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I WROTE THE FOLLOWING FOR THE GATEWAY GAZETTE WHICH PUBLISHED IT IN
THEIR DECEMBER ISSUE---check out your local theatres for their movie
reward cards--most theatres have one and all chains do.
GOING TO THE MOVIES ON A BUDGET
By Martin D. Goodkin
I have been a movie/fan/buff since the 1930s when I was taken to see
“Gone With The Wind”, “Wizard of Oz” and other classics. As far back as
I can remember I have gone to the movies at least once a week, and,
back in ‘the old days‘, that included 2 movies, previews, a serial, a
newsreel and a cartoon for 50 cents at the RKO Pelham Parkway, the
Globe theatre and the Loew’s Paradise theatre in the Bronx. Since I
retired in 1999 you can find me every Friday catching a matinee and,
sometimes, I sneak in a Tuesday.
Movies don’t cost 50 cents anymore and there isn’t anything like a
double feature so I have to save where I can and the best way is to get
a movie reward card. By the way I don’t buy popcorn, sodas or candy at
the concession stands as the prices are sky high, usually more than the
theatre ticket costs.
I have the Sunrise Cinema’s Loyalty card where after seeing a number of
movies I get a free one. They own The Gateway Cinema, the oldest,
friendliest and coziest theatre in Fort Lauderdale plus a half a dozen
other around the county. The Gateway shows foreign films as well as
independent and big budget films. When you go to www.Sunrisecinemas.com
and join you will get an e-mail every Friday giving you a discount
coupon good for a week. The reward card is available at any Sunrise
Cinema.
Along with the AMC MovieWatcher reward card, where your rewards include
free popcorn or a free soda, free theatre ticket or candy, their
theatre in the Coral Ridge shopping center, behind the mall, have
senior citizen’s day every Tuesday when tickets only cost $5. You can
sign up for ‘specials’ at www.moviewatcher.com and, also, get the
MovieWatcher card there or at the theatre.
Though their admission fees are the highest of the three chains the
Regal Cinemas offer more rewards, and more often, with their Regal
Crown Club card. During the week there are different specials offered
every day from free popcorn to concession specials just for card
holders. They also have the most comfortable theatre stadium seats.
I am a firm believer that movies should be seen in a theatre on a movie
screen, not at home on a TV screen, no matter how big, and all the
distractions one has at home. As most of us are retired going to a
matinee showing Monday through Friday offers us quiet, usually cell
phone free (Turn it off!), not to mention gum free, clean floors, time
to enjoy the big screen.
Get out of your apartment, make a day of it by taking a slow walk up to
the Gateway Cinema, look around at all the shops in the Gateway Center
and then stop for a late lunch or early dinner at one of the 9
restaurants within walking distance of the theatre!
