Domenica Bongiovanni|Indianapolis Star
Movie-watching on the south side just received an upgrade. After two and a half months of renovations, Cinemark gifted its sole Indianapolis theater more-comfortable chairs, adult beverages, better technology and the chance to catch blockbuster movies the first time around.
For 29 years, the Cinemark Movies 8 theater bore the look of a different decade and showed older movies. Not anymore. It has beenrechristened as Cinemark Greenwood Corner, and its revamped digs are brightening up the offerings at Indiana 31 and County Line Road. It officially reopened Dec. 12.
Cinemark marketing manager Jennifer Woodsaid the upgrades came after customers asked for more amenities. Here are five major changes to note before you go and while you're there.
What you'll see on screen
The change from a second-run to a first-run theater is based on the programming. Instead of showing primarily older movies, the revamped Cinemark will show blockbusters and new releases. Wood said it will continue to program the Indian filmsthat have been drawing in people from surrounding states, too.
In December and January, that translates to "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker," "Little Women," "Jumanji: The Next Level," "Frozen 2," "Spies in Disguise,""Cats" and "Mathu Vadalara" (Telugu with English subtitles).
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Surrounding the screens, which include upgraded 3D, are new speakers, carpeting, and gold, red and gray colors.
"There's so many other ways to watch older movies now that we just want to make sure we give options and give people what they want so they can see the brand-new movies away from home in an awesome environment," Wood said."We're trying to add all the bells and whistles and make it nice for you."
It's one of several Cinemarks changing over
Cinemark began in the 1980s with second-run theaters, Wood said. 1990 brought the Greenwood location with its bold black, white and reddecor and arcade.
A handful of the chain's theaters remain second-run, she said, and the company converted a few of them. The south-side venue is the fourth revamped location after theaters in San Antonio, Plano, Texas, and North Canton, Ohio. It's also the only Cinemark in Indianapolis. Other Indiana locations are in Mishawaka and Valparaiso.
Cinemark has 549 theaters in 41 U.S. states, Brazil, Argentina and 13 other Latin American countries.
Beer, wine, and a Jack and co*ke machine
The machine mixes up the Jack Daniels whiskey and Coca-Cola into an iced drink. More icy adult beverages and drinks on the rocks — Cosmopolitan, anyone? — are available.
The revamp also welcomed a new beer and wine menu. Try out Bell's Two Hearted ale, Goose Island IPA andStella Artois, among other draft and bottled selections. People can buy wine by the glass or half-bottle, including Seven Daughters Moscato, Mark West Pinot Noir and Cavit Collection Pinot Grigio.
Balance it all out with Pizza Hut personal pan pizzas, chocolate chip cookies, chicken tenders, fries, pretzel bites and kettle corn.
How to get cheaper tickets
The Cinemark Movie Clubsubscription service has been around for a while, but its perks make a bigger difference for first-run movies. For $8.99 per month, a member will receive 20% off concessions, one ticket to use and the ability to buy more tickets for the same price. Online fees are waived, and unused tickets roll over from month to month, Wood said.
Regular-price adult tickets are $10 ($10.50 on Fridays and Saturdays). Other prices are:
- $8 children, students, seniors and military,
- $8 matinee,
- $6 early bird for the first showtime every day,
- $6 senior Mondays and
- $5.75 on Discount Tuesdays.
Also new are kiosks in the lobby for those who don't want to wait in line. Online tickets are available throughcinemark.com/indiana/cinemark-greenwood-corner.
Bigger, and heated, seats
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The former Cinemark had eight screens 8 theaters with about 1,500 cloth and low-backed seats. Now they're pleather, they recline, and each one has a button with three temperature settings.
With the new roominess came a decrease in the overall number of seats in each theater. The 631 recliners now range from 56 in the smallest theater — making it easier for patrons to buy out a theater, Wood said — to 105 in the largest.
If you go
What: Cinemark Greenwood Corner.
Where: 1848 E. Stop 13 Road.
Findmovie times and more information:cinemark.com/indiana/cinemark-greenwood-corneror call317-620-5932.
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Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Follow her on Facebook, Instagramor Twitter: @domenicareports.
