Empire Granville 7 Cinemas

Could I be the last review? They are shutting down, it’s the end of an era. I’ll miss them.

I’ve realized recently that there are very few theatres left that I can actually say that I saw a movie in when I was a kid. Movie theatres are kind of cathedrals to me, I don’t go in them much anymore, but I did a lot when I was younger, so those that are still left from my youth like this one are special. Perhaps they don’t have all the modern amenties of a movie theatre, perhaps they don’t have first run movies, but whenever and whatever I see in this theatre I come away feeling like I did when I was 8. It’s especially strong feeling now because when I hit Granville street after being immersed in whatever world I was in, I get a sensation that I’m being pushed back into painful reality. I’d rather be back inside eating some Glossets and slurping some Root Beer.
⁶⁄₃₀ Unilocal 30 in 30.

***THREE AND A HALF STARS***
VIFF and more
During most of the year this is an average cinema. 7 studios on 3 levels. ElCheapo Tuesdays. Average concession (only open on upper levels during busy times, like festivals)
Seats are ok. Everything A-​OK.
During VIFF, this place turns into a beehive and my appreciation for this theatre increases. Thanks for all the lovely visuals.
_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​
³⁄₃₀ - (October 2012, 30-​day challenge)
*Review ³⁶⁶⁄₃₆₅ personal challenge*

How is this place even still open? Sure, it’s $ 3 cheaper than the Scotia Theatre, and shows a lot of the same stuff, but the seats are uncomfortable, the popcorn is stale, and the screens are much smaller. The only good thing about this theatre is that there’s almost no one in it when you go there so you can be that asshole making smart-​ass comments at the movie thinking you’re just as funny as the guys on Mystery Science Theatre 3000.
We came on a Wednesday to one staff person working both the concession and selling tickets to get in, of which nobody really even bothered to look at once we bought them. I guess as long as you pay to get in, nobody gives a shit what theatre you end up in. The girl was nice enough, and efficient considering she was the only one working — not that there was anyone else to help…
On the flipside, if you’re a young teenager with raging hormones, the theatres are pretty much empty, so if you’re going for the third-​base «extra butter on the popcorn» move, you’ll probably score, cuz there’s no one there to catch you.

A part of me loves this place because it brought back memories of high school, simple times and saving money to watch movies with your friends, but another part has moved on. I’m not stuck up, but I really love my leg room and elevated rows/​seats, — especially when someone who’s 6 feet is sitting right in front of me.
Empire Granville 7 Cinemas is an old style movie cinema in the heart of Granville Street. The washrooms aren’t as glamourous, the theatre is smaller and there isn’t much variety in food/​snacks. I do love the location and the prices are more than reasonable.
Empire Cinemas still holds a special place in my heart, but overall I enjoy watching my movie in comfort.

Went here with a group of friends today for the vancouver international film festival. Despite being right on Granville the theater actually has a good selection and isnt all Hollywood crap. I know that during the film festival its different but I was looking at their regular movies as well. Comfy theatrers, good seats, and the popcorn isnt outrageously priced. Staff seemed awesome and the whole experience was great… until I walked into the blinding sun from the bottom floor theater and almost went blind. but hey, who can complain about the sun!

It’s tough to quantify a theatre’s worth — especially when it’s an older cinema that has a steady rotation of art-​house and foreign films (I’m looking at you, subtitles) but holds none of the classic independent theatre charm we North Americans have come to expect from a second-​run joint.
But the price is right, and despite being located smack-​dab in the middle of the Granville wasteland I can’t argue with the selection. You’re not likely to find the next great independent flick here, BUT you will find something that you’re not going to see at one of the bigger, albeit more comfortable, theatres in town.
So, yes, I’m a fan. And why not? Sure, the seats are pretty terrible and there is no leg room to speak of, but are we really *that* privileged that we can’t sit on a flattened-​out chair for a couple of hours of our lives? Good prices; good popcorn; mostly good films that I may not otherwise get the chance to see — good times, is what I say.
Good times, indeed.

I used to love this theater, not just for it’s location but also because they always showed a wide selection of movies (not just your typical Hollywood muck-​muck).
This theater used to have that cool downtown vibe. Now it’s just washed up like an old pair of sport socks that have been run through the ringer 100 times too many. They don’t keep your feet warm anymore, smell bad and are all holey, but you still just gotta wear ‘em because they’re just there.
Flash forward 2011 VIFF — After our first film fest movie here I felt really really sore and old, like back breaking bone-​cracking O-​L-​D from sitting for over an hour in their old-​a$$ rickety seats. I also think I blew a face fuse from trying not to breath through my nose because the place smelled like warm beer-​flavoured pee. But I digress, back to the seats! The spots are really tight and uncomfortable. The heat was unbearable and the place was just really hurting.
I tried to give it a chance and think back to this theater’s glory days, but after my fourth VIFF film in this theater that ran for over 2.5 hours (time in my life I will NEVER get back), I simply can’t stop ranting like a crazed person who’s been put in a corner like «Baby» from Dirty Dancing. I just want to stab myself in the eyes now when I think of the remaining 7 movies I still have left to see at this awful theater. It makes me feel like I just want the festival to end. Now.

I’m sorry, but I love this place. I usually end up getting suckered into going to Tinseltown with a friend because the movie selection is more accommodating to all tastes there, but the Granville 7 is a Vancouver institution (remember that old theatre that used to be across the street, beside the Commodore, that had that weird overhang that covered the sidewalk? what was that place called?!? it’s Urban Outfitters now…).
I dropped by here for the first time in ages the other night on a Tuesday and paid $ 5.99 to see a new release. Hot damn! I’ll take it. They let me order the kids-​meal at the concession, $ 7.50 for a soda, popcorn, and a full size chocolate bar. Concession stands are always outrageous, but it’s like that at every cinema so I can’t say I’m surprised. I love the layout of this place, with all the different levels. You can get a lovely view of the Commodore and Granville Strip from the upstairs level.

While personally I prefer to visit Pacific Cinematheque or Vancity Theatre for a comfortable movie-​going experience, I have really enjoyed the experience of VIFF at the Empire Granville. The concession prices are pretty steep, though you kind of have to expect that at all movie theatres now.
I’ve yet to see a wide-​release blockbuster at Empire Granville 7, but the screenings for the VIFF films have been great at the staff has worked really well with the VIFF volunteers to ensure that movie-​goers get to where they need to be.

I don’t know what the projectionists were smoking, but 35 minutes into our film, it started showing backwards and upside down, even the dialogue was backwards.
I felt like Alice In Wonderland, only I never take pills :-}
The VIFF was in charge, and announced that it was not possible for a quick fix, and we were given vouchers for another showing.
They were very efficient about it.
*ps. 5 bucks for popcorn? –are you insane?

My biggest qualm about this theatre is that it doesn’t cater towards short people. It’s the worst when a huge, tall person with big hair sits in front of you during a VIFF film. It sort of takes away from the movie.
The concessions are alright, and it does remind me of a cute old-​style theatre that would show news reports of WWII attacks in the 40s.

Reasonable price, good movies
Empire Granville lacks a lot of the 3D high tech spectacular venue perks that you get from some of the larger venues, but it also lacks the high price you typically would get from them as well. I find Granvile 7 to be a great place to watch movies, without the huge crowds and at about half the price of the competitors. Seating is comfortable, but again it is older seating, and not the comfort of newer theaters.
One big caution — the seating is not angled well for watching subtitled movies, so if your movie is subtitled, someone sitting in front of you may make it difficult to read the subtitles.
The popcorn is good, overall I enjoy the more relaxed, intimate atmosphere here.

I enjoy seeing movies at Granville 7 as I find the departure from a busy and chaotic theatre atmosphere refreshing. There is also a quality that this theatre has which I do not receive from the likes of the big Cineplex and Tinsletown cinemas, which is personality and heart. Many of the staff here are friendly, engaging and fun to talk to and I never experience that at other theatres I’ve frequented who will always simply give me what I asked or tell me where to go and move on to the next person. Many staff at Granville 7 have been happy to talk and make me smile or even laugh if they can. I feel more welcomed there.
In a few cases this theatre can even get pretty busy. I went to see ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ and there were some long lines at the box office and food stand, it seemed many were also going to this movie and the theatre was a bit over half full. While I like it for not being as crowded it was nice to see the place getting more attention. It was still better than the chaos that the Film Festival brings!
Here’s a few aspects I have learned over time worth noting:
— It costs 8:50 now but they now have cheap tuesdays which brings the price down to 5.99. They also have a concession deal that’s around the same price on tuesdays and it’s perfect for one person (popcorn, drink, candy sort of thing). This is a pretty amazing deal when I compare it to having spent about 50.00 for a friend and I to get tickets and food at Scotiabank!
— Sometimes they advertise a student combo for ticket and food, the sign is gone now so it’s probably during school.
— More often than not their popcorn is really good, when it was too dry they replaced it with a new batch.
— Every month they’ve been showing a classic movie which have been quite fun to attend. Examples I watched are Terminator 2, Princess Bride, The Warriors and I’m planning to check out Wrath of Khan.
— The seats are old fashioned! They are comfy for me but seem a bit small and lacking in room for larger and longer limbed folk in comparison to more modern seating. I’ve seen people just put their feet up.
— No stadium seating either. This usually isn’t a problem since it is not as busy but it can be a little annoying if you go to a popular show.
— I’m wary of their slanted cup holders. For a drink filled all the way a bump from your knee makes it seem like it’d be easy to spill.
— They’re only open on evenings during the week.
— Sometimes the escalators have broken down or were sometimes not switched in the other direction yet which could be troublesome if stairs are hard on you, though they do have an elevator. It’s a really old building, I remember going as little kid when it used to be a Cineplex so those escalators have been around a long time. I can understand some maintenance issues…
— They don’t have 3D (or I suppose have never upgraded to it). 3D’s not a deal breaker for me, I don’t like having to pay extra for it anyhow, but I observed a family in line who were pretty determined to watch Alice in Wonderland that way.

On a recent evening at Granville 7 there were but a dozen people in the theater. It’s such a great feeling to have an entire theater shared by only a handful to people. (Albeit probably not great for the longevity of the place.)
The purple velvet chairs are soft, comfy and not the least bit stinky. Although the cup holders are a bit awkward and kick-​able in the front of the seat, I appreciate there being no trace of sticky to the floor.
At less than $ 8 the ticket price is good. The low price is beat by Hollywood Theatre on West Broadway, but that extra dollar is definitely worth it for the selection of, well, the *seven* screens at Granville 7.
I’ve also visited during the film fest (it’s nice to see the theater busy!) and Granville 7 becomes a fun venue instead of its usual lonely self.

My boyfriend and I attended Empire Granville 7 for a showing of a Vancouver International Film Festival world film première this past month and I am even more of a fan of this theatre for supporting local and international talent! During non-​festival days, Granville 7 shows 2^nd-​run films for $ 7.99 (a steal) and while the theatres themselves are far from new, they are comfortable and the screens are just big enough that you don’t risk a seizure if you sit a bit closer than usual. Good popcorn too!