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Metro Cinemas
Category:
Movie Theaters
4500 9th NE
Seattle,
Washington
Really small theater
I went to Metro several times while I was living in the U district. It is really a small theater....
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I went to Metro several times while I was living in the U district. It is really a small theater. The screen is so small that I don't feel much difference than watching DVD at home. I went there several times because my friends insisted to go. Well, it was like 2 blocks from where I lived. But I wouldn't go there again once I found out there are much better cinemas out there like oak tree and AMC Pacific Place.
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Big Picture
Category:
Movie Theaters
2505 1st Avenue
Seattle,
Washington
(206) 256-0566
Grade A venue, but the staff....oh my!
This is a really cool, swanky cavernous venue located in the basement of El Gaucho in Belltown....
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This is a really cool, swanky cavernous venue located in the basement of El Gaucho in Belltown. It's awesome for a rainy winter day to escape to the jungles of animal print furniture, lush velvet drapes, and comfy movie theater seats. It is small, intimate, and non-commercialized although they have opened a second venue in Redmond and have started showing more mainstream films and less artisan films. And the discount nights make the Big Picture an affordable night out (as long as you don't order too many drinks). I love this place!! And I love to arrive early to lounge around in this sexy and sultry movie house and have a pre-movie drink. BUT, I have to say that on more occasions than not, the owners Mark and Katie, as well as other staff, have been extremely rude and air a certain level of arrogance that is appalling. Not only have I gone to many many movies here, but I have also rented the facility for private events and every time I have walked away without any warm and fuzzy feelings towards the staff. Believe me, I love this PLACE, but have vowed to never go back to support people that act like they just don't give a rip that you are handing your hard earned $$ over to them.
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To each, his/her own, I suppose
The reviews here have ranged from largely positive-->glowing/gushing. In the interests of...
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The reviews here have ranged from largely positive-->glowing/gushing. In the interests of contributing to a hopefully useful implementation of the local-review genre of websites, I'd like to respond while trying to avoid the aggressive bipolarity present on most such sites. With that in mind, please season yr. reading of this review with a few grains of salt:
a) I don't much like mainstream movies,
b) I usually arrive late to avoid prescreening ads and such,
c) I know not one whit about the original theater.
d) The MB may well hold an important position in the local business/charitable community of which I am not apprised.
First, I appreciate very much the lack of prescreening ads. Very Much.
Although I'm very much in favor of 'neighborhood' theaters, I'm not sure why one would characterize the Bay as a neighborhood theater except for the fact that it occupies space within a neighborhood. Similarly, I don't understand the MB to be local, except to the extent that it is close to my own abode. Here, I have two disclaimers. First, I understand that the theater is just now establishing itself, and has much to do to become a Ballard 'institution.' Second, as noted above, I have no sense of the institutionality of its prior incarnation. However, the best examples, to me, of neighborhood theaters, would be places like the Harvard Exit, the Guild (on 45th), or the Neptune. Each of these is entrenched within its respective community and, to an extent, has a super-theatrical meaning beyond mere historical resonance. I don't hold this against the theater, and certainly (happily) observe that it is not owned by a conglomerate. With that said, does anyone else know of another local/neighborhood theater that Elttaes has actually started?
While I usually prefer small theaters as opposed to large, and theaters with personality as opposed to those without, I question both aspects with reference to the MB. First, a small theater is the perfect place to present movies outside the mainstream/blockbuster range. Screening an independent film in such a theater makes sense because they appeal, by nature, to an audience seeking a more personalized and intimate (vis-a-vis other viewers) experience. Screening a mainstream film invites a crowd which does not generally enjoy the experience of film-as-film, but instead only of film-as-leisure or film-as-entertainment.
The size of the theater notwithstanding, even small theaters should have two aisles (another disclaimer--I've only sat in one room, and the others may actually have aisles). In itself, the design may echo the other 'retro' attributes of the earlier, or other earlier theaters. I'm not sure. But it would seem to me that one could buld a 'retro' theater while at the same time minimizing those design defects. I would expect this problem to be particular chronic, given that the theater shows mainstream movies. Thus, although one is not subject to prescreening ads, one is functionally led to going early, anyway. Interestingly, I would have expected the seating arrangments to reflect a particularly mercenary advertising mechanism. Another plus (or lack of a minus) for the MB.
The retro-design: I'll admit that the exterior is interesting, if not compelling (by which I mean only that the design is not an independent reason to see a movie there). The interior, though, seems fairly ordinary. The curtain-thing is nice, but would hardly be out of place at any (less-than) slick-stripmallish chain theater. Rather than add to the effect, I wonder why folks would consider such snug quarters as retro (space and property used to be cheap, luxury omnipresent as a fantasy-element).
The screensize and audiotech, I think, is a function of the size of the screening rooms and is, as such, just fine. But it is no more impressive, really, than someone with a $10,000 gift certificate at a big-box electronics store could pull off. Given the money oozing around Seattle, and after P. Allen's extravagance, the MB hardly seems anywhere near state-of-the-art circa '93.
This long communique/diatribe should not be read as suggesting that I in anyway hate/dissaprove of the theater. It is convenient, fine, OK, free of monopolistic taint, and etc... But to rate it as 'Great' seems to me an overstatement.
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Not really worth it
I remember the times when I used to take the bus downtown and catch a bargain matinee, but ever...
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I remember the times when I used to take the bus downtown and catch a bargain matinee, but ever since the prices were changed and taking the bus became pathetic, I would not recommend going here. Parking is very expensive, and the movie theather is nothing to be bragging about. I've been to other movie theathers that have a nicer environment, including security and cleanliness.
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Likely My Favorite Theatre in Seattle!
The Egyptian is conveniently located near a lot of restaurants and other assorted interesting...
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The Egyptian is conveniently located near a lot of restaurants and other assorted interesting things, at the intersection of Broadway and Pine on Capitol Hill. THere are many good films shown here, usually for several weeks at a time. The screen is large, the sound system is adequate. There are good prices and deals on snacks - and they even have great espresso. A particular favorite is the midnight shows of old films (Goonies, Akira) on Fridays and Saturdays. A hint: parking in the SCCC Parking garage on the north side of Harvard & Pine is only $3 for the entire evening.
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i didn't care for it
i wasn't so impressed. it was boring, like they didn't care about us as audience members. i can't...
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i wasn't so impressed. it was boring, like they didn't care about us as audience members. i can't tell if they were having fun up there, or just going through the motions. i like feeling appreciated, especially after shelling out 12 bucks.
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Admiral Theatres
Category:
Movie Theaters
2343 California Ave SW
Seattle,
Washington
(206) 938-3456
Historic theatre
this is one of the last neighborhood theatres in Seattle. I no l9onger shows first run movies . ...
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this is one of the last neighborhood theatres in Seattle. I no l9onger shows first run movies . It playws movies that are on the second run...and also frequently has a Rocky Horror night.
Lots of fun and a pretty safe neighborhood
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Oak Tree Cinemas
Category:
Movie Theaters
10006 Aurora Ave N
Seattle,
Washington
(206) 527-1748
Oak Tree--Sure, whatever
What bothers me most about the Oak Tree is that every member of the staff that you interact with...
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What bothers me most about the Oak Tree is that every member of the staff that you interact with has to mention by some employment rule that you are watching a movie owned by a company called Lowe's. "Welcome to Lowe's", "thank you for coming to Lowe's", etc. After seeing a couple of movies there, it is enough to make me gag on my popcorn (extra buttery). Other than that, the theater is totally average, with the usual over-priced junk food and movies.
You can just picture some suit "upstairs" in management saying "I know, lets make every single customer know in their mind, body and soul, that our fine company owns that theater!!!" I don't really care, and it is really annoying to hear slogans from kids when I am trying to block out reality with a movie.
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Bring Baby to the Movies at "Reel Moms"
Thinking you will never get to see a good movie again because you have a baby? Think again. ...
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Thinking you will never get to see a good movie again because you have a baby? Think again. Lowes Cineplex has come up with a great idea, Reel Moms, to help parents see the movies they want and bring baby along. This program is offered in most major cities, in downtown Seattle, it is offered at Meridian 16 Cinemas.
I have gone to Reel Mom's several times since my daughter was born. When you arrive, there is a place to park your stroller which is very helpful. The actual theater keeps the lights up a little higher than usual and the sound a little lower to be more accommodating for the babies. I have seen movies such as "Million Dollar Baby," "The Aviator," "Robots," 'Cinderella Man," and many more. You can enjoy the movie and not worry about your baby making noise because all of the babies are making noise.
Reel Mom's suggests that you bring babies under 1 years old but if your older baby/toddler can sit through those kind of movies - they can come too. And although it is called "Reel Moms," dad's and caretakers can come too.
The only drawback is that the show times are only offered on Tuesdays at 11:00am. So if you work, you can't really make the show. Some of the other major cities offer show times on Saturday mornings. I have e-mailed Meridian 16 to see if they could start offering Saturday Reel Moms, but so far, no luck.
Overall, it is great. I have gotten to see a lot of great movies that I would not have seen if it were not for Reel Moms. Hopefully, they will add a weekend time so everyone can enjoy.
You can get more information at www.enjoytheshow.com
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nice theatre (and name)
I'd probably like anywhere named after Jean Renoir's masterpiece! This is a good movie theatre...
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I'd probably like anywhere named after Jean Renoir's masterpiece! This is a good movie theatre that sometimes runs older foreign films that don't have much of a chance of running at most other theatres. It's a nice place to see movies and there's a little cafe with good food inside too, so you don't have to eat bad popcorn and overpriced candy like at the megaplex...
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