Star Cinema Expands with IMAX

Post by **nebugeater** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 12:08 pm

http://www.ketv.com/news/13197724/detai ... 62007&ts=H

Here is a new theater project for CB next to the existing Star Cinema. To be completed and open by Christmas. 12 Screens of IMAX

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 2:43 pm

Wow!

Perhaps this will serve as a kick in AMC's behind.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 3:56 pm

Multiplex to add 350-seat IMAX theater

The IMAX Corporation and Wisconsin-based Star Cinema today announced the opening of an IMAX theater in its multiplex located 3220 23rd Ave.

The IMAX theater will be the second for Star Cinema, which currently has one in Fitchburg/Madison, Wis. The Council Bluffs IMAX theater is scheduled to open in early 2008. . .

There are currently three IMAX theaters in Iowa. In Des Moines, the Science Center of Iowa's IMAX theater seats 216 people. The Davenport IMAX, which is part of the Putnam Museum seats 270 people. The Cedar Rapids Science Station IMAX theater seats 175 people.

The Council Bluffs theater would be the largest in the state, seating 350 people. Across the river, the Lozier IMAX Theater at the Henry Doorly Zoo seats 358 people, however, the theater does not show Hollywood releases such as "300" or "Spiderman 3," opting to show films that pertain to science, history and nature and are thematically educational.

Doesn't sound like 12 screens of IMAX...

mwegener · Post by **mwegener** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 2:24 pm

well at least Des Monies is smart enough to have Spiderman 3 and Harry Potter going to their IMAX. at least I wont have to continue to take road trips to Minneapolis. It will be interesting to see what the Star Cinema will bring when it opens considering nothing is due to be released at the time of opening, first run that is.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 3:08 pm

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18691474&BRD=2703&PAG=461&dept_id=555106&rfi=6

. . . plans to expand the Star Cinema theater complex, which would include a new restaurant, will be the focus of a public hearing at the meeting . . .

. . . Star Iowa, the owner of the theater complex on 23rd Avenue and South 35th Street, has requested final plat approval to create two lots of the existing 15 acres that the complex is currently located on.

"There was always a spot for a future restaurant, and now they want to create a spot for this," said Malmquist.

The owner will also construct an additional theater on the west end of the existing building. . .

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 12:15 pm

. . . The council granted the request of the theater's owner, Star Iowa, to create two lots on the 15 acres where the complex is currently located. This will allow for a new full-service restaurant on the southwest corner of the complex and for the addition of an IMAX theater to the movie complex.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 12:05 pm

Plans progress on Bluffs' IMAX theater

Bill Adamany Jr. of Wisconsin-based AGT Enterprises Inc., which owns and operates the Star Cinema theater franchise, said the company expects to break ground for the new IMAX addition at the Council Bluffs location, 3220 23rd Ave., within 30 days. . . .

At the May announcement, it was indicated construction would begin July 1. Adamany said that at the time of the announcement, the theater was still in the conceptual stage and plans for it have taken most of the summer.

He said he expected the theater to open in the first quarter of 2008.

"I haven't seen the construction schedule yet, but a project like this is typically five months . . . "

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 5:25 pm

Some recent photos from the Nonpareil:

Construction materials wait to be used as work continues on a new IMAX theatre at Star Cinema, 3220 23rd Ave. After having originally been scheduled to open before the end of 2007, the theater is now expected to debut in late March 2008.

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 9:18 am

I forgot about this... honestly, I wasn't too impressed with Star Cinema last time I went... but the addition of another IMAX screen to Omaha is a big deal! I'll have to go back.

I'll bet AMC is going to be wishing they had planned for expansion at Oakview even more now.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 9:50 am

Stargazer wrote:... but the addition of another IMAX screen to Omaha is a big deal!

Hopefully they have the Tornado IMAX some day, the one they are shooting during "Storm Chasers" on the Discovery Channel...

http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/storm-chase ... asers.html

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 9:06 pm

Brad wrote:
Stargazer wrote:... but the addition of another IMAX screen to Omaha is a big deal!
Hopefully they have the Tornado IMAX some day, the one they are shooting during "Storm Chasers" on the Discovery Channel...

http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/storm-chase ... asers.html

I watch that show, but i haven't seen it for a few weeks. I'm assuming that because they got a deal with Discovery that they got the shots they wanted, but when i was watching it i know that one camera man was getting upset he kept missing his shots. BTW, is there any news on which "full service restaurant" is going in? I thought i read that somewhere...

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 10:23 am

thenewguy wrote:BTW, is there any news on which "full service restaurant" is going in? I thought i read that somewhere...

You did read about it "somewhere", at this point I've heard nothing definite, just the usual rumors. (quite frankly, I had kind of forgot about it) Anyway, between this (and across the street by the MAC) and Metro Crossing and The Marketplace, there's bound to be a few more good eating places coming to town!

Post by **Brad** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 10:30 am

icejammer wrote:
thenewguy wrote:BTW, is there any news on which "full service restaurant" is going in? I thought i read that somewhere...
You did read about it "somewhere", at this point I've heard nothing definite, just the usual rumors. (quite frankly, I had kind of forgot about it) Anyway, between this (and across the street by the MAC) and Metro Crossing and The Marketplace, there's bound to be a few more good eating places coming to town!

Or are you thinking about the "Ruby Tuesday" and "Quaker Steak and Lube" which are already open right by the Cinema.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:54 pm

Brad wrote:
icejammer wrote:
thenewguy wrote:BTW, is there any news on which "full service restaurant" is going in? I thought i read that somewhere...
You did read about it "somewhere", at this point I've heard nothing definite, just the usual rumors. (quite frankly, I had kind of forgot about it) Anyway, between this (and across the street by the MAC) and Metro Crossing and The Marketplace, there's bound to be a few more good eating places coming to town!
Or are you thinking about the "Ruby Tuesday" and "Quaker Steak and Lube" which are already open right by the Cinema.

from Aug. 14 in this thread wrote:. . . The council granted the request of the theater's owner, Star Iowa, to create two lots on the 15 acres where the complex is currently located. This will allow for a new full-service restaurant on the southwest corner of the complex and for the addition of an IMAX theater to the movie complex.

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 8:58 pm

icejammer wrote:
Brad wrote:
icejammer wrote:
thenewguy wrote:BTW, is there any news on which "full service restaurant" is going in? I thought i read that somewhere...
You did read about it "somewhere", at this point I've heard nothing definite, just the usual rumors. (quite frankly, I had kind of forgot about it) Anyway, between this (and across the street by the MAC) and Metro Crossing and The Marketplace, there's bound to be a few more good eating places coming to town!
Or are you thinking about the "Ruby Tuesday" and "Quaker Steak and Lube" which are already open right by the Cinema.

from Aug. 14 in this thread wrote:. . . The council granted the request of the theater's owner, Star Iowa, to create two lots on the 15 acres where the complex is currently located. This will allow for a new full-service restaurant on the southwest corner of the complex and for the addition of an IMAX theater to the movie complex.

That's what i was referring to, sorry i forgot the " ;) " next to the "i thought i read that somewhere..."

Nope, i know that Ruby Tuesday and Quaker Steak are open (eaten at them numerous times, QS is awesome). I know some people on the chamber of commerce, and they said that Olive Garden was looking at either Metro Crossing, Marketplace, or near the MAC to open a resturant. I was also told that Red Robin had wanted to open up on this side of the river, as well as Outback Steakhouse. It's been a while, and i don't know if they will ever come to fruition or not, but they could be possibilities for the area near IMAX.

Post by **Brad** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 4:05 am

Update:

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 9:37 am

Went Christmas shopping a couple days ago, and in the morning they had a pretty size-able crane doing something on the interior (at night, there were some really bright lights inside of the shell) and by the time i was on my way back home, they had the crane down and it looked as though they were "putting it away." The forms look like they've been taken off the top of it, indicating they're done with the walls and ready for the ceiling. I could be wrong, but that's how it looked from where i was. This is Arnie Pie In the Sky with your morning commute.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:56 pm

Big screen on the rise

. . . Workers continue to make progress on the new IMAX theater going up next to the Star Cinema.

"The exterior of the building is completed, all the walls and the roofing are complete," said Scott Sklenar, director of operations for Wisconsin-based Star Cinema. He said all that remains on the outside now is the finishing work.

Inside, the walls to separate the theater from the projection room and lobby are being installed, as well as the risers for the stadium-style seating. . . .

"We're currently on schedule for an early March opening," said Sklenar.

Post by **Brad** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:00 pm

The CB paper is way better at updating projects than the Omaha Paper.

Thanks icejammer.

Post by **Brad** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:07 am

Bluffs' Star Cinema being sold

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1 ... d=10233167

AGT Enterprises is selling all but one of its seven Star Cinema theaters, including one in Council Bluffs.

William L. Adamany, chairman of AGT, said Tuesday he expected the sale to close Jan. 31. He said AGT would retain the Star Cinema in Prairie du Chien, Wis., where the company is based.

Although the theaters are doing "very well," Adamany said he and his son "just felt it was time" to sell.

The family-owned Kerasotes ShowPlace Theatres of Chicago will acquire the two Star Cinemas in Iowa: one in Dubuque with 14 screens that was built in 2005 and the other at 3220 23rd Ave. in Council Bluffs, which was built in 2003 with 16 screens and now has an IMAX theater under construction.

Neither Adamany nor a spokeswoman for Kerasotes, which also is privately held, would disclose the purchase price.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:58 am

from the Nonpareil:

Chicago firm takes over Star Cinema

. . . Bill Adamany Jr. owns AGT, founded in 1982 and based in Prairie du Chien. It is the second largest theater operator in Wisconsin and ranks among the top 50 largest theater circuits nationally. . .

Kerasotes is the sixth largest motion picture exhibitor in the U.S. The Chicago-based company was founded in 1909. It's owned by Tony and Dean Kerasotes, who have directed the company's growth since the late 1980's. . . .

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 12:11 pm

Screen up at local IMAX theater

Kerasotes Theatres realized a dream Thursday afternoon when the third of their IMAX screens was raised and prepped for stretching at Star Cinema, 3220 23rd Ave. . . .

The grand opening is scheduled for Friday, April 4, and will feature Martin Scorsese's documentary on the Rolling Stones entitled "Shine a Light." Ticket sales will begin about three weeks before the show.

"There will be other special promotions leading up to the opening that we haven't announced yet," Carpenter said. "People will be able to start seeing movies that last week in March." . . .

Once the finishing touches are put on the 8,300 square foot IMAX extension and projectionists undergo additional training, roughly 400 people will be able to enjoy the stunning images and 8,000-watt surround sound system.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:08 pm

Theater showing 'U23D' for 'soft opening'

Star Cinema, 3220 23rd Ave., opened the doors to the newly built IMAX theatre today for what officials term a "soft opening." . . .

The first live-action 3D concert movie featuring the famous Dublin, Ireland, rock group U2 airs today at 12:10 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:50 p.m., 7:10 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. . . .

The theatre will be closed for a VIP showing of "U23D" on Wednesday, April 2.

"It's invitation only for the media, police, fire department, public officials and dignitaries there in Council Bluffs," Carpenter said.

The community is invited again on Thursday, April 3, to support a worthy cause.

"It's a charity show at 7 p.m., and all the proceeds go the MICAH House," Carpenter explained. "They are printing their own tickets that can be bought at the door. The tickets include free pop and popcorn, too."

Everyone is encouraged to reserve seats early for the grand opening on Friday, April 4. Approximately 335 people will enjoy "The IMAX Experience" when Martin Scorsese's Rolling Stones concert film, "Shine a Light," hits the 40-foot by 70-foot screen for the first time.

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 11:20 pm

Friends and I saw the U2 3-D concert film on the IMAX screen Friday. It blew us all away! It was so good that we each plan to see it again. Tickets were $12.50 (less for students, etc.). The screen is awesome and the 3-D effects made you feel you were there.
A Rolling Stones concert feature film will open April 4th on the screen.

This is a great new entertainment option for Metro Omaha! And with all the restaurants that have popped up literally next door you can make it an evening of entertainment and dining without having to set foot in a casino!

Post by **Brad** » Sun Dec 16, 2012 1:38 pm

When did Star Cinema become AMC?

jessep28 · Post by **jessep28** » Sun Dec 16, 2012 2:29 pm

2010?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerasotes_Theatres

EastCB · Post by **EastCB** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 5:54 pm

Star Cinema is applying for a liquor license.

Omaha_Gabe · Post by **Omaha_Gabe** » Thu Mar 14, 2013 11:35 pm

EastCB wrote:Star Cinema is applying for a liquor license.

Just went to go see a movie tonight, they are totally remodeling the Theater. A couple of the rooms were completely gutted, they are putting in all new seating. The lobby and concession area is also gutted. There is a new section where the old arcade used to be that appears to be where a bar will go. There were two taps, one seemed to be budlight. Below are a few quick pics i took..

Omaha_Gabe · Post by **Omaha_Gabe** » Fri Apr 05, 2013 10:18 am

Went and saw a movie yesterday. The theater is coming along rather nicely! The seats in the theater recline the almost all the way electronically.

MacGuffins Bar

New Halls (not quite done)

It appears they took out a lot of seats as the new chairs take up a lot of room! Even fully reclined, there is plenty of room to walk through Aisles. (Bad Picture)

jessep28 · Post by **jessep28** » Fri Apr 05, 2013 11:18 am

I wonder if and when Oakview 24 will get a facelift?

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Fri Apr 05, 2013 5:07 pm

Thanks for the update photos. Glad to see they are keeping the theater looking nice.

Post by **Brad** » Wed May 15, 2013 7:41 am

New at Council Bluffs movie theater: power recliners

http://www.omaha.com/article/20130515/M ... -recliners

Bob Fischbach WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER wrote:The AMC Bluffs 17 Cinema in Council Bluffs today is unveiling improvements that include power recliner seats with more legroom; a bar that serves cocktails, wine and beer; and refurbished restrooms and concession stand.

The improvements are part of a companywide multimillion-dollar upgrade of many AMC theaters, said AMC public relations director Ryan Noonan, who is in Council Bluffs to conduct media-day tours today.

jessep28 · Post by **jessep28** » Wed Jun 05, 2013 1:36 pm

I saw Star Trek there a couple weeks ago. The theater and especially the power recliners are very nice. Although, I wish that they had bendy straws so I wouldn't have to sit up to get to my drink.

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