Maine movie theaters adding variety to standard film fare
Patriot Cinemas at Freeport Village opened in June. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)
There was a time when people went to the movies just to see what’s new.
It’s true that people still flock to a handful of opening nights for anticipated blockbusters, like “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” or “Toy Story 5.”
But many movie theaters are struggling to fill the seats the way they did in the past, especially before the pandemic, so they’re trying different things. Many are showing a lot more older and classic films, which audiences know and already love. Some are trying live opera or concert simulcasts or bringing in live entertainment, like comedians and hypnotists.
Here are some examples of the new and different kinds of entertainment and programming Maine movie theaters are offering these days.
Flagship Cinemas in Waterville. (Photo courtesy of Flagship Cinemas)
Apple Cinemas
183 County Road, Westbrook; 779 Portland Road, Saco. applecinemas.com
Both Apple Cinemas show a combination of older favorites, Hollywood classics, live opera and Japanese anime, besides first-run films. A 40th anniversary showing of “Castle in the Sky,” from Studio Ghibli in Japan, opens Aug. 22. Other Studio Ghibli classics scheduled for the theater include “Princess Mononoke” on Sept. 26 and “Spirited Away” on Sept. 26 (Saco only) and Oct. 17.
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Some of the older favorites on the schedule include a 35th anniversary release of “Terminator 2” on Aug. 28 and five different “Hunger Games” movies, Sept. 2-7. One of the most acclaimed films in American cinema history, “Gone with The Wind” (1939) is slated for Oct. 10. Live Metropolitan Opera performances at the theaters include “Cosi Fan Tutte” coming Oct. 3 and Verdi’s “Macbeth” on Oct. 17.
149 Maine St., Brunswick. eveningstarcinema.com
This theater in downtown Brunswick has focused on independent cinema for years. Some of the special programming there includes a screening of “Canoe Dig It?” on Aug. 15, made by Maine filmmaker and actor Samuel Dunning. The theater is also showing the 2003 family action film “Spy Kids 3D: Game Over” on Aug. 15 and 16. The theater this fall is planning to screen a 30th anniversary re-issue of “Boogie Nights” on Sept. 11.
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206 U.S. Route 1, Falmouth; 730 Center St., Auburn; 247 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville; 75 Wells Plaza, Wells; 9 Moody Drive, Thomaston; flagshipcinemas.com
Flagship Cinemas hosts a Flashback Cinema series in Falmouth, Auburn, Thomaston and Waterville. The movies are usually fan favorites, some dating back to the 1980s. Some upcoming films in the series include “The Fast and the Furious” Aug. 22, 23 and 26; “Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone” Aug. 29, 30 and Sept. 2; “Pacific Rim” Sept. 5, 6 and 9; and the extended versions of the three “Lord of the Rings” movies Sept. 12-30.
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The Falmouth location hosts live simulcasts of performances from the Metropolitan Opera in New York, with behind-the-scenes content and host commentary. Some of the upcoming operas include “Cosi Fan Tutte” on Oct. 3, “Macbeth” on Oct. 17 and “Carmen” on Nov. 14.
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Sebastian Guzman and Sarah Lane work behind the front counter of Patriot Cinemas at Freeport Village in June. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)
Nickelodeon Cinemas, 1 Temple St., Portland; 1 Freeport Village Station, Freeport. patriotcinemas.com
Nickelodeon Cinemas offers a Wayback Wednesdays series, with classics from various eras. One recent showing was the Alfred Hitchcock horror classic “Psycho.” Some upcoming films in that series include “Jurassic Park” on Aug. 19 and “The Lost Boys” on Aug. 26. The Nick is also showing more independent films, from Maine filmmakers, including “Saving Black Bear,” on Sept. 21.
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The Freeport location hosts a Free Summer Movies series, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The films are mostly classic family fare and animation. The movies scheduled for the remainder of the summer include “Dog Man” on Aug. 12 and 15, “Despicable Me” on Aug. 19 and 22, “Beethoven” on Aug. 26 and 29 and “Minions: The Rise of Gru” on Sept. 2 and 5.
Smitty’s Entertainment theaters in Maine have been hosting comedy shows featuring Boston comedians. (Photo courtesy of Smitty’s Entertainment)
795 Roosevelt Trail, Windham; 65 Topsham Fair Mall Road, Topsham; 1327 Main St., Sanford. smittyscinema.com
Smitty’s is different than a lot of movie theaters, because they offer a full dinner service during the show. But the chain recently put “entertainment” in the company name, which speaks to the very diverse offerings, including axe throwing (Topsham only) bowling (Sanford only) hypnotist shows, comedians, magic shows and bingo. Plus, of course, movies.
R-rated hypnotist Frank Santos Jr. will perform in Sanford on Sept. 19, and in Topsham on Sept. 25. A comedy show featuring several Boston comedians will be in Sanford Oct. 2. Around Halloween, all Smitty’s locations will host Kids Halloween Magic shows, featuring Abracadabra Productions from Portland. Smitty’s has also been playing more indie films by Maine filmmakers, often featuring a Q&A with the filmmakers. The movie “Bountiful” featuring Maine actor Jeff Davis, a veteran of TV and films, is scheduled to play in Windham on Aug. 13.
The Windham location will be closing later this summer for renovations, including the addition of a lounge/bar area, pool tables, an arcade and bowling. The location should reopen by November.
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Tagged: featured, Maine movies, movies
Ray Routhier has written about pop culture, movies, TV, music and lifestyle trends for the Portland Press Herald since 1993. He is continually fascinated with stories that show the unique character of. More by Ray Routhier
