Hi, Kirby, back from Joe. Thanks for taking the time to point out the definite plusses of the Alamo Drafthouse concept. I could probably deal with it in the early afternoons but I don't think I'd ever become really comfortable with it. Now, I LOVE the concept of the "Gold Class"-- except for the prices and snobbism involved! Hell, I don't care WHO the other five people in my preferred audience are..as long as they are seated as far from me and my line of vision as possible. Even as a child I hated large and/or rowdy audiences (though I admit that when Roy Rogers beat up Roy Barcroft after the obligatory horseback chase, I had to cheer too!) and came to love quiet weekday afternoons when I was often the only one there. I know that's hypocritical for a stage actor (love those laughing full houses!) to say but I like my moviegoing in a solitary vein. We mostly have to deal with AMC and it's got it's good and bad points. Quality of picture and sound are generally excellent and weekday matinees are fine as a rule. I'm certain the Drafthouse is vastly superior technically. Al and I are committing an Imax Orgy Tuesday. While my car is being serviced, we are attending our local AMC Imax for a 9:50 AM (that's right!!) showing of "Tin Tin" in Imax 3-d and then taking a short break for the first showing that day of the "Mission Impossible" in the Imax. Should be a loud, fun day! And with all the kiddies back in school, a relatively comfortable one in the theatre! Happy New Year!! Joe
________________________________ From: Kirby McDaniel <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Monday, January 2, 2012 11:46 AM Subject: Re: [MOPO] Alamo Drafthouse practices.....tsk, tsk, tsk. Well, Joe, all I can say is that is is not as obtrusive as it sounds. Their projection and sound are first class, and that goes a long way with me. They make the rule against talking stick, and I find talking and lighted phones MUCH worse than the quiet moving of wait staff. The pre-film programming is quirky and delightful. I much prefer it to those canned ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT-type features at Regal and AMC. If you go to the afternoon or late evening shows, the wait staff aspect is minimal. The Drafthouse started as a art house and moved to maybe 70% commercial films. If you're going to see some comedy, it's a good venue for a pre- romp. If you're going to see THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST or HOUR OF THE WOLF or MELANCHOLIA, maybe it's not such a good moment to gobble a pizza, although I'm sure some would. Having said that, I did see TREE OF LIFE at the Drafthouse. From what I've seen so far, I would count it as one of my very favorite films of this year. But then, you can count me among those who think Malick is a genius. One complaint that I have had about the Drafthouse, is that they have been known to change film programming without much notice. They'll drop a film to one showing per day and move something that is making money onto that screen. So if you don't check their website before you go and get the latest update, you could make a trip for nothing or end up seeing something you hadn't particularly planned. Austin also has what opened as GOLD CLASS CINEMAS. And gold is precisely what you need to get in. You sit in the lap of luxury for $19.00 to $25.00 per seat. Not particularly well disguised in this concept is the idea that one doesn't have to see a film with the riff-raff. Which on the surface of it may sound good, but I don't find it Capra-eskque enough for me. I love the audience. The lack of an audience (film's holy link to theater) is lamentable. While it's quite nice to sit at home and watch something in Hi-Def - I do it a lot - it's not as good for me as sharing the movie with an audience. Kirby Kirby McDaniel MovieArt Original Film Posters P.O. Box 4419 Austin TX 78765-4419 512 479 6680 www.movieart.net mobile 512 589 5112 On Jan 2, 2012, at 11:16 AM, Joseph Bonelli wrote: No matter how quietly served, in-auditorium food service can NOT be unobtrusive! >It all sounds wonderful until the concept of food service during the film >takes over. There is such an establishment (the only movie theatre near the >French Quarter) in New Orleans. They manage to snare exclusive showings (only >place to see "The Tree of Life" here-- assuming one wanted to), thus depriving >regular moviegoers of a shot at some of the latest. They are known locally as >a yuppie joke! And, I don't know, but I doubt they would DARE to deprive >their yuppie patrons of playing with their electronic toys during whatever >film that might be on the screen. > >It's really disappointing that the one movie "chain" that seems to want to >treat the customer properly negates the entire operation with this obtrusive >service. Sorry, but when I finally visit Austin sometime this year, I hope, >I'm afraid Alamo Drafthouse will NOT be on my list of things to do. > >Joe B in NOLA > >PS-- As to the other "new" concept, the 30-seat, food-from-the-back number, I >can head to my refrigerator cheaper, watch a reasonable-sized screen and have >NO problem with chatty or text-y neighbors--- by simply staying at home. Tiny >screens don't seem so "tiny" at the house. Joe > > > >________________________________ > From: Kirby McDaniel <[email protected]> >To: [email protected] >Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2011 11:06 AM >Subject: Re: [MOPO] Alamo Drafthouse practices..... > > >Yes, they do. It's a date destination and they are fantastically successful. >But the big moment for this is the circa 7 PM shows, which are always sold >out. For $20 the single >types can grab a burger and see a new movie. It's not as disruptive as it >sounds, at least for me. There are people who don't like it, and for them >there are scads of other >screens in Austin. I usually go to the 4PM or 9:30 shows - and at these shows >there is less of this becuase people are largely done eating. > > >The Drafthouse has flawless projection and sound because they actually care >about this kind of thing, as opposed to some of the other exhibitors in Austin >who have >been known to show films at reduced illumination to save on their electric >bills! All of the Drafthouses are now 4K digital projection. And most of the >screens are fairly >large. > > >This contrasts with the new Violet Crown Theater downtown, which also serves >food (you buy it and take it to your seat before the film begins) but which >has 30-seat >auditoria that make you feel as if you are watching a film in your rich >friend's home theater. > > >The Drafthouse is PRINTING money, believe me. > > >HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL. > > >Kirby > > > > > > > > >Kirby McDaniel >MovieArt Original Film Posters >P.O. Box 4419 >Austin TX 78765-4419 >512 479 6680 www.movieart.net >mobile 512 589 5112 > >On Dec 31, 2011, at 10:41 AM, Joseph Bonelli wrote: > >Dear Kirby, >> >>Hi from Joe B in NOLA. >> >>You wrote: <"The Alamo Drafthouse in Austin seriously forbids the impetus to >>talk, text, chat and generally be obnoxious in their theaters. >>They run a short piece before the film begins telling to be silent and keep >>your cell phones dark during the film. You get one >>warning. Then you're ejected. They do it, too. And it's a wonderful place >>to see films. Great projection. Great sound."> >> >>This is all wonderful but I've read that Alamo Drafthouse also serves meals >>throughout the viewing of films. To me, this would be even more disruptive >>than the cretinous chatters and their blinking toys that have cut my >>moviegoing by about 75% in the past two years. As you are a patron of Alamo >>Drafthouse, can you confirm or dismiss this? Emails to the company through >>their website have elicited no response. >> >>Inquiring minds want to know! DOES Alamo Drafthouse physically serve food >>and/or drinks in the auditorium during the show?? >> >>Thanks and Happy New Year from Joe. >> >> >>Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com >>___________________________________________________________________ >>How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List >>Send a message addressed to: [email protected] >>In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L >>The author of this message is solely responsible for its content. >> >> > >Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com >___________________________________________________________________ >How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List >Send a message addressed to: [email protected] >In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L >The author of this message is solely responsible for its content. > > >Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com >___________________________________________________________________ >How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List >Send a message addressed to: [email protected] >In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L >The author of this message is solely responsible for its content. > > Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: [email protected] In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content. Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: [email protected] In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
