Philly offers a variety of movie theaters

By Lisa Angelucci
Collegian Staff
April 12, 2006

The city of Philadelphia is full of theaters for your movie-watching pleasure, but sometimes it’s hard to know which ones are worthwhile and which ones to avoid.

If you’re a movie enthusiast, try one of the Ritz Theatres, including the Ritz East on Second Street and the Ritz Five on Walnut Street. These movie theaters aim to attract a sophisticated and cinema-savvy audience, and often show thought-provoking films. Although the selections are usually independent or foreign films, these lesser-known titles can be the most interesting. The theaters offer tiered seats for your viewing pleasure, and the Center City locations are within walking distance of many bars and restaurants.

Also of interest is the Tuttleman IMAX Theater at the Franklin Institute. These shows are pricey, but the IMAX experience is unique. The four-story, domed Omnimax Screen wraps around the entire audience, and 56 speakers provide surround sound. The Tuttleman IMAX regularly shows the Franklin Institute’s nature-themed films, but occasionally features popular hits like last summer’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Another artsy theater in Philadelphia is the Roxy Cinema on Sansom Street. This theater provides a distinctive mix of independent, foreign and wide-release films to appeal to a wider audience. However, the two screening rooms are small, which creates a comfortable and intimate setting.

The Franklin Mills Mall in Northeast Philadelphia is home to an AMC theater in addition to over 200 stores and restaurants. The theater in the mall is especially popular for its $4 movie nights on Tuesdays, which are a hit with the younger crowd. The price that comes along with the cheaper seats is a less sophisticated and often fairly noisy crowd. You can expect chatter and cell phones throughout the movies.

There are plenty of other options for movie watching in Philadelphia, depending on what type of theater experience you prefer.

angeluccil1@lasalle.edu