By Whitney A Foster
Everyone loves movies. On Friday and Saturday nights, the movie theaters are crawling with all kinds of people who are looking to unwind from the long work week. So much emphasis is put on the movies themselves, little attention is paid to those buildings we watch them in. Most movie theaters follow the same routine. There are several screens each playing a different film and concession stands feature popcorn, Skittles and soda. However, what’s out there for the person who’s looking for an unusual movie night out? There are some movie theaters in Northeast Ohio that will suffice this desire.
How about seeing movies in grand style? The Lorain Palace Theater and The Akron Civic Theater offer special movie events in their exquisitely remodeled theaters. Lorain’s Palace Theater is currently running a movie special on Tuesday evenings throughout the summer. When the Palace first opened its doors in 1928, it was the first motion picture theater in Ohio to have talking pictures. Sixty eight years later, the Palace is once again a state-of-the-art movie theatre.
The Akron Civic Theater, built in 1929, has long been recognized among the community’s cultural landmarks. In June 2001, the Akron Civic Theatre closed its doors for the most comprehensive restoration and expansion project in its history costing just over $19 million. Among facilities of its size, the Civic is one of only five remaining atmospheric theaters in the country where patrons experience a twinkling star-lit sky and intermittent clouds moving across the horizon, all while sitting inside the auditorium.
The Cedar Lee Theater located in the artistic district of Cleveland Heights, is a theater that shows independent and foreign films. The food is unique as well. This isn’t your typical soda and popcorn concession stand. The foods featured at Cedar Lee include Russian tea biscuits, coffee and espresso products, herbal teas, and the most unusual food item found in a movie theater, imported beers and wines. Sounds like a great way to lure someone to the theater who may not be into independent films, such as a boyfriend. For a heads up, if you like the Cedar Lee Theater, you will probably love the Capitol Theater. Currently being renovated and set to be complete in 2009, the Capital Theater is said to be the sister theater to Cedar Lee. It will be located in the Gordon Square Arts District on the west side of Cleveland and will also specialize in independent films.
The Cinematheque at The Cleveland Institute of Art is similar in their style of independent and foreign films. Featured as Cleveland’s Alternative Film Theater on the website, the movies shown here are in the Cleveland Institute of Art’s Russell B. Aitkin auditorium. Films such as The Mormon Church Explains It All To You, which is actually a collection of short educational films produced by the Mormon church during the 1960s, and other unique movies, can be viewed here.
Another unique theater option in the Cleveland area is the Omnimax Theater at the Great Lakes Science Center. This theater is conveniently located right in downtown Cleveland. There is easy access for those on the east side and on the west side. The difference between the Omnimax screen and the much talked about IMAX screen is that the Omnimax screen is a six story domed screen, while the IMAX screen is flat. Unfortunately, there are no IMAX theaters in the Cleveland area. The experience of the screen is so intense, that before every movie there is a disclaimer given to warn those who may be sensitive or feel sick easily.
If you are simply looking for a place to unwind and catch a flick in a casual, relaxed atmosphere…Think Talkies. Located on Market Avenue in Cleveland, OH, Talkies is a unique combination of a film and coffee bar. It’s a place for the one with an artsy personality to spend some time even if they don’t visit the movie theater. This café resembles an old movie theater and is the only film themed restaurant in the Greater Cleveland area. There is a screening room that is open during the restaurant’s evening hours. Customers are even allowed to show their own movies. Some examples of films shown include, Witness, Adam’s Rib, Only Angels Have Wings and even Saturday morning cartoons.
Northeast Ohio is filled with a lot of different places to spend time. For movie lovers, there is no need to visit a typical movie there when there are so many unique options for movie goers looking for a unique experience.
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