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jayjay
Citizen
Username: Jayjayp
Post Number: 457
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 8:12 am: | 
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Clearview Cinema,which has been named the operator of the SOPAC movie theater, according to their website, operates 54 movie theaters in the metropolitan area. It is a division of Cablevision. Interestingly, they list only four theaters in NJ which are their "art theater" locations: Montclair, Aberdeen, Red Bank and Washington Township. The question I pose is whether South Orange is to be added to their list of "art theaters", which was how I remember SOPAC being sold to residents by Calabrese et al. Would Clearview have another "art theater" with Montclair relatively close by? Can someone from SOPAC weigh in on this question?
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12871
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 8:20 am: |
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I don't know, but it doesn't seem like much of an encroachment or overlap to me. Even though Montclair is very close, it's surprisingly time consuming to get there. I would probably see more "art" films if I could see them in South Orange, and that's probably true for many people.
What a stupid term, using the word "art" as if the other movies are not art! Oh well. We're stuck with it.
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composerjohn
Citizen
Username: Composerjohn
Post Number: 751
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 8:23 am: |
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Here's the press release (note the bold print):
South Orange Performing Arts Center Selects Clearview Cinemas
to Operate 5-Screen Cineplex
South Orange, NJ, August 9, 2005- The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) has selected Clearview Cinemas to operate the movie theatre portion of the SOPAC complex in the Village. The facility, now under construction in downtown South Orange, is adjacent to South Orange Avenue and Sloan Street, behind the NJ Transit station. The 5-screen Cineplex is expected to open in August 2006.
"We are thrilled to welcome such a well-respected partner to our facility," said Jessica Finkelberg, Executive Director of SOPAC. "Clearview's reputation in the industry and commitment to family and independent films complements SOPAC's mission to be the preferred destination for innovative, artistic and cultural experiences. Our intimate size will further enhance our patron’s experience, whether they are seeing a film or attending a concert. This is a great match.”
“Our partnership with SOPAC expands Clearview Cinemas’ presence in New Jersey and, specifically, in Essex County. We think the community of South Orange deserves a state-of-the-art facility and we look forward to bringing quality movies to the neighborhood for many years to come,” said Morten Gotterup, senior vice president and general manager for Clearview Cinemas.
The 14,000 square foot Cineplex will be a modern, upscale movie destination with 5 screens and 600 seats total, located on two levels. Each cinema will be equipped with the latest digital sound technologies, high-quality projection, automated ticketing machines, and a full service concession stand. Free parking will be available on evenings and weekends in the adjacent NJT 265-car parking lot. Clearview will use the destination to showcase the best in commercial, art and independent films.
In addition to housing the Cineplex, the 34,000 square-foot Arts Center will feature a 415-seat live performance space that will showcase a wide variety of programming, along with a community space available for multiple uses, including meetings and private events. The performance space is scheduled to open in Fall 2006.
SOPAC is an independent non-profit corporation managed by a 20-person Board of Governors. More information about SOPAC is available at www.sopacnow.org.
A subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation since 1998, Clearview Cinemas was formed in 1994 and currently operates 53 movie theatres with 265 screens in the New York Metropolitan area, including the famous Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City. New Jersey locations include theaters in Millburn and Montclair. Clearview also operates theatres in Westchester, Rockland County, Long Island and Pennsylvania. More information on Clearview can be found at www.clearviewcinemas.com. |
Kibbegirl
Citizen
Username: Kibbegirl
Post Number: 413
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 8:26 am: |
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I would deem an "art" film to that of the likes of "Crash", or "TransAmerica". Something that the tweens and teens probably wouldn't rush to check out as quickly as "The Hills Have Eyes", because they're looking for quick action and gore. I think "art" is a great term and I hope that SOPAC shows a mixture of gore and art -- I like 'em both! |
jayjay
Citizen
Username: Jayjayp
Post Number: 458
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 9:37 am: |
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I don't know much about the movie business, but I would think that there are agreements between the outlets and the movie distributors, and that there may be geographic exclusive distribution areas. If this is so, I was wondering if South Orange Clearview could show some of the same shows as they show in their Montclair "art" cinema, or would they be precluded from doing so? If CLearview's website specifically designates 4 of its NJ theaters as "art" theaters, will South Orange join the list or not? I don't think the press release answers that, and I wonder if it was even part of the agreement with SOPAC. |
SO Ref
Citizen
Username: So_refugee
Post Number: 1561
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 2:36 pm: |
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I can't wait until the theater releases their schedule each week so that we can witness the debate surrounding each film's "art" worthiness. I agree with Kib that there should be a mixture of commercially successful films and "art" films so that SOPAC can showcase works we might not normally have access to "on the big screen" and, also, make money. There's no better barometer of a has-been town than a boarded up theater. |
Peter J. Watts
Citizen
Username: Peter_watts
Post Number: 3
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 4:46 pm: |
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I can't imagine that any theater interested in staying open would show just "art" films. From what I remember of most Montclair theaters, they show a mix of commercial and art releases. Despite what people claim, I'm not sure that many want to go watch tedious sub-titled foreign movies. Remember the Lost Picture Show near the Home Depot? They followed the "arthouse" approach and it didn't end too well for them. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10914
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 6:15 pm: |
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The FivePlex should be a good source of revenue for SOPAC and I really doubt that they are leasing out a state of the art facility with five screens as an art house.
However, I agree with SO Ref that reading all the posts about the films being shown should be a lot of fun.  |
jayjay
Citizen
Username: Jayjayp
Post Number: 461
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 6:30 pm: |
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Aren't movie houses open 7 days a week? How then will they be able to book live venues or how will they be able to rent out the rooms if there are movies being run at the same time? I hope they have adequate sound insulation. And of course, trying to find parking could be a big problem especially for early bird shows. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10915
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 6:34 pm: |
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Most theaters make their money in the evening after seven or eight and weekends during the afternoon. The huge NJ Transit lot would be, I think, a big attraction since it should be pretty much cleared out by seven or so. |
jayjay
Citizen
Username: Jayjayp
Post Number: 463
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 6:45 pm: |
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Just to pick up on the type of films to be shown, here's what the SOPAC site says:
"5-screen Cineplex featuring art, family-friendly and independent films"
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Peter J. Watts
Citizen
Username: Peter_watts
Post Number: 4
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 7:01 pm: |
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I think the bottom line is we have no idea what the theater is going to show, and I bet the town has just as much idea. It could be "Brokeback Mountain" or it could be "The Shaggy Dog." |
Ace789nj
Citizen
Username: Ace789nj
Post Number: 306
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 2:06 am: |
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I wonder how long will "art, family-friendly and independent films" be able to keep the place afloat. IMO, eventually they'll have to start showing regular movies to bring in the $$. |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 1068
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 7:46 am: |
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Even regular movies don't bring in that much money anymore....truth is it is the concession stand etc. that keeps these places afloat. |
Josh Holtz
Citizen
Username: Jholtz
Post Number: 324
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 11:39 am: |
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The Claridge Theater in Montclair (the Clearview art theater) is completely different than what SOPAC will be. The theater only shows art and independent films in a bunch of outdated, small venues each the size of my living room or smaller. It has also has had problems staying afloat in the past.
SOPAC should have at two first run type movies, a family movie and two art/independent movies at all times. It should not be solely one type of distribution IMO.
Oh, and I can't wait until the Beifus site has an upscale Chinese restaurant I can eat in before my movie. |
extuscan
Citizen
Username: Extuscan
Post Number: 624
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 12:38 pm: |
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The Wellmont, the Claridge, and the Lost Picture show were all run by one eccentric who died in 2003. The current management style of the remaining theaters takes into account that people who are seeking these films are more willing to put up with less-than-modern cinematics (mono sound!). I would be more worried for the Claridge and the Wellmont that I would be for SOPAC once SOPAC opens and overruns them.
-John |
Pizzaz
Supporter
Username: Pizzaz
Post Number: 3307
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 12:50 pm: |
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I agree, but where will they park? |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 1410
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 1:05 pm: |
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Same place your customers do. (I'm expecting to combine pizza and a movie more than once!) |
Josh Holtz
Citizen
Username: Jholtz
Post Number: 326
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 1:09 pm: |
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In the 40 spaces dedicated to the Beifus site for retail. Won't that be a tremendous help? |
jayjay
Citizen
Username: Jayjayp
Post Number: 464
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 2:16 pm: |
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I don't think that Beifus is dedicating 40 spaces to retail. I think its 20 for retail and 20 for visitors to the residents, but I have no idea how they will police usage. |
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