There are many people that believe that getting a new multiplex movie theatre in the Yuba Sutter area is a good thing. I, however, believe that this is partially untrue.
Sure the multiplex will bring in new jobs for say about 100 bright-eyed and acne-medicated high school juniors and seniors. However, these new multiplex deals leave me feeling uninterested.
What will this new multiplex bring? Comfortable seating? A better selection of super-sized popcorn? Can we say, “Would you like another shot of imitation butter”?
But will we see personalized customer service? I doubt it, as long as the workers are getting paid minimum wage. Will there be any excitement in going to the movies, like at a Hollywood premiere? No way.
Yes, I know we don’t live in Hollywood, but what ever happened to getting excited about going to the movies. I remember a few times when I went to the now defunct State Theater in Marysville and waited in line for the show. It was so fun. I think I was about 8 or 9 and the theatre was making this movie a big deal by giving away promotional stuff and even having the local radio station come out and MC the event.
That’s what it was: an event. With a new multiplex you wouldn’t have that. You would just pay your 8 bucks and then your $15 on food and drinks and watch another bad blockbuster movie.
Maybe I am alone in this. But what I don’t understand is where the independent, foreign and even b- rated cult films in this area are. Certainly you would not find any Federico Fellini films being shown at any multiplex cinema. And I know you would never find something from Ed Wood or early John Waters there either.
A multiplex corporation would never allow for something so bizarre and campy. Why is that, you may ask. I believe there are two reasons: 1. Money: the multiplexes are too afraid to lose money. 2. I hate to be the nasty person that says this, but this area isn’t very well known for people who will stray from the norm.
Luckily, there are a few people in the area who like weird or crazy films. Those people used to be found on every other Friday night at the Friday Night Films called “Coming Distractions,” but it has now been suspended due to lack of interest.
“Coming Distractions” was sponsored by the Yuba Sutter Arts Council and was held at the Lee Burrows Center for the Arts. This was the place to go for avant-garde films.
The point is: we have theatres and real artistic film opportunities already. Why build something when it is already here? Our area already has three running theaters. Sure all of them need to have a makeover, but I think with interested parties that can be accomplished. For example many people don’t realize that we have a running landmark theater. No, I am not talking about the Sutter, but the drive-in out on Erle Road in Marysville. It is one of a handful of drive-in movie theaters still running in the country.
Also there are 2 un-used theaters in Marysville: the Tower and the State. The state still has the movie posters from the last movies shown there: “Alaska” and “Phenomenon.” Those movies premiered in 1996. The tower has been closed for as long as I can remember.
I believe we should focus on fixing up the movie theaters we already have before we build something new.
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