Comments from Tim O'Neill

Showing 151 - 175 of 213 comments

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about Colony Theater on Apr 23, 2010 at 12:33 am

The Genesee Theatre in Waukegan is located in a dying downtown area and yet people go there to watch concerts and movies. People go see plays and attend live shows in Rogers Park in some pretty bad areas. People walk through some bad areas to cross over the Dan Ryan to get to U.S. Cellular Field to watch the White Sox. Yes, it’s a bad area, but I have hope for the Colony. I hope Mr. Valentine’s dream comes true. I miss going to the Colony. I haven’t been inside that theatre since 1981.

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about AMC River East 21 on Apr 20, 2010 at 11:40 am

The River East 21 opened in the fall of 2002 and the McClurg Court Cinemas closed at the end of summer, 2003.

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about Esquire Theatre on Apr 12, 2010 at 2:50 pm

Trust me, J.W.; they’ll never come to town. I wish they would gut the inside and restore it to it’s original theatre self. Of course, they would have to do live performances there; it could never be a full-time movie house again. Can you imagine going to a concert near the lakefront? Now that would be awesome.

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about Esquire Theatre on Apr 12, 2010 at 2:40 pm

Tim, I have heard that Willis Johnson has vowed NEVER to operate a theatre in the city of Chicago, mainly because of tax issues.

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about Evergreen Theater on Apr 12, 2010 at 12:34 am

CF If you get a chance check out Colony Theatre facebook page and become a fan.

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about Evergreen Theater on Apr 11, 2010 at 11:16 pm

CinemarkFan,

Okay, let me first give a little history on the Evergreen Theatre because I think I might have caused some confusion. The theatre opened in 1964 as a two-plex. When you walked into the building back in it’s early days, there was an enoromous lobby. On the right side (the southern end of the lobby) was Theatre 1. It had roughly 1200 seats (blue in color); on the left side (northern end of lobby) was Theatre 2, approx. 950 seats (orange in color). When I first went to the Evergreen Theatre in December, 1977, to see CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND in 70mm, I watched it in Theatre 1. About 6 months later, M&R added a new screen, constructed in the huge lobby area. It was called Theatre 3 and they cramned in 550 seats. In the early 1980s, the general manager decided to change the number order. The 1200 seat remained known as Theatre 1; however, the small theatre between the orginal two auditoriums became known as Theatre 2 and the 950 seat theatre became known as Theatre 3. In the fall of 1983, Theatre 3 (formerly 2) got a wall built down the middle; henceforth, they became Theatre 3 (440 seats) and Theatre 4 (470 seats). The last time I saw a movie there was in 1986. Theatre 1 was still the same and as far as I know it remained that way unti the theatre closed in 1999.

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about Evergreen Theater on Apr 11, 2010 at 1:05 am

I used to work at the Evergreen, in 1983. M&R converted a section of the huge lobby into a smaller 550 seat auditorium in 1978. In 1983, they twinned what used to be called Theatre 2 and they became Theatres 3 and 4. The theatre closed in 1999 as a Loews Cineplex theatre.

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about Piper's Alley Theatre on Apr 9, 2010 at 10:10 am

Wouldn’t it be nice if an independent operator took over the theatre. Believe me, Pipers Alley used to be a half-way decent theatre. It used to have 70mm in 2 auditoriums. I think that AMC only operates it because perhaps they are stuck in a lease. I don’t know. But you are right. Let’s hope for a new tenant.

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about Patio Theatre on Mar 25, 2010 at 12:38 pm

Normal, Ill. is a small town. Chicago is a big city with big taxes. The Patio has been closed for NINE years now. Nobody’s offering to re-open it. If I had money to burn, I would re-open it as a multi-purpose venue. I just don’t see it happening. Tim O'Neill

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about Colony Theater on Mar 25, 2010 at 1:06 am

The Colony Theatre now has a Facebook page. Please become a fan.

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about Esquire Theatre on Mar 8, 2010 at 9:31 am

I liked it better when it was known as A Walter Reade Theatre.

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about Patio Theatre on Mar 3, 2010 at 11:35 pm

The Patio Theatre will never re-open as a full-time movie theatre ever again. Maybe it’ll re-open as a multi-purpose venue, but as a movie house, forget it. It’s been closed for NINE years now, and Alex is almost 71 years old. He’s not going to operate it again. I love the Patio; I used to moonlight there as a projectionist, but it’s never going to be a full-time movie theatre again.

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about AMC Navy Pier IMAX on Feb 28, 2010 at 11:28 am

Once upon a time, from 1996 until 2001, this Imax theatre had a wonderful little film series known as Late Night at the Max. It showed various films in either 35mm or 70mm. They ranged from TOP GUN to YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. They even showed a beat-up old 35mm print of Dario Argento’s SUSPIRIA. For 2 or 3 weeks, they showed 2001: A SPACE ODYESSEY in 70mm. I could go on and on. Unfortunately, when Loews Cineplex decided not to renew their co-management agreement with Imax, they took the 35mm/70mm projection equipment with them. And, thus, Late Night at the Max ended. It really was a throwback to the good old days of big wide screen presentations in a downtown single-screen auditorium.

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about Tarantino serves as 'angel' of the New Beverly on Feb 25, 2010 at 8:52 am

Yes, Terry, brilliant idea. QT please open up in Chicago as well. There’s an old downtown theatre called the World Playhouse, 410 S. Michigan Ave. It’s been there since 1901. It’s got a very interesting history. It’s been an orchestra house, live stage house, foreign language film house, porno theatre, and from 1982 until 2000 it was part of the Fine Arts Theatre complex. You hear about all these celebrities opening restaurants all over the place; it would be so cool if QT would open a small chain of revival theatres. Where do I send my resume?

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about Norwal Theater on Feb 13, 2010 at 10:29 am

If you check the Ramova Theatre Facebook site, there is an old picture of the Norwal Theatre.

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about Peoples Theater on Feb 8, 2010 at 12:48 pm

It IS the correct year. BEST DEFENSE was a 1984 comedy starring Dudley Moore and Eddie Murphy. Back in the good old days, neighborhood theatres would do stuff like that. They would play a current film doubled up with an older film, usually from the same studio. Both BEST DEFENSE and THE WARRIORS are from Paramount. Back in 1982, I worked at the Village Theatre. One Paramount double feature we had was SOME KIND OF HERO (1982) and THE WARRIORS (1979). Unfortunately, this sort of thing doesn’t happen anymore.

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about Patio Theatre on Feb 2, 2010 at 12:16 pm

Well, I hope that Alex has been taking care of the theatre since it closed almost 9 years ago. I think that he should re-open it as a multi-purpose venue, like the Portage. It’ll never make it as a first run theatre. Some of these film companies want you to play a film for up to 4 weeks. That’s fine if you have a megaplex with various seat counts in each auditorium; but a single screen theatre? Forget about it.

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about Village Art Theatre on Jan 25, 2010 at 11:37 pm

If you want to check out videotape of the Village Theatre, go to YouTube and type in “The Edet Show, Parts 1, 2, 3” and also type in “Screening Caligula”. Enjoy.

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about Music Box Theatre on Jan 25, 2010 at 12:54 am

You could also try the Harold Washington Library 3rd floor microfilm room. They have rolls of microfilm of newspapers dating back to 1849. Good Luck. Let us know what you find.

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about Kerasotes sells theaters to Kansas City’s AMC on Jan 20, 2010 at 2:16 pm

Scott, you may be right, but a lot of theatre chains don’t want to operate in the city of Chicago due to excessive high taxes.

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about Vic Theatre on Jan 15, 2010 at 11:39 pm

If you ever get a chance, stand on the northern portion of the southbound L platform. Now, look south on the northern side of the Vic Theatre building. If you look very carefully, you will see an old, ghost sign on the brick wall. You will vaguely see the word “photo play.”

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about Copernicus Center on Jan 15, 2010 at 11:23 am

I don’t know the Polish word for ozone; however, the Irish word for ozone is “O'Zone.”

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about Happy 30th anniversary, "Empire Strikes Back"!!! on Jan 8, 2010 at 7:51 am

movie534, you should check out the website www.in70mm.com I envy the people of Europe. There seems to be a lot of 70mm fesitvals going on over there. It has always been my dream to put on 70mm screenings here in Chicago, but also to take it on the road. Problem is: no bucks. If I could just meet that one crackpot millionaire out there who loves film and is willing to lose money on such a venture…

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about Happy 30th anniversary, "Empire Strikes Back"!!! on Jan 6, 2010 at 11:13 pm

Also don’t forget the 30th Anniversary later this year of : THE SHINING; THE BLUE BROTHERS; FAME; THE ELEPHANT MAN; RAGING BULL. I remember Siskel and Ebert labeling 1980 as the worst year ever for movies. Although I think I’m old enough to admit to everyone that I saw these two movies in 70mm: CAN’T STOP THE MUSIC and THE JAZZ SINGER with Neil Diamond. Alright, stop that laughing!!!

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill commented about 5 Movies to watch for in IMAX 3-D on Jan 3, 2010 at 10:35 am

What I don’t understand are the real FILMmakers. Why don’t they get involved and speak out against digital projection? Quentin Tarantino told Roger Ebert in an interview that he will never shoot on digital. Steven Spielberg once said that he will shoot on film until they shut down the last film lab. Oliver Stone supposedly told George Lucas that he will be remembered as the man who destroyed cinema. Most movies that come out of Hollywood are still shot on 35mm film. Heck, there are still some movies shot on 16mm. Why does this world we live in want to give up on one of the great art forms of all time?