SOPAC Movie Theater closed?

Saw this too.  When I checked online yesterday, website was up with schedule of films going forward.  Waiting for corroboration before posting here.

I called the number. It went to voicemail and a “memory is full” message. 

I know that’s not definitive. 

Village Green confirms Cinema Labs closing at SOPAC:

https://villagegreennj.com/arts/sopac-looks-for-new-movie-theater-operator-after-cinema-lab-closes/

Yeah I just stopped and peeked. 

KarenMarlowe said:

Village Green confirms Cinema Labs closing at SOPAC:

https://villagegreennj.com/arts/sopac-looks-for-new-movie-theater-operator-after-cinema-lab-closes/

For those who do not subscribe to Village Green:

"The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) announced in a news release on Sunday that the movie theater is “temporarily” closing, and that SOPAC is seeking a new movie theater operator with plans underway to “introduce a revitalized cinematic experience for the community.”

As of Sunday, there was no confirmed timeline for reopening. SOPAC representatives emphasized in a statement that the closure pertains solely to the movie theater and that SOPAC remains “fully committed to its mission of delivering outstanding live performances, educational initiatives, and community events.” All SOPAC programming will proceed without interruption."

Not sure why but I never went to a movie there.  How was the movie experience there?  

bub said:

Not sure why but I never went to a movie there.  How was the movie experience there?  

We went a few times. It was a nice movie experience. Good snacks and beverages were available. The place was kept clean. The picture quality was good. They actually posted when the movie would start as opposed to when the trailers would start, as well as posting the end time of a movie.  They sold tickets for $7 on Tueadays and offered a $24/month unlimited pass. 

They also had a whole series of themed vintage movies, as well as Saturday morning cartoon movies for families. 

I don’t know why it didn’t work out. It’s too bad because summer blockbuster season is nigh, and those are the biggest events for movie theaters because people enjoy watching those on the big screen. I was looking forward to being able to see some of the big releases right here in town.  

Also, everyone I ever encountered who worked there was also polite and well-trained. 

It never seemed very crowded when I was there for live shows on the other side. I didn't know about the vintage movie series.  That's a good thing to have nearby.

M/SO is not a movie-going town, unlike Montclair. My theory is that M/SO is mostly families with young kids who don't do a lot of non-kid-related activities, while Montclair has more older adults who do stuff in the evening. 

People didn't go to the Maplewood theater because it was a bit tired (true) even though it had excellent independent programming, often showing films that were only otherwise available at the Angelika. If folks wanted a mainstream movie, they would go to Essex Green instead of SOPAC so they could get drinks and sit in a recliner. So now M/SO doesn't have a movie theater. We get the businesses we support.

mrincredible said:

We went a few times. It was a nice movie experience. Good snacks and beverages were available. The place was kept clean. The picture quality was good. They actually posted when the movie would start as opposed to when the trailers would start, as well as posting the end time of a movie.  They sold tickets for $7 on Tueadays and offered a $24/month unlimited pass. 

They also had a whole series of themed vintage movies, as well as Saturday morning cartoon movies for families. 

I don’t know why it didn’t work out. It’s too bad because summer blockbuster season is nigh, and those are the biggest events for movie theaters because people enjoy watching those on the big screen. I was looking forward to being able to see some of the big releases right here in town.  

Also, everyone I ever encountered who worked there was also polite and well-trained. 

My experience: The last movie I saw there was Oppenheimer. The speaker (or speakers) was broken so 10% or so of the dialog was unintelligible.

I never went back.

It's been tough keeping a cinema there...

-s.

The closest theaters are now CityPlex, Essex Green, and Mountainside.

I do hope they get another operator in there before the summer blockbuster season starts. But as kthnry wrote, we get the businesses we support. 

My teenage daughter never seems terribly interested in going to the movies as a regular social activity. I know when I was a kid I loved going, and it would have been amazing to have a cinema within walking distance. I think there’s been a big generational shift. 

I was also listening to a general discussion of the state of the film industry. There’s just not as much variety. Big blockbusters and smaller indie films with not a lot in between. A lot of the content production has migrated to streaming services. I guess that’s not as sustainable for the movie theater business. 

mrincredible said:

I was also listening to a general discussion of the state of the film industry. There’s just not as much variety. Big blockbusters and smaller indie films with not a lot in between. A lot of the content production has migrated to streaming services. I guess that’s not as sustainable for the movie theater business. 

I read a great media critic and commentator named Ted Gioia, who had a piece just this week about how the studios, but more the streaming (Netflix!) services are trying to kill movie theaters. Very interesting essay. I recommend all his writing. He's smart, savvy, serves no intellectual master, and takes a humanities-driven approach to everything. He's very good on the current music environment, and says Spotify is the devil. He's no fan of AI either. 

Netflix CEO Mocks Moviegoers: Theaters Are Dead!

Here's the first piece I read of his 2 or 3 years ago. Absolutely fascinating if you're into music of any kind but particularly if you like new music. 

Is Old Music Killing New Music?

My last visit was a matinee for Wicked with 2 other senior ladies. One who said that she couldn’t believe that the $8 we paid was one third what her Long Island movie place charges. 

I always said that if I won the lottery, I’d build an elevator to St. Joseph’s basement auditorium, then turn a movie theater into another Lost Picture Show. IYKYK

musicmz said:

My last visit was a matinee for Wicked with 2 other senior ladies. One who said that she couldn’t believe that the $8 we paid was one third what her Long Island movie place charges. 

I always said that if I won the lottery, I’d build an elevator to St. Joseph’s basement auditorium, then turn a movie theater into another Lost Picture Show. IYKYK

The Lost Picture Show was a gem.  Added treat when Brendan Byrne would be in the lobby.