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                   MOVIE HELL: Aisle Be Damned Awards

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MOVIE HELL
==========

Weekly Rants and Pants by Michael J. Legeros
"If you can't say something nice, at least have something to say."


Contents
========

  - Introduction
  - Best Place To See a Movie
  - Best Stadium Seating
  - Most Welcome Return
  - Dishonor Roll
  - War Stories


Introduction
============

In lieu of a top ten list, which I can't compile until the various
year-end limited releases reach Raleigh-Durham, here's a look back
at twelve months of Theater Hell.  First, a disclaimer:  most of my
time was spent in Raleigh.  Why?  'Cuz most sneak screenings these
days are held at either the Raleigh Grande or Pleasant Valley.  And
again I purchased a $150 season pass from Ambassador Entertainment,
good for two at the Rialto, the Colony, and the Studio.  So, with
blatant bias acknowledged on the part of Yours Truly, here are the
third annual Aisle Be Damned Awards.


Best Place To See a Movie
=========================

The Rialto in Raleigh, no question.  The popular Five Points fix-
ture has the seats, the sound, and the second-best popcorn in the
Triangle.  (The Carolina in Chapel Hill rates highest on the kernel
scale.  They use real butter...)  You can also buy beer, if that's
to your liking.  The no-frills restrooms are ready for remodeling,
but the staff's friendly and the viewing angle's perfect.  There's
even plenty of convenient parking... for the first fifteen or so
cars.


Best Stadium Seating
====================

The Raleigh Grande, which opened this year in Northwest Raleigh.
Those big, tall, jumbo-jet seats beat the Carmike's upgrade hands
down.  Student discounts and a frequent moviegoer club are added
incentives, as is the always-entertaining show of watching people
stumble on the irregular staircase.  Too bad the walls are so thin.
Now, if we could just get the management to lower those damn safety
lights...


Most Welcome Return
===================

The Carmike Cinema in Northeast Raleigh, which reopened last month.
They've expanded to 15 screens, all of which have been converted to
stadium seating.  (Some floor seats have been retained in the orig-
inal 7 screens-- I can't advise on the others, as they haven't been
opened yet.)  Darker-than-the-Grande safety lights, a convenient
location (five minutes from my house!), and teeth-rattling, THX-
certified sound puts this place high on my multiplex list.  Now, if
we could just get the management to ditch those damn Movie-Tunes...


Dishonor Roll
=============

Mission Valley Cinemas in Raleigh, where the seats are comfy, sure,
but the flicks aren't always started on time.  And who knows how
they'll look or sound...

The Studio in Raleigh, which stinks.  Literally.  Small screens I
can deal with, but I'd just as soon skip another round of Odor
Roulette.  Too bad the Chelsea in Chapel Hill is such a long drive.

The Towne Square 10 in Garner, where I've yet to watch a film
either entirely in focus or with the sound sounding as it should.

The Tower Twin in Raleigh, where DOWN IN THE DELTA repeatedly jump-
ed out of frame.  A hissing soundtrack wasn't much fun, either, nor
was the surprise sensation of something insect-like crawling across
my hand.  That was a first.


War Stories
===========

Do you have something to say about any of the above?  Or another
Triangle theater??  Send your war stories to me
and I'll compile, strip the addresses, and re-post.  You don't have
to keep it clean-- just keep it current.  The deadline for submis-
sions is Thursday, January 14.  See you in Hell.

Copyright 1999 by Michael J. Legeros
Movie Hell is a trademark of Michael J. Legeros

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keywords: film movie review mike michael legeros raleigh carolina
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Originally posted to triangle.movies as MOVIE HELL: Aisle Be Damned Awards