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September 14, 2009
Court Street Cinema Fire, Again
The UA Cinema on Court Street in Brooklyn Heights had a small fire incident on Saturday that left none injured. According to the Brooklyn Heights Blog, a popcorn machine was the cause of the fire, but the sprinkler system kept it from getting out of control. The incident did fill the theater with smoke and force everyone in the theater to evacuate. Almost the exact same sequence of events occurred last month—a small fire caused by a faulty popcorn machine. Perhaps it's time for UA Cinema to invest in some new popcorn machines? GMAP
Fire in a Crowded Theater: the Sequel [Brooklyn Heights Blog]
Fire in a Crowded Theater [Brooklyn Heights Blog]
Popcorn Machine Catches Fire [A Brooklyn Life]
Photo by Marc Hermann/BHB
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Comments
I know this is a reprise of the last round of comments about the last "popcorn fire," but: I would not patronize this scary dump again if it were the last movie theater on earth. Flaming popcorn aside, it is inconvenient, skanky, and downright creepy; my daughter and I hated the long shadowy vertical trip to the ladies' room through deserted floors and corridors; and the place seems to be staffed by a few surly teenagers.
If capitalism works,why don't we get better movie theaters?
Posted by: Brenda from Flatbush at September 14, 2009 11:01 AM
I try to avoid seeing anything at this theater due to a host of reasons, but regrettably I attempted to see "District 9" Saturday night.
The crack staff had mixed up "9" with "District 9" in the listings, with resulting confusion and hilarity as people tried to see the non-existent 6:30 showing. We bought tickets for the 8:10 and went to grab a bite.
About 15 minutes into the movie, the lights went on and the movie stopped. And then silence. Nobody from the theater came in, so someone decided to see what was going on. He came back and said there was a fire. We call made for the exits. Upstairs we could hear a faint alarm sound, but there were no employees directing us, no announcements, nothing.
Outside, we watched the fire trucks arrive, which spelled the end of our attempt to see the film.
Posted by: neilw at September 14, 2009 11:03 AM
Place is a dump.
Posted by: DeLepp at September 14, 2009 11:51 AM
This place is great - great if you enjoy watching move whilst people are talking on cell phones and kicking the back of your chair.
Battery Park City is the only decent big movie theater in NYC
Posted by: dirty_hipster at September 14, 2009 11:54 AM
The during movie commentary is BS. "She didn't just do that", or "You go girl", all during "the others", never went back. TG for Netflix.
Posted by: DeLepp at September 14, 2009 12:03 PM
Ok, it's no architectural movie palace, but I have to say in all honesty that I have never had a bad movie watching experience there. If anything, my only complaint would be that it's as cold as a meat locker in there. Maybe I just don't go the the same movies as chair kicking, cell phone talking kids. When we go, it's never that crowded.
Compared to what downtown Brooklyn used to offer - the Duffield (demolished) and the Loew's (now Bklyn Tabernacle) this one is a step up in so many ways. The last movie I saw at the Loew's, the rats were sitting in the front rows with popcorn, throwing soda at the screen and making disparaging remarks about the actors. Now THAT was scary, because they were right.
Posted by: Montrose Morris at September 14, 2009 12:04 PM
The building, incidentally, is yet another of Bruce Ratner's spectacular contributions to our fair borough.
Posted by: WonTon at September 14, 2009 12:14 PM
Who goes to the movies anyway? I literally can't remember the last time I saw a movie in a theater.
MM is right about the Dufield - this place has to be a palace compared to that!
Posted by: East New York at September 14, 2009 12:24 PM
I agree with the majority here. This place is a complete disaster. In fact, I only go at the very tail end of a movie's run there -- and for matinees only! Otherwise, the experience is almost unbearable. Theaters chock full of talkers and cell phone squawkers. Absent-minded projectionists. Half-stocked concessions. Rude, slow, unhelpful staff. Long, convoluted treks to theaters. Out of order escalators. I could go on...
Posted by: Porterhouse at September 14, 2009 12:26 PM
I love seeing movies here. The element of danger (will the theater burn down while I'm inside, will I get punched out by another patron, etc.) really adds to my enjoyment of the film. Furthermore, I love the running commentary and constant cell phone conversations - often more interesting than the film itself.
Posted by: brighton beoch at September 14, 2009 1:09 PM
I saw "The Departed" here, and I must admit the crowds' reaction to the 'surprise ending' really added to the film. Never heard the "MFer" explicative said by so many people at the same time before.
Posted by: dirty_hipster at September 14, 2009 1:12 PM
understanding demographics would have saved you from this realization that people talk during the movie.
Posted by: BSD at September 14, 2009 1:14 PM
"If capitalism works,why don't we get better movie theaters?"
Because capitalism is working to destroy them. BluRay anyone?
Posted by: denton at September 14, 2009 3:14 PM
Denton is correct. As TVs grow larger and theater screens grow smaller, is it any wonder that people are less and less willing to pay $11-14 for a movie ticket?
Posted by: DitmasSnark at September 14, 2009 4:57 PM
"As TVs grow larger and theater screens grow smaller, is it any wonder that people are less and less willing to pay $11-14 for a movie ticket?"
Why do you think I stopped going to movies? Pay $$ to sit in a firetrap, sticky-floor movie theater with jerks on cell phones? Screw that crap. I've got a 60" TV!
Posted by: East New York at September 14, 2009 5:23 PM
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