/cities/seattle/Movie-Theaters/ Judy's Book - Latest reviews - Movie Theaters - Seattle, WA en-us help@judysbook.com http://images.judysbook.com/members/judysbook.png /cities/seattle/Movie-Theaters/ Reviews - Movie Theaters Gale P.
Review of: Unexpected Productions

I'm a long time fan of improv and comedy writing. It's painfully obvious someone from Jet City wrote those negative reviews about Unexpected Productions who is by far the superior company when it comes to actually improvising. Unexpected Productions revolutionized improv in Seattle. They are the reason companies like Jet City Improv exist! Whenever I'm in Seattle (which isn't as often as it used to be) I try to see an improv show. Unexpected Productions Theater Sports show is the one I recommend, hands down! Especially if you're an adult, although I've seen this group handle an audience with kids in it too. The last time I saw it there was a birthday party of kids and a birthday party for a 40 year old along with two bachelorette parties. The Theater Sports cast handled everyone with professionalism and showmanship, being sure to tease everyone as well. They even ripped into an obnoxious heckler in a very entertaining way by shutting him up and getting his friends to laugh at his stupidity! I will always be grateful to Unexpected Productions for the years of great memories they've given me and will hopefully continue to give me in the years to come.
]]> http://www.judysbook.com/members/99702/posts/2008/7/531661/ Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:22:05 GMT http://www.judysbook.com/members/99702/posts/2008/7/531661/ Reviews - Movie Theaters cat c.
Review of: Northwest Film Forum

With the passing the same day on July 30, 2007 of film-makers Ingmar Bergman and Michaelangelo Antonioni it makes sense to remember that film both then AND now is largely a commercial enterprise targeted at the lowest common denominator: the masses largely interested in action--cheap thrills, empty spectacle, and stupefingly numbing cliches, one-liners, recycled gags, and loads of popcorn... http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/01/movies/05scot.html?_r=1&8dpc&oref=slogin http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/12/movies/12scor.html Although I have only been there once or twice since it opened (it used to be at the Little Theater on 19th Ave. E. near St. Joseph's), I can attest to this being the least "commercial" movie theater in Seattle, with very fine, programming, including art, foreign, "independent,"experimental, documentary, and classic film. This may one of the very few non-commercial venue for cinephiles in Seattle (Seattle Art Museum also counts, I guess)... Hence, NO preliminary 10-15 minutes of uninterrupted cheesy, flashing, adrenaline-thumping previews, commercials, or announcements, as I recall, before a screening. Where else could we have seen the haunting, psychologically resonant neo-Italian-realist*** film version of Gian-Carlo Menotti's opera "The Medium"--directed by Menotti himself and with a radiant young Anna-Maria Alberghetti--think of "Turn of the Screw," and "Umberto D." (or an Italian Fascist film from Rome's Cinecitta studio**** all rolled in one, set to a modernist Puccini? How they pulled this forgotten gem out of some obscure vault is an open question. Or a few years, an exhibition/film festival/symposium on Slovene contemporary art (attended by the Slovene ambassador)? A strikingly original, funky space, with two very comfortable screening rooms, gallery, bar/cafe, large windows that look out onto the increasingly "in" 12th Ave. scene. This one-of-a-kind non-profit venue clearly stands head and shoulders above the Landmark Theaters (excepting possibly the Harvard Exit, Seven Gables, and Egyptian) in its selection of not-often-seen, mostly non-commercial fare. What about "revisiting" films by such cultural/intellectual luminaries and film-makers who have passed away recently, such as Susan Sontag ("Brother Carl,") "Duet for Cannibals"), Arthur Miller ("Playing for Time," "Misfits"), Gian-Carlo Menotti* ("The Medium"** or "Amahl and the Night Visitors," Bergman ("Cries & Whispers," "Persona," "Scenes from a Marriage"), Antonioni ("L'avventura," "Blow-Up", etc.? (Robert Altman, despite his iconic maverick status, worked within the Hollywood studio system, as far as I know). Or "one of its own," Elia Kazan (d. 2003), controversial for his role in the blacklisting of the McCarthy era but lauded for his "Streetcar Named Desire," "On the Waterfront," "Baby Doll." Seattle being a fairly important theater city--even though theater and cinema are in many ways antithetical media--it would also be interesting, for instance, to see a program of successful Hollywood film versions of Tennessee Williams's works (John Huston's "Night of the Iguana," Kazan's "Streetcar," the little seen "Glass Menagerie" with Gertrude Lawrence in one of her rare film roles), "Summer and Smoke" with Geraldine Page repeating the role that brought her fame in a Circle in the Square revival in New York), even though the number of bowdlerized, mediocre-or-worse versions makes up the vast majority (think of Eugene O'Neill, except for "Long Day's Journey into Night," or Arthur Miller). Or opera-on-film...Bergman's "Magic Flute," the ca. 1987 "Carmen," etc. (Maybe they have already had an occasional opera on film, rarely "a mini-series" or in repertory, to my memory...). [The Big Picture in Belltown used to be adventurous ("The Station Agent," the Robert McNamara documentary, "Fog of War," the documentary on the influential architect Louis Kahn, etc.). In the past year, it has turned to VERY standard Hollywood fare ("Dreamgirls," "Casino Royale") that could seen at ANY multiplex. This is a duplication of effort--the Meridian 16, that downtown rabbit-warren downtown due for demolition in the not too distant future, usually has "first dibs" on this sort of fare]. This and the Harvard Exit are my two favorite movie theaters in Seattle. *http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/01/arts/music/01cnd-menotti.html?ex=1327986000&en=7ef65dc15876a946&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss ** http://www.amazon.com/Menotti-Medium-Powers-Alberghetti-Schippers/dp/B00006ADF9/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_1/002-2763930-2716018 *** http://www.italica.rai.it/eng/cinema/cards/neorealism1.htm **** http://www.romefile.com/culture/cinecitta.php Also recommended: The Warren Report, in the old Carnegie Free Library in Ballard: http://seattle.thewarrenreport.com/default.asp
]]> http://www.judysbook.com/members/Catlover/posts/2007/8/524433/ Sun, 05 Aug 2007 11:53:19 GMT http://www.judysbook.com/members/Catlover/posts/2007/8/524433/ Reviews - Aquariums, Zoos & Botanical Gardens cat c.
Review of: Seattle Aquarium

Nice to have the Seattle Aquarium right on the Waterfront. It is packed full of different exhibits AND hordes of tourists/families/kids. Rather confusing lay-out, like a rabbit-warren. Claustrophobic. I liked the Dome where divers feed the fish at about 1:30 in the afternoon, as well as the otters and seals. And the hall in which one can actually touch and feel the sea-slugs, starfish, and the stunning, chrysanthemum-like anemone. But for my money, a trip to the Woodland Park Zoo--mostly out in the open--makes the Aquarium pale in comparison, especially in summer, though, of course, we shouldn't be comparing...
]]> http://www.judysbook.com/members/Catlover/posts/2007/8/524410/ Sat, 04 Aug 2007 11:50:27 GMT http://www.judysbook.com/members/Catlover/posts/2007/8/524410/ Reviews - Movie Theaters Sabrina H.
Review of: Cinerama

I'm going to get my one and only complaint about the Cinerama out of the way so I can get on to the good stuff: the parking situation sucks. Other than that, it is an amazing theatre, both visually and auditorially. The sound is brilliant; Lucasfilm certified (which is super hard to get) and the screen is magnificent. Whether you sit upstairs or down, you're stoked.
]]> http://www.judysbook.com/members/81592/posts/2007/7/523329/ Wed, 11 Jul 2007 22:32:23 GMT http://www.judysbook.com/members/81592/posts/2007/7/523329/ Reviews - Movie Theaters Sabrina H.
Review of: Majestic Bay Theatre

The Majestic Bay is one of the best theatres in Seattle. The rake of the seats allows for a very clear vision of the screen - and what a screen! Visually great, clean theatre. Not my absolute fave for sound (Cinerama is #1), but overall a 9.
]]> http://www.judysbook.com/members/81592/posts/2007/7/523236/ Mon, 09 Jul 2007 22:17:33 GMT http://www.judysbook.com/members/81592/posts/2007/7/523236/ Reviews - Movie Theaters cat c.
Review of: Landmark Harvard Exit Theater

This former Women's Century Club was the first or second art film house to open in Seattle, a distinction it shares with the Grand Illusion in the U. District). (My sister was one of the first ushers here before she matriculated at Brown; she loved working there). The Harvard Exit opened in ca. 1970. It was purchased eventually by the Landmark Theatre group but still operates mostly the way it has since its inception, with the addition of another movie screen. In some ways comparable is the Seven Gables (also in the U. District), but I find the screen similar to a long train car: viewing movies there is like sitting in a tunnel and watching images flickering at the far end,,, It is probably my favorite movie theater in Seattle for several reasons: (1) the wonderful "living-room" style lobby with its early-mid 20th c. furniture and furnishings, all comfy; large windows with Venetian blinds, looking out across Roy to the the D.A.R. and Anhalt cottages. Most movie theaters do NOT have a lobby/parlor of this kind. Once the movie gets out, YOU get out, too, simply because there is NOWHERE to linger--unless your idea of a good place to talk about the movie and to relax is to be next or across from a wall of pinball machines. (2) the quality programming (which currently includes the film version of "The History Boys" and "The Queen," both outstanding British releases. One of the first and most memorable movie moments when I saw Bernardo Bertolucci's "The Conformist" with Jean Louis-Trintignant and Dominque Sanda when it opened the flood of art house, foreign film that began at that time (at least for me) and led to the independent films that seem to carved a large niche of movie-going today. I can't count the number of fine films I have seen here that would never have been shown at the multiplex. The only regret that I have is that the refreshment stand has been moved from the entrance lobby into the living room, as the staff tends to be pretty obstreperous and not really aware that others might not share their sense of humor. That said, I enjoy spending a half an hour after a movie is over on a rainy afternoon and enjoying some moments of serenity--it sure beats Starbuck's for atmosphere, in my opinion. Let's hope, perhaps against all odds, that the building is not demolished soon and a 6-story retail-with-condos-above or a multiplex cinema doesn't take its place.
]]> http://www.judysbook.com/members/Catlover/posts/2007/5/520919/ Tue, 22 May 2007 00:56:49 GMT http://www.judysbook.com/members/Catlover/posts/2007/5/520919/ Reviews - Movie Theaters cat c.
Review of: The Egyptian Theatre

Okay, the seats are creaky, but the Egyptian is one of the few remaining movie houses with only one screen, and a very large one at that. Also, the selection of movies is impressive, from "Amelie" to "Brokeback Mountain." Ornate Egyptian Revival/art deco interior decor makes this a classy if funky stand-out after one has suffered through monstrosities such as the Metro theatres or the Meridian 16 (never again). There WERE more opulent movie theaters, but they're ALL gone (the Fifth Avenue with its Beijing Temple of Heaven decor now does only stage productions of musicals; don't count the Cinerama as one, it's purely World's Fair circa 1962 in style). The closest comparison would be the Neptune, which, I'm very surprised, has not been turned in a multiplex with a honeycomb of screening rooms. Pray AGAINST the day that the Landmark Corporation doesn't tear the whole building down and put up a 6-story condo/multi-cinema-plex. We've been awfully lucky so far.
]]> http://www.judysbook.com/members/Catlover/posts/2006/11/493553/ Wed, 29 Nov 2006 07:24:00 GMT http://www.judysbook.com/members/Catlover/posts/2006/11/493553/ Reviews - Movie Theaters cat c.
Review of: Harvard Exit

This former Women's Century Club was the first or second art film house to open in Seattle, a distinction it shares with the Grand Illusion in the U. District). (My sister was one of the first ushers here before she matriculated at Brown; she loved working there). The Harvard Exit opened in ca. 1970. It was purchased eventually by the Landmark Theatre group but still operates mostly the way it has since its inception, with the addition of another movie screen. In some ways comparable is the Seven Gables (also in the U. District), but I find the screen similar to a long train car: viewing movies there is like sitting in a tunnel and watching images flickering at the far end,,, It is probably my favorite movie theater in Seattle for several reasons: (1) the wonderful "living-room" style lobby with its early-mid 20th c. furniture and furnishings, all comfy; large windows with Venetian blinds, looking out across Roy to the the D.A.R. and Anhalt cottages. Most movie theaters do NOT have a lobby/parlor of this kind. Once the movie gets out, YOU get out, too, simply because there is NOWHERE to linger--unless your idea of a good place to talk about the movie and to relax is to be next or across from a wall of pinball machines. (2) the quality programming (which currently includes the film version of "The History Boys" and "The Queen," both outstanding British releases. One of the first and most memorable movie moments when I saw Bernardo Bertolucci's "The Conformist" with Jean Louis-Trintignant and Dominque Sanda when it opened the flood of art house, foreign film that began at that time (at least for me) and led to the independent films that seem to carved a large niche of movie-going today. I can't count the number of fine films I have seen here that would never have been shown at the multiplex. The only regret that I have is that the refreshment stand has been moved from the entrance lobby into the living room, as the staff tends to be pretty obstreperous (loud) and not really aware of the space. That said, I enjoy spending a half an hour after a movie is over on a rainy afternoon and enjoying some moments of serenity--it sure beats Starbuck's in my opinion. Let's hope, perhaps against all odds, that the building is not demolished soon and a 6-story retail-with-condos-above or a multiplex cinema doesn't take its place.
]]> http://www.judysbook.com/members/Catlover/posts/2007/1/506905/ Wed, 03 Jan 2007 23:12:24 GMT http://www.judysbook.com/members/Catlover/posts/2007/1/506905/ Reviews - Movie Theaters Covered in rain ..
Review of: Cinerama

The Cinerama is a classic and by far the biggest screen in Seattle. They play the big blockbuster movies and seeing films here really is different that at your average theater. The best is if you can get tickets to an opening show of something you're really looking forward to. The fans that show up there are always so into the movies in the first few days. Seeing the Lord of the Rings films there was an experience I will never forget! It is important to note that if you go when there is a crowd, you will have to wait outside until about 10 minutes before the show is supposed to start and people start lining up very early, so plan ahead.
]]> http://www.judysbook.com/members/CoveredinRain/posts/2006/12/496679/ Mon, 04 Dec 2006 10:25:52 GMT http://www.judysbook.com/members/CoveredinRain/posts/2006/12/496679/ Reviews - Movie Theaters Seattle Photo C.
Review of: Pacific Place Cinema

My husband and I generally prefer either foreign or independent films, but on the rare occasion we want to see something mainstream, we head to Pacific Place. I love that they have parking on-site (uncommon for downtown!), and the theaters are large and comfortable. Though my interactions with them have been limited, the staff is always friendly and accommodating. Another plus is the many good restaurants on the same level of the mall, so you can really make a nice date night.
]]> http://www.judysbook.com/members/seattlephotochick/posts/2006/11/486312/ Wed, 08 Nov 2006 21:46:24 GMT http://www.judysbook.com/members/seattlephotochick/posts/2006/11/486312/