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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 15446
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 24, 2006 - 5:31 pm: | 
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Yes, I'm glad the Maplewood theater exists, for the reasons cited above. Yet I think they could stand to do a better job, at no extra cost to them.
We were there a couple of weeks ago. The sound was so loud it was hurting our ears. My wife went to complain, and the projectionist (or some staff member) claimed he heard her, though she knew he didn't. I guess he only heard her say the word "loud" and he took her to mean she wanted the sound to be louder. So he turned the sound up! The pain in our ears was unbearable. She knew he didn't really hear her, but he acted too closed-minded to listen to her carefully. It would cost the theater nothing to improve the staff's attitude.
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fabulouswalls
Citizen
Username: Fabulouswalls
Post Number: 226
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, August 24, 2006 - 6:53 pm: |
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I would want to know if my place had mice or was otherwise uninhabitable by customers. I think that the feedback is important and is a lifeline to any business. Unfortunately, if a customer has a bad experience they will tell at least 5 other people. |
Ceidefields
Citizen
Username: Ceidefields
Post Number: 52
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, August 24, 2006 - 8:16 pm: |
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I would bring this back to the point that no one is looking for a huge fancy movie theater in Maplewood, or expensive renovations.
It would be nice if the lense on the projector was cleaned to resolve the focus issue and that the staff addressed concerns courteously. That wouldn't cost anything. Is that so much to ask? |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 2291
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 24, 2006 - 9:32 pm: |
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Let's let AJC resolve whether that's so much to ask.
He seems to have the answer to any Maplewood business customer problem. |
sbenois
Supporter
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 15619
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 24, 2006 - 10:55 pm: |
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Actually it would cost quite a lot because there is nothing wrong with the projector's lens. All of the yelling at the staff and suggestions that they are "imbeciles" is not going to change the fact that the blurriness is caused by the the projectors being off center from the screen in three of the rooms, resulting in the beam coming at an angle that is nearly impossible to adjust. This is not a keystone problem or an greasy lens problem, it's an angle problem.
The blurriness is there all of the time but becomes more pronounced when certain scenes/films are shown. In addition the aperture plate on some of the projectors is not cut perfectly so the edges of the film are sometimes seen when they're not supposed to be.
Both fixes go well beyond taking a cloth to the bulb and cleaning it. And yes, they are expensive to fix particularly when the solution calls for moving very large, very old, and very delicate machines or reconstruction. I have had the pleasure of going up into the projection booths quite a few times and it's quite amazing to see what goes on up there.
Fixing these problems are things that S&D are more than aware of. They try SO HARD to keep things going there but they don't own the purse strings so there's not much they can do unless the owner of the theatre spends some money.
And in fairness to the owners, the economics are hard to deal with. The Theatre is virtually empty 3 nights a week because no one is going to see films on Monday, Wednesday or Thursday nights. The Tuesday night bargains barely pay the staff's salaries.
In terms of box office receipts, most of them go to the distributors. Revenue to pay the kids who have to clean up the popcorn and soda that slobs can't be bothered to pick up themselves, is derived from candy and popcorn/soda sales that are priced UNDER what every other theatre in the area charges. It is messy? Sure it is sometimes. But why do people have to trash the place during every showing?
A few nights ago someone snuck in sunflower seeds and spit them all over the floor. On another night, someone decided to eat a rib dinner there and leave the bones behind. Great. Pick up you own cups and candy boxes and thrown them out. It won't kill you and it would help the theatre personnel immensely.
And the Maplewood Theatre eats the tax on food in case any of you haven't noticed. Go to Millburn and ask for some popcorn and see if they charge you tax.
Previews? Did you notice that the previews include local advertisements that help other local businesses while generating revenue for the Theatre that otherwise might have to be raised by increasing popcorn prices. Did you know that the theatre is obligated to show most of the film trailers per distribution agreements? And I can state with some certainty that I've never seen an ad in the theatre telling people to go to the candy stand. In Millburn, yes. Essex Green? Absolutely. Maplewood? Never.
Have you ever gone to Essex Green when a major film comes out and started your stopwatch? I once timed previews there at 37 minutes. Read that again. 37 minutes.
S&D try the best they can to keep the place going and they do it in a pretty loving way. They spend untold hours trying to brighten up the place with themes that are related to films that are being shown. Did any of you notice that all of the workers were wearing Superman t-shirts when the film opened? They spent hours hand painting them. S&D do things like this all of the time, not to mention the way they get involved in many local initiatives including allowing the JAC to collect spare quarters at the candy stand or display dogs and cats that need to be adopted. As far as I know, Essex Green doesn't do anything close to acting like a member of the community. They're just a big theatre sitting in a big mall.
So from this veteran of 40+ showings a year for over 10 years, I say this, I can live with the blurriness and the scratchy sound and all of the warts because I know that when Star Wars comes out, I can go to Essex Green to get the sound and visual quality that the film demands.
But when I want to see films like Little Miss Sunshine, I'm going to see it in our theatre every single time because supporting the theatre is important to the town and therefore to me.
And like my man Jay, I love Live at Leeds with the scratches. I even love that The Who took the time to let people know about the scratches right on the record.
But the Young Vic show was better Jay.
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Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 8159
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 6:46 am: |
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If the Maplewood Theater has trouble filling the theater three nights a week using their first run feature format, is there something else they can do with this space in those three nights which would bring in more customers?
When a couple of the old movie theaters in downtown Brooklyn had this problem, they brought in DJs and live music. There are so many other things they can do: older films, documentaries, short films, big screen broadcasts of major sporting events, renting out some of the spaces for community meetings, lecture space, live entertainment. Assuming the ownership/management were amenable to some of this, and that the space is only being fully utilized about half the week, what would you go to see at the Maplewood Movie Theater on "off" nights? |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 5446
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 8:23 am: |
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"...is there something else they can do with this space in those three nights"
Thank you Joan... this is what I mean about positive input. You have several good suggestions there. I'm not sure about the DJ's and live music, but what the hell, you never know. Certainly there is an interest for older films, documentaries, short films, and big screen broadcasts of major sporting events.
I'll speak to them, and I wouldn't mind renting out some of the space myself for a community meeting to lecture on the subject of, "Getting What You Want, and Learning How To Enjoy What You've Got! 
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Ceidefields
Citizen
Username: Ceidefields
Post Number: 53
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 9:37 am: |
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Hang on a sec sbenois, I never yelled at staff at the Maplewood movie theater - I politely asked them to fix the focus. I thought maybe it was a lens cleaning issue, obviously it's not. But if someone explained what you explained in your post, I would have accepted that, but no one did.
And I always pick up my trash and make my family pick up theirs. |
Mayor McCheese
Supporter
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 2204
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 12:55 pm: |
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Perhaps the theater would not be empty three nights a week if they spent the money to fix these problems. You needed to spend money to make money.
"And the Maplewood Theatre eats the tax on food in case any of you haven't noticed."
I wouldn't say that is true. They have built tax into the prices they charge. Just because they don't charge a tax over the price that is listed per item does not mean that theater goers are not paying the taxes. Actually, often times this is a way to make more money. (I'm not saying this is the case with the Maplewood Theater.) But instead of placing the tax of .07 on the dollar for a $3 item, many places will simply charge $3.25 for the item instead. This means that they collect the tax of .21 and make an additional profit of .04. While this may not be the case in this instance, it is silly to think that the theater is eating the tax on their sales.
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 15449
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 4:59 pm: |
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sbenois, thank you for that perspective. It helps. We should all remember what you told us.
I do want this place to stay.
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KRNL
Citizen
Username: Krnl
Post Number: 127
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 6:28 pm: |
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Joan, as always, had an interesting perspective.
Some of us can remember the theater before it became a multi-plex. It used to run movies that were current, but probably not what would be called first run. Tickets were priced really low--$2 to $4, if I recall correctly--and it was a great way to see flicks that you missed when first released. In this day of DVDs, this probably wouldn't work as a way to get folks to the theater on off days, but perhaps it could show foreign films, shorts or documentaries on those days. Of course, they would need to find a niche that was not pre-empted by the SO PAC. |
maplescorp
Citizen
Username: Maplescorp
Post Number: 152
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, August 26, 2006 - 12:03 am: |
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For what it's worth. I've been to that theater maybe 3-4 times. The last time was to see THE OTHERS. And that's not the last movie I've ever seen by far. I didn't like the tiny screens; the sound was fair, but the imagery was somewhat blurry. And maybe it's me but I have a lot more confidence in not being disturbed when I go to the big (SONY?) theater on route 22, than I do going locally. It might just be the larger auditorium.
I love that we have a local theater and wish more than anything that it thrives, but like any business, it has to compete. And to compete means it can't offer substandard service, even with the best of intentions and the harshest of economic realities.
I go out of my way not to go to that theater -- I think I even have a free pass or two -- and I wish it weren't so. |
Ima Perplecks
Citizen
Username: Victor
Post Number: 77
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, August 26, 2006 - 10:17 am: |
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It's a little icky, but I love it.
And what's wrong with having a few pets
present when you're away from home. |
shestheone
Citizen
Username: Shestheone
Post Number: 313
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, August 26, 2006 - 10:55 am: |
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who owns the theater? |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 1830
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, August 26, 2006 - 11:01 am: |
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Why does AJC always write in 2-3 types of formattings? |
Scully
Citizen
Username: Scully
Post Number: 997
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, August 26, 2006 - 12:02 pm: |
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I like it and find it to be very readable.
Much better than the endless single paragraph (more likely to be found in Soapbox) that I find numbing to plow through regardless of content... |
edward father
Citizen
Username: Mreddysfather
Post Number: 10
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, August 26, 2006 - 10:46 pm: |
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I want good picture quality, good sound and a clean theatre. I don't care about popcorn, soda, or superman tshirts. The MT only has the tshirts.
Who knew that when I saw "Live and Let Die" with my parents at the HUGE Maplewood Theatre, that 30 years later I'd be living 7 blocks away. |
bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 925
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, August 27, 2006 - 12:53 am: |
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I was granted admission to see Jaws in 1975 at age 9. Those bastards! It ruined my entire summer down the shore and the theme music still really creeps me out.
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Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 4158
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, August 27, 2006 - 10:40 am: |
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Happy to oblige...
-s.
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joel dranove
Citizen
Username: Jdranove
Post Number: 955
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, August 27, 2006 - 12:26 pm: |
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Is ajc an individual named "Art?"
And, is sbenois really the WWF professional wrestler, post-retirement?
jd |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 8194
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, August 27, 2006 - 2:06 pm: |
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Yes to the first. Don't know about the second. |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 5448
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, August 27, 2006 - 7:10 pm: |
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"I don't care about popcorn, soda, or..."
Thanks for sharing Edward, however, I hope some others of you start caring, because it’s the popcorn, candy, and soda that keep the theater open and running… Please allow me to share a few words of President John F. Kennedy:
Ask not what your Movie Theater can do for you; ask what you can do for your Movie Theater...
My experience over the years has shown me that Molers are in large measure some of the most generous and kind people as any I’ve ever had the pleasure to know. Trust me when I say, we can all help make the theater experience in Maplewood better if we really try...
Actually, what would it take for us to step up like we have for so many other local businesses; ie Heart and Soul, Pen and Jen, Heavenly Scent, Manny’s, Bunny’s, HTTA, and so on?
FWIW, none of us would think of bringing our own beer or wine to a bar, or dinner or dessert to a restaurant. The same way of thinking should apply when going to the movies. The income from the concession stand is needed to keep the doors open. Don’t buy your snacks at the grocery store or sneak in food and drinks. There’s no question that the theater supports the town, so it only makes sense for the town to support the theater.
Also, we wouldn’t think of throwing our food and drinks on the floor of any other business establishment, why should anyone feel free to do it at the theater? The fact that many people throw their garbage on the floor is one of the issues this thread has had to deal with.
As Sbenois pointed out earlier, the theater and management is limited by what can be done to correct "some" of the problems, we are not!
The next time you visit the theater, give Danny and Susan a big hello and smile, purchase something at the concession stand, and take your garbage with you rather than throwing it on the floor. Thank you. Art
BTW Glock, I'm sorry I missed your going away party. So, before you leave for school, why don't you give me a call and come over some morning and I'll make you my world class pancakes, and we can talk about why I always write in 2-3 types of formattings...
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themp
Supporter
Username: Themp
Post Number: 3216
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 28, 2006 - 4:43 pm: |
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What is this, socialism?
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John Caffrey
Citizen
Username: Jerseyjack
Post Number: 558
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, August 28, 2006 - 9:06 pm: |
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Two or three dead nights? I remember when I worked at the Millburn theater as an usher - 1959-60. The manager was Harry Weiner who is probably no longer with us. Anyway, Tuesdays were down nights. What to do? Opera nights for 10 weeks.
These were followed by Shakespeare nights. I remember one stared Richard Burton.
On weekends, maybe its time to resurect kid's matinee events. I am referring to cartoons, two features -- the whole bit. Now if the idea is to get the snack bar moving, an entire afternoon at the movies will certainly pump up snack food sales. I remember Harry also gave out coupons. Kinda like pizza coupons. 10 puches and you got in free one time. Try it with one screen and see if it works.
Then, I remember spending Tuesday nights at Professor Brown's series at the New School. He built the series around themes and followed them with lectures. Sometimes there was a guest. I remember one night the schedule said we were supposed to view some film and when we got there, we were told we were going to see Johnny Guitar instead. O.K. by me since I didn't know the difference. Then at the end of the showing, we were introduced to and got to ask questions of the film's director, Nicholas Ray.
Can any MOL readers come up with film themes and titles and possible speakers to bring different perspectives to history? Art? Literature? Film? |
edward father
Citizen
Username: Mreddysfather
Post Number: 18
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 30, 2006 - 9:24 pm: |
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features shot in MPLWD/SO and/or films staring MPLWD/SO/MLB one time residents. With a little research, one could fill a day per week for a month or so. No?
AJC: I didn't say that I didn't make purchases at the concession stand. They get my $. It's just that while I'm sitting in my own private screening room, I take notice of the POOR sound and visuals. Things could be better but I still attend the theatre. |
sbenois
Supporter
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 15659
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 30, 2006 - 11:17 pm: |
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I went to the Millburn theatre last night for the 9:40 show of Trust The Man.
There were three people in the theatre. The film started at 10:12 - 32 minutes of previews including lots of commercials for Optimum online and new TV shows by Henry Rollins and someone who teaches guitar.
Popcorn, soda and candy was 12 dollars and some odd number of cents because they charge tax on top of the posted prices.
One of the commercials said that patrons should clean up their own garbage.
The popcorn was awful.
But the movie was quite enjoyable.
Glad they kept the theatre open for me despite the fact that after paying for electricity, personnel, rent, etc., they certainly lost money on the evening. |
Chasswann
Citizen
Username: Chasswann
Post Number: 1
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Friday, September 1, 2006 - 5:15 pm: |
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I love going to the Maplewood Movie Theater, I go there to see movies, have dinner at one of the restaurants within walking distance and dessert at the ice cream parlor down the street afterwards. I love that the managers know me & my family, I've gotten to know their senior citizen usher (who else would have hired this nice man?) by name, I've had 2 of my son's birthday parties there and his friends & their moms are still talking about it almost a year after the last one. I find it appalling the rude way many of the patrons speak to Sue & Dan, I've witnessed many occasions of unnecessary nastiness of theatre goers. I can't believe people who live locally & are neighbors would act out in this manner...maybe that's why Sue & Dan aren't smiling, they just dealt with the umpteenth rude customer. And parents, when you drop your kids off there, you won't believe how some of your pre-teen & teens speak, you would be mortified. Sometimes I go to Millburn & Essex Green when I can't see the movie we want in Maplewood. I'll tell you one thing, I'd never go to the Essex Green Theatre on my own at night, that parking lot just screams "Danger!" The last time I was in Essex Green, I had to repeatedly tell the people in front of us to quiet down. Dan & Sue are very community minded and go the extra distance, they've helped to raise money for various charities around town including JAC & S. Mt. Y, helping a needy child get a wheelchair that was beyond his parents means, etc. They've done special movie events they have tied into local fundraisers and have gotten local media to cover these events which help to publicize the charities. You will not see this kind of involvement in Clearview theatres or Essex Green. They understand what it takes to be part of a small town! And on the rare occassion I've had a complaint, they've always responded to the best of their ability to fix the problem as quickly as possible. In all the years I've been going to the Maplewood Movie Theater, I've never ONCE needed to have my money refunded. BTW, if you see a movie and its full of scratches, its not their movie equipments' fault, its the quality of the print the distributors gave to them, you are better off complaining to the film companies & their distributors than sounding off on MOL. The staff always cleans each theater before letting the next set of viewers in, I've never ever stuck to the floor, and after the last showing and before the next day, a professional crew of cleaners come in. Speaking of things that I find appalling are the things that audience members have left behind including dirty diapers, how can they not deposit something like that in a trash can? Going back to the things I love about the Maplewood Movie Theater, I also love that all our local celebrities also love going there, where else can you see Fried Green Worms and have James Rebhorn (the actor who played the principal) sitting a few rows from you or see The Poseidon Adventure with Andre Braugher (Captain of the ship) sitting near you with his family? I also rubbed shoulders with Tony Award winners Christine Ebersole & Leo Norbert Butts not to mention many other Broadway actors. They certainly appreciate & patronize our movie theater on a regular basis & their attendance is a hearty endorsement fot the rest of our community. |
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