| Do you get what you pay for? Movie budgets have skyrocketed and ticket prices have done the same. These days you can see almost any film, at any theatre, any time. Three theatre chains and two independent screens are all vying for your patronage, and a visit to all of them proves one thing – all movie theatres are not created equal.
Cineplex Odeon, Sunridge Spectrum
(32nd St. and Sunridge Blvd. N.E.)
Best screen, best seats and best sound (tie)
Nestled in the industrial parks of northeast Calgary, the Spectrum typifies the new wave of one-stop strip-mall entertainment culture.
Featuring 14 screens showing predominantly mainstream fare, each offers steeply raked stadium seating with ample leg room, drink holders and a perfect view of the screen. Two of its theatres boast THX sound and 440 seats apiece, but don’t be fooled. As a movie fades from the limelight, you can be sure it will be relocated to one of the smaller venues.
As for grub, you have your choice of a traditional snack bar, ice cream treats, hot dogs, pizza or a trip to the coffee bar. The popcorn may be well salted, but the extra 40 cents you have to pay for butter may leave a sour taste in your mouth. Margarine is free, but whatever topping you choose, the popcorn is a bit spongy.
Those who favour the larger drink sizes will be happy to know that the bathrooms are large, clean and close by, so you won’t have to miss much of the movie you paid $12 to see. In the hustle and bustle of a busy Saturday night, you might not notice it, but the Spectrum is equipped with a birthday room for the kids, hearing assistance for those who need it, and it's the only theatre surveyed that has changing tables in the bathrooms.
Landmark Cinemas, Globe Cinema
(617 - 8th Ave. S.W.)
The Globe Cinema proves to be the generic brand of the theatre circuit in Calgary – it looks like the real thing, but upon closer inspection it falls short. Its programming vacillates between easily recognized arthouse fare and mainstream movies, giving the impression that it doesn’t really know what it wants to be. The quiet sterile environs offer a safe haven for those looking for a cinematic adventure in the inner-city without the grit that downtown provides. The tiny screen size and low sound volume aren't suited to the tunnel-like depth of the two auditoriums. Ample leg room and drink holders are a nice touch, but the epic trek down to the basement washroom will make you think twice before grabbing that extra large soda. As far as the concession is concerned, they do have the largest "small popcorn" in the city – the bad news is that it tastes like oily packing chips.
The Plaza Theatre
(1133 Kensington Road N.W.)
A staple of the Kensington landscape, The Plaza Theatre proves to be both movie theatre and time capsule. Remaining almost unchanged for years, you can expect your viewing to be accompanied by a poorly adjusted sound system and uncomfortable seats. Leg room may be non-existent, but offering their popcorn in an actual tub as opposed to the predominantly popular bag is a plus, as is their cranberry juice. Their small lobby fills quickly, as does the moderately sized theatre, depending on the show at hand. The one renovation that has occurred is in the men’s room, which crams two urinals, a stall and a sink into a veritable broom closet. Newcomers to the theatre may find the hum of the overhead fans slightly annoying, especially in a film’s quieter moments, but the Plaza holds a great deal of nostalgia. In the end, it is the little touches that make the difference – like not having to pay extra for real butter on the popcorn.
The Uptown Screen
(612 - 8th Ave. S.W.)
Best price, best atmosphere, best service and best popcorn
In the era of strip-mall multiplexes, the Uptown Screen is a welcome treat. Featuring two large screens, an ample lobby area and a great concession, this theatre is a throwback to movie palaces of days gone by. Offering discounts on Tuesday and Wednesday for Friends of CJSW card-holders, the Uptown boasts the lowest average ticket price. Their popcorn is top notch, and while most theatres will offer you an array of toppings, the lemon pepper at the Uptown is the only one worth recommending. You might not have 14 different films to choose from, but chances are The Uptown will have something you cannot see anywhere else, making the trip downtown worth it. The sound may not pack that DTS punch, and the reel changes aren’t always flawless, but the bathrooms are close by, the staff is pleasant and knowledgeable, and The Uptown is still the only place in town that regularly offers a short before the main feature.
Famous Players, Paramount Chinook
(6455 Macleod Tr. S.W.)
Best sound (tie)
Similar in scope to the Spectrum, and showing similarly mainstream movies, the Paramount, complete with its IMAX theatre, holds the distinction of being the newest movie house in town – and also the most expensive by 50 cents.
Capitalizing on the questionable success of The Mummy Returns, the lobby is decked out with giant scarabs, sarcophagi and a sphinx head that splits open every 15 minutes for a laser light show. Not only is it loud and off-putting, it also draws attention to how long you have to stand in line at the snack bar.
If well-textured but flavourless popcorn isn’t your speed, you can choose to frequent the Burger King, Pizza Hut, Tim Hortons or Surf City concessions before you hit one of the Paramount’s 16 screens. They feature stadium seating and ample leg room, but they lack the semi-reclined comfort of the Spectrum.
If, despite the eternity you spent in line for food, you still have time before the show, you can hit the tech-town arcade or check out the party room, but you might just spend your time staring in slack-jawed amazement at how long even the simplest monetary transactions take in this hulking commercial monstrosity. Two screens with THX may hold appeal for some, but the questionable smell in the bathrooms and a lack of paper towels are definite strikes against.
SIDEBAR
Let’s make a deal
It’s tough to talk about value when movie theatre concessions are involved – just ask anyone who has purchased bottled water. To help you balance the books for a night at the movies, here is the admission and snack bar breakdown for the five theatres reviewed.
Sunridge Spectrum: Regular adult admission $12; Regular Child Admission $6; Large Popcorn $4.79; Large Pop $3.50; Licorice $1.28 per 100 g
Paramount Chinook: Regular adult admission $12.50; Regular Child Admission $6.50; Large Popcorn $5.37; Large Pop $4.02; Licorice $1.48/ 100 g
The Globe Cinema: Regular adult admission $8; Regular Child Admission $4.50; Large Popcorn $4.25; Large Pop $3.50; Licorice $1.10/ 100 g
Uptown Screen: Regular adult admission $8; Regular Child Admission $4; Large Popcorn $3.50; Large Pop $2.00; Licorice $1.66/ 100 g
Plaza Theatre: Regular adult admission $8; Regular Child Admission $4; Large Popcorn $4.00; Large Pop $3.00; Licorice $1.66/ 100 g |
