This means that they usually offer better sound and projection systems. The largest screens in a multiplex typically bring in the most money from patrons, so they normally have the higher-end systems installed. Back in 1998, I was lucky enough to be able to view a few scenes of the classic How The West Was Won on the huge Cinerama screen at the New Neon Cinema in Dayton, Ohio and, boy, was that picture and sound impressive. But some smaller screens can present well, too. In 2007 I saw The Bourne Ultimatum at the Little Theater in Bermuda (now called Specialty Cinema) which is an older, one-house theater with a very small screen and a modest sound system; I was pleasantly surprised at how well the image was projected and how well the sound system performed.
Next month, we’ll take a look at some specific Internet tools you can use to identify top-notch theaters. Until then, email us to let us know what theaters you’ve found to deliver the best show.
