It’s safe to go back to the movies
Local movie theatres are set to re-open Friday, July 3, but don’t expect to see any new summer blockbusters just yet.
There are no new movies being released on that day, said Bill Walker, CEO at Landmark Cinemas, Canada’s second-largest movie theatre company and operator of Landmark Cinemas 7 in Penticton, the Grand 10 in Kelowna as well as both theatres in West Kelowna.
Instead, Landmark will be offering bigscreen classics such as the Steven Spielberg classics “Jaws,” “Jurassic Park,” and “ET: the Extra Terrestrial” along with “Wonder Woman” and “The Empire Strikes Back,” arguably the strongest film in the “Star Wars” franchise.
Admission to the classic movies will be $5 and $3 on Tuesdays.
“Unhinged,” a psychological thriller starring Russell Crowe, opens July 17; however, Walker said the first highly-anticipated film the industry has rallied around is “Tenet,” directed by Christopher Nolan (“Dunkirk,” “The Dark Knight”), set for July 31.
Prices will be the same as when theatres closed in March, but going to the movies will look a bit different. Staff will be wearing personal protective equipment. Guests will be encouraged to wear masks; however, it will not be mandatory.
There will be longer periods between showings to prevent crowding in the lobby and to give staff enough time to complete the enhanced cleaning.
Guests will be encouraged to buy tickets online in advance. Reserved seating will be available. Theatres with conventional seating will see 75% of the chairs empty.
Walker said every other row will be blocked off and not available for sale. Seats will be sold in pairs with three empty seats in between.
It will leave a little more than six feet between guests, but keeping two seats empty was not enough, he said.
Popcorn will again be served fresh out of the popper and self-serve drinks are still available, but bottled beverages will also be an option for customers.
When questioned about the economic viability of operating at maximum 25% auditorium capacity, Walker said Landmark could not do that forever, but it’s certainly a better circumstance than being completely closed.
“We’re happy to get open and can start generating some revenue and build comfort with our customers on how we can create a safe operating experience,” he said, adding the hope for any entertainment experience business is to eventually get back to full capacity and back to something that’s a bit more economic for the business model.
Walker is optimistic that customers will enjoy seeing their old favourites — such as “Jaws” — on a big screen again, even if they’ve seen it multiple times on television.
“These are movies that are so important to so many people. Movies are memorable, they’re often ingrained. I can see people wanting to relive them again, but this time with their 15-year-old.”