I want the strong "M," erase it and back to The Madison
It may be telling that upon returning to Madison for the first extended visit in several years, the very first place I went was a movie theater. To be thorough and accurate, it was the Sundance Cinema, which opened two years ago. I've been very curious about this particular venue for a few reasons, led by the fact that it's been gestating for an awfully long time. We included a news story about plans for a small chain of Sundance movie theaters back on the old radio movie review show, meaning there was open discussion of this at least sixteen years ago.
News stories and blog posts about the opening of the theater indicate that the initial cinematic offerings there were fully in keeping with the independent spirit that the Sundance name represents. The focus has shifted somewhat, in an apparent concession to the need to sell enough tickets to meet the overhead costs of a new, upscale theater. While there was indeed a subtitled film on one screen, there was also at least one film about as far removed from the Sundance sensibility as you can get, and the posters on the wall happily chirped about the imminent arrival of other entries of dubious merit. It was disappointing, but, sadly, understandable.
The theater itself was impressive, if not as immediately enthralling as my favorite moviegoing venue back home in Asheville. There was a clear attempt to give the place an invitingly classy coffee shop aesthetic, leaving the giant popcorn bin looking a touch out of place between the chalkboard signs touting lattes and the gleaming cappuccino machine. It did seem to be working, as indicated by the people clicking away on their laptops with steaming oversized cups beside them outnumbering the people who attended the screening I bought a ticket for. Adding to the event vibe was the request at the box office that I select my favored spot in the auditorium in advance, using much the same touchscreen technology and design sense previously reserved for selecting airplane seat assignments at the electronic ticketing kiosk. This may be a helpful feature when the opening night of Public Enemies rolls around, but it did seem a touch unnecessary when it was me, one woman and a hundred empty chairs.
I'm nostalgic enough about my Madison moviegoing that this new space--no matter how noble, no matter how posh--can't fully make up for the loss of other arthouse cinemas the city has loved and lost, especially the ancient, admittedly dilapidated and recently repurposed Majestic. Still, as these other venues have fallen and faded, it's somewhat reassuring to know that there's an attempt to fill the void, to continue to bring arthouse fair to the capital city.
I should have figured out if their coffee is any good.
(Posted simultaneously to "Drilling Holes in the Wall.")
News stories and blog posts about the opening of the theater indicate that the initial cinematic offerings there were fully in keeping with the independent spirit that the Sundance name represents. The focus has shifted somewhat, in an apparent concession to the need to sell enough tickets to meet the overhead costs of a new, upscale theater. While there was indeed a subtitled film on one screen, there was also at least one film about as far removed from the Sundance sensibility as you can get, and the posters on the wall happily chirped about the imminent arrival of other entries of dubious merit. It was disappointing, but, sadly, understandable.
The theater itself was impressive, if not as immediately enthralling as my favorite moviegoing venue back home in Asheville. There was a clear attempt to give the place an invitingly classy coffee shop aesthetic, leaving the giant popcorn bin looking a touch out of place between the chalkboard signs touting lattes and the gleaming cappuccino machine. It did seem to be working, as indicated by the people clicking away on their laptops with steaming oversized cups beside them outnumbering the people who attended the screening I bought a ticket for. Adding to the event vibe was the request at the box office that I select my favored spot in the auditorium in advance, using much the same touchscreen technology and design sense previously reserved for selecting airplane seat assignments at the electronic ticketing kiosk. This may be a helpful feature when the opening night of Public Enemies rolls around, but it did seem a touch unnecessary when it was me, one woman and a hundred empty chairs.
I'm nostalgic enough about my Madison moviegoing that this new space--no matter how noble, no matter how posh--can't fully make up for the loss of other arthouse cinemas the city has loved and lost, especially the ancient, admittedly dilapidated and recently repurposed Majestic. Still, as these other venues have fallen and faded, it's somewhat reassuring to know that there's an attempt to fill the void, to continue to bring arthouse fair to the capital city.
I should have figured out if their coffee is any good.
(Posted simultaneously to "Drilling Holes in the Wall.")