I’ve been looking forward to AMC opening the new Fork & Screen experience at the Olathe AMC ever since they closed down the entire East side of the building to do the renovations. The Fork & Screen is a unique movie-going experience…the first AMC theater of its type.
Through Twitter, I acquired an invitation for Alli and I to attend an exclusive blogger event organized by AMC’s Social Media master, Justin Gardner.
Most of the AMC Fork & Screen is built around “MacGuffins”, a term named by Alfred Hitchcock as “a plot device which advances the story.” There are famous examples of MacGuffins all around the Fork & Screen…the entryway has some of the most memorable (like the one at right).
The whole experience is fantastic. There is one less theater than there was before, but what they lost in seating, they gained in experience. We got to take a look at both the more upscale CinemaSuites and the standard Fork & Screen Theater. It’s important to note that to get access to the Fork & Screen, you must be over 21 or with a parent or guardian because the main attraction of the Fork & Screen is its fetching bar.
The pricing is different for the two experiences. The CinemaSuites are $10 more per ticket, but you get a recliner and a more private movie viewing experience. Plus, you can reserve your seat and you also get a $5 voucher with each ticket toward your food purchases, which is enough to get you at least a free drink and get you well toward a full meal, since the prices are amazingly reasonable. Both experiences include seat-side service for food and drink and the menu is pretty decent. There were even options for my vegetarian wife.
After we’d had the full tour, we headed over to the standard Fork & Screen Theater to watch Guy Ritchie’s latest movie, RockNRolla. Despite a terrific cast, the movie was awful. Seriously…don’t see it. It sucked.
But the bad movie couldn’t ruin a great experience. Alli and I are really excited for this new movie-going experience and plan to get to it as much as possible. I foresee us spending the extra money for the CinemaSuites experience because I thought that it was worth the extra money for a little more comfort.
But, if you want the Fork & Screen experience…here’s the genius part. It doesn’t cost you a dime more for the standard Fork & Screen…you get access to seat-side service, better concessions and a fancy table for all your stuff. Just don’t forget your wallet (like I almost did tonight).
The Fork & Screen officially opens this Friday night. It will be pretty crazy the first weekend out, but I think it is worth the trip. It was one of the best movie-going experiences I’ve had (just a really sucky movie).
Elsewhere, be sure to check out Ramsey’s video blog of the Fork & Screen.
Disclaimer: I was not paid anything for this post besides the free screening of the movie and a few bites of some appetizers.
Looks like a great time. I cant wait to try it out myself.
I had fun. I think this will be a nice way to experience a movie date night. I hope it does well for AMC.
That’s my movie theater of choice anyway, so I’ve been excited about the improvements. I’m looking forward to more “dinner and a movie” outings at the regular Fork & Screen, although we’ll probably save trips to the CinemaSuites for stuff we are really dying to see.
that looks very kickass.
Can’t smoke, so movie theaters in this area still suck. That’s why I stay home with my DVDs – eat what I want when I want (PopSecret’s “Movie Theater Butter” rocks pretty well), then smoke without missing a moment of the movie, and I can stop the DVD for a bathroom break as often as I want for as long as I want.
When they do that at the movie theaters, I’ll consider returning for more than the occasional animated feature with my younger child.
@Average Jane, it was nice to meet you.
@Jake, it was/is.
@kmb, when they add the ability to smoke in theaters, that will be the day that I stop going.
kmb, nice to know you smoke at home with a younger child around. keep up the good parenting.
Are you going to try for the Free Movies for a Year they are giving away? The first 100 in line in costume at 10 AM on 10/31 get 52 free passes.
Steve, I thought about it, but there are two problems…
1. If you are competing, I won’t win.
2. I hate Halloween and anything to do with dressing up in costume.
Otherwise, I’m totally there.
Very valid points. Since we get to about 2 movies per year I don’t think I will take the time to stand in line.
It does say you could go as a celebrity instead of wearing a costume. If your hair and beard were a bit longer you could go as Mike Myers from the Love Guru!
i had no idea they were doing this! brother, don’t be stupid. put your hatred for halloween aside for once and go get a free movies for a year pass, you idiot. dress up as jesus. you could probably even borrow the costume from the church! he’s just a little skinnier.
Suzy and I went tonight to see “W.” Great experience, and what a great film. After doing some basic head math, I figured we only paid about $15 more for the experience and came away well-fed. I will _definitely_ go again.
I totally agree about not just the theater, but the movie. “RocknRolla” was a knockoff of Guy Ritchie’s other dim-witted gangster pics. Thank God for the mushroom & swiss burger and Pale Ales. Mmmm. BTW, I totally stole your MacGuffin’s photo!
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