| Author | Message | ||
     slipknot (slippy) Citizen Username: Zotts Post Number: 286 Registered: 7-2004  |
Well tonight was the last straw. The seats are pointed the wront way, the screens are small and dirty, the projectors are manned by imbeciles. Tonight my so and I went to Little Miss Sunshine, and before the movie starts you can see that the left side of the screens is out of focuse, well it actually looked like there was grease or some oil on the lens. I complained, half the theater got up to complain. When I told the ticket guy he said he knew about it. We waited at least five minutes into the film and someone fiddled with the lens, but id dind't clear anything up since there was something on the lens. Well that was it, they tried. I went out after the movie and told the woman at the counter. She denied there was a problem, said only one person complained and shrugged it off. I hate the place, I shall never go back there. They suck | ||
| combustion Citizen Username: Spontaneous Post Number: 446 Registered: 4-2006  |
I've only been there two, maybe three times since they changed the theater from a single screen. I usually go to Mountainside or East Hanover. Yeah, it's a drive, but I don't like sitting in what looks like a private screening booth. I go to the theater to see movies on the "big screen." | ||
| Jersey_Boy Citizen Username: Jersey_boy Post Number: 1693 Registered: 1-2006  |
SOPAC: Coming soon! | ||
| sbenois Supporter Username: Sbenois Post Number: 15615 Registered: 10-2001  |
I know. I just rented the top three floors. That's where I'm going to set up headquarters for the Sbenois Official Political Action Committee. Gotta use that building for something. It's perfect. The acronym letters will already be in place. | ||
| Glock 17 Citizen Username: Glock17 Post Number: 1794 Registered: 7-2005  |
Essex green, the best in the area. | ||
| Bajou Citizen Username: Bajou Post Number: 1619 Registered: 2-2006  |
Agree with Glock.. Holly crap can you believe I just posted that!! Just kidding Glockster....  | ||
| Mayor McCheese Supporter Username: Mayor_mccheese  Post Number: 2169 Registered: 7-2004  |
I don't like essex green that much. People are always either yelling at the movie or answering their cell phones. I much prefer Mountainside. Although to be honest, I rarely see movies in the theater anymore. Something about paying $9 for the person behind you to annoy you for 2 hours doesn't sound so good anymore. I usually wait for DVD. | ||
| combustion Citizen Username: Spontaneous Post Number: 449 Registered: 4-2006 |
I agree with Mayor on Essex Green. I stopped going there years ago. In fact, I think it's probably been close to a decade since I've seen a movie there. Maplewood is small and low quality, but I've never had problems with people disrupting the movie. | ||
| Buttercup Citizen Username: Buttercup Post Number: 109 Registered: 12-2005  |
Must have: stadium seating, massive screen, large cup holders, head rests and plenty of leg room. Anything else is uncivilized. | ||
| Monster© Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 4589 Registered: 7-2002  |
I went to the Maplewood theater once, six years ago, and I haven't been back since, never will. I like the Mountainside theater, and the Essex Green theater is okay, I very rarely have a problem with the riffraff since I usually go to see a movie after the first two or three weeks, and then it's usually a matinee. | ||
| Chris Prenovost Citizen Username: Chris_prenovost Post Number: 1043 Registered: 7-2003 |
I was at the Maplewood theater a while back, and saw rats scurrying across the floor during the movie. I complained to the owner. He said "those are not rats, the're mice!" | ||
| jet Citizen Username: Jet Post Number: 1194 Registered: 7-2001 |
I'm glad we have the theater ,cause if ain't there or Millburn I'll be seeing it on DVD. | ||
| SO Ref Citizen Username: So_refugee Post Number: 2124 Registered: 2-2005  |
It's a little drive, but Jersey Gardens has a ton of screens, stadium seating, and some movies are available digital. Do I suggest going on a Friday night? No. Middle of the week or Sunday? Most definitely. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5434 Registered: 9-2001  |
...FWIW, nobody is perfect, trust me, I know!!! The Maplewood Theater has served us long and well. Danny and Susan have always been friendly, helpful, and very community minded. Their support of the JAC and other local organizations over the years has been always been greatly appreciated. I know this is the Soapbox folks, but there's really no need to deliberately try to hurt someone’s business just because you had a bad experience. Believe it or not, the rest of our town depends on people coming to eat and shop here. The theater as far back as I can remember has always played a very important role in this regard. If we were to be successful in closing down our community theater the rest of the merchants would lose thousands of customers every month who may then do their shopping and dinning elsewhere. So, let’s try not to cut off our nose to spite our face. If anyone has an unpleasant experience with a business in town, why not speak to the owners and try to fix the problem rather than publicly trying to chase others away and killing their business altogether.... | ||
| eab Citizen Username: Eab Post Number: 129 Registered: 10-2001 |
Um, it sounds like they DID speak to the staff. If you know the owners, have them look at this thread quick, quick. What distinguishes our downtown is its commitment to service. It sounds like the teenagers there that night didn't understand that in a big way. | ||
| growler Citizen Username: Growler Post Number: 1004 Registered: 11-2001  |
I've been twice. That was one two too many. It's truly only a theater for the kids as they really don't care about the quality. Can't wait for SOPAC! | ||
| Soda Supporter Username: Soda Post Number: 4136 Registered: 5-2001  |
We went last night (Cheapo $6 admission) to see "Little Miss Sunshine" also, and encountered the same lousy focus problem noted by zotts, but when the film ended our theater still looked pretty full, so if there was a mass exodus of outraged patrons, I missed it. On the other hand, I didn't think much of the movie. On the one hand, the Maplewood Cinema's cramped and dingy and hardly state-of-the-art. On the other hand, it's got character, and plays the latest films, and it's local. And Roman Gourmet is right next door. And The Gate and the MapleLeaf are just down the block. And parking's no problem. On the other hand, Danny and Susan need to smile more. On the other hand, they're probably just scraping by, and have been for years, and most likely wish they could make the theater somebody else's problem by retiring and moving to South Padre Island. On the other hand , if they had done that years ago, where would Zack Braff have premiered "Garden State"? -s. | ||
| papayagirl Citizen Username: Papayagirl Post Number: 649 Registered: 6-2002  |
When are the cheap admission times? My husband and I saw a movie there a week or two ago on a thursday night, and i'm pretty sure we didn't pay $6 each. And venting about constant disappointment after speaking up and being ignored hardly qualifies as deliberately trying to hurt someone's business. Yes, we're fortunate to have a kid-friendly small theater in town, and it's reasonable to downgrade our expectations a bit... but that doesn't mean we should just settle for mediocrity and be thrilled about it. | ||
| SoOrLady Citizen Username: Soorlady Post Number: 3493 Registered: 9-2003 |
Art - MOL is a valuable tool for business owners who care about their business. Those who address the concerns of this board, either by posting themselves or by making changes, find loyal customers who write favorable posts. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 9095 Registered: 5-2001  |
We try to go in town (when we do spend $$$ on movies), but it does get disheartening. We went to Brokeback and there was a loud screech in the soundtraack that was so bad that the movie was restarted 3 times. We finally asked for our money back and went to see it at the Lowes. I love that the place is there; I want it to stay. But at a minimum, they need to keep the equipment working properly. And if they can't afford to update the interior, then they can at least keep it squeaky clean. Paint. Shampoo the carpets. Replace torn seats. Mop the floor. Get rid of the piles of junk lining the halls in the lobby. The Millburn theater isn't fancy, but it is clean and comfortable. I really do try to patronize local places. But the business owners have to try to do their best to make it a place I want to spend my money. | ||
| Joel Janney Citizen Username: Joel_janney Post Number: 79 Registered: 6-2004 |
Sorry Art, the problems with the movie theater aren't so much about anecdotal bad experiences as they are to do with core functionality that isn't fixable without a substantial investment. Let's admit the theater would do a LOT more business if it was merely 'okay' rather than in its current state. I love going to movies despite the cellphones and love the idea of being able to walk to the theater. I'm willing to accept a bit less in quality for this convenience. Unfortunately the Maplewood theater is a severe dropoff from the other options mentioned. You seem to forget that if the theater went under, something else or somethings else would replace it. They might not be as high volume as the theater, but what do you think the long term prospects are if an investment isn't made in that business anyway? More and more of the people who value the convenience so much over quality will drift away as conditions worsen. | ||
| SOSully Citizen Username: Sullymw Post Number: 1334 Registered: 5-2001  |
Art: business owners should also continue to invest in their businesses and make them viable in the market. Maplewood theater isn't quaint any longer. It is dingy and old and uncomfortable and in need of a major overhaul. No one is trying to hurt their business, but it looks to many of us as if they are doing that themselves. I don't doubt that they are nice people, but if their business suffers then it won't be because of a few comments here. I very often hear people saying they went to Mountainside or Essex Green because they want to be comfortable and see movies with the latest A/V technology. It's not cheap to go to the movies with a family any longer. We want to get good value for our $$. Don't blindly stand behind a business and chastise people who are correct. We all love the idea of having a movie theater in town and would love to patronize it for all the reasons you cite, but they need to provide a good product too. | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 12474 Registered: 5-2001 |
The theater is a wonderful amenity and great for kids. I think both our children had their first "dates" by going to the movies there. I think the owners are in a little bit of a quandry, between the proverbial rock and a hard place. The Clearfield multi-plex that will be opening in SO fairly soon will take business away from them, while not investing to fix up the theater will lose them business as well. Maplewood is one of the few first run movie houses around that isn't owned/managed by one of the chains, btw. | ||
| papayagirl Citizen Username: Papayagirl Post Number: 650 Registered: 6-2002 |
Have they ever looked into doing something like the "Reel Moms" movies offered by Loews? When i had an infant, i drove 25 mins each way to East Hanover every week just for a chance to get out, see a movie, and meet other moms. Or how about "dinner and a movie" deals with some of the restaurants in the village? I know nothing about how economically feasible these things are, but if they really are stuck between a rock and a hard place, and their non-chain status affords them some flexibility with things like this, why not try some creative solutions to appeal to a known population of nannies, new moms, kids, and local regulars? | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5435 Registered: 9-2001 |
"Those who address the concerns of this board, either by posting themselves or by making changes, find loyal customers who write favorable posts." I have no problem with that SOL, my problem is with the means to reach that end. Some posters can see a fly on someone else, and not see an elephant on themselves! It's really not necessary to be mean spirited, overly graphic, say you're never going back, condescending, or been there once to often to make a very public point. I've never been very impressed by posters trying to trying to look good, smart, or like they are very experienced and world renowned critics... ie: Slippy's closing statement, "I hate the place, I shall never go back there... they suck!" BTW SOL, this FREE VALUABLE MOL TOOL FOR BUSINESS OWNERS WHO CARE ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS, that you speak of can be enough to make some business owners want to pick up and move the hell out of town... I've said this before Dave, as one businessman to another, allowing this mean-spirited level of critical comment is no way to make friends and influence people. IMHO, the MOL rules for personal attack should extend to all LOCAL businesses as well! Posters don't have to be nasty to make their point about bad service in the Soapbox. POSTING POLICIES: Updated March 12, 2005 Use of this private message board is a privilege, not a right. Please be responsible and follow a few simple rules of use, which are: + No personal attacks + No shock jocks + No obscenities + No solicitors + No solicitations + No commercial offers other than in "Work" and "Classifieds" + No not reading these rules + No disclosing another poster's identity unless that poster has personally approved it + No hate speech (Slippy) In other words, respond to others how you'd like to be spoken to. As for Danny and Susan needing to smile a little more, I'm surprised they can manage a smile at all having to interact with the likes of some of the folks who have expressed such distain for their business. Finally, I suggest that anyone who looks Danny in the eye, and puts a big smile on their face, will not only get the smile back ten fold, they would also get extra butter on their popcorn...  | ||
| Jay Citizen Username: Jaymon Post Number: 1259 Registered: 10-2004  |
I'm gonna stick my two cents in here, because I CAN. Yah, the Maplewood theatre has it's faults, but as several people have stated - it's a double edged sword. If you want a true picture of the value of this theatre as it stands, just go into town on any Friday night. This is a local theatre in a local community. When you want the multiplex experience, that's where you go. Anecdote time: In the 'old days' of records, I preffered my scratched copy of The Who's Live at Leads to anything clean and crisp you could get. There was something about 'Magic Bus' with all the pops and hisses that made me all warm and fuzzy inside. Look for that same charm in the theatre, folks. You want DOLBY and cushy seats, go to any number of multiplex theatres in the area. Rant over, thankyouverymuch...... | ||
| ken (the other one) Citizen Username: Ken Post Number: 439 Registered: 5-2001  |
Complaining on MOL is not going to hurt their business, the rats and lousy projectors will. Ken | ||
| Joel Janney Citizen Username: Joel_janney Post Number: 80 Registered: 6-2004 |
I want the screen to be relatively in focus, meaning I have to try to see the imperfection. I don't want to see mice. I want sound at the level where I wouldn't change the station on my car radio if that's what I was hearing. I don't need squeaky clean, but I do need not filthy. Those are not high standards Jay. This is not about differentiating multiplex and local charm. Would you buy a new cd of a new band with all the pops and hisses? I doubt that cd would give you the warm and fuzzies. Neither does seeing the latest flick at our charming but in need of investment to bring it up to par movie theater (at least, for me and many others). But they're in a spectacular location and many folks put an extremely high value on convenience, so they're apparently covering their costs. | ||
| mem Citizen Username: Mem Post Number: 6616 Registered: 5-2001  |
I will never go to Essex Green again, ever, after trying a few times. It's overcrowded, noisy, people keep getting up in the middle of movies to check out the other movies playing, they shout throughout the film, and the restrooms are filthy. Last time I went there was a fight in the ladies room and then another fight later on on the parking lot. No thanks. | ||
| Mayor McCheese Supporter Username: Mayor_mccheese Post Number: 2171 Registered: 7-2004 |
I haven't been to the Maplewood Theater in years. The last movie two movies I saw there were "Bullworth" and "Mercury Rising." Mercury Rising was not a good movie, but it was made worse by a very loud hissing noise that accompanied most of the film. Everyone in the theater got their money back. I can't tell you about Bullworth because I never got to see it. After about one minute of the movie the projector stopped working, and everyone got their money back. These movies were out years ago, and I cannot speak to the current quality of the theater, but these are two reasons why I stopped going there. | ||
| melicious Citizen Username: Melicious Post Number: 735 Registered: 6-2002  |
Me? I like a good fight in the ladies room. I really tried Maplewood theater, I really did. I truly believe in the local business, but it was really dirty. The floor was so gross that my shoes made that sticking sound with every step. Here's a suggestion: Why don't they have a fundraiser to clean it up? Other locally owned theaters have done that. My mom helps at the Tampa Theater doing just that. They will clean up for an event and have a party and charge people for it at a rate that will generate some extra $$$. I'm not saying this should be a constant, but if they need a leg up, this could help. I, for one, would be there to support their efforts. | ||
| Jay Citizen Username: Jaymon Post Number: 1262 Registered: 10-2004 |
Are you getting into drunken fights at the movies again, Mem? Things that make ya' go 'Hmmmm'...... | ||
| LilLB Citizen Username: Lillb Post Number: 2298 Registered: 10-2002  |
This thread reminds me why I very rarely go to the movies.... Movies go to DVD soon enough and in my home it's in focus, no fights break out, and it's (relatively) clean there.  | ||
| Innisowen Citizen Username: Innisowen Post Number: 2276 Registered: 3-2004 |
AJC can rant all he wants, and he does rant (and I respect his right to do so). At bottom, it seems to me that those who are complaining are not receiving value for dollar spent. The least one can expect from a movie theater (local or cineplex) is sharp focus, clean screens and lenses, good sound, and relatively clean surroundings. My wife and I go to the Maplewood theatre a lot when we're in town, but we experience the same issues. We have complained on the spot, but the next time we go back we encounter a version of the same problem. That's not good enough. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 8148 Registered: 5-2001 |
Art: It seems to me that the posters to this thread are posting valuable feedback that the owners of the movie theater should take to heart. Their business will do a lot better if they take a few steps to try and improve it. Investing in a new sound system may be beyond their budget at this time based on what others to this thread have written but eliminating the rodent problem really isn't that expensive, neither is using a mop on occassion. There is criticism being expressed on this thread but it is constructive rather than mean spirited. If you know the owners of the movie theater well and really want to help them, you should print out a copy fo this thread and use your business experience to help them make a plan for phasing in the improvements they need to make if they don't want SOPAC or some other local enterprise to put them out of business. | ||
| mjh Supporter Username: Mjh Post Number: 757 Registered: 5-2001 |
Well said Joan. I'd hate to lose our movie theater, but I also think the criticism is well-deserved. We usually choose to go elsewhere for movies at this point, although we truly try to support businesses in our town. | ||
| Monster© Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 4594 Registered: 7-2002 |
Maybe they should try selling it. | ||
| Glock 17 Citizen Username: Glock17 Post Number: 1796 Registered: 7-2005 |
I remember seeing The Last Samurai there. Sound kept cutting in and out on the left side of the theather. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5436 Registered: 9-2001 |
"...the rats and lousy projectors will." Ken, this is what I'm talking about... Chris Prenovost said he saw rats, the owner said mice, and now you chime in like you where there and saw the rats too. Have you ever even been there? What's your recent first hand experience, or are you just adding more fuel to the fire? Joel, I don't know if your standards are any higher or lower than Jays, all I do know is all of these opinions are highly subjective. Meanwhile, many of us who have lived IN MAPLEWOOD the better part of our lives, or have been here long enough to lose our "New York State of Mind", this IS about differentiating between multiplex and local charm. Our town, our life style, our historic theater is ALL ABOUT OUR LOCAL CHARM... And, as for anyone who hasn't been to the theater in a while, it reminds me of the story about the guy who complains about his wife wanting to know if he still loves her after 15 years of marriage. As he angrily replies, “I told you when I married you I love you! What don't you understand about what I said?” Things change, people change, and so do movie theaters... BTW Joan, I don't care what anyone says, but some of what has been posted on this thread is mean-spirited and unnecessary. This is especially so regarding any alleged rodent problem. Being next to a restaurant and super market will always bring rodents to a neighborhood, not the least to mention the theater patrons who almost always throw their popcorn and other food on the floor as we all know they do. I know in the last few years they completed changing all the seats, painted, put in new carpets, and with personally going there a few times a month, I've never not seen them clean up immediately after the movie ends for the next show. I don’t know who the owners are but I will make sure they become aware of this thread... | ||
| algebra2 Supporter Username: Algebra2 Post Number: 4213 Registered: 5-2001  |
The owners and workers at the theater are good people who do a pretty nice service to our town. I am not a movie fan (too fidgety) but I did take my son to a movie not too long ago. He is fidgety like me and couldn't sit through the movie - kept getting up and going to the bathroom, concession stand -- driving his mom nutty. The owner was so kind she put him in another movie and when that one ended put him in yet another -- we both got to watch our movies. I;m glad we have a theater in town, it's a huge asset to our charming downtown. With regard to rats ... from my discussions with Mr. Buckingham and Mr. Roe -- Maplewood has rats -- certainly the dumpsters behind the theater can't help the situation. |
