Macomb gets 'reel'
Rialto Cinemas opens its doors to the public
Josh Jefferson
Issue date: 6/17/09 Section: News
The Rialto Cinema will open its doors for the first time on Thursday, June 18 at 9 p.m. for a sneak peek with the official opening on Friday.
Rialto will seat 650 people split between six separate screening rooms. The largest will hold 170, while the smallest will hold 55 and be the likely home of the International Film Festival, a mainstay of the old Cinema 1 and 2.
"We are working with Larry Jarvis (former manager of the Cinema 1 and 2) to get the details worked out," said Melody McGrath, owner of the Rialto Cinema.
McGrath noted that the City of Macomb had been searching for a partner to bring a viable theatre to Macomb for sometime. Other operations, including Carmike, which leased the Cinema 1 and 2 from Western, passed on the opportunity.
As independent theatre operators, McGrath and husband Larry were uniquely qualified to set in and fill the void, with some assistance from Kim Pierce of the Macomb Area Economic Development Corporation (MAEDCO) and Fourth Ward Alderman Mike Inman.
The Rialto will have stadium style seating in all of its screening rooms in addition to 43-inch cushioned seats with adjustable armrests and cup holders. Four of the screening rooms will support digital sound and two will be in stereo. All movies will be shown in the 35mm format.
"When it becomes cost-effective for a theatre this size to have digital we will get it," McGrath said.
Thursday's special 9 p.m. sneak preview will feature the latest Pixar hit "UP," "Terminator: Salvation" and "Night at the Museum 2."
Following the Thursday night opening, the line up will be expanded to include "The Proposal," with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds; Will Ferrell's new comedy "Land of the Lost" and the prehistoric buddy comedy "Year One" starring Jack Black and Michael Cera.
The grand opening and special sneak preview has been met with a mixture of excitement and anticipation.
"I'm excited," said Tyler Loftin, senior business management major. "It's going to give us something else to do."
Another student expressed interest in the new attraction but said she will defer until a later date.
"I'm excited and can't wait to go, though I won't go right away," said Natalia Galvan, communications graduate student.
At the time of print it is unclear if GoWest will make changes to the Brown Route to accommodate the new theatre. The current schedule makes viewing the 1 and 4 p.m. showings unfeasible to attend. The Brown Route runs Monday-Friday 4-10 p.m. and Saturday Noon to 6 p.m. ariving at K-Mart, the nearest stop, at 12 minutes and 42 minutes on the hour.
Show times at the Rialto Cinema are 1,4,7 and 9 p.m. seven days a week.
Rialto will seat 650 people split between six separate screening rooms. The largest will hold 170, while the smallest will hold 55 and be the likely home of the International Film Festival, a mainstay of the old Cinema 1 and 2.
"We are working with Larry Jarvis (former manager of the Cinema 1 and 2) to get the details worked out," said Melody McGrath, owner of the Rialto Cinema.
McGrath noted that the City of Macomb had been searching for a partner to bring a viable theatre to Macomb for sometime. Other operations, including Carmike, which leased the Cinema 1 and 2 from Western, passed on the opportunity.
As independent theatre operators, McGrath and husband Larry were uniquely qualified to set in and fill the void, with some assistance from Kim Pierce of the Macomb Area Economic Development Corporation (MAEDCO) and Fourth Ward Alderman Mike Inman.
The Rialto will have stadium style seating in all of its screening rooms in addition to 43-inch cushioned seats with adjustable armrests and cup holders. Four of the screening rooms will support digital sound and two will be in stereo. All movies will be shown in the 35mm format.
"When it becomes cost-effective for a theatre this size to have digital we will get it," McGrath said.
Thursday's special 9 p.m. sneak preview will feature the latest Pixar hit "UP," "Terminator: Salvation" and "Night at the Museum 2."
Following the Thursday night opening, the line up will be expanded to include "The Proposal," with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds; Will Ferrell's new comedy "Land of the Lost" and the prehistoric buddy comedy "Year One" starring Jack Black and Michael Cera.
The grand opening and special sneak preview has been met with a mixture of excitement and anticipation.
"I'm excited," said Tyler Loftin, senior business management major. "It's going to give us something else to do."
Another student expressed interest in the new attraction but said she will defer until a later date.
"I'm excited and can't wait to go, though I won't go right away," said Natalia Galvan, communications graduate student.
At the time of print it is unclear if GoWest will make changes to the Brown Route to accommodate the new theatre. The current schedule makes viewing the 1 and 4 p.m. showings unfeasible to attend. The Brown Route runs Monday-Friday 4-10 p.m. and Saturday Noon to 6 p.m. ariving at K-Mart, the nearest stop, at 12 minutes and 42 minutes on the hour.
Show times at the Rialto Cinema are 1,4,7 and 9 p.m. seven days a week.
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