Civilized, kid-free cinemas

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This article was published 31/10/2012 (4960 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Opening Friday, the movie Flight dramatically details the downward spiral of an alcoholic airline pilot played by Denzel Washington.

And at the newly launched Cineplex Odeon McGillivray and VIP Cinemas, you can enjoy a stiff drink while you’re watching it.

 

The former Cinema City at the corner of McGillivray and Kenaston boulevards relaunches Friday after a four-month, $4.5-million renovation that saw the second-run facility transform into a first-run multiplex with eight regular theatre auditoriums and three special VIP cinemas, the first in Manitoba.

With cushy seats, extra leg room, an elegantly appointed adjoining lounge and the ability to order food (anything from calamari to cheeseburgers) from your seat, the VIP cinemas cost $7 above the $10.50 price of a regular movie ticket. (The premium is $10 if the movie is in 3D.) But for upscale cinema-goers, the adults-only designation may prove irresistible.

“The first thing you’re going to find when you walk in the auditorium is a giant wall-to-wall screen, Dolby Digital surround sound, (and) large leather seats with a table at your seat to make it easier to put your food and beverages down,” said Cineplex vice-president Pat Marshall as she conducted a media tour of the multiplex Tuesday morning.

“Plus every seat in this house is reserved, so you can pick exactly where you would like to be in the theatre auditorium.”

The regular cinemas have a concession area remodelled to include the usual popcorn, pop and candy counters as well as TCBY frozen yogurt, Pizza Pizza and Outtakes, Cineplex Entertainment’s proprietary hot food counter. On Friday, those auditoriums will screen Argo, Cloud Atlas, Flight, Fun Size, Hotel Transylvania, Pitch Perfect, The Man with the Iron Fists and Wreck-It Ralph.

If Flight may prove to be an uncomfortable choice of film programming for a movie theatre that serves alcohol (alongside Argo and Seven Psychopaths), bear in mind the new James Bond movie Skyfall is booked to play the VIP theatre next week.

Remember that when placing an order with VIP lounge bartender Leanne Dipucchio: Your candy floss martini should be shaken, not stirred.

 

randall.king@freepress.mb.ca