Century was always a better operator than AMC. They built higher quality theater complexes and their food and beverage program is the best in mainstream theaters. Under Cinemark ownership it seems that they have not declined either aside from replacing box offices with kiosks before anyone else did.Alpha8472 wrote: ↑June 15th, 2023, 1:19 am The theater was a hidden gem. There is the AMC Metreon across the street that plays many of the same movies. This type of competition only worked back when the Metreon was so crowded that the auditoriums were sold out. People could go to the Century Theater and find empty seats. I liked the atmosphere of Century better with real butter on the popcorn and mostly big movie screens.
The Century theater was on the top floor which was far from the food court on the lower level. The escalators to the top had a good view, but it was a long climb. Years ago, Borders Books was right next to the escalator and got tons of business. There were Express elevators from the ground level to the theater as well.
Century had a very upscale decor with granite tiles. AMC just seemed like a bland crowded multiplex.
AMC is just unfortunately inconsistent with their properties, and it comes off as being cheap. For example in Long Beach there was a 12 theater AMC complex in Marina Pacifica where one half had modern stadium style seating and large screens while the other half had nearly flat seating arrangements, old sound, inadequate restrooms, and tiny screens. Price is the same for either wing. Why would you want to see a movie on the old half? There was retail above but it was a constant revolving door of stores so they had ample opportunity to rework the space without interfering with the retail space, or even the chance to take the retail space and expand. I'm not sure if they've ever addressed the "old" wing but it created uncertainty for guests and once newer, larger complexes opened nearby I never went back. Newer AMC builds are very good, on par with Century and a superior product to Regal. But old AMC builds are still everywhere; an old Regal might not have contemporary color schemes and such but will have acceptable screen, seat and sound. An old AMC generally won't be acceptable in any way and very few have been "downgraded" to the discount AMC Classic format especially when they're the only big chain in town.