THE ROAD BACK TO THE MOVIES
South Florida theaters are reopening this weekend; here’s what you need to know
Many South Florida residents yearning for light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel will find it in the darkness of a movie house this weekend as major chains reopen theaters across the tri-county region.
AMC, Regal and Cinemark are continuing their phased comeback in South Florida after six months of pandemic restrictions, with socially distanced seating protocols, updated air-filtration systems, new rules for concession lines and, in some cases, re-introductory $5 tickets.
The return of communal moviegoing may be a long process, illustrated by the acres of empty seats found at local theaters this week. But audience members who did show up gave the reopenings a unanimous thumbs-up.
“I’m super excited. It’s nice to have a sense of normalcy. It’s the simple things,” said Matthew Jernigan, of Boynton Beach, on Thursday, opening night at AMC Coral Ridge 10 in Fort Lauderdale.
Jernigan, 26, and Florida Atlantic University student Brandon Alfaro, 21, said they came south to see “The New Mutants” because Coral Ridge 10 was one of the few theaters open.
The two are hard-core moviegoers
“They’re cleaning probably more than ever, so to go on Night 1, no, it’s probably the safest time to go see a movie.” —Matthew Jernigan, of Boynton Beach
who saw three films a week before the pandemic. Weary of months of Netflix, both said they felt safe returning to the public theater.
“I’m not concerned,” Jernigan said from behind a mask. “They have 40 percent capacity, masks and gloves. And they’re cleaning probably more than ever, so to go on Night 1, no, it’s probably the safest time to go see a movie.”
While much of it will be familiar — you can still get popcorn, soft drinks and Junior Mints at the concession and the previews still run way too long — the moviegoing experience at local AMC, Regal and Cinemark theaters has changed.
Seats are being sold in socially distanced blocks with capacity limited, and some screening rooms are closed entirely. Masks are mandatory at all times, except when actively eating or drinking (AMC will sell you a mask). Lines for concessions and to enter theaters follow dedicated paths lined with floor decals alerting guests to maintain proper spacing.
For the most part, cash is not accepted. Transactions can be completed with credit, debit and gift cards, the latter available where tickets are sold.
Video game areas are either closed or have every other machine turned off to promote distancing.
One significant change at AMC Coral Ridge 10 is the popular dine-in feature, which allows guests to order from waitstaff at their seats. The service has been “temporarily suspended.”
Instead, food and drink requests can be placed at an ordering station in the lobby, where staff will note the guest’s theater and seat number and deliver the order when ready. Beer, wine and cocktails can be ordered at a separate station.
Is creating a new line of visitors in the lobby safer than reducing the number of times staff enter the theater? AMC representatives did not respond to requests for clarification.
“It’s disappointing, because I really liked having that kind of service,” said Shane Rolland, of Fort Lauderdale. “However, in the big scheme of things, I’ll go stand in line … and just be happy that the store is open.”
Rolland and wife Nancy, parents of three college students, were catching their first film in a theater since February. Both are major Russell Crowe fans and planned to see “Unhinged.”
“I’m very, very excited to be back in a place where you can see real entertainment,” Rolland said, calling it “a good day for America.”
On opening night, Coral Ridge 10 had just five films showing, including the 10th anniversary of Christopher Nolan’s mindbending “Inception,” re-released to excite fans about Nolan’s new epic, “Tenet,” out next week.
This weekend AMC will use the nostalgia of “Inception” and “Rocky II” to lure hard-core movie fans back to the theater, doubling down with tickets that cost a mere $5.
A similar gambit is in play at Regal theaters such as the Regal Westfork Stadium 13 in Pembroke Pines, where Miami resident Antonio Valdes, wife Idalmis and 16-year-old son Justin saw “Goonies” on Wednesday night.
“We wanted to get out of the house, and get some sense of normality back,” Antonio Valdes said. “The big screen, family time, everyone coming together, just disconnect from the real world for two hours.”
Valdes said he had no safety concerns, citing all the social-distancing and sanitizing measures in place. His wife had hand sanitizer in her purse.
Walking up to the theater it was hard not to assume it was closed. The ticket booth was empty, with signs directing guests to purchase tickets in the concession area. An employee said the change may be permanent as Regal tries to direct moviegoers to its app and online ticket sales.
While traditional movie snacks were stacked in glass cases being sprayed and wiped by masked staff, the kitchen was not yet preparing menu items such as hamburgers and chicken sandwiches.
Inside one theater, the Valdes family watched “Goonies” alone, as doors to other screening rooms wore taped advisories: “Cleaning in progress.” Outside, nearby shops at Westfork Plaza — Crumbl Cookies, I Heart Mac & Cheese, Wing Stop — sat empty of customers, aglow in expectant light.