Regal Walden Galleria Stadium 16

I-90 and Walden Ave
Buffalo NY

PREVIEW REVIEW submitted by "Anonymous" on 04/28/2008
This theatre opens Thursday, May 22, 2008,
with charity previews on May, 18, 19, 20, 2008

This new complex FINALLY opens after two+ years on the site of the old 9 screen REGAL / AMC / GCC. The old complex had one of the best and biggest screens -- theatre 9 - in Buffalo.
It was THX level in every way save soundproofing from being in the
airport flight path.

The new complex is somewhat disappointing based on a pre opening inspection.

There are 16 screens -- only ONE theatre, number 4 is large [ 450 plus ish seats ] with a full width constant height 2.40 screen IE 1.85 films are masked left and right.

The other 15 screens appear to be in the 200 to 300 seat range and
are ALL constant width screens
IE for 2.40 films the screen is masked top and/or bottom.
based.

ALL of the smaller screens have a
low screen width to theatre depth
ratio . . . making the 1.85 screen image overly large for the front two thirds of the seating [ according to SMPTE guidelines ]

The ratio is much more favorable for 2.40 films.

ALL of the smaller screens appear to have 2000 W xenon lamphouses
which will provide excellent screen brightness . . . . assuming they are
run at full wattage.

Initial statements from Regal indicated all screens would have digital projection. More recently
this was changed to HALF digital projection.

As of 4/26/08 there were NO digital projectors installed other than the small Christie units for
pre show ads and programs.

This of course may change before opening.

All told it seems disappointing that a major new complex from Regal
would have only ONE large theatre out of 16 . . . . and further that there are no signs of high end
digital projection.

Cinema Grade = C

AMC Empire 25

42nd Street Between 7th and 8th Avenues, New York, NY 10036
(212) 398-3939

Review from Ted Todorov from the Home Theater Forum:

Other NYC theaters -- they all suck to one degree or another. Of the commercial ones, the AMC 25 (42nd St.) is the best of a bad bunch.

Walter Reade Theater

Lincoln Center & W. 65th St. (Above Alice Tully Hall), New York NY 10023
(212) 875-5600


Review from Ted Todorov from the Home Theater Forum:

No hesitation here: The Walter Reade Theater -- the NY Film Society's theater at Lincoln Center.


Great projection, great sound, large screen, spectacular sightlines, comfortable seats (stadium seating -- done long before it became popular).


Polite audiences. Choice programming, director/cast Q&As after many screenings and admission is still only $7 for members/students/seniors.

Further good news -- the Film Society is building two more theaters and re-building Alice Tully Hall, where the NY Film Festival screenings are held.


Cinema Grade = B

Clearview's Ziegfeld

141 West 54th Street between 6th & 7th Aves, New York, NY 10019-5302
(212) 777-FILM 602
Ziegfeld

Review by: Jerome Grate from Home Theater Forum 02/16/07

It was a real treat when I saw Star Wars III there. The digital picture was outstanding, and the sound was literally all round you. Seating was quite comfortable, overall a great theater.

= = = = =

Comment from Ted Todorov from the Home Theater Forum:

NYC theaters -- they all suck to one degree or another. The Ziegfeld may be a beautiful old hall, but the screen is far too small for the size of the place, and the projection has been known to suck.

Cinema Grade = B-

Lafayette Theatre

Route 59, Suffern, NY 10901
(845) 369-8234
Lafayette Theatre

Review by: Rich D. from Home Theater Forum 02/12/07

Built in 1924, this is one of the grand single screen theatres in the greater Metro NY area.

They show first run films during the week with a mixture of older films mixed in on the weekends along with some special “theme” events a few times a year.

They also have a grand “Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ” which makes me remember shows ‘back in the day’ at the Bushnell Theatre (in Hartford) and the Radio City Music Hall. The organ plays at special events and weekend shows for sure.

Also, the acoustics are pretty darn good for an old and large theatre and the management and employees a very friendly group.

Cinema Grade = A

Jacob Burns Film Center

364 Manville Road, Pleasantville, NY 10570
(914) 747-5555
Jacob Burns Film Center
Calendar

Review by: Rich D. from Home Theater Forum 02/12/07

Appreciative crowd here, one of the few places in the country people actually line up for independent/older films. Screens are large, appreciative crowd, life is good.

They also have a decent number of director film screenings and film lecturers etc. On Oscar night they are having a beer and wine thing while showing the awards ceremony. No throwing food at the screen allowed.

Cinema Grade = B