Little theater in the little village of Manlius, N.Y.
It felt right to see “Birdman” in an art cinema.
The Manlius Art Cinema, to be exact, a tiny movie house about a dozen miles to the southeast of Syracuse, N.Y., where art movies come to run on a screen way smaller than those employed by the big chains nearby and watched by … well, if the theater is filled to its long and narrow capacity, shy of a couple hundred people will be watching along with you.
Here’s the skinny at the Manlius Art Cinema.
For the Sunday afternoon matinee of this well-publicized art film featuring Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Edward Norton and Zach Galifianakas, my dear wife Karen and I were joined by less than a hundred other art film lovers. All of us could have gone to the Regal chain at the mega shopping, dining and entertainment complex Destiny USA to see “Birdland” on a big screen and in way more comfort. That’s how much buzz this movie has gotten before this first weekend of screening here in Syracuse, N.Y. Yup, it’s a mainstream movie, too.
A very good one, thanks to the work of all the folks mentioned above, but Keaton most of all.
If you’d like to read my weekly Monday Film Blog review of “Birdman” on the sprightly Syracuse New Times site, click the link below. I’m going to keep my post here more about the art cinema and less about the interesting movie because you can go over there to read my thoughts on that.
http://www.syracusenewtimes.com/michael-keaton-seems-plainly-heroic-birdman/
So this trip to the Manlius Art Cinema was fine, thank you. The tickets were $8 each, a dollar cheaper than the matinee price at Regal. I looked at their sign after I paid, and it said $8 for seniors and $9 otherwise. I’m not quite 57, and Karen’s younger than me. Do they consider 55 a senior? There were people behind me in line so I was not going back for clarification.
A small popcorn cost $4.75, so I bought one to assuage my slight guilt about the ticket price.
The same gentleman who took my cash walked to the front of the screen and told us of the next several week’s worth of programming at the theater in a deep and confident voice. Owner Nat Tobin has been in the spot introducing many shows to a lot of people. And once the movie started, after just one preview, it obviously was a digital projection, as sharp and colorful as anything at the chain.
I waited until after the 119-minute movie to visit the men’s room, and I was glad I did. It was a one-seater. So was the woman’s. Wow. Old place, indeed.
Do you have an art cinema around your neighborhood, and if you do, why do you or do you not go there? Are big movie chain theaters always the best choice for you, and why or why not? What’s your favorite Michael Keaton film, and why?
Mark Bialczak 
We watched Birdman last night at a major movie house (Event Cinemas) in Sydney, Australia. My family (wife for birthday, 21 yo daughter, 16 yo son) thought we’d be watching an action movie – out of work old superhero finds his mojo again. Boy were we surprised. Surprisingly my son loved it but he’s into graphic design and making games and movie cips. I was a post-doc at Syracuse University (Chemistry) in 1989 so I googled the reference to Raymond Carter and Syracuse. I picked up this discussion that way.
In Sydney we have a couple of great Arthouse movies facilities. There is one in Cremorne which is fantastic. All the old decor and fittings and even an organist for some events. It’s often easier to travel to Australia than 1/2 hour to a drive in, so give it some consideration.
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That’s a cool venue Mark. I don’t think there is anything like that here in Ottawa, but we have two old small theaters that have been renovated and they show art films. They have an obscure schedule that plays about 10 art films in a rotation over about 2 weeks to a month. So, there are three different shows per day (only one screen) and not the same three tomorrow. My Mum visited once and she wanted tp see a specific art film that was playing. We both misread the schedule. We ended up seeing an art film “The Rape of Europa” about the Nazis stealing art in Europe during WWII. It was amazing – and fascinated my Mum. But I honesty don’t visit these theaters often Mark as their films are seldom mainstream and I’m not very adventurous when it comes to viewing.
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Sometimes the trip itself is the point, alas, Paul. Once in a blue moon to support the art house is not such a bad thing. And read the schedule right, there can be good films to be had, I would wager. But I am certainly not a art film regular, either, so I am not one to talk. Thanks for your dropping in. And I am glad to read that you went on that one excursion with your Mum.
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I love old, art-house theaters. We have a few in the Twin Cities (Minnesota). Now that I live wayyyyyy out in the suburbs, though, I’m stuck with the big complexes. “Birdman” sounds interesting. It’s time I get to the movie theater!
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You should treat yourself with a theater trip, DebraB!
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If I go to an art movie house, it is in Columbus. If I am going to a big movie place, it also is in Columbus. Our local antiquated but new movie lenses for all three areas of the Strand Theater is my favorite place to go to see a movie. It has the gold-filigreed, highly decorated ceiling for the main theater, where my daughter, grandsons and I saw the “Big Hero 6” movie. (It was very good, lots of exctement and also, some sad parts, but overall, a great movie.) If we sit in the Strand balcony, my youngest daughter and I like to put our food on the railing of the higher part of the balcony. The ticket, plus medium popcorn and drink is for anyone over 55, any show or time, $7.50. For others, who must buy their snacks, matinees are $4. She gets a movie meal box, with popcorn, small drink and M & M’s in it, too. She asks them to add extra butter and cheddar cheese sprinkled over it. Same cost, meal is $3.50.
I will have to see this incredible movie, “Birdman,” thanks for suggesting it, Mark!!
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Your theater is a bargain, Robin. I am glad you all enjoyed ‘Big Hero 6’ together. That is a treat along with the food and drink. You will see that ‘Birdman’ is very different. I know you will let me know what you think. We differ in our opinions sometimes. 🙂
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That place looks cool! It almost looks like you’re seeing a movie on a plane. Or actually a really long bus. We do not have an art cinema, but we do have a drive-in and also a “mugs & movies” which is a movie theater with a restaurant inside. The drive-in shows current movies for $5 per person. It just went up from $4, and if you had two people in the car, you got a $2 bill back each time. And you get to stay for two new movies at that cost, though usually only the second one is good for adults and the first is good for kids. it has 2 screens. Mugs & Movies is an older theater and has the original tables & chairs, so they’re not the most comfortable, but you can get beer and “snacky” food such as burgers, hotdogs, sandwiches, & fries as well as popcorn & candy and the waitresses wait on you before and during the movie. They cost around $5 but they show movies that just left the regular theater, so if you missed it, that’s the place to go.
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I went to a Mugs & Movies in Tampa about 30 years ago, Rachel, and saw a Clint Eastwood war movie. My mother used to live down there, but I went with my best friend from Syracuse’s sister … long story. Anyway, it was a cool way to see Clint Eastwood.
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Oh, very cool! I think they have the same seats you sat in back then! LOL! 🙂
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I don’t know a thing about this movie, but people keep talking about it. I haven’t even seen a trailer… I saw Interstellar this last week though and was wondering if you were going to review it! I’ll have to see Birdman next.
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I had this week’s review down to ‘Interstellar’ or ‘Birdman’ and I chose the latter because I had seen the trailer and it was pleasingly odd, Aussa. You’ll like it if you go for eccentric artsy. Keaton knocked me out. I still want to see ‘Interstellar.;
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Okay, you see Interstellar and I’ll see Birdman and we’ll be even!
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I think you can order off of most senior menus now, Mark. I wish I could, I can only wolf down a half stack of pancakes nowadays.
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I would say thanks for this comment, Mer, but I forgot what my post was about. 🙂
Oh, yeah, senior-price ticket. Yeah, I joined AARP. I don’t ask for the Denny’s 5 percent or order off the small-portion menu anywhere. Sorry about your appetite, my friend.
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My appetite is pathetic. Good thing, I am losing weight. Bad thing, I miss pigging out.
You know I was just messing with ya. 🙂
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Yeah, no bad intent, obviously! I was making fun on myself with the memory comment. I turn 57 in one month but I still fit in with the young crowd in many ways, Mer. 🙂
You losing weight is good, but pigging out is always a guilty pleasure. I have dropped 25 pounds and don’t pig out anymore either, so I relate.
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My fave is Mr. Mom. Such a sweet movie, nothing to dislike about it and the subject matter still remains relevant.
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You and Aud are right, Apple Pie. 🙂 I like men who relate to their children with pride.
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I miss Marin County, where there are a number of theaters that show art/independent films. Lexington has one place, a grand old theater downtown. Throughout my childhood my uncle managed it. There are two theaters, which used to be two separate buildings, connected through the manager’s office. Now it’s been redone and is all one building. The large theater is one of those great ornate old places from the 1920’s and still has most of the original decoration–all refurbished. Nice history here: http://www.kentuckytheater.com/about/the-history-of-the-kentucky-theater/ The manager in the video was originally hired as a teenager by my uncle.
My uncle introduced lots of French films in the 60’s–and was arrested for showing porn (it was a Truffaut or Bunuel or something like that and someone was topless in it…). It’s the only place here that ever shows art films and you have to get there fast because they seldom last more than week…
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Great history there, Leigh, and cheers for your uncle’s wide taste and courage in the ’60s. We have the restored 1920s movie palace here, the Landmark Theatre, a crown work from architect Thomas Lamb, but it is a stage show house more than an art film house now.
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No art theater close by. Though we have, in the past, attended an old opera house being used as a movie theater. I love the feel of it! Though it’s a little too far away for any work night jaunts. I like the smaller town feel of doing most things. And we may go “out” to a movie up to a few times a year. Normally we go to our friend’s house. 😉
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Friend’s house works as long as it’s a good movie, right? Smaller town feel works there, Colleen, I bet. 🙂
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oh gosh, I love old and quirky theaters and we have some great ones in the Mpls/St Paul area. The most awesome is the Trylon Microcinema which seats half of your Manlius: http://take-up.org/venue/1/
Also fun are the Heights (http://www.heightstheater.com/) where a Wurlitzer organ comes from below to play pre-show. The annual White Christmas showing is not to be missed. Riverview rocks (http://www.riverviewtheater.com/) as does Parkway (http://theparkwaytheater.com/) where you bring in supper from the adjacent Pepito’s. St. Paul’s contribution is Highland (http://manntheatres.com/theatre/?tid=85). And the Uptown and Lagoon are part of a national chain that brings foreign and other independent films to town: http://www.landmarktheatres.com/Index.htm The films are fun (their Oscar shorts screening is never to be missed), but another bonus is that they use real butter on their popcorn.
So now I hope I have you and Karen convinced that you should take a trip to Mpls/St Paul for movie research. Big theaters are ok, but I prefer small. Unless of course we are talking the one with the in-house bar and reclining seats.
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Your Twin Cities has it going on for art theaters, LIz. Good gravy, take-in meals and real butter.
Reclining seats and in-house bar IS a whole different story, though, right?
I want to visit.
Is the storm hitting you, Larry and the fam tonight? I saw it on Today with Al Roker this morning, tracking right through your dang state . 😮
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I’m guessing, from what you wrote here, Mark, that you liked the movie, but I shall now go to the other site to see if my guess is correct. My favorite Michael Keaton movie? “Birdman.”
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Wow. That’s powerful, Ann. It is a good one, I will agree.
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i love the art houses the best of all, not just for the films that i love to see there, but for the atmosphere. glad you finally stepped into yours and enjoyed it. i want to see this movie, it really looks interesting, and i am a mk fan )
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I know your style, Beth (I am a presumptuous man) and you will love this one. 🙂
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You were in a plane, not a theatre. I will always have a soft spot for the Keaton. And not Diane, although she is okay. We’ve seen several clips and his visits on late night talk shows; looks interesting. One long shot mostly? We heard Emma Stone how bad she felt when she flubbed a line and ruined the whole shot. Is there a lot of cussing? I bet he wishes he was still only 57. Did you know his real name is Michael Douglas? Those SAG rules are tough.
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It was made to look like one long shot, yes, though my research has led me to believe there may have been some sort of cuts involved. Michael Douglas sure as hell was taken. He did OK with Keaton, though, so no harm done. You are right, Kerbey. It was like a plane. But the folks behind me were too far back to kick my seat, thankfully. 🙂
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Our old cinema folded about three years before the big box theater moved in. If we drive an hour, we can make it to one of the last standing drive-ins. That is always a fun “viewing” experience. 🙂
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You are fortunate to have a drive-in an hour drive away, Fannie. We have one a half-hour from Syracuse. And I don’t go. What’s wrong with me?
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It’s only a spontaneous 30 minutes away. The next mornings are a little tough though.
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Mr. Mom all the way!! Cool theater, as well. 🙂
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Mr. Mom, huh. Pulled out a silly one. Good for you, Aud. 🙂
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What?!? It’s a good movie…
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I didn’t say silly as in your choice is silly. Silly as in comedy. Oh, I got myself in Aud doo-doo this tiime. I’m red, Red.
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*giggle*
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I am jealous – we have no arty cinema nearby and our local chain is very expensive. It’s cheaper to put on a DVD and order a pizza plus buy pop corn from the supermarket. Your arty cinema looks great and i bet no one talked during the film.
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Nobody talked. The crowd was seasoned. Experienced. Knew how to behave, Rachel. Older than Karen and I!
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Can’t beat a cinema crowd like that!
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Some of my best movie going experiences growing up were at the Sono Cinema in Norwalk CT. An endless stream of cult classics and current art pieces, punctuated by regular Saturday midnight screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I enjoyed the mainstream stuff, we all went often amongst my circle of friends, but that place is what really made me a fan of movies on a much larger scale. Tiny art house productions like Australia’s “Monkey Grip”, or glorious epics like my first time seeing the original “7 Samurai”, wouldn’t have made my radar until college if it wasn’t for the movie magic regularly on display at the SONO C.
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I am glad you had that place, Steven T. You were very fortunate to be dealt those great epics.
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I’ll cop to seeing this movie at the big cinema–but the theater itself was fairly small. Does that count? 🙂 I wish I could love it. I just didn’t. So dark. Funny in parts but moody. Dark. Abstract in bits. And I was an English major. I’m supposed to be dark & moody, right? Go figure:).
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That’s OK, Kay. My dear wife Karen came away with the same thoughts as you.
I loved the ART of it. And Keaton. All of the way Keaton worked this one.
Yes, OK, the small theater at the big chain counts. 🙂
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There is a smaller cinema not too far from us that usually shows only 2 different movies at a time. They were taken over by Regal and the theatre got some more comfortable seats. It is still small though. They still show mostly the arty, independent films. Which are the ones I usually like the best.
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That’s pretty neat that Regal took it over and it still shows the arty films, Deborah. Good for your tastes, and your comfort.
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There are actually two “art cinemas” within 5 blocks of where I live and both show a selection of current and older, classic movies. I don’t take advantage of them as much as I should.
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I liked the vibe at mine. I’ve lived here for 32 1/2 years and this is the first time I’ve gone there. Shame on me. The seats were uncomfortable and I was shifting and leaning for the last third of the movie, Doobster, but that’s my age, too.
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They also show a selection of foreign films and one has a midnight showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show every Saturday night. But that’s way past my bedtime.
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Stay up past one weekend and throw some toast and hotdogs at the screen for old time’s sake, Doobster. 🙂
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That sounds charming.
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