Bridge, Ritz Voorhees Acquired By Rave
It's official. The Bridge Theater on Penn's campus and the Showcase at the Ritz in Voorhees, NJ have been acquired by Dallas-based Rave Motion Pictures, a boutique chain with locations in seven of the top ten strategic markets. According to company spkesman, Jeremy Devine, "It is our intention to maintain the art film programming" in Voorhees, such as it is. No name changes are imminent, although Devine said that Rave may want to re-brand with its name in the future.
Bridge, Ritz Voorhees Acquired By Rave
Carrie Rickey, Film Critic
It's official. The Bridge Theater on Penn's campus and the Showcase at the Ritz in Voorhees, NJ have been acquired by Dallas-based Rave Motion Pictures, a boutique chain with locations in seven of the top ten strategic markets. According to company spkesman, Jeremy Devine, "It is our intention to maintain the art film programming" in Voorhees, such as it is. No name changes are imminent, although Devine said that Rave may want to re-brand with its name in the future.
My sources in Fort Worth tell me that they like Rave theaters (which are all under a decade old, as the chain was founded in 1999. Patrons particularly like the retractable armrests which can be pulled back for couples who want to cuddle or strangers who don't want to rub elbows with each other.
Here's Rave's link for the Bridge and for the Showcase Ritz.
What amenities do you want in your moviegoing experience? Consider this an open thread to tell the folks at Rave what you'd like to see happen at these theaters. Me? I'd like The Bridge to upgrade its concession stand to include healthier choices.
It's official. The Bridge Theater on Penn's campus and the Showcase at the Ritz in Voorhees, NJ have been acquired by Dallas-based Rave Motion Pictures, a boutique chain with locations in seven of the top ten strategic markets.
Under old operator, The Bridge allows babys though they say they will do something if they cry. Of course, babies cry, but nobody wants to leave the theater to say something. Exclude babies & tots. Eliminate reserved seating. Everybody hates that.— HowardBHaas- I just like to have comfortable seats, an aesthetically attractive environment, a not-too-cramped room, a large screen, good projection and fairer pricing at the concession stand. Am not too concerned with healthier choices there; the "classics" work fine for me, my wife and my daughter. Basically, I'm not there to eat.— ccjroberts
- What's more intriguing is that Rave theaters come with digital screens and 3-D technology. This enables them to show not just motion pictures, but also live special events live in 3-D. Sporting events, concerts, and specials like the Michael Jackson funeral are just some examples of the possibilities. This is great move!— UncleEddie
- Once the Ritz Voorhees became the Showcase, the quality of the experience dropped off considerably. Concessions got worse (smaller, more expensive, etc.); theatre was never as clean; restrooms were understocked and hardly cleaned. Hopefully this change will maybe help to revert things to the way they were... Wishful thinking I'm sure.— alaver
- Show films at the Bridge that appeal to the university audience.— quiet_observation
- Best theater I ever visited is Muvico in Boca Raton, Florida!
- Hopefully Rave will return the Vorhees theater to more of its art theater/high-end quality, as a previous reader wrote. I also wish they would try programming an old classic or cult movie once a week, maybe a 10:00 pm screening of a '40s-era movie we only get to see on DVD or TCM these days or an old-fashioned "midnight movie!"— frankenslade
- Before its acquisition by Showcase, the Ritz Voorhees didn't allow children (under 12, I think). I would LOVE a return to that policy. And I echo the above comments about art and classic films and cleanliness. We have plenty of traditional first-run multiplex theatres in the area. The Ritz Voorhees used to offer a different, higher-end experience at standard (as opposed to premium) theatre pricing. People will come back for that.— sbspacey
- Return the Ritz Voorhees theater to its original style - before acquisition by National Amusements. Bring in more Art films; there are plenty of Regals and AMC's that show the Blockbuster films.— critic
- I agree with the other comments on the Ritz in Voorhees. We need more of the arthouse movies than we have had since the most recent acquisition. It is no longer safe to assume that if we read a review in the NY times of a great independent movie, it will come to the Ritz. It is no longer the cultural oasis it once was. Allowing children in has also made the experience much less special. Another haven destroyed. Now I may as well go to the AMC since there are so few arthouse movies and so many kids at the Ritz. Restore the original vision of the Ritz and you will have a devoted clientele.— chrisdon51
- First order of business: thank the bar and restaurant staff for making the transition and give them a nice bonus quick to repay them for losing income because the liquor license was canceled during the holidays. Those folks were counting on their income over this holiday week.— TooTone
- I essentially second both 'chrisdon51' and 'critic.' As I told National Amusements at the time they took over, I go to the movies at least 3 times a month and I generally drove past many other venues on the way to the Ritz. I wanted adult movies and an adult experience. Although the place has remained fairly clean, and the younger clientele is generally well-behaved, it set my teeth on edge when I saw National Amusements booking things like the Chipmunks sequel in place of titles playing across the river which I knew I was going to miss. It has eroded my loyalty somewhat: if I want to see the "Skweakquel" I'll brave the noisy lobby packed with unacompanied minors of my local Regal or AMC. I want my quiet haven for thought-provoking movies back, and just between you-all and the fence post, I'm willing to pay a little bit more to get it. Bring back the programs too!— Franklin Grant
- This is for the Rave location on Walnut only.1)reserve seating needs to go 2)no kids in the movies unless it is a G or PG rating.3)Continue with your summer film program for children. 4) Bring back the 1.00 program for adults once a month.5)If you want art film go to the Ritz this is a NEIGHBORHOOD movie house.The residents will be here long after the college kids leave.If you knew the history of why this theater was built in the first place you would agree with me.6)If you are not going to open the restaurant back up add another theater.7)Please train your employees to work together when taking snack orders.8) Fix the toilets in the ladies room so they flush properly.9)Use all registers at the snack and ticket stand.10)Fix the sound system so I will be able hear five tears from now.— vrb1955
- A List of Things Thrown Five Minutes Ago
- American Women Film Journalists
- Anne Thompson on Film
- Dave Kehr on Film
- David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson
- David Edelstein's The Projectionist
- Dennis Cozzallo on Film
- Edward Copeland on Film
- Flickgrrl posts 2/07 through 5/08
- Glenn Kenny's Some Came Running
- Green Cine Daily
