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Anyone following the strange sorta-demise of the Central Cinema?
First they said that they couldn't get first run films due to the new theater opening, which I find really sad. But now it's that they only can't get "Family" films.
I'm not sure I understand why the distributors would be so specific?
Here's the owner's most recent post. Thoughts?
"Hello Movie Lovers,
Your last day to see "The Forbidden Kingdom" at Central Cinema will be today.
Thanks to those of you who sent me emails with suggestions and support regarding the uncertain future of Central Cinema.
I started Central Cinema with the goal of creating an affordable, family friendly environment. For that reason, we usually play a kids/family movie. However, it is almost certain that we will soon be unable to get newly released kids' movies, and that's too bad because there are some big ones coming out this summer (including a new Pixar movie). We have tried to keep our ticket prices low by booking kids' movies (which simply do better, economically, than other kinds of movies). Our next (and last?) new family movie will be released on May 16. It's confirmed, "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" will play at Central Cinema.!!
Therefore, starting this Friday we are raising our adult ticket to $9.00 (I'm really sorry). Our matinee, senior, and children's ticket price will stay at $7.00. Step two in the revamping of our "affordable, family friendly theater" is our booking selection for this Friday. "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" is an R rated comedy by the creator of "40 Year Old Virgin" and "Knocked Up". It is not appropriate for anyone under 17.
Central Cinema is a neighborhood movie house located at 842 Central Avenue, Alameda, California. The theater's phone # is 510-219-5058. Check us out on the web at www.centralcinema.net or email us at info@centralcinema.net
Mark Haskett"
First they said that they couldn't get first run films due to the new theater opening, which I find really sad. But now it's that they only can't get "Family" films.
I'm not sure I understand why the distributors would be so specific?
Here's the owner's most recent post. Thoughts?
"Hello Movie Lovers,
Your last day to see "The Forbidden Kingdom" at Central Cinema will be today.
Thanks to those of you who sent me emails with suggestions and support regarding the uncertain future of Central Cinema.
I started Central Cinema with the goal of creating an affordable, family friendly environment. For that reason, we usually play a kids/family movie. However, it is almost certain that we will soon be unable to get newly released kids' movies, and that's too bad because there are some big ones coming out this summer (including a new Pixar movie). We have tried to keep our ticket prices low by booking kids' movies (which simply do better, economically, than other kinds of movies). Our next (and last?) new family movie will be released on May 16. It's confirmed, "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" will play at Central Cinema.!!
Therefore, starting this Friday we are raising our adult ticket to $9.00 (I'm really sorry). Our matinee, senior, and children's ticket price will stay at $7.00. Step two in the revamping of our "affordable, family friendly theater" is our booking selection for this Friday. "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" is an R rated comedy by the creator of "40 Year Old Virgin" and "Knocked Up". It is not appropriate for anyone under 17.
Central Cinema is a neighborhood movie house located at 842 Central Avenue, Alameda, California. The theater's phone # is 510-219-5058. Check us out on the web at www.centralcinema.net or email us at info@centralcinema.net
Mark Haskett"
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Re: Central Cinema going down... or is it?
Thu, May 1, 2008 - 11:33 AMi took that as for of the same as first run films. There bread and butter is children's films and if there is only like 3 or 4 new children's films at any one time, mostly likely than not the megaplex will have first dips.
sure they could take a first run adult film (ie the sarah film) but the draw is not going to be the same as a kids film and they are going to lose money.
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Re: Central Cinema going down... or is it?
Thu, May 1, 2008 - 12:30 PMSo you're thinking that it means that since there aren't a lot of kids films, they will all get snapped up by the megaplex and since there are plenty of adult films, there will be lots of leftovers to choose from?
I can buy that. It makes sense.
I had always wondered why it wasn't more of an Indy/Art House destination given the building and that not a lot of folks are going to traverse the tube for something they can see in a theater closer, but Art House addicts might.
Still, it seems to have worked for them until now.
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Re: Central Cinema going down... or is it?
Fri, May 2, 2008 - 11:13 AMwhy can't the do like the Parkway and just play the movies that are out of bit theaters already? -
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Re: Central Cinema going down... or is it?
Fri, May 2, 2008 - 3:15 PMI was wondering that myself. Or some smaller indy films from time to time. -
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Re: Central Cinema going down... or is it?
Fri, May 2, 2008 - 4:05 PMIt looks like their mission statement is basically "Family Films". So i guess it's just their choice of the kind of stuff they want to do. Maybe if that well is drying up for them, they'll have to expand their horizons a bit.
While I like the place and don't wish any ill on those guys, wouldn't you love to take it over? -
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Re: Central Cinema going down... or is it?
Fri, May 2, 2008 - 4:48 PManother thought... i remember hearing they had trouble even opening up the place, something about zoning or something (as they really are near the heart of the gold coast and which is, after all, primarily a residential neighborhood)... if they had started out as a theatre that mostly showed films that are rated pg and/or r they probably would have had an even more difficult time getting permission to open up their doors, as the town wouldn't want a bunch of teenagers loitering around that area, and if they showed foreign/indy films (the kind that now get nc-17 ratings) the conservative factions of the town might have see the content of those films as even more questionable and been even more averse to letting them open a theatre there... And, yes, it would be great if someone like you took it over, I can envision it under your leadership as kind of like the old UC Theater in Berkeley...
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Re: Central Cinema going down... or is it?
Fri, May 2, 2008 - 7:24 PMwell the Parkways gimmick is beer and pizza and as the Journal article mentions Central Cinema is a single person operation.. so it's kind of hard to sell tickets, sell food, cook food and deliver food and run the reel with only one person.
and even the Parkway had to raise prices in the last two or three months. -
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Re: Central Cinema going down... or is it?
Sat, May 3, 2008 - 10:59 AMI hate to say this, but with the cineplex opening their days may be numbered. There will be better parking and I'm sure they will be happy to run saturday morning kiddie films just like the old days. As they say, it was good run.
As someone who lives 2 blks away, I can confirm it sucks up all the on street parking in front of our apt. buildings ( we don't have off street parking, so their closing should help relieve the fights and anger over that. ( for some reason these soccer moms in their van buses have to park so they take two spaces. You know if anyone did that in THEIR 'hood, they'b screaming to the po-po. When the theater opened all their supporters were chirping how they were going to be oh so green and WALK to the movies. Didn't happen.)
On the other hand with the economy in the dumper, the megaplex couldn't be opening at a WORSE time. The opponents warned them not to overbuild. Discretionary income is getting tighter every day.
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Re: Central Cinema going down... or is it?
Sun, May 4, 2008 - 1:00 PMI wont be going. I've seen only two new movies this year. Two for 1 at the Parkway for I Am legend and Sweeny Todd at the AMC
(I have seen Pretty in Pink and Purple Rain since then at the Parkway, but those are not new)
Spending $10 to $10.25 per tickets (x2) plus another $15 to $20 on over priced food (so about $40) to watch a boring movie with people talking over and being loud... is not my idea of a good time.
or I can spend $18 a month on Netflix and watch on my 62 inch HDTV with full 5.1 surround sound Bose speakers buy fairly cheap movie food that actually fit my diet and watch AS MANY MOVIES THAT I WANT on that $18 a month so if one of those movies does suck I can just return it and get another one with no extra charge.
So far this year Netflix movies 35... movie theater movies 4...
and I don't think my movie habit are all that abnormal.... -
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Re: Central Cinema going down... or is it?
Sun, May 4, 2008 - 1:52 PM(((Netflix)))
: D
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Re: Central Cinema going down... or is it?
Mon, May 5, 2008 - 3:19 PMSad to see the Central have hard times, since they've been one of the kid-friendly places. My kids have occassionally gone to a Sunday matinee - it was the first time they ever were out of immediate sight of a supervising adult. They will always remember that.
That being said, I'm sure they'll even more likely to go to the new megaplex. It's closer to where we live, and it's closer to other stores and shops. They're at that point where they can go to Tuckers solo or go to the book store, etc etc.
Park Street actually reminds me alot of the high street in my old home town, so I think it's a sweet throwback that they can cruise there. The movie theatre gives Park Street a beating heart, for better or worse. There is nothing but a waxing shop near the Central. As overpriced as it may seem, I still really enjoy the social ritual of going to the movies, and this location and newer facilities (be honest, the Central smells a little funny) will make that more enjoyable.
I know I see this through mom-tinted glasses, but I'm choosing to see the good in this. I was neutral on the theatre plans, but now that it's here... -
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Re: Central Cinema going down... or is it?
Wed, May 7, 2008 - 9:38 AMI'm not much of a movie-goer either. I just don't like shelling out a chunk of change only to have someone chewing, slurping, and talking in my ear throughout the film.
I really prefer Netflix
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Re: Central Cinema going down... or is it?
Sat, May 17, 2008 - 12:45 AMIt is.
I was just there this evening and they said that it was. the staff just learned last night.
It is a very sad day today. First a family member dies, now this. -
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Re: Central Cinema going down... or is it?
Sat, May 17, 2008 - 1:57 AM((((((Isara))))))
(((Central Cinema))) -
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Re: Central Cinema going down... or is it?
Sat, May 17, 2008 - 9:50 AMthanks. *hugs*
I'm hoping that someone buys the property as is and makes it into a smaller run or indy venue. What's the closest indy theater? Berkeley? the Grand Lake in Oakland? -
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Re: Central Cinema going down... or is it?
Sat, May 17, 2008 - 10:14 AMWe had an indy theater at Auctions by the Bay - run by the owners of the Grand lake. People did NOT support it so they closed.
There is not enough demand to support one, clearly, if even a FAMILY theater can't make a go of it. -
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Re: Central Cinema going down... or is it?
Sat, May 17, 2008 - 2:04 PMI don't 2want to jump on anyone's grave because I find this very sad. I also find it a disturbing portent for the "New Alameda (With Megaplex!)".
But that theater could work if parking were added. I don't know much about the zoning issues, but turning it into a rep house with occasional Cabaret acts and midnight cult film showings, you could keep it aloft. You could easily do live theater there, too.
Anyway, I'm sorry to see them go.
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Re: Central Cinema going down... or is it?
Sun, May 18, 2008 - 3:47 PMThe people who didn't support it were the Grand Lake owners.
There was zero promotion except for the tiny afterthought listing at the bottom their Grand Lake newspaper ads.
Hardly anybody knew about that theater, or more importantly, how to get there. The manager had to keep pushing back the real start time because the majority of the people were showing up later because they got lost.
That theater could be a success if I was just run by people who would actually put money into promotion.
Also, the "FAMILY theater" can make a go of it if they were allowed to compete fairly. Something the Alameda city council seems to have no interest in allowing by shutting them out of new releases.
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Unsu...
Re: Central Cinema going down... or is it?
Mon, May 19, 2008 - 10:33 AMCentral Cinema was leasing - there was a story in one of the papers that they hadn't paid their rent, either.
The Central Cinema folks were only able to make a go of it because of the previous uses - some kind of zoning complication that I never looked into. The problem was parking, but there wasn't anywhere to put parking.
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