Saturday, December 5, 2009

How we spent a lot of money seeing a movie

To start off we went here. I'm not sure why I'm linking to their site, it is not very good. It looks okay, but it just doesn't work well. We are not the only ones that thinks so either.

Anyway, we did this a few weeks ago. We were given a gift card for Gold Class Cinema last Christmas, I think, so it was about time we went. Plus, with the economy they way it is, we weren't sure how long the place would be around. Movies are expensive enough when going to a regular theater, not to mention a Gold Class cinema.

We asked for a gift card for this place when we heard it was being built. It seemed like a good idea to go to a theater with nice comfy chairs, eat while you are watching it, and most likely have no children making a bunch of noise. We were going to see and "R" rated movie, so there should have been no kids, but you can never be sure.

Let me describe how it works. First, you try to make a reservation for a movie you want to see. You get to pick your seat, which is an added bonus. Then, when you go to the theater you tell them your name, they won't be able to find it because their website blows, but the people are super nice. Ours was reserved under the name "Gold." Not our last name, but notice it is part of the name of the theater. We should have said we were part owners.

So, they greet you and sit you down in a lounge area and get your drink order, then your dinner order. I think this is a good idea since it reduces the distractions in the theater. It would be hard to pay attention to the movie if everyone was getting their order taken.

After we placed our order, they came at sat us in our nice chairs with electric reclining action. How cool is that? We are offered blankets and a pillow, but we decline so we wouldn't fall asleep.

The first thing we noticed was how different the previews are when you are not going to see a "G" rated, animated movie. Sadly, the previews were better than the movie. But that's not the theater's fault. I blame everyone who made The Men Who Stare at Goats. I mean, come on! The previews looked great, but that had all the good scenes, unfortunately.

Our food came, just after the movie started. Since there are no tables, just the drink holder-type things, you have to hold the plate in your lap. But, the plates are designed in such a way that it works. I had a steak sandwich and Jenn has sushi. She didn't like her food too much. But, really, sushi in a movie theater, what did she expect? But, that gave us an excuse to order the cookie platter. So it worked out well.

If you looked at the site a bit, you might have noticed the layout of the seats. It works out really well, the waiters were never blocking my view. Of course, we only had six other people seeing the movie, but I think it would have been okay even if it was full.

Overall, I think it's a good way to see a movie for a special occasion. Just pick a better movie than we did.

 How much was it? Well, I'll let you figure it out. 

(No, I was not paid to write this. But, if anyone who works for them sees this and wants to give me a gift card, feel free. :)

4 comments:

Unfocused Me said...

We saw a movie (the last Harry Potter movie, maybe) at in the fancy seats at the Muvico Theater in Rosemont over the summer, like you, off of a gift certificate. It was a great experience, the food was pretty good and the wine not bad at all. We didn't realize until afterwards that we would have gotten free valet parking, too. It's expensive, but it makes going to a movie seem like much more of a date night.

Florinda said...

We have a couple of theaters around here like that, a Muvico (like Unfocused mentioned) and the ArcLight. We LOVE the ArcLight - it's our favorite place to see a movie. Great sound system, reserved seating, and NO COMMERCIALS (just previews) before the main show. But we've never gone to one of the evening shows and gotten dinner.

Dreamybee said...

That sounds like a great way to see a movie! The nicest theater we have around here is the two-screen theater just up the road that has real butter and doesn't smell like urine.

Mike said...

Unfocused: I didn't realize there is a place like that in Rosemont. Not that Rosemont is very close. You need valet parking there, that area has so much stuff and so little parking.

Florinda: I've heard of ArcLight, I think through some people I follow on Twitter. (See, there is a purpose to Twitter.) Try the dinner next time. It make it fell like you have a movie theater in your house. :)

Dreamybee: The butter doesn't smell like urine, or the theater. Either way, that's a good thing. :)