amc theatres Tagged Articles at Cinematical

Or did it? It seems it depends on who you ask. The Hollywood Reporter has a long story recounting the Fanboys supporters' attempt to picket Superhero Movie. The protest actually grabbed a few headlines, which would suggest there were numerous stormtroopers out there sticking it to the man -- claims denied by AMC theatre reps and by the Weinstein Co.

The 501st (who are now denying any official stance or organized protest) says that at least 14 members showed up at a New York AMC, but when confronted by security guards, chose to buy a ticket to see 21 instead. They also claim that 20 stormtroopers showed up at Century City, but were asked to leave the mall by security guards. AMC denies both incidents occurred, and that the only protester in Century City was a lone Darth Vader.

A source close to the film says that it was eight protesters in Century City, and that they were taken out for pizza by a producer. That's certainly confirmed by a quote from producer Matthew Perniciaro: "We've been working on this movie for many years, and if someone is going to take time out of their personal life and support our film, whatever that support might be, at the very least what we can do is say thank you and buy them a couple of slices of pizza for caring abut this project as much as we do."

Every year as we approach the Academy Awards, there are always people who complain about the best picture nominees; how the films are too obscure and that no one actually watched them. With the exception of Juno (the obvious crowd favorite), that may once again be the case this year. While films like There Will be Blood, No Country for Old Men, Michael Clayton and Atonement are talked about in great length amongst critics and the like, none of these films made a ton of money at the box office. So, you may know the names, but you might not have seen the films. Well, if that happens to be the case, AMC has got you covered.

That's right, for one day and one day only, AMC Theatres will screen all five best picture nominees for those who want to head into the Oscars with an all-knowing state of mind. The screenings will take place on February 23, the day before the Oscar ceremony, and all you have to do is cough up $30 and find an AMC Theatre near you that's participating in this special event. In case you're wondering what that thirty bucks gets you, be aware that, aside from admission to all five films, you also get a free large popcorn (estimated at $1,375) and free refills all day long. Did you hear that people -- free friggin' refills! The day shall begin at 11am with a screening of Michael Clayton and conclude at 9pm with No Country for Old Men.

For all the details (including which theatres are participating), head on over to AMC's official site.

Here's some great news for all those who felt left out of the Beowulf IMAX 3D experience: 100 new IMAX screens will be installed in cinemas throughout the U.S. over the next three years. According to the Hollywood Reporter, IMAX made a deal with AMC Entertainment to put its digital projection systems in 33 of the theater chain's locations. The first 50 will begin installation next July, with 25 more installed in 2009 and a final 25 installed in 2010. Apparently this will double the amount of IMAX 3D screens in the country. Had this happened prior to the release of Beowulf, the movie could have been twice as popular -- and twice as big a hit (currently it is just barely a success).

This is a big deal, considering I always just imagined IMAX screens were a luxury. Now more people will be able to see the IMAX 3D versions of Monsters vs.Aliens and Avatar if they are available in the format (I don't see why they wouldn't be). I didn't even really like my recent experience with IMAX 3D, yet I did promise to give it another shot. Unfortunately, it seems IMAX is more interested in broadening its reach rather than concentrating on my own satisfaction. Yeah, I'd be pretty stupid if I thought they'd spend money on fixing the problems I alone have with the format, but I will optimistically imagine the company will at least try to make the new locations as close to perfect as possible. Since AMC will be in charge of reconstructing its existing auditoriums, I hope that they fix the usual seating arrangement so all viewers have the same optimal experience.

AMC has been one of the cinema industry's leaders this year in terms of actually knowing what will attract moviegoers. They've offered super-discounted matinee shows and even free movies for kids. But theatres can't make money if they go easy on the admission price and patrons pass up the concessions -- plus, freeloaders and cheapskates are probably the most likely to sneak in their own goodies. What movie fans need to understand, though, is that if they don't buy popcorn or candy, their favorite theater might go out of business, or have to make budget cuts in other areas -- like proper staffing -- which leads to problems with cleanliness, long lines and projection errors. Still, who wants to pay $6 for a bag of stale corn? I know how you feel.

Although AMC doesn't have the best popcorn in the world -- actually it's pretty bad at their NYC locations -- they have come up with a fair compromise deal for concession customers at their theaters. They aren't lowering prices, but they are offering a different kind of combo: Called Clip's Picks, the combos let you choose any 3 items from a select group for a price of either $7.00 or $7.50 (apart they are $2.75 and $3.00). The items include drinks (soda and water), popcorn and a number of candies (of course, they appear to be the ones fewer people buy, like Milk Duds and Whoppers). Ok, so it isn't the best thing in the world, but when it comes to concessions, theaters get pretty stingy. Blame the studios, like I do. So if you want to save money, go see your next movie at AMC on the first show of the day and get a Clip's Picks.

For more than 50 years, between the moment we turn 12 until we become senior citizens, the best deal we have (for first-run films) at the movies is the matinee discount. Usually the matinee show times range from 10:00am to 5:59pm on all days except Sundays and bank holidays, when, depending on the theater chain, the discount will only apply for the first showing in each of the theater's auditoriums or for all showings before 2pm. Some places, like Manhattan, have no matinee discounts at all. Considering most matinee shows on the weekdays are filled with kids and seniors anyway, the discount is no sweat off a theater's back. And on Saturdays, when even the 9-to-5 workers can go to a matinee, it is a good business plan to attract more whole families to see a movie like Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.

Now there's an even better deal than the regular matinee, at least for AMC customers. AMC, who've been bringing customers the greatest incentives lately, will begin an early bird special on Friday called A.M.Cinema. The program offers tickets as low as $4, $5 or $6, depending on each the market, for patrons seeing movies before noon on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. A.M.Cinema has already been tested in Charlotte, N.C., Columbus, OH, Denver and Kansas City, and it was obviously a hit in all four cities.

Considering I am currently a nine-to-fiver and hate going to the movies on weekends, A.M.Cinema doesn't work for me. Besides Manhattan is probably still excluded from the discount, and the Brooklyn AMC near me attracts the loudest audiences I've ever experienced. But hey, if your schedule and AMC theater are not like mine, you'd be crazy not to wake up early and go to the movies this weekend. Don't worry about being tired or hungover; I'm sure it won't take away from your enjoyment of Little Man at a bargain price. ...

Update: According to Fandango.com, some Manhattan theatres are showing discount pricing for friday morning.
Also, I was confused: The theatre near me in Brooklyn is not AMC. It is UA.

In case you're wondering why it's taken so long for American theaters to switch over to digital projection, the technology is expensive. One digital projector used to cost millions (now a bit less), and cinema chains just haven't had the dough to replace all, or most, of their equipment with the new stuff. Considering they couldn't get the studios to foot the bill, they seemed to be okay with the slow changeover. It isn't like theaters pay to develop film prints and ship them around the world, so it wasn't a loss to them. Still, they have had pressure to switch, particularly now with all the buzz about 3D versions of the Star Wars films. Finally, cinemas are eying the prospects more clearly.

The major U.S. chains, owned by Regal Entertainment Group, AMC Entertainment, Inc. and Cinemark USA, Inc. are about to borrow $1 billion in order to furnish 13,000 screens (one-third of the country) with digital projectors. A joint venture of the three companies, National CineMedia LLC is working with JP Morgan Chase & Co. to raise the money from hedge funds and private-equity firms. The money will be paid back over seven years with help from the studios (this is still being worked out).

Personally, I've been enjoying the slower process, and this coming from somebody who spent three years working with the annoyances of platter-system film projectors. I love the way film looks and I probably won't change once I do see a movie in digital (I know, it's about time I check it out). Nonetheless, I am always excited about advances in the cinema industry, and am therefore excited about this news, if it is true (it comes from anonymous sources on the fund-raising side of the deal). As long as places like Film Forum always use the old projectors, I don't mind at all if the multiplexes do their thing.

AMC Theatres is continuing its lead in exhibitor promotions by giving out more free movies this summer. Perhaps you remember last summer when the cinema chain offered a money-back guarantee for Cinderella Man. Then last month it gave out free Akeelah and the Bee tickets to teachers. This time, the deal includes 12 different movies, is open to anyone and goes through the season.

In select cities (listed after the jump), G- and PG-rated films will be shown for free on Wednesday mornings. The films are not new, of course, but they are all popular family fare that are undeniably good deals. They include Shark Tale, Shrek, Shrek 2, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Racing Stripes, Because of Winn-Dixie, Ice Age, Dreamer, Madagascar, The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, March of the Penguins, and, the movie I will go see free any time, Wallace and Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit. In addition, The Cartoon Network is producing the pre-show entertainment, which will include bonus cartoon shorts.

It doesn't get any better than free movies, and the only catch is that the program's sponsors will likely be showing commercials during the pre-show. Like that is any different than when we pay, right? AMC's plan is brilliant, especially if they have their concession stands open at 9am. Since the movies aren't first-run, the theatres don't have to pay a lot to the studios to show them. In fact, the program's sponsors might be paying for the titles by themselves. And as packed as any of these shows is likely to be, seeing as they're free, they should be guaranteed to sell out on any rainy wednesday morning. If they sell popcorn to a good percentage of the audience, AMC will be making a ton of money (If they would sell better popcorn, they'd get some of the money from me, as well).