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cookiecutter
Citizen
Username: Cookiecutter
Post Number: 7
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 9:39 am: | 
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I love the idea of a movie theater in downtown Maplewood. We've lived here for seventeen years and have enjoyed it since before the multiple screens. The little movie theaters within the larger structure are a bit bizarre, but they serve a purpose.
But... twice in the last three weeks the focus on the films we were watching could not be corrected (The Aviator). Also on Saturday night the film (Sideways)was out of focus, the film had to be stopped and the lights flicked on and off twice and crackled. You couldn't help laughing outloud, it was straight out of Frankenstein bringing the monster back to life!
The thing is that the movie price is still $8.50 for an adult seat and the that's pretty steep for an out of focus movie.
We don't go to the cinema too often but it's winter and Oscar season so it's fun. But we may be hitting the highway theaters from now on.
Has anyone else had a problem? |
Bill P
Citizen
Username: Mrincredible
Post Number: 12
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 9:52 am: |
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I am overall not thrilled with the picture quality at Maplewood theatre. It usually seems a little dark and often the edges seem a bit out of focus. It's too bad because I love to hit the movies right in town, and we're big fans of Tuesday bargain night, but I agree it can be hard to put up with the technical problems.
When a movie like "The Incredibles" or "The Aviator" comes out it's hard not to want to travel to Millburn or Union to see it with a better quality image. |
cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 657
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 9:53 am: |
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I think you have to have realistic expectations going in. Sure, teh tickets are $8.50, but that's still a buck cheaper than most everywhere else, and the popcorn/soda prices are well below average. I love the maplewood theater for its convenience, and even its quirks.
I won't see the next star wars movie there, but it was great for Sideways.
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Sgt. Pepper
Citizen
Username: Jjkatz
Post Number: 611
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 10:36 am: |
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We went there once, just after we moved to town, to see "Life is Beautiful." The image quality was so poor (including a black strip running across the screen) that after around 10 minutes we walked out and requested a refund. We haven't been back since.
I also heard stories about rats. Don't know if that's still a problem. |
Mark Fuhrman
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 1220
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 12:16 pm: |
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Cookie:
I was there for the 7:18 PM Saturday show of Sideways and the film was out of focus for the entire time--even after my friend went to the manager and asked them to refocus it. And worse, the framing was off so that you could see the edge of the filmstrip running along the right edge the entire time!
If you say anything about the focus the couple who run the theater treat you like a pariah--they learned customer service from the Attila the Hun.
I love the convenience, but I am reaching the point where I will only go to other theaters unless Maplewood is the only one carrying a picture I want to see. Clearly the people who run our cinema could give a damn about customer service. I would cut them slack if I felt they were trying or cared, but they don't. |
joeltfk
Citizen
Username: Joeltfk
Post Number: 70
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 12:37 pm: |
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I too have avoided the theater for years after a string of bad-focus, bad manager, small screen, scratchy film experiences. I have a FREE PASS after complaining about THE OTHERS but haven't used it because I really don't want to see a movie there. A dollar increase somewhere else (like that metroplex on 22) is well worth it...I'm sorry to say! |
Wendyn
Supporter
Username: Wendyn
Post Number: 1313
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 12:43 pm: |
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I've been there twice and could barely hear either movie over the loud, rattly ac unit. And the bathrooms were utterly disgusting.
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birdbrain
Citizen
Username: Birdbrain
Post Number: 62
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 12:57 pm: |
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I still go there, but got turned off of it when they wanted to check my bag one time. I had just gotten off the train, and decided to see a movie on the way home. As I entered the theater, they said I couldn't take my bag in. I'm sure they were worried that I was bringing in my own popcorn maker, _but I had just bought a soda and candy_ at the snack bar.
I was flummoxed. I've just handed you $20 bucks of my money, and you're going to treat me like a criminal?
-David "Mmm...raisenettes" Wren-Hardin
-Show Them the Door. |
Charles De Mar
Citizen
Username: Charles_demar
Post Number: 31
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 2:02 pm: |
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Seats are awful too. I avoid it at all costs. |
Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 2454
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 3:16 pm: |
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When it's finally built, SOPAC will house a miniplex of (5?) NEW, professionally-run, small movie theaters (not showing first-run blockbuster features, though), and you're all invited...
-s.
BTW: I kinda like the Maplewoood Theater. When I go there, I try to imagine that we're all living in Cicely, Alaska, and it's the only source of flix in a two-hundred mile radius. I regard the toxic couple who run the place as just two more local characters, and I pretend the rats are tiny moose.
-s. |
Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 2455
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 3:19 pm: |
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Also, belatedly: |
Taurus5208
Citizen
Username: Taurus5208
Post Number: 32
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 3:29 pm: |
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Although Maplewood Movie Theatre has the worst, most uncomfortable seats EVER for a movie theatre, it's still better than sitting on a mud pile, which is probably where you'll be for years to come until the SOPAC miniplex is finally here. |
Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 2457
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 3:33 pm: |
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I did say "finally", did I not?
You're unofficially uninvited. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 5296
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 3:34 pm: |
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You folks are funny! |
Chially
Citizen
Username: Chially
Post Number: 1
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 5:42 pm: |
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Although I have not been there in a while, I think I would choose the Maplewood Movie Theatre over any Loews Theatre where you're forced to be around obnoxious people who don't have any courtesy and management that doesn't really care to do anything about it....perhaps that's why I don't like going to the movies as much anymore |
Bobkat
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 7420
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 5:55 pm: |
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If it closes down you could have one heck of a giant nail salon there!!! Maybe even with a decent massage parlor!!!!!!
The seats are certainly uncomfortable, but having a theater is a nice amenity, especially for the middle and younger high school kids. Keeps 'em off the streets for a couple of hours. |
sarinka
Citizen
Username: Sarinka
Post Number: 26
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 6:27 pm: |
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I love the convenience and that I can walk there. I too am irritated by the sound & picture quality - although fortunately have not been in the movies where they have had to switch the lights on. Having been v. frustrated with Montclair Clearview when you cannot get a seat unless booked hours in advance, and lining up 30 mins before show - I only wish that Maplewood offered more independent films... |
ligeti
Citizen
Username: Ligeti
Post Number: 209
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 6:47 pm: |
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I continue to stick with the Maplewood Theatre, despite all its shortcomings. But the question is: why don't the owners see the need to fix these basic things? If it means raising the prices a little, I wouldn't object. But it should be a fair expectation -- even at $8.50 -- that viewers will get a a focused, bright picture. Otherwise, we must conclude the ownership doesn't give a hoot. But I really hate the dark, fuzzy picture at this place. Yet I'll keep going. Maybe that's the point. |
Lydia
Citizen
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 905
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 9:14 pm: |
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Maybe someone should (gently) show the owners these comments.
I agree the theater sometimes shows a little fraying around the edges, but it's a good community theater.
I love walking downtown and seeing a movie solo on a Saturday afternoon in the little movie room - I like to pretend it's my own screening room and I sit near the front so I feel like I'm the only one there.
I agree they need a face-lift, but I don't want the ticket prices to rise. Maybe a 50/50 raffle (I'm in for $20) and better PR.
I'd love it if they could run old movies at 11 am on Saturdays for kids - not "great" old movies, something like "Clarence the cross-eyed Lion" (maybe "Benji?) and a cartoon short for $5 and they make most of the money on popcorn.
One of my favorite memories growing up was going to 50 cent double features (eventually $1) with my friends at our local theater and it was all kids and we were talking and eating popcorn and it was wonderful. |
mickey
Citizen
Username: Mickey
Post Number: 216
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 8:28 am: |
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I was there earlier on Saturday and the projectionist was having trouble starting "Sideways." Everyone in the theater heard him yell "I'm battin' a f**** thousand here!"
Ok, I'm in an R rated movie anyway, so no biggie. But does he adjust his language when he's having trouble with Harry Potter?
I think the Maplewood Theater needs to "focus" ;) on things they CAN change, for the benefit of their customers. And we need to realize there will be some things they can't/won't change anytime soon. But just a little improvement would bring me there more often. |
Me2
Citizen
Username: Me2
Post Number: 94
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 9:00 am: |
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The theater has rats? Is that true? Yikes! |
Taurus5208
Citizen
Username: Taurus5208
Post Number: 36
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 11:07 am: |
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Soda: I also said "finally"...what's your point?
I officially do not want your invitation.
Back to the subject at hand...the movie theatre in Maplewood definately needs some improvements, but it looks like the owners unfortunately have no intention of doing anything to upgrade. This is a shame because it could probably do a lot better with minor changes. I also agree that even in the state it is in now, it is a good hang out for students and gives them something safe to do. |
Bobkat
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 7434
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 11:18 am: |
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Up until ten to fifteen years ago the theater was a one screen place with over 600 seats. I believe local business people bought it and changed it into a multi-plex over a lot of protest in town because of, politely, traffic issues.
I believe it is still independently owned, which in this day and age is very unusual for a first run theater. |
cookiecutter
Citizen
Username: Cookiecutter
Post Number: 8
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 11:43 am: |
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I agree that the Maplewood Theater is a gem in many ways. I would love this thread to be a wake-up call for both the owners and/or the local business people who own the theater.
Even the kids who hang out on a Friday night deserve a good service for their money. Currently the theater is not a positive experience for it's patrons and it's going to end up closing if they don't do something soon before the multiplex opens up.
Remember the Lost Picture Show, how great was that place before it went away! |
Chris Prenovost
Citizen
Username: Chris_prenovost
Post Number: 309
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 11:49 am: |
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They're mice, not rats. I know this firsthand.
Several years ago, I was watching a movie at the Maplewood theater when I saw some small rodents scurry across the floor. A little sick to my stomach, I went and complained to the manager. I told him: "you have rats in the theater". He said "the're mice, not rats".
How comforting.
I still go to the maplewood theater because it's convenient. But I always bring my warfarin. |
extuscan
Citizen
Username: Extuscan
Post Number: 420
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 9:38 pm: |
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600 seats? try 1600! I posted a full review of the Maplewood Theater, circa 1920's, in the Maplewood History section of this forum under the thread "12,000 Leaves of Gold" (being the amount of gilding used in its construction)
John |
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