Malco Studio on the Square

2105 Court Street, Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 725-7151

Review by "Tantese" on 05/17/07

This theatre is located in historic Overton Square in Midtown Memphis. It has 5 screen all with stadium seating.

It also has a cafe, and serves wine (along with the Milk Duds, etc). We recently saw "After the Wedding" there, an excellent film from Denmark. Besides foreign and independent fare, Spidar Man 3 is showing on two screens. So great diversity.

The sound and projection are consistently fine. There was an occasional bit of sound leaking from next door. Otherwise no complaints.

Comment from "Tantese" on 07/07/07:

Tantese said...
I've reviewed Studio on the Square earlier, but thought this worth a follow-up. We went to La Vie En Rose (any theatre that brings foreign and independent films to Memphis is beloved by area film buffs!).

As we sat down, music was playing, which is not unusual, but the on-screen pre-movie fare involved sound material (ads for tv shows, shorts by Coke, Screenvision material) all of which was going on "silently" behind the music. Then the music kicked off and the sound came on, which was a small step in the right direction. But the sound had the quality of an echo chamber and was slightly off the movement of the speakers' lips.

Being a regularly reader of this blog, I went to tell someone. The young person I told reacted perfectly: as if it was "his" theatre and something was wrong! And within two minutes it was fixed! Well done Studio on the Square!

Jonesy: Increased Grade from C
Cinema Grade = B-

Malco Ridgeway Four

5853 Ridgeway Center Parkway, Memphis, TN 38120
(901) 681-2046

Comment by "Tantese" on 04/2007
I saw The Hoax at the Ridgeway 4 in Memphis. Going in I realized it's an old theatre showing foreign and artsy films (which is boon in our part of town), as well as other films like this one so I want to say nice things...but my shoes stuck to the floor! and the the bottom part of the picture was off the screen (which had a black mark in it that was annoying). So clean it up and fix it up. PLEASE!
= = = = =

Review submitted by "Tantese" on 03/30/07

We saw The Lives of Others at the Ridgeway Four (Malco) Theatre in Memphis on March 29, 2007.

There were maybe 10 people in this large theatre for the 7:25 showing. This theatre is old and in need of some up-dating...but the movie on the sceen was fine, the sound was fine. It was a German movie with clear readable sub-titles.

The experience was good...and perhaps I might have noticed some presentation problems if the MOVIE ITSELF WERE NOT SO GREAT! This one was fully engrossing and a timely reminder of why I love the movies! Wish more people had been there.

Cinema Grade = C-

Malco Paradiso

Poplar At Mendenhall, Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 682-1754

Comment by Jonesy on 12/31/06:
I saw "The Descent" there in 08/06. I agree with your general assessment.The house lights were never turned fully off, detracting slightly from the experience, which was about being trapped in the dark underground.When I said something afterwards, I was told apathetically, "That's how it is."

Comment by lidabill on 01/20/07:
Saw Dreamgirls there Jan. 19...theatre number 4. Average size, stadium seating, looked and sounded very good. But WAY too many ads before the show. Had to sit through 2 ads for the Sopranos on A&E.


Posted by David Jones on 12/30/06.

Saw Blood Diamond on December 26 in auditorium 11.

Auditorium 11 is a typical small stadium auditorium in a large multiplex. The Paridiso was built recently (within 5 years) and is generally nice and popular among local residents.

On this night several showings were sold out, and even my showing of a movie that's been out for a while was packed.

The picture, while on the smaller side, was sharp, bright, and steady. The sound was exceptional. It was both loud and dynamic, enveloping the audience.

(Jonesy: According to Malco's website, the largest screen is 45.5' x 62.5.')

Larger Screens:
Cinema Grade = B

Smaller Screens (Incl. Auditorium 11):
Cinema Grade = C