Because I frequent this theatre so often along with my club members I feel I can be critical. I really want to support local businesses, and we don't have a lot of choice as far as theatres go. This is the only game in town. Also I will repeat it here, the Washington Red Cliff Theatre is closed.
Megaplex has come up with a marketing "idea" to put more seats in the chairs. That's getting customers/clients into the theatres. The demographics of those that always seem to be available are: the retired, independently wealthy, seniors, "home schooled", vacationing students, tourists...all with disposable income.
Megaplex offered a multipass for a fixed price (lower than traditional admission). There are summer passes for kids ($10 for 10 movies); then there were Classic Movie Pass ($10 for 10 movies...I'm hoping I remembered that one right), and most recently Best Picture Pass (9 movies all Oscar nominated for $35.00).
The idea seems like a really good one. Except for the scheduling on the Best Picture Pass which was limited only to their Pineview Stadium Theatre. Three pictures each week for three weeks. I don't believe in bending the rules in favor of any particular film, especially when all 9 pictures have an equal opportunity to win, we need to have an equal opportunity to see them. The first three played daily throughout the three weeks. By the second week we were down to the next three films all being offered daily at least once. The worst being a 9:05 p.m. daily. I'm not sure in this demographics how many people are still up and about each evening ready to frequent a movie at 9:05 p.m. (not parents, not seniors, not golfers...even home schoolers should be home). Lastly, the final three had, at least, one showing daily, but followed suite of the previous week with the same late night showing having disappeared from the schedule, with the late night being a second showing of a film offered earlier in the day.
Without options available to the customer/client the pass won't matter if films are skipped with limited showings. If they want this to work they need to list the times BEFORE the passes are purchased so filmgoers can decide whether it is flexible enough for the purchasers to attend.
Do you think you can win a race if you are the only one entered? RED BOX, NETFLIX, GOOGLE, HULU, etc are counting on theatres pricing themselves out of the market.
This movie pass, needs a (by)pass if it is to continue being restricted and controlled. No one wants to lose money. In this case you've forced the client/customer to lose by putting the film's showing out of bounds.
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