Movies 14 to 24 E. Northampton St.
Ryan Evans| weather chief
R/C Theatres COO David Phillips explained that films like Top Gun: Maverick were scheduled to hit the big screen in 2020, but some distributors opted to wait until they were sure a classic theatrical premiere could take place.
Ryan Evans| weather chief
R/C Theatres COO David Phillips explained that films like Top Gun: Maverick were scheduled to hit the big screen in 2020, but some distributors opted to wait until they were sure a classic theatrical premiere could take place.
Ryan Evans| weather chief
The snack bar of Cine 14, because who does not like theater popcorn and a slushie?
Ryan Evans| weather chief
The snack bar of Cine 14, because who does not like theater popcorn and a slushie?
Ryan Evans| weather chief
The front of Movies 14, with a constant rotation of posters of new and upcoming premieres that cover the walls.
Ryan Evans| weather chief
The front of Movies 14, with a constant rotation of posters of new and upcoming premieres that cover the walls.
Ryan Evans| weather chief
WILKES-BARRE – While broadcasting at home is arguably today’s way, especially the first pandemic shutdowns, there’s nothing like watching a movie with friends, family, or even a first date.
R/C Movies 14 on East Northampton St. has been providing this opportunity to locals and beyond for some time now (it’s even the site of a journalist’s first kiss). And while the pandemic has indeed slowed things down, Movies is back, seven days a week, providing entertainment and memories.
R/C COO David Phillips spent time with a Times Leader reporter describing the demanding situations of the pandemic, as well as what it took to succeed and continue to be a means of collecting networks in Wilkes-Barre and beyond.
“This (the pandemic) decimated the business the first year,” Phillips said. “In fact, cinemas were ordered closed on March 16, 2020 and remained closed for about five months. “
Since R/C is a franchise with multi-state positions, reopening times have varied. Phillips explained that position restrictions in Pennsylvania impose difficulties, such as stipulating a maximum occupancy of 10%. There may only be 10 other people in it. However, it was a bit difficult, because a big difficulty was the fact that all movie sellers stopped selling their products in theaters,” Phillips commented.
With the advent of streaming, many providers have opted to release new videos directly into streaming for rent, such as Amazon Prime. However, other suppliers have chosen to inventory new films until the time is right. The new “Top Gun: Maverick,” a sequel to the 1986 classic, is an example of this. The film was in condition in 2020, however, sellers delayed the release until it was certain that a classic theatrical opening could be consolidated, a resolution that Phillips and R/C were “very grateful to have done this way. “
To get through the rest of the pandemic, Phillips discussed some of the paths R/C has taken to continue only with the business, but offering to its customers.
“When we were able to reopen, we started, and continued, to offer personal auditoriums for personal teams to come and watch a movie in combination, for a leak in an apartment, they would come to take the entire auditorium with a movie,” one of them dijo. Ejemplo. Il also said: “We are also behind in paying a series of bills, adding rent, until the flow of money started again,” and noted that, for the most part, the owners were willing to work with the theaters, which is a testament to the concept of a community.
Phillips also noted that state grants were available and taken advantage of, namely in Maryland and North Carolina, as well as a federal grant primarily intended for live theater, which was eventually expanded to include movie theaters. it was a very useful thing to save the industry,” Phillips said.
As we get to July 2022, Phillips said the theater industry has been at about “65 to 70 percent of pre-pandemic attendance, since the beginning of the year. The attendance of the months of May and June is very strong, so the preference of the public to return to the halls is there. “
And with this concept of direct streaming in mind, Phillips recalled an old saying from one of R/C’s former owners: “Every space has a kitchen, but other people faint to eat,” he said with a laugh. “We are social beings. We love being with other people and sharing reports and moving on to videos is one of the reports.
And certainly, with Movies 14’s centralized location, you’re a stone’s throw away in any direction from a restaurant, park, attraction, or art gallery in downtown Wilkes-Barre. Why not make it a day? Whether it’s a date or just a gathering of friends, it’s all happening in The Diamond City, and going to dinner and watching a movie is as classic as Casablanca.
Movies 14 is open seven days a week. You can locate exhibition times at rctheatre. com and navigate to Wilkes-Barre or call 570-825-4444.