What Would You Screen at Cine Barsoom?

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

apparently there are theatres much like this in Portland, Oregan -- they're called MacInnities, or something. Sort of a chain. But you can get beer and there's a table in front of each row of seats and they show whatever, whatever.

There are a number of them scattered about. 'Cinema'n'Drafthouse' was the local chain when I was growing up. Kinda the worst of all worlds, IMO. Second-run movies, poor facilities in terms of the screen, sound, etc., and too social. Watching at home with your buddies and talking back to the screen is fine, but when it's someone else's buddies being obnoxious while you're trying to watch the movie, it's just a pain. Add in mediocre and expensive food and drink, and it just wasn't that good an experience.

It was, however, a neat place to have a party, which were about the only times we ever patronized the establishment.

The 'luxury' theater in DC up in Friendship Heights is more what I envisioned -- real drinks, comfy wide leather seats, decent food, but still primarily a movie theater.

 

[barsoomcore]

Yeah, I want to avoid the "dinner theatre" experience. You come to Cine Barsoom to WATCH MOVIES. That's why I like the "Post-Screening Lounge" -- after the movie's finished (and I think that during the credits the ushers hand out candies or something, just to encourage people to hang around and watch the credits) you get guided out through a comfy lounge where you and the people you just watched the movie with feel encouraged to sit down and talk over that movie, maybe over a pint or two...

Less actual obnoxious drunks DURING the movie, I'm thinking.

Though I think what would be REALLY fun is to have "Mystery Science Theatre" nights where you screen movies and ENCOURAGE audience participation a la Rocky Horror. Maybe have a stand-up comedian be master of ceremonies and keep the patter going. Events like that would probably improve with a steady flow of booze...

 

[nakia]

Absolutely. Email me and I'll let you know who to make the cheque out to.

Actually, I had a discussion on this very topic with some friends over beer on the weekend (and you think this sounds like a good idea sober!) and apparently there are theatres much like this in Portland, Oregan -- they're called MacInnities, or something. Sort of a chain. But you can get beer and there's a table in front of each row of seats and they show whatever, whatever.

Not QUITE the plan I envision but they sound pretty cool. Any Americans know what I'm talking about?

Anyway, doing it here in Vancouver might be tough given the Nazi-like zoning/liquor laws we have here. But I dunno.

And without electronic distribution it doesn't really work the way I want it to. But could be time to start saving my pennies. I think, properly managed, this could be a winner...

Unfortunately, I did not win the 206 million dollar MegaMillions jackpot. Otherwise, CineBarsoom would have had it's principal investor sown up.

I went to an indie/art theatre in Asheville, North Carolina that had something like this going on. It had a bar, so you could get a beer to drink while you watched your movie. I think it was also attached to a coffehouse, which served as a post/pre cinema lounge. The theatres were small, maybe 50 seats in each. And there were only two or three theatres in the building.

 

[mmadsen]

I went to an indie/art theatre in Asheville, North Carolina that had something like this going on. It had a bar, so you could get a beer to drink while you watched your movie. I think it was also attached to a coffehouse, which served as a post/pre cinema lounge. The theatres were small, maybe 50 seats in each. And there were only two or three theatres in the building.

I'm wondering if digital distribution will make this feasible.

 

[threshel]

You can get anything you want, at Cinema Ba-arsoom...

I'm glad to hear you'll be open Thanksgivings. I needed somewhere to go after the morning trash run.



As for my movies, I'd like to offer the "What Sequel?" Festival:

The Planet of the Apes (original)
Mad Max (with apologies to the movie that inspired this thread)
Terminator
Lethal Weapon
The Matrix
And the showpiece for the festival...

Highlander


J

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

If you ever frequent Aintitcoolnews, you know Austin has the Alamo Drafthouse. Chicago has/had the Brew & View (the only way I'd ever see Batman & Robin and Jurrasic Park III on the same bill).

Palo Alto, California has (or had ten years ago) the Varsity and the Stanford Theaters, both of which showed classics of various kinds. The Stanford, in particular had great programming: Hitchcok retrospectives, Cary Grant Festivals, etc. I saw Citizen Kane, Gone with the Wind, and many other great films there.