Comments from Ross Melnick

Showing 201 - 225 of 308 comments

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about New Theater Editing Policy on Feb 11, 2008 at 1:44 pm

Ron,

For now, the editing rules are for our theater editors. This is to make the editing process transparent to our users as well.

You are welcome, of course, to send us updates about problematic entries to date. (Clearly the first 19,750 will not have followed this policy.)

Ross

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about New Theater Editing Policy on Feb 11, 2008 at 1:28 pm

Hi Ron,

The new policy is intended to be a guideline for submission. Spelling errors and other mistakes happen, but we’re aiming for a little more uniformity throughout the site. Over the years, a number of the issues listed in the new policy have been debated on the site. We’re hopeful that the “new rules” will at least outline what we would like to see ideally. Our illustrious editors will also help us keep the new and previous submissions in line with the new policy.

Thanks for taking the time to review it!

Ross

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about Cinerama Hollywood on Feb 1, 2008 at 11:19 am

It was a great show. I’ve seen 2001 four or five times over the last few years on “the big screen,” but seeing it at the Dome in 70 was a treat. I would love to believe that this screening will inspire more like this one at the Dome. Dare to dream.

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about The WGA strike: When will it end and do we really care anymore? on Jan 21, 2008 at 10:27 pm

I would just like to voice my support for the writers, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck. In addition, this strike is hurting the entire industry, from makeup artists to grips and other below the line talent. Most of these people are not millionaires, but middle class workers trying to make a living and pay their bills.

As for content, the longer the strike goes on the more reality shows we’ll all be subjected to. I’m not sure how many more shows along the lines of “Are You Smarter Than A Garden Hose?” we need. Yes, movies and television shows could be better on average. Does taking writers out of the equation make them any better?

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about Paxton Majestic Theatre on Nov 21, 2007 at 1:23 pm

Thanks — it’s much appreciated. I love the passion for this theater, but we’ve been getting some complaints about this page recently. Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for your understanding. :)

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about Paxton Majestic Theatre on Nov 21, 2007 at 12:27 pm

Please refrain from antagonizing one another and, in keeping with site policy, keep the comments focused on the theater — not each other.

Thank you,

Ross Melnick
Cinema Treasures

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about REMINDER: Meetup in L.A. Tonight! on Nov 9, 2007 at 8:35 pm

Thank you all for coming — it was great to meet you in person and we look forward to doing it again soon (hopefully at the Los Angeles Theatre).

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about UCLA Nimoy Theatre on Oct 30, 2007 at 7:22 pm

Dear All, To answer these questions, no, Landmark did not give any money to Cinema Treasures. We are having this event there because, as we stated earlier, they have free parking, no one has to pay to get in, and we can have the event without booking a space, interrupting a theater’s programming for the evening, or clogging their lobby.

Thank you Roadshow for seeing that we didn’t have a lot of options and this one made a lot of sense (at least at the time!). The Arclight cafe would need to be booked, The Grove has no cafe (it’s a smaller version of the restaurant The Farm) and The Bridge is even further away. As previously stated, we tried to do this at the National to no avail.

We are doing this to gather our LA members together and I’d like to think that’s the point. Obviously, we’d love to do something more elaborate, something in Hollywood (next time Roadshow), and something at a historic theater. This event is to see how many there are of us here in LA and then figure out something more elaborate for next time. That’s it.

I will happily continue this conversation, if necessary, but I’d love to get back to discussing these theaters, if possible.

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about AMC Hulen 10 on Oct 30, 2007 at 10:42 am

The old UA Hulen 10 (now the Hulen Movie Tavern) is located at 4920 S. Hulen St. This is a Starplex cinema.

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about Circle Theatre on Oct 30, 2007 at 9:57 am

An image of the auditorium (and a full house) can be found in Mary Bryner Winn’s book, “Corona,” part of the “Images of America” series.

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about Meet the people who run Cinema Treasures! on Oct 29, 2007 at 9:04 pm

Dear Mark — We tried (to no avail) to hold a meetup at the National several months ago before it closed. After speaking with the manager of the theater, who approved our hosting it there pending approval of the owners, we never heard back from him despite follow up phone calls.

When we decided to relaunch this event it was with the intention of finding a cinema-related venue that could hold a number of people without worrying about showtimes beginning or ending and getting in the way. The plight of the Village and Bruin is certainly something to discuss that night. I’m not sure how easily we could do that in their lobby. :)

Your point is very valid and it is something that we discussed before we picked this venue. Since it is our first, we wanted to see what the turnout is before deciding to begin asking other theaters to let us take over for the evening.

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about Regency Village Theatre on Oct 29, 2007 at 9:03 pm

Dear Mark — We tried (to no avail) to hold a meetup at the National several months ago before it closed. After speaking with the manager of the theater, who approved our hosting it there pending approval of the owners, we never heard back from him despite follow up phone calls.

When we decided to relaunch this event it was with the intention of finding a cinema-related venue that could hold a number of people without worrying about showtimes beginning or ending and getting in the way. The plight of the Village and Bruin is certainly something to discuss that night. I’m not sure how easily we could do that in their lobby. :)

Your point is very valid and it is something that we discussed before we picked this venue. Since it is our first, we wanted to see what the turnout is before deciding to begin asking other theaters to let us take over for the evening.

Ross

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about Meet the people who run Cinema Treasures! on Oct 29, 2007 at 10:04 am

These are all great suggestions. Hopefully, we’ll have meetups in Chicago and NYC in the near future. Hope to see those in LA who can make it!

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about San Diego theaters threatened by wildfires on Oct 26, 2007 at 2:06 am

Perhaps the theater closest to a fire was Hollywood Theaters' Malibu Cinemas.

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about Valley Circle Theater on Oct 23, 2007 at 11:32 pm

Charlie,

Add-a-photo will return as soon as possible. It is part of the next version of the site currently under development…

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about AMC Highlands Ranch 24 on Oct 23, 2007 at 7:48 pm

Thanks Ken — here are my two cents:

When we first started this site, it was going to be for “cinema treasures” only — in other words, theaters with architectural, cultural, and/or historical significance. Over the years, we’ve added nearly 19,000 theaters. It would be hard to argue that they all have that. And, what I’ve learned over the years, is that one man’s dump is another’s palace. People argue over whether to add porn theaters, drive-in theaters, demolished theaters, crumbling theaters, etc.

What I think will help this in the future is a designation by the editorial staff (and hopefully users as well) about which theaters are truly “cinema treasures” and which are not. As you can probably imagine, I am consistently surprised by those aging multiplexes of the 1980s that continue to generate a large number of comments. And the 1960s and 1970s theaters that some hated when they were built are now revered by those who love modern architecture, etc.

If there is a method to the madness of adding all of these theaters, whether they are from AMC, Regal, Cinemark, etc., it’s that each entry allows patrons, managers, ushers, architects, etc. to find the site and tell us something new. When a theater opened, why it closed, what happened during the summer of 1983, etc.

Each story tells us something about moviegoing, exhibition, and American culture. While I remain, and always will, a staunch advocate and connoisseur of classic movie houses, this is the contemporary exhibition market. Ignoring it won’t help us continue to hold exhibitors to account, praise those we love and chastise those who are letting down the many thousands who have cared and continue to care about presentation.

For what it’s worth, I’m so glad we’re having this discussion. Cinema Treasures has grown WAY beyond what Patrick and I ever conceived and we’re responding to a changing user base and a changing global market.

Cinema Treasures is a collaborative project and your voices are so important to the future goals of this site. Thank you for your passion, thoughts, and enthusiasm. I hope when we add message boards that these and other discussions will be lively.

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about Vine Theatre on Oct 23, 2007 at 9:57 am

Yahoo! Movies lists the Vine as “temporarily closed.”

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about RARE BOOK: American Film Exhibition by Gary Edgreton: Why so hard to find??? on Oct 22, 2007 at 2:51 pm

Thanks Tom! As for ProQuest, they are a huge information resource company that reproduces dissertations and enables access to historic newspapers, amongst many other activities.

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about RARE BOOK: American Film Exhibition by Gary Edgreton: Why so hard to find??? on Oct 22, 2007 at 7:32 am

Tom,

There are over 100 libraries around the country that list this book on WorldCat. Since I am presuming you are in the NYC area, you can find it at the following libraries: Columbia University, Hofstra University, and St. Johns University. As you mention, nearly every library that holds this book is a university library. However, there is another public library with a copy: the Boston Public Library. Although there may be some significant differences, if you want to order this book in its original dissertation format, you can do so by calling ProQuest at 1.800.521.3042. A softcover paper copy will run you $53 plus shipping.

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about Wapa Theatre on Oct 20, 2007 at 12:06 am

Lost et al.,

Yes — please refrain from posting the full text of any copyrighted article. Cinema Treasures respects the rights of copyright holders and does not single anyone out in prohibiting the duplication of complete articles and other copyrighted works on this site. Lost, you mentioned that “I thought that we couldn’t post the full text from an article. Has that policy changed?” The short answer is indeed no.

While we understand the desire to preserve these texts because of the expiration and instability of links, the benefit of posting an article does not outweigh the legal and logistical issues this practice may cause.

Thank you all for your understanding.

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about Grand Theatre Center for the Arts on Sep 18, 2007 at 9:57 am

Here is a recent article about the theater from the Tri-Valley Herald: View link

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about Donate to Cinema Treasures on Sep 17, 2007 at 7:19 pm

Hi Terry,

We haven’t, but it’s a great idea. It’s probably time to reintroduce the idea.

Ross

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about Donate to Cinema Treasures on Sep 17, 2007 at 6:43 pm

Please make checks payable to Cinema Treasures, LLC. Thanks. :)

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about Donate to Cinema Treasures on Sep 17, 2007 at 6:18 pm

David and Jim,

Thanks for the terrific suggestion, which I’m adding to the text of the blog entry. To send a donation by mail, please send check or money order to:

Cinema Treasures
P.O. Box 642957
Los Angeles, CA 90064

Thank you again for all of your support!

Ross Melnick

Ross Melnick
Ross Melnick commented about Donate to Cinema Treasures on Sep 17, 2007 at 1:21 pm

Donations of any amount are welcomed and deeply appreciated. :) Thank you to those who have already donated. Your support means so much.