Your favorite movie theater

[helen]

Which movie theater is your favorite?

For me latey it's been the Ward 16. Kind of close to home, stadium seating, self serving soda machines (which makes for unlimited sodas) and a variety of places to eat around the area.

Dole Cannery 18, also has stadium seating, I think the hot dogs are better if the Critics Corner section is open and while it's farther away from home it's kind of close to work. With the exception of yesterday's viewing of The Good Shepherd (http://www.hawaiithreads.com/showthread.php?t=11531) it's been over a year since I last went there.

It's been years since I have gone to Kahala or the Pearlridge theaters, which are accesible by TheBus.

[poinographer]

Funny you should bring this up. I just came back from the Windward Mall theaters where our movie began with the picture, and the soundtrack, but NO AUDIO FOR THE CHARACTERS' SPEECH. At first everyone was puzzled as to if it was some novel introduction to a movie, but when it went on too long a few people went to complain. So a supervisor arrives and watches for another few minutes and deduces, "Yup, something is wrong." She then ambles up to the projection booth and a few minutes later the house lights come up and she says, "Sorry, but something is wrong but we have corrected the problem. We can't rewind the movie (?!) so you may either watch it when we re-start it from this point or you may move to another movie screen and see a different show."

The audience wasn't having that. We demanded, and received, refunds.

Maybe I'll try again tomorrow. Adds another layer of meaning to "Pursuit of Happyness." Heh.

[anapuni808]

My favorite is Ward Center - because they have the Concierge service & valet parking. I've been a member since they started & it's paid off for me. All I have to do is call them, tell them how many tickets I want (up to 6) and where I want to sit. They will hold the tix/seats & even stand in line at the concession stand for a small fee. Even on opening day of a blockbuster movie! I've haven't stood in a ticket line for quite a while so I'm really spoiled. If you're going to dinner after, they will make your reservations for you at any of the Ward restaurants. Yeah, I guess I'm spoiled...........and I like it.

[Hellbent]

waikiki twins #3

[mel]

Cinerama (http://hotspotshawaii.com/melpages/Around_Oahu/Cinerama.html) was my favorite. Long gone now with a Checker store filling in its shell. I also liked the Waikiki Twins & the original one too. All gone, shopping mail in its place today.

Currently perhaps Regal Dole Cannery, the ones with the very large screen and THX sound.

[anapuni808]

oh well - if we're also including old ones, definitely Cinerama. Thats where I saw Star Wars for the first time. and Mash.

and the original Waikiki Theater, with the stars on the ceiling & the organ. and then there was the Royal on Kuhio Ave. My daughter & I went there a lot because they showed a lot of Disney films.

and there used to be another one, on Kuhio - where Nick's Fishmarket is now. Saw Cleopatra there shortly after arriving on O`ahu.

Lots of very fond memories tied up with movies in Waikiki.

[Hellbent]

I miss drive-ins.

[hawaiiguy]

Cinerama? weren't their seat location/installation poorly planned? like one's seat would be directly behind the one in front of you---so if you had a tall person sitting, you really couldn't see the movie...

from what I remember, that was one of my gripes for the Cinerama...

I liked the Royal Theater on Kuhio Ave. then...

now, I like all theaters where there is stadium seating

[pzarquon]

The Ward Stadium 16 is on my shortlist, to be sure. Exactly what a city multiplex should be. I actually don't mind Dole Cannery, either. There was a time that those theaters were the ones to visit if you were a sound snob... and weren't they among the first 'stadium' configurations?

Theaters that are no more? The Cinerama (yeah, it had technical issues, but it was across the street from my intermediate school, and thus holds many fond memories) and the Waikiki 3, definitely. Don't forget the ol' Kam Drive Inn. I also went to the Kuhio Twins, Kapiolani, even Pearlridge 4-plex quite a bit.

I think the Varsity is just about the last old-school movie houses left. We went for "one last show" to say goodbye to Cinerama, Waikiki, Kuhio and Kam (almost all horrid movies, of course), and I'm dreading the day we'll have to do the same on University Avenue.

[DannyWilliams]

sniff........

goin down memory lane hea..........

Yeah kinda sad that there is no ol skool theaters its STADIUM Seating and Multiplex........ Da MOA da BETTAH.......


Well heres a listing of theaters I have been at and is no longer in operation .........

WAIKIKI:
Waikiki Twins #1 & #2
Waikiki #3
Kuhio Twins #1 & #2
The Marina Twins #1 & #2
Royal Theater

ALA MOANA:
Kapiolani
(btw, I am shocked no theaters in the vicinity of Ala Moana Center... wassup wit dat?)

DOWNTOWN HONOLULU:
King Twins #1 #2 (though the place was goin into ya know whats I do recall their double features during the 80's before they finally bowed out and anyone remember that the auditorium was sooooooo dark/poorly lit u could not see where da heck u were goin and even with the few lights they had on was still terrible to see wea ya was goin at times)

PEARLRIDGE:
Pearlridge 4plex (was it a mistake that they opened the 16plex at Phase 2 (I MEAN) Downtown?!?!?
Kam Drive In Twins (the last movie I saw there was "More American Graffiti" and were talkin 1980)

WAIPAHU:
Royal Sunset Drive In

KAILUA:
Kailua Drive In




and then there was the Royal on Kuhio Ave. My daughter & I went there a lot because they showed a lot of Disney films.



Yup, Royal must have had some kind of contract exclusive thing goin. When The future of the Royal Chain was lookin bleak Consolidated jumped right in and took over thus aquiring the Marina

[Palama Kid]

What else. Da Palama Theatre, of course. I miss those 10-cents Saturday morning cartoon / serials. Ah, Lash Larue and Flash Gordon were so good fun.

[anapuni808]

and lets not forget good old Queen Theater on Waialae Ave. - saw my first ever porno film there, "I am Curious Yellow" I think was the name of it. and back in the mid 60's to 70's - all the drive in movies. I think my husband & I went to Waialae at least 2 times a week! Maybe we were just bored with each other? :confused:

[shaveice]

and lets not forget good old Queen Theater on Waialae Ave. - saw my first ever porno film there, "I am Curious Yellow" I think was the name of it. and back in the mid 60's to 70's - all the drive in movies. I think my husband & I went to Waialae at least 2 times a week! Maybe we were just bored with each other? :confused:

ha! ha! thanks for a good laugh!

[zff]

Does anyone here remember the Kapiolani Drive-In theater (where Daiei/Don Quijote and the fire station is now)? You know, near Universal Motors? :D

[Palama Kid]

Does anyone here remember the Kapiolani Drive-In theater (where Daiei/Don Quijote and the fire station is now)? You know, near Universal Motors? :D
Here's a pitcher of someone taken when we lived at Kalakaua Homes, right next to that Drive-Inn. As a diversion, we used to watch some movies while sitting next to the fence . . . um, outside of the drive-inn, don't you know.

[helen]

Cinerama (http://hotspotshawaii.com/melpages/Around_Oahu/Cinerama.html) was my favorite.

Another thing I miss about the Cinerama was that in a couple of periods in the mid to late 90's was running classic film festivals. The first one ran for 4 to 5 weeks and had one movie running the entire week. The second group ran for two or three weeks and a movie would play for a couple of days.

Does anyone here remember the Kapiolani Drive-In theater (where Daiei/Don Quijote and the fire station is now)? You know, near Universal Motors? :D
Nope, this was way before my time. While I have been on Oahu since 1979 there was a time we visited Oahu during the 1960's and I remember visiting Holiday Mart (which then became Daiei and now Don Quijote).

[jdub]

No one loved the Kahala Drive In? Right next to the grave yard? And all the ghost stories that circulated? I remember not taking a shower for a month after my family went to see "Squirm," a laughable thriller about killer worms that featured a scene with worms coming out of the showerhead. My older sister used to torment me with ghost stories about the lady with no face in the bathroom mirror at the snack stand.

[D'Alani]

What else. Da Palama Theatre, of course. I miss those 10-cents Saturday morning cartoon / serials. Ah, Lash Larue and Flash Gordon were so good fun.

Also, Liliha and Kalihi Theatres...all had different cartoons on Saturday...yea da good ol days. And yea I remember going to Kapiolani Drive In and Waialae Drive In.

[achow]

My favorite movie theaters areL

-Kahala
-Pearlridge 16
-Ward
-All of the Waikiki Theatres (which is long gone now)

[jdub]

I remember a crazy uncle taking me down to see kung fu movies in Chinatown on the weekends. I want to say it was the Hawai'i Theatre, but I can't be sure it was because I was so manini at the time (maybe 5 or 6). I remember seeing movies at the old theaters on King Street in Downtown, and those aren't the one I'm talking about. Does anyone remember kung fu movies at the Hawai'i Theatre back in the day?

[anapuni808]

There was another theater down there, I think there is a church in it now? I think at the corner of Nu`uanu & Beretania.

What about the Toyo (?) on Kapiolani? I used to go watch samurai movies there. That was where I learned to love Kurosawa & Toshiro Mifune films

[cezanne]

Koolau Theaters in Temple Valley because its less than 5 minutes away.

[mel]

Another thing I miss about the Cinerama was that in a couple of periods in the mid to late 90's was running classic film festivals.

Sure were. I caught reruns of "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "Lawrence of Arabia" at the Cinerama at that time.

[Palama Kid]

There was another theater down there, I think there is a church in it now? I think at the corner of Nu`uanu & Beretania.

What about the Toyo (?) on Kapiolani? I used to go watch samurai movies there. That was where I learned to love Kurosawa & Toshiro Mifune films
Was that theatre on Beretania and Nuuanu called Kokusai? Between the Hawaii and Kokusai (?) Theatres, I recall a Liberty Theatre, on Nuuanu, mauka of the parking building.

Toyo was between Beretania and Kukui, on the Ewa side of Nuuanu Stream & had a koi pond in front. I recall another theatre (International?) behind Toyo (closer to Kukui, behind the temple - which was moved from its previous location nearer Beretania & King).

Oh, those scary obake-neko movies were BIG draws for me.

Before walking home, eating 25-cent saimin at close-by saimin stands after the movies . . . and those 10-cent BBQ sticks !!!

Am I the only one who can remember the Roosevelt Theatre on Maunakea between Pauahi and Beretania? They showed "adult" movies in the '60s and '70s . . . not that I went to see them. And not that there's anything wrong with those movies. And . . . awww, just forget I brought it up.

[Hellbent]

For those of Chinese decent or enthusiasts, dont forget about Empress and Golden Harvest.

[jdub]

Toyo was between Beretania and Kukui, on the Ewa side of Nuuanu Stream & had a koi pond in front.
Ha! That's the one I was asking about. I remember pushing my cousin in that pond! Mahalo, PK!

[D'Alani]

I'm pretty certain the Kung Fu movies you refer to was shown at the Liberty Theatre. We used to go Roosevelt Theatre and look around before we bought our tickets. Do you remember the Beretania Follies in Tin Can alley?...and American Theatre, and Golden Wall on School Street? Also the Pawaa Theatre on the corner of Keeaumoku and Beretania.

[anapuni808]

if Toyo was downtown, then what was the name of the one on Kapiolani? it was close to where the PanAm building is now. Ah, these senior moments just keep coming on me :p

[helen]

Kapiolani Theater. Which is now a Blockbuster where the screen was and a Paja John where the main enterance/lobby was.

[anapuni808]

(smacks my forehead) well, DUH - now I remember. Thanks Helen!

[DannyWilliams]

Am I the only one who can remember the Roosevelt Theatre on Maunakea between Pauahi and Beretania? They showed "adult" movies in the '60s and '70s . . . not that I went to see them. And not that there's anything wrong with those movies. And . . . awww, just forget I brought it up.



Speaking of Adult Movie Houses I recall the "Rex Theater" owned by The Yuclan Chain on Maunakea I believe and each time parents would pass that particular theater they would have to shield the kiddies if they happen to be present.
Who knows these children at the time would be asking the names of the poster of a given movie playing or asking what is that lady doing to her you know whats?






OHHHHHHH yeah wanna add anyone rememba the HOLIDAY MART chain?
KAM <---- was fortunate to have gone to this one to see "THE BIG CHILL" btw that was a teeeny tiny small theater as I recall
LAIE
NANAKULI
KAILUA

(I know that some of them were taken over by the WALLACE Chain, are they stil there? )

I never went to this one but there was one owned by CONSOLIDATED called KINGS ALLEY in Waikiki during the 70's and there was CAMEO which became the niteclub PINK CADDILAC which I used to go there as a teen which was fun while it lasted and a sidenote when it was Cameo that it briefly showed ADULT MOVIES ;)

[anapuni808]

I have to say that with all this remembering of old theaters, I fondly remember the open air theaters in Waianae, Maili and Nankuli. You could go, sit in old car seats, bring your own food and hope the B-52's and other insect life did not crawl over your feet while you watched really obscure movies. It was a lot of fun and really an adventure to go to the movies out there. I especially liked the one in Nanakuli - very casual. Of course, this was in 1963-64 so many here may not have ever gone to those.

[GeckoGeek]

OHHHHHHH yeah wanna add anyone rememba the HOLIDAY MART chain?
KAM <---- was fortunate to have gone to this one to see "THE BIG CHILL" btw that was a teeeny tiny small theater as I recall
LAIE
NANAKULI
KAILUA


Yup. Seen a number of movies at Kailua. Including The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The building is still there, but I don't think it's a theater anymore.

[D'Alani]

I have to say that with all this remembering of old theaters, I fondly remember the open air theaters in Waianae, Maili and Nankuli. You could go, sit in old car seats, bring your own food and hope the B-52's and other insect life did not crawl over your feet while you watched really obscure movies. It was a lot of fun and really an adventure to go to the movies out there. I especially liked the one in Nanakuli - very casual. Of course, this was in 1963-64 so many here may not have ever gone to those.

I remember going to the open air one at Nanakuli and Waianae Theatre which was like one big Quonset Hut. My Dad's side is from Waianae and Nanakuli so went out that side a lot as a kid.

[DannyWilliams]

For those who recall the King Theaters in Downtown Honolulu which turned into a parking lot?

Well I went there when it was a single theater and caught TENTACLES.....
Its JAWS but a killer Octopus wreaking havoc on this town....
Anyways when the theater got twinned I rememba this lady that worked there and when I went to see this titlewise I foget but when I went to the bathroom which was on the other end I took a peek inside what was playing and the lady she scolded me cuz I was looking at a "R" and I was under 17 obviously at the time. And the movie I was lookin at had ILSA in the title. :rolleyes:

[alohabear]

I miss the old Kailua drive-in....not because of the sound or picture , but just for the fact you could watch a movie under the stars.

[DannyWilliams]

I miss the old Kailua drive-in....not because of the sound or picture , but just for the fact you could watch a movie under the stars.

I rememba goin either was up or goin down da Pali in da cah of course you could see their beeeg sign indicating what was playing at the time.

And I have heard that ppl that lived near drive ins (Waialae & Kam Drive In) would actually watch movies from their balcony and tune into their stereo systems :rolleyes:
I dunno if it actually worked for them but I have heard

[PoiBoy]

I like the $5 already out in video movie theaters. :D Because no one is around. hehe ;)

[Ms_Aloha_Nui]

Gotta be Haleiwa Theatre....with Nakai's Saimin across the street......nothing better! Old samurai movies, Dr. Doolittle....these were the days!

[DannyWilliams]

More of my experiences at long gone cinemas


Waikiki Twins 1 &2
Nice place and always looked foward to coming when I could.
Walked up the stairs and you saw the screen and when ya turned around there was more rows behind ya. Deciding which row and what part left, middle or right was always hard to choose if your party was 2 or more ppl

Waikiki #3
Everyone has their memories of this grand theater.
I even remember when it had the tropical look inside back in the 70's.
When "EARTHQUAKE" was playing at the time ya really got the feeling that you were in L.A.
Rewinding fast foward to the renovated look in the 80's I spent lotsa Saturdays and Sundays checking out whateva movie was out and anyone rememba the woman that worked at the box office. She always looked mean lookin. Whats was up wit her?:rolleyes:
And their setup of the snack bar was trippy. When ya went up to pay da cashier had to go back and forth to ring up everybody. Must have been dizzy flip flopping for each transaction.

Kuhio Twins
The great thing I liked about KUHIO was the outdoor exterior of the neons and the whats playing displays they had for the neighboring theaters in the area.

[hifotog]

I had several theaters (u folks named alot!) that I remembered...one of em was TOYO Theater, where the HI USA Credit Union is there now just ewa of Chinese Cultural Plaza...I remembered them super spooky obake shows and after every show..I would be scared as HELL to cross over that tiny bridge leading from the sidewalk to their theater...bumbye white lady with long black hair with dem spooky black eyes:eek: ....then there is the Nippon Theater, where the Chevron Station is located on Keeaumoku and Beretania. I think you folks are mentioning the TOHO Theater, where Blockbuster is located now...I always remembered the concession on the bottom of the theater and we'd have to walk up stairs to the theater. Anybody remember "the Glades" where boys will be girls:eek: ...it was located on Hotel Street just almost ewa on River Street.....good times were when Hotel Street used to be open to the public....me and my friends used to circle around Hotel Street trying to ck out the trans...we then used to call em mh! And yeah....despite sometimes when the kailua drive in and kam drive in used to have them crappy speakers to hook up on yo window and you had to roll up yo window to make sure it was noiseproof...but the pain in da a## was if you were the driver, the mgmt made the roads in a hillish way to make sure you werent blocking others view. :(
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh...those WERE DEM days.................

[Kalihiboy]

Were the Kalihi Theaters the one's at Kam Shopping Center where KB Toys is now?

The Royal Marina Theaters was next to the old Kaiser Hospital which is now Hawaii Prince right?

Queen Theater building is still intact.

The Kahala Drive Inn I think is the Self-Storage place now

Wasnt Kuhio Theaters where Niketown is now??

KalihiBoy

[DannyWilliams]

Were the Kalihi Theaters the one's at Kam Shopping Center where KB Toys is now?

The Royal Marina Theaters was next to the old Kaiser Hospital which is now Hawaii Prince right?

The Kahala Drive Inn I think is the Self-Storage place now

Wasnt Kuhio Theaters where Niketown is now??

KalihiBoy


Kalihi Theaters? Wasn't it apart of the HOLIDAY MART chain? And if so it was just called KAM and the Royal Marina Twins changed into a steak resturaunt. From there I dunno....... And yeah where Niketown was good ol Kuhio. And Kahala Drive in? Waialae Drive In? Where Jolly Rogers was?

[D'Alani]

Were the Kalihi Theaters the one's at Kam Shopping Center where KB Toys is now?

The Royal Marina Theaters was next to the old Kaiser Hospital which is now Hawaii Prince right?

Queen Theater building is still intact.

The Kahala Drive Inn I think is the Self-Storage place now

Wasnt Kuhio Theaters where Niketown is now??

KalihiBoy

The theaters at KSC were called The Holiday Theaters and at their busiest used to show Filipino movies. Kalihi Theater was located next to the Salvation Army store on the corner of King St. and Puuhale Rd. Palama Theater is still there at King St. and the bottom of Pua Lane, and Liliha Theater was at the corner of School St. and Liliha St. where the freeway is now.

[modpirate]

I think all the theaters I remember are gone now. What's interesting is that I still associate certain movies with them.

Holiday Theater, Kam Shopping Center - Disney cartoons, Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, and The Legend of Bigfoot. (the last one scared the daylights out of me.)

Waialae Drive In - more Disney movies, and previews for crappy 70's Blaxploitation movies.

Cinerama - all the Star Wars movies

Empress - Kung Fu movies (I actually never went there, but I always wanted to, not because I like Kung Fu but because it was so grand looking.)

Waikiki (1? 2? 3? can't remember) - Superman, Superman 2, Conan the Barbarian, E.T.

Marina - Xanadu (Shut up! At least it wasn't Can't Stop The Music).

Royal - Raiders of the Lost Ark.

[DannyWilliams]

Marina - Xanadu (Shut up! At least it wasn't Can't Stop The Music).



I think its GREASE which was put out by PARAMOUNT. The Royal Theater Chain had exclusive showings of films put out by them.
Xanadu is Universal which is Consolidated.

[helen]

Cinerama - all the Star Wars movies

Just the ones from the late 70's and 80's. Cinerama never showed The Phantom Menace even through it was still operating.

[Vanguard]

Waikiki (1? 2? 3? can't remember) - Superman, Superman 2, Conan the Barbarian, E.T.

Was that one kind of close to the International Marketplace? I think I saw Karate Kid 2 there.

[DannyWilliams]

Was that one kind of close to the International Marketplace? I think I saw Karate Kid 2 there.


uhhhhhhhh not really. Where Waikiki Twins and #3 was versus International Market Place. It's about 5-6 blocks inbetween I say.

[modpirate]

I think its GREASE which was put out by PARAMOUNT. The Royal Theater Chain had exclusive showings of films put out by them.
Xanadu is Universal which is Consolidated.

Ah. Maybe it was Kuhio. I know it was somewhere in Waikiki, and I know it was Xanadu. No way I could forget a movie that awful.

[oceanpacific]

Movies I remember:

KING - WILLARD (the one about the rats);
ROYAL - first movie "date" in Honolulu for me; THE GRADUATE;
WAIALAE DRIVE-IN - don't remember any of the movies :D ;
TOHO - saw the Shogun Assasin ("Lone Wolf") series;
KAPIOLANI (formerly TOHO) - TOOTSIE;
WAIKIKI 3 - POSEIDON ADVENTURE;
CINERAMA - M*A*S*H; EASY RIDER;
WAIKIKI 1/2 - THE STING; E.T.; AMERICAN GRAFFITI;
QUEEN - XXX stuff not in Chinatown;
KAIMUKI - PRUDENCE AND THE PILL; IMPOSSIBLE YEARS (both David Niven);
UH (Snyder Hall) - DEEP THROAT;
KAHALA - TWINS;
KOKO MARINA - BACK TO THE FUTURE

I remember the twin-theaters at the Ilikai Marina where Outback Steakhouse is located now.

[GeckoGeek]

I think all the theaters I remember are gone now. What's interesting is that I still associate certain movies with them.

Kailua Theater - Mary Poppins (just barely remembered)

Holiday Theater, Kailua Shopping Center - Poseidon Adventure, Paper Moon, The Sting, Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Kailua Drive In - No movies, but I remember the tailgating in the front row.

Akahi - Tora, Tora, Tora; American Graffiti

Cinerama - Space Odyssey 2001, the original Star Wars, Rocky Horror Picture Show. :rolleyes:

[Kalihiboy]

I believe the last film shown at the Cinerama was in October 1999 with the presentation of American Beauty with Kevin Spacey. I used to eat at the JITB across the street all the time when I lived in Makiki, but kick myself for never going to any films at the Cinerama.

I have old commercials for films that were shown at the Royal Marina Theaters by the Ilikai. Anyone know when that theater closed? I'm guessing late 80's around the time in which they tore down the Kaiser Hospital which of course that demolition was used in an episode of Magnum PI.

Aj

[DannyWilliams]

I believe the last film shown at the Cinerama was in October 1999 with the presentation of American Beauty with Kevin Spacey. I used to eat at the JITB across the street all the time when I lived in Makiki, but kick myself for never going to any films at the Cinerama.

Aj



no no no :D


The last movie to be shown at Cinerama was THE INSIDER w/ Russell Crowe
Pic of Cinerama HERE (http://www.hotspots.hawaii.com/melpages/Around_Oahu/Cinerama2.html)
and they closed November of '99. I rememba da article online.

[helen]

Dole Cannery 18, also has stadium seating, I think the hot dogs are better if the Critics Corner section is open

Last time I went to Dole was New Years Eve and the Critics Corner section was blocked off with huge movie posters. I don't think the section has been in operation for quite some time. And the hot dogs sold by the usual concession stand is the standard size hot dog and bun.

[kanahina]

I like going to Regal Theater at Pearl Highlands because I can buy my tickets at that kiosk thingy (which never has a line) instead of standing in the regular ticket line! I think Dole Cannery is a Regal Theater also and has that ticket kiosk, but it's a little far from home for me. (Although the hubby did take me to see Dream Girls there last year because it was the only theater still showing it.) Do any Consolidated Theaters have that ticket kiosk?

[helen]

The Ward 16 has a couple of machines. There are located on the right hand side of the enterance (the ticket office is on the left hand side).

[Lei Liko]

The Ward 16 has a couple of machines. There are located on the right hand side of the enterance (the ticket office is on the left hand side).

I love those things. While the ticket office lines do move quickly (thanks to efficient workers), it's still a bummer to see a long line at the top of the escalator. Whenever I want to use the CC/Debit Card kiosk, there's usually no one there.

I like how we can use plastic at the concession stand now, too.

It's funny because I don't think I've ever come across this thread before. I have fond memories at the old Cinerama. I think the last time I saw a movie there was the Blair Witch Project in 1998. I remember that night vividly because I got sick in the middle of the movie and had to run to the bathroom to yack. :eek:

[Honoruru]

It's funny because I don't think I've ever come across this thread before. I have fond memories at the old Cinerama. I think the last time I saw a movie there was the Blair Witch Project in 1998. I remember that night vividly because I got sick in the middle of the movie and had to run to the bathroom to yack. :eek:

Funny you should mention this, but I got sick watching the same movie at the same theater, too. (I think I mentioned this in a previous thread.) And it wasn't because of the subject matter. It was because of the camera work (that herky-jerky, hand-held technique). I just got sicker and sicker the more I watched. I was sick the rest of the day. Later, after I recovered, I searched online and discovered I wasn't the only one who got sick. It seems that anyone who was susceptible to motion sickness got physically sick watching the movie.

Was that the case for you, too?

[Random]

Kamoi Theater in Kaunakaka'i, on Moloka'i.

Sure, it was rat-infested, but I can get into it and watch an R-Rated B-type film without an ID check ... at age 4.

My only regret is not watching Star Wars and that's because Darth Vader on the movie poster scares me. (No, at thirtysomething now, I'm not afraid of him.)

[Kaukura]

For almost 2 years, I went to the Dole exclusively. Dont know why in particular, just seemed easier. I dont' really like crowds and the dole just seemed less crowded, even though it was full many times.. go figure.. Anyway, i finally started going to Ward about a year ago and was amazed how much their larger theatres seem to give such a better movie experience. now I try to go there as often as I can (even though I work downtown) especially if the film is playing at both Ward and Dole.

but the Dole always remains to me the best theatre to go to on a rainy day when you just want to lose yourself in a movie, or on a weekday afternoon at 3 when there wont be a lot of people in the theatre.

ps Anybody notice how the Ward theatres seem to have this odor lately? I've noticed it in the ones Ewa side. Sort of musty verging on stale urine smell.. First time i noticed it was a few months ago. Still comes through.

[kanahina]

The Ward 16 has a couple of machines. There are located on the right hand side of the enterance (the ticket office is on the left hand side).

Thanks for the info, I did not know this. I always go left to the box office and never looked to see what was on the right side.

mahalo!

[helen]

Went to the Pearlridge theaters last week and I noticed that their general admission prices are a $1 less than Ward but one of their stadium seating theaters (the one downstairs) doesn't have much of a height difference between rows.

[DannyWilliams]

I love those things. While the ticket office lines do move quickly (thanks to efficient workers), it's still a bummer to see a long line at the top of the escalator. Whenever I want to use the CC/Debit Card kiosk, there's usually no one there.

I like how we can use plastic at the concession stand now, too.




Yes debit cards rock when you are in the mood to go to da theater to see a movie! I always look for the VISA/MC sticker! The theaters here in the bay area have some kind of CC/Debit setup for patrons. Takes the guess work out of asking yourself, should I take out $20 or $40?!?!

[Walkoff Balk]

Roxy Theater in Kapaa, across from Nakamura store on Kauai seemed like an arena, when it's your first movie going experience. And you always remember your first.
The worst had to be at King Theater, even with a cheap price for a double feature. But, that's what you could afford as a college student. It was three to four hours of a sticky floor and the smell of urine.

[Walkoff Balk]

I like to add the other long gone theater in Kapaa called the Pono Theater. Whatta country bumpkin I am? But, I thought since it showed X-rated movies once a week there, that the term 'porno" was named referencing the Pono Theater. And the added "r" was for the r-rated foreign films from Asia.

[mel]

Movies I remember:

KAPIOLANI (formerly TOHO) - TOOTSIE;
WAIKIKI 3 - POSEIDON ADVENTURE;
CINERAMA - M*A*S*H; EASY RIDER;
WAIKIKI 1/2 - THE STING; E.T.; AMERICAN GRAFFITI;

I remember the twin-theaters at the Ilikai Marina where Outback Steakhouse is located now.

Movies that I associate with Hawaii theaters of the past:

CINERAMA - Star Wars, Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, Apollo 13, Karakatoa: East of Java, Lawrence of Arabia (re-release), 2001: A Space Odyssey (re-release), many others.

WAIKIKI 1, 2 & 3 - E.T., Star Wars The Phantom Menace, Star Wars Episode IV Special Edition, Footloose, Independence Day, Jaws, Titanic, Forrest Gump, Lilo & Stitch many others.

WAIKIKI iMAX THEATER - Star Wars II Attack of the Clones

ROYAL THEATER - True Grit, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Trek Wrath of Khan, TRON, The Black Hole

ROYAL MARINA TWINS - American Hot Wax, Saturday Night Fever

KAPIOLANI - Wings Over America Rockshow, Back to the Future, Dune, Howard the Duck, several others

HOLIDAY THEATERS LAIE - Blade Runner, Animal House, several others

PEOPLES' THEATER (Honokaa Big Island) - Planet of the Apes & 4 sequels, Lawrence of Arabia, The Love Bug, Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Romeo & Juliet (1968), Journey to the Far Side of the Sun, 2001: A Space Odyssey, War of the Worlds (1953 version re-release), Silent Running, The Last Valley, Soylent Green, The Omega Man, Blackbeard's Ghost, Cougar Country, many others from my childhood and teen years.

HILO PALACE THEATER - Star Wars (1977), Island of Dr. Moreau, The Swarm, Grease, a few others.

WAIKEA TWINS - Hilo, Big Island - The Blair Witch Project