It’s no secret that for frequent movie-goers, it’s tough living in Boone.

When the Carmike Appalachian Twin on King Street closed in November 2007, going to a movie became a nightmare.

I was completely blind-sided by the Twin’s sudden disappearance.

I had no idea whatsoever.

Sure, the Twin didn’t have stadium seating, and there were only two theatres, but compared to Regal Boone Cinema 7 and I.G. Greer Auditorium, it’s pretty obvious the Twin trumped the competition.

Let’s take a look at Regal Boone Cinema 7. 

If you live on campus, you’re going to have to drive there. 

Boone being a small, college town, students often enjoy being able to walk wherever we need to go, and if we can’t walk, we take the AppalCART.  

The first time I saw a movie at Regal, I was first and foremost floored by the price of a ticket: $8.50. 

No student discount available. 

That’s pretty pricey for a second rate theatre that doesn’t even have stadium seating. 

Cinemas with twice the amount of theatres as the Regal in cities like Raleigh and Wilmington not only have stadium seating, but also offer student discounts.

Last spring, I went with a group of friends to see an afternoon showing of “Juno” at Regal.

It was a good thing it was my second time seeing the movie.

“Cloverfield” was playing in the theatre beside us, but the monster might as well have been wreaking havoc right in front of us through the most touching moments of “Juno.” 

Halfway through our movie, Juno’s witty repartee was constantly interrupted by screams of frightened New Yorkers and earth-shaking thuds signaling the creature’s approach. 

For this experience, we were charged full-price because on Saturdays, matinees stop unbelievably early at 3 p.m. 

The other main theatre choice for students is in I.G. Greer Auditorium on Appalachian’s campus. 

To see a movie at Greer only costs $1, which is reasonable considering what you get.  The more often I see a movie at I. G. Greer, the more accustomed I grow to how gritty the picture is.

When I went to see “Across the Universe” back in spring, it was the first time I had been to I.G. Greer in months.

It was really disappointing to have to watch such a visually beautiful movie for the first time on a blurry screen.

Not only this, but the volume became louder and then softer for a considerable period during the film.  

While I have no strong complaints about Greenbriar Cinema, it is limited to playing only great movies of the past.

I have not yet watched a movie at the new Dragonfly Theater and Pub, but can only hope that it is an improvement upon the current state of Boone movie going. 

I miss the days of having dinner at Macado’s, or any of the King Street restaurants, and then strolling over to the Twin for a movie. 

The screens at the Twin may have had a few scratches, but the picture was clear. 

One theatre was located upstairs and the other down, so thin walls were never an issue. 

With the Twin in business, students and community members could wait a month or so after a major movie came out and save around $6. 

In Boone, where the other cinemas just aren’t worth what you get back, the Appalachian Twin was a gem.

When the theater was first shut down, an article in The Appalachian quoted an employee on how unique and personable the theater was. I couldn’t agree more with his statement. 

Losing the Twin was heartbreaking, not just because the handful of other cinema options are so dismal, but because it was such a staple in the town’s history.

The Twin had been the local theater of Boone for nearly 70 years. 

It even survived a fire caused by overheated pop corn oil. 

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Show/Hide comments