Ms. M8 and I rendezvous'd last night for dinner and a movie at Star Cinema Grill before she jetted off this morning.

This place is really nice, and I am wondering if the concept has caught on in other cities. The bar is very trendy-looking, and prices are good for food and drink. One can eat/drink in the lobby or in the theaters.

FT'ers will appreciate all the leg room! There is no way your seat can be kicked from someone sitting behind you. My only suggestion is that patrons bring a small penlight if ordering from one of the theaters [or use your cell phone illumination, but don't forget to turn your cell phone off].

We saw Flightplan. It was good, but the last 3-5 minutes of the ending should have been deleted.

M8

San Francisco has an artsy, outdoors version - Foreign Cinema . Movies start at dusk, but they tend to be more for ambiance than to be watched.

Nice link. I have a sister there in Piedmont. So snobby up there on the hill! How come they don't get nosebleeds?

We like foreign films too, in fact I just caught another Jodie Foster film in French on a private charter a month or so ago, The Long Engagement [title?]. She had a secondary role. A good flick, setting is WW1. I noticed they had Bullitt listed on the link. I own the CD with a host of other McQueen movies like LeMans, Thomas Crown Affair, Great Escape, etc. Way cool!

Back OT, I think this concept is better than doing dinner and a movie in sequence. The simultaneous approach leaves more time in the evening for other activity; like going dancing afterwards to work off dinner, and then going back to the room for "dessert"

M8

In Boca Raton:

http://www.muvico.com/main/thepremier.htm


Beyond the a la carte extras, the extra wide seats cost double the what a normal admission costs. Valet parking and "free" popcorn are included.

Northern MA, Southern NH, and Southern ME have a small chain called Chunkys (I think some of the ME Chunkys are now called Smittys). The chain is more family-oriented, but it is still a lot of fun to order beer, dinner, and watch a movie at the same time.

I enjoy catching movies at the Alamo Drafthouse in Texas - there's nothing like being able to have a cocktail and some queso (or more substantial dinner) while watching a movie. They also put on "rolling roadshows" occasionally, such as showing Jaws out at the lake or Happy Gilmore at a putt-putt course.

www.alamodrafthouse.com

Indianapolis, IN has Hollywood Bar and Filmworks www.filmworksonline.com

As to the question of whether it has "caught on". I've been there twice on Saturday nights once was very crowded with a full theater ("Hitch") and the other we were nearly by ourselves ("Must Love Dogs"). Not enough data to draw a conclusion, but we enjoyed both experiences.

There is a second facility like this called Cinema Grill on the North side of Indianapolis, but I've never been there.

I think there is more of a draw if the films are current releases.

M8

I second the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin - they have several locations. Some have been placed in older theaters that could use a little facelift. But, I love being able to enjoy a movie with a real meal or great dessert.

I'll third the Drafthouse...but I go to Westlakes/San Antonio

Studio Movie Grill - Addison
5405 Beltline Rd
Dallas, TX 75248

1/2 mile East of the Tollway on
Prestonwood between Tollway and
Preston at the North-East corner of Beltline

972-991-6684

http://www.studiomoviegrill.com/