Picture Show at Main Place Mall

moviebluedog on February 22, 2006 at 9:24 pm

This was the first of AMC’s “nice” and “pristine” theatres in the Southern California area. AMC was undergoing a big expansion (when haven’t they, I guess) and MainPlace was a very nice theatre with 70mm projection and THX Sound in two of the big auditoriums.

I was sad when the theatre closed down in 2000, but was happy to see it opened again a short time later. But I must say that the experience of going there wasn’t anything like how AMC ran it. I took my daughter to see “Shrek.” I asked the gentleman at the snackbar how business was going. He said “okay,” in a very monotone voice. It was as if he didn’t care about anything. When we saw the show, it was in glorified mono. This theatre was a very good sounding Dolby Stereo/THX theatre. (I was never crazy about SDDS there or at any AMC). So I’m not sure why this theatre can’t run prints in digital stereo.

My experience with Capt. Blood’s MainPlace is mixed, but not horrific like some of the stories I’ve heard. I haven’t been back, even though I’ve always enjoyed this theatre (though the Orange Cinedome and Orange City Center were better with bigger auditoriums and screens nearby).

I think Capt. Blood might wish to invest in some employees who care about the customer, and running films in their proper presentation. I’m not sure if the stories are true about how his employees act towards customers on previous posts here and on the Villa Theatre in Orange. But some improvement in employee training and presentation would make a world of difference and set his chain apart from AMC and Edwards/Regal.

OCMoviegoer on February 22, 2006 at 6:11 pm

Went to King Kong 22-Feb-2006; the film print had vertical lines as if a comb had run across it, and the sound was weak. Promptly asked for a refund and was declined because, the manager said, they had instructions not to give refunds for that sort of thing. So basically they STOLE my $7. Nowhere else have I had that kind of treatment! Any other theater would have refunded.

ETinformer on March 3, 2005 at 5:03 pm

The promises that Todd Blood makes would materialize if it was not all BS. He is a professional in the way he runs his franchise. He is a professional in the way that he has learned how to manipulate and steal from his employees to live lavishly.

trixie on February 13, 2005 at 8:25 pm

I too experienced the horrible sound in Sponge Bob back on December 31st. As we have two small children we rarely get to the movies, and this was a special treat for us, spending our 10th wedding anniversary out and with the kids. I requested a change of movies due to the poor sound and was given the okay to see The series of Unfortunate events, which was starting about 40 min. later. I then asked permission if we could sit in the Incredibles until the movie started, there was 10 min. left. The concession lady was pleasant and she said she thought it was okay, I said I just wanted to ask so as to not be accussed of theater hopping, (something that I have never, ever done in my life). Later, The manager was overheard yelling to his clean up staff more than once, actually treating them like a bunch of useless fools, he being the only one of ability. As we walked over to the gaming section to wait out our remaining 25 min. he went off on us and started yelling at us and accussing us of theater switching. I felt extremely uncomfortable, and my husband was in the restroom. I attempted to tell him what had gone on and that I had asked permission. He went on and on belittling me infront of a group of people. My son started to cry and I too became teary eyed, totally shocked by his rude actions. I walked off and then melted down. My kids were bugging me for money to play the games and I needed to get to an atm machine. I was uncomfortable asking permission from the manager to exit the building because I thought he wouldn’t let me in. I approached him in an apologetic manner in case I had been too sensitive, and I humbled myself, the man whom he called himself the OWNER, became completely unglued and went crazy on me. I then became shaken up and tears were filling up in my eyes, I tried to explain myself to this out of control yelling baboon! I said very clearly that the employees working for him would validate my story and he said no they won’t if they want to keep their jobs! This on top of the extra surcharges for using an atm to buy the tickets. I still can’t believe how upset he made me and how absolutely horrible he was!!!! I was able to pull myself together and watch the movie with my family but to be honest, I am still pissed off and want to seriesly go off on the a—hole. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, one of his workers said in passing by, nice boss huh? I asked him why he would even work there, he said it was actually his last day, that he had had it up to here and was having a hard time not going off on the f—cking a—hole!!!!! Needless to say, you get what you pay for and I got ripped off!!!!!!!!!!

kangamom on June 24, 2004 at 10:29 pm

correction on the website for the fox fullerton—-savethefox.org

jmarellano on May 26, 2004 at 12:03 am

This theatre used to be a really busy AMC Theatre. Upstairs there is a huge room that used to be the Regional Offices for AMC. For a while, it was a top grossing theatre. It really suffered when Century opened the Century 24 a few miles north, and the real nail in the coffin came when AMC opened the Block less than a mile away. At this time, both theatres were still ran by AMC, with Mainplace being used as an Arthouse, except for some larger kids fare.

AMC closed the theatre around 1999/2000. I cant remember the exact date. It was a really nice theatre to see a movie at when it was with AMC. I have heard the place is falling apart now.