Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Hollywood 16: A Movie Theater Review



Recently, my wife and I went to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens at the Hollywood 16 Theater. As is the case when seeing a feature film, our first task was to visit the establishment’s website to determine show times. For those who have ever wondered what cutting-edge web design looked like in 1997, look no further. The garish juxtaposition of lavender navigation buttons and an ill-advised twinkling star backdrop are a fascinating illustration of minimal effort paired with sustained indifference. As an added bonus, it renders beautifully on your smartphone.

The facility’s exterior serves as a harbinger of the apathy housed within: a sign featuring perpetually un-lit syllables, overgrown shrubbery planters, a neglected parking infrastructure. Customers are then compelled to wait outside under a token awning so inadequate it borders on parody. I can only imagine how infuriating such a structure must be during inclement weather as it channels the precipitation into the faces of customers.

Eventually, you are able to approach the window and procure your tickets ($10 or $7.50 for a matinee as of this writing) before entering the lobby. Immediately to your left you will notice an alcove labeled “Game Room” but containing nothing more than an artificial tree and a decommissioned change machine. A morose employee tore my ticket and vaguely indicated the direction of our theater.

My wife and I then stopped into the restrooms which were akin to a “before” picture from an extreme makeover program. The soap was gone, the laminate counter-top had long since succumbed to the onslaught of moisture, and the hand dryer appeared to be jury-rigged to an outdoor electrical outlet on the wall. The entire area smelled of diluted cleaning products and shame.

Emerging from the restroom, one is confronted by a large, circular seating area enwreathed by cushions so soiled they could have easily been purloined from the dumpster behind a Budget Inn renovation. The concession area offers the usual fare at only marginally-exorbitant prices. The popcorn and fountain drinks were fine, but we weren’t brave enough to sample any of the entrees that featured meat. The remaining lobby is carpeted with a dark cosmic pattern in keeping with the galactic theme of the website.

Finally we made it to the entrance of our movie. The credits from the previous movie were wrapping up and were asked to stand outside by a female supervisor while she and a young male employee cleaned the auditorium. They emerged about 2 minutes later and we walked in to choose our seats.

Short of visually scanning for a deceased patron, I am not sure what had transpired during this “cleaning session”. There were still abandoned cups in the cup holders and popcorn scattered among the rows along with a sampler of the candy offered at the concession stand. One got the impression that the space would have benefited greatly from the combination of a leaf blower and an open emergency exit.

It is stadium seating, although the steps on either side are so awkwardly spaced that anyone navigating them assumes the gait of someone whose legs are of dramatically different lengths. The seats recline slightly (some at the behest of the patron, others because their structural integrity has been hopelessly compromised) and a choice few of the armrests feature the remnants of padding. The upholstery, having absorbed years of flatulence and regret, has long ceased to display a discernible pattern. Even in the low lighting, one perceives that the speakers and hanging tapestries have not been cleaned or dusted since the commencement of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Keep in mind, I was there for a screening of Stars Wars: The Force Awakens yet was subjected to a preview for Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip and Daddy’s Home (both of which were already released, showing in that very theater, and likely qualify as cinematic hate-crimes). Given the dust, a commercial for a mesothelioma class action suit may have been more apropos.

I can report that at least the projector and sound-system functioned properly for the duration of the film and there were no technical issues. From other reviews I have read this would appear to be a matter of luck.

The best way to summarize this theater would be institutionalized indifference. It is a business that continues to operate and turn a profit simply because those patronizing it have no convenient alternatives and/or lack the collective will to demand some. The only other theater in town is operated by the same ownership group and I imagine that its facilities will soon succumb to the same malaise that has already claimed its older counterpart. The disposition of the employees is likely nothing more than a reflection of a proprietorship whose passion for operating a theater ended long before their ownership has.

73 comments:

  1. I rarely go to the movies, so I always forget how "Hollywood" the Hollywood Cinema truly is.
    Part of my mind thinks it is going to be as nice as the Paradiso in Memphis was upon its opening, but I am always disappointed.
    Why do the bathroom floor always covered in water?
    I think instead of calling this place the "Hollywood Cinema", perhaps they should change the name to the "Compton Enema".

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  2. That website is likened to the first GEOCITIES or Angelfire layouts. It screams dial up modems and rollerball mouse.

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  3. Quite accurate description. Possibly a little generous. I stopping going there years ago. I see that it has not changed since.

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  4. I have been there many times. And I'm not exactly sure why you seem to think that it is awful shape because it's not. And I have never had a bad experience there. I like the reclining seats and the previews. The drinks and food are always great. Yes the bathrooms could use a little work, and the interior could be updated, but I think the carpet and paint give it a unique touch. I'm sorry you didn't have a great time at your movie, but you do not have to bash the establishment.

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    1. Obviously you haven't attended a movie screening there for many years, haven't been to an established theater before, or wore sunglasses the entire time you were in this theater. I have gone to this theater for over ten years and it's ghastly. No theater should ever look or be run like this. I know your review was trying to be kind but there are no kind words for how that theater is run or for its presentation to the public.

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    2. It's always so dirty so I know you can't say you don't see what this person is talking about. I, for one, rarely go but if I do go to see a movie I'm subjected to going there because the alternative is to far away. Last time we went the employees at the concessions were literally arguing and using language that my little girl did NOT need to hear. That place needs a MAJOR clean up, not just the accommodations but also the employees as well.

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    3. I switched over to Cinema Planet as soon as it opened. Unfortunately, the same person who owns Hollywood bought Cinema Planet not too long after it opened it it's going down the shitter as well. That being said, sitting in the nice seats and using the updated bathrooms at the newer theater will change your mind about the state of Hollywood theater.

      If someone besides the owner of Hollywood opened a decent movie theater, it would be absolutely CRUSHED. I've honestly resorted going to the Paradiso in Memphis for films I'm really excited for because I want to be surrounded by staff and an atmosphere that shared my excitement.

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    4. That place is still open?

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    5. That place is still open?

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  5. After doing a little research, it would appear that Ambarish A Keshani owns and is the President of Cinema Management Group as well as Anil Construction Inc. Going over past news stories it would appear that he builds movie theaters and then milks them in order to pay the cost of building other movie theaters.

    That would explain why his current properties are not well maintained and his employees aren't paid enough to care.

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    1. As a former manager I can tell you I was working 60 plus hours a week at 8.50 a hour with no overtime and very little caring for what you have going outside of work. I had a newborn son and couldn't take a day off ever because I would just lose my job if I had. The place is horrible. Worse company to work for period.

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    2. As a current employee there, do not blame the workers completly. We get paid awful with minimal hours. There is no leadership in management, stemming from poor leadership on the board. Managers become apathetic to things as well as other employees. Certain managers are favored from the board and they get away with everything-its sick. We get yelled at all the time by customers: over priced ticket sales, exta 25 cents for butter, dirty bathrooms (which there is a different cleaning crew who is supposed to clean those), dirty auditoriums. We agree with you! It sucks! They schedule minimal empolyees, so the one to clean the theatres gets 2 mins to clean 3 other auditoriums. Box office has no heat/ac and you can imagine how cold it gets in there. We are allowed to only wear a thin black jacket. At times, we dont even have cleaning supplies to mop the floor/etc simply because executive board has not ordered any. This article is so accurate its scary. Its a shame too, how greedy this company is. The owner does not care about anything except money and how he can make the most money-with no regard to empolyees or customers. He has a monopoly on the area and he knows it. Bad leadership from the top trickles down to poor management, in turn, poor employees. Its pathetic.

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  6. Maybe you should try humboldt's movie theater. It's small, but very inviting. The employees are very helpful and respectful. Not to mention the prices are so much more affordable than jackson; $7 and $5 for the matinee.

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  7. Nothing will ever change, same foreign man owns both theaters in Jackson and other towns. My daughter once worked for Cinema Planet 10. They literally had roaches, reused popcorn that was NOT sold from the day before and warmed it up the next day. The owner makes them count the cups, candy, basically any inventory every night before they close, because he is so stingy and worried some one might take a cup! He over works young students, and hires wanna be managers that like the thought of having some sort of power or authority, whom treats the employees like crap. One of the names is Holly if she is still there. I don't see how in the world either theaters in Jackson pass any form of inspection. You can't see the roaches in the theaters because it is so dark in there. You should see what they look like with the lights ON!

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    1. Humboldt is not owned by foreign guys. It is owned by two young men from Humboldt who restored it. It is clean, prices are at less cheaper and friendly workers.

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    2. So true. Same at the one he owns near memphis. We count inventory every night. Use popcorn DAYS old. Its disgusting.

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  8. Do we not have 3 movie theaters the one by the Madison co school system office( or did it close?) Hollywood , and the ungodly expensive new fancy one out by liberty.

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    1. the one buy the school system closed

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    2. The new one is the same price as Hollywood 16. After the new one (Cinema Planet) was built, Hollywood 16s prices raised to match it. They are the same price, so might as well go the better one.

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  9. Do we not have 3 movie theaters the one by the Madison co school system office( or did it close?) Hollywood , and the ungodly expensive new fancy one out by liberty.

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  10. I used to work there and the management was poor didn't care about anything and the owner only cares about money that's it

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    1. Haha as one who was your manager. The place was horrible work 12 hours shifts 3 times a week and still barely making ends meet. But I had a lot of fun working there. The only job where I didn't just completely hate going to work lol

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    2. Remember when that guy threw a cup at you after Keshani implemented the $1.50 refill?

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  11. There is a nice out door drive in out in the middle of nowhere that is really good. Out towards Lexington I want to say it has to screens. Blue something or songbird

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    1. Birdsong Drive-In but it's an hour drive from Jackson. They do show double features though at a good price.

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  12. There is a nice out door drive in out in the middle of nowhere that is really good. Out towards Lexington I want to say it has to screens. Blue something or songbird

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    1. It is between Parsons and the interstate. Birdsong. It is only open seasonally but is really nice.

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  13. I'm glad someone else isn't willing to put up with such ridiculous business practices. Everything you said is exactly right! We stopped going to the Jackson theaters after watching Jurassic World in a crowded theater in 90 degree temps and the staff was indifferent about it. A great alternative is going to the Plaza Theater in Humboldt or the Ritz Theater in Milan. Both are less than 20 min from Jackson. Great prices and friendly staff. They are old school theater designs but they are clean and the Humboldt theater had stadium seating in theater 3 (upstairs). They also actually have 3D showings, which you can't even get in Jackson. The Humboldt theater also has Tuesday night matinee price showings, a loyalty card, and coupons in the local SnagMob magazine.

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  14. I visited this theater just this past weekend. I experienced everything you did. Additionally, the screen in the room where I was at was either dirty or damaged. There were dark marks very visible in multiple places on the screen. And the stereo sound was backwards. When horses were running from the right side of the screen to the left, the sound of the horses traveled left to right. I visited the theater in Humboldt to see the new Star Wars film for a better picture and the ability to see it in 3D. I was more satisfied at that theater and my seat was broken.

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  15. THIS! There are many things I despise about West Tennessee, but this (and it's down-graded sister theater) rank near the top. The perpetual smell of feet, the lack of 3D options (what year is this?), stale popcorn, out-of-focus projection, randomly changing closing times (if there are few ticket sells, they'll just close the theater), total disregard for online symmetry and/or elegance, and employees that treat you like 18th century mental ward patients.
    Even if they didn't have stadium seats, digital projection, or the latest in surround sound, I would happily trade the old Malco Cinema 10 and original Regal Cinemas in Jackson for this poor excuse for a movie theater. For this reason, I drive the extra 15 minutes to the Malco Corinth Cinema - where I can get friendly employees, clear projection, 3D options, clean cinemas, and a real attempt to make my movie experience enjoyable.

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  16. I completely agree with the description given. I was there today watching the Hateful 8 at 12 o'clock showing. I would have gone to the other theater but they don't show movies before 5 on the weekdays. The seats in the theater are stained with who knows what and you are lucky if they are not sticky where someone spilled their drink; not to mention there is usually popcorn all over the floor. The staff is some what friendly but it would not hurt to have two ticket tellers. My mom purchased online tickets a week ago to take her grand kids to see The Good Dinosaur; they walked in the door to give their online tickets to the ticket taker. She informed them they would have to wait in line at the ticket window outside. My mom tried to explain to them that is why she bought the tickets online so they would not have to wait outside where it freezing. They still made her go to the ticket window. My wife was taking taking my son to the restroom before our movie started and she watched as one of the employees used the restroom,then proceeded to leave without washing their hands and to top it off the employee worked at the concession stand. Jackson needs a new family theater like Malco or AMC. If not these theaters need new management and a remodel and cleaning. As a huge movie fan Hollywood Cinema is very disappointing and bring back 3-D.

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  17. This theater is the worse. I once was in a movie at this very theater and a group of thugs came in and began cussing loudly in front of a man and his children. The man asked them to stop and the thugs threatened him. I went and spoke to the manager on duty and his answer to this issue was to walk into the theater and point a flashlight at the thugs. He looked at them and then walked up to me and said "they seem to be calm right now".(?) They began to harass the man again and told him they would be waiting for him when he got out. I went back down and told the manager on duty again and advised him he might want to call the police. He said "they weren't doing anything while I was in there". Fortunately there wasn't a shooting or assault on the man but the potential was there. Way to care Hollywood 16!

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  18. This article made me chuckle in its descriptiveness and accuracy. I grew up going to that theater and is still the one I go to if my local one screen is not showing what I want to see. It hasn't changed one bit since I was 10 and watching the first Toy Story. Could it use a face lift and a good deep cleaning? Yes. Do the people around here want to pay increased ticket prices that result from it? Nope. Most people don't care a lick what the theater looks like, you are going to sit in the dark and watch what is on the screen. If the building is a bit dated but the tickets are cheaper, fine. Close your eyes as you walk through the lobby and carry a clean blankie to drape over your seat. Everyone was so excited when the new theater came in but the few times I've been there the service has been downright rude, the popcorn was bad, and everything cost more. At least at Hollywood there is a decent variety to chose from and the staff is (usually) at least decent. I'm thrilled the Princess has opened back up in Lexington so I now I don't have to go to Jackson nearly as often but that is another post.

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  19. So what can we do?! I want a Malco here so badly, I can taste it. Or a Carmike, or AMC, just SOMETHING that can't be bought out by whoever owns the two theaters here. It would also be nice to occasionally be afforded the luxury of seeing an indie film.

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    1. Good luck with the indie films ...

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    2. Malco is coming, just don't know when. It is on their website. Www.malco.com

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  20. We go to Martin's theatres - they are family owned and fantastic!

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  21. They really do need to renovate. I went recently and the arm rest had big gouges out of the foam and the floor was sticky. I guess they keep it dark so you cannot see how dirty the seats and floor are. I will say that the equipment worked well. Maybe a makeover is overdue!!

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    1. The owner is so cheap and rude he wont do nothing but bi*$h cause someone mentioned it.

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  22. This theater is garbage... I worked there for three years and the owner is unprofessional and rude to all his employees and something customers... I wouldn't advise abstinent for to this establishment. Humboldt and Milan would have my vote for local area entertainment.

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  23. I remember the cleanliness and generous specials and prices when it was new. After running the competition out of business, service and prices rapidly changed for the worse. Incidentally, I have never actually found paper towels in the dispenser of the ladies room. Wonder why?

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  24. This review made my day.

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  25. The last time my family went it was the expected experience of mediocrity until the very end. I have two young boys and in typical fashion my oldest waited until the movie was over and we had made it back out to the car before he realized he needed to use the restroom so I dutifully turned and ran across the parking lot with him trying to avoid an accident. As we enter the door we're stopped by the not so excited pregnant ticket taker and informed we needed a ticket to enter. I quickly explained we had just left the movie, had walked right past her on our way out, and that my son just needed to potty. She then proceeded to repeat the need for a ticket. Are you kidding me!?! I hadn't even been out of the theater 15 minutes! My 5 yr old needed to pee and you're stopping me?! And you're pregnant?! All I could wish her was fun with karma. That's all I had time for, I now needed to find a restroom even though I was 5 ft from a reasonable excuse for one.

    Pitiful but really a good example of what to expect from either of the theaters in town.

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  26. Your first mistake was living in Jackson. Grow up

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  27. My husband and I normally go to Cinema Planet but they weren't showing the movie we wanted to see this past weekend so we had to go to Hollywood which we never do because of the filth, crowdedness, and because we had a run in with a manager there before. It was still as disgusting as ever, the seats are so close together that you constantly get kicks in your back, and the worst part was the loud comments throughout the entire movie from a handful of the audience. Not to mention, their comments were distasteful and immature. We had an awful experience with a manager there a few months back as well. We had been to Cinema Planet on a Sunday afternoon to see a movie that I had been eager to see. We got a babysitter as well, which doesn't come extremely often. Our movie unfortunately quit working about 3/4 of the way through. We got our money back and decided that we wanted to see the end of the movie so bad that we would go to Hollywood and catch the end of the same movie showing there. So we show up, requesting to buy tickets for the movie, which was about half way in. We explain what happened and the ticket seller needed a manager to override our purchase (yes, we were paying regular ticket price). We waited so long that my husband decided to find a manager himself. The ticket taker was a nice young boy. He informed my husband the he isn't supposed to go past him without a ticket but that he couldn't go get a manager either because he couldn't leave his spot. So my husband went past anyways and found the manager. Keep in mind...we had already been to the other theater and now this movie was close to being over. The manager walks up to the ticket taker and completely chews him out for letting my husband pass by him without a ticket. Of course my husband took up for the boy, explaining that it was his choice to not listen and walk on by. Anyways, the manager finished chewing out the boy and walked in the ticket booth. My husband is quietly telling me how rude he thought the manager was etc. And the manager then turned and asked us to leave. We were happy to at that point. I feel that's the worst thing a manager can do...discipline an employee in front of customers. This was beyond discipline though. I remember reading in The Jackson Sun almost a year ago that a Malco is going to be built in the area across the 45 Bypass from the north bowling alley in 2017ish. I hope this is still true. Malco's website actually showed Jackson, TN as a Coming Soon Theatre for a while. Not sure if it still does.

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  28. May I just say that this article, even if one were completely indifferent to the topic, should be read just for its literary delight! :-) It is not often that I read an article which makes me smile simply due to how well it is written and its fun use of vocabulary. I do not believe I have ever posted a commented on an on-line article (there seem to be more than enough opinions to go around without adding mine), but I must say: Well done!

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  29. I can appreciate and agree to most of your assessment. I often wonder how much of the general public know about how cinemas earn revenue. Many people assume that cinemas make huge profits from the admission and the concession, which is false. Most cinemas are give first run movies at a 90/10 split. This means that 90% of the revenue (maybe more for Star Wars) is paid directly to the distributors of the movies, leaving minimal profit from admission for the cinema. In addition to that, when the movement of digital came along, the cost of digital projectors fell on that of the cinema operators will minimal subsidized fund to cover the costs of all new digital projection systems (100k) per projector. I raise these points because all to often I hear people talk about massive profits in a cinema industry, and there are theatres in major metro areas that enjoy high profits based on volume but I would not assume this theatre is making much profit. There is probably some subtle touches this venue could do to make things better but my guess is they are not really that profitable and have less funds to invest, and maybe the assessment is right, they choose not to put any money back in to the experience of the guest. I think what this town needs (coming from Denver) is a major exhibitor (Regal, Malcolm, Marcus, etc. ) to bring a brand new structure to this place, unfortunately I don't think there is a population to support a major player coming in.

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  30. This theater is a joke. I go to memphis to see films or skip them completely. I would love to see malco run them out of business. Can u please write about the old hickory mall. Another competitor-free jackson landmark. Do your review at 8pm on saturday night.

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  31. This theater is a joke. I go to memphis to see films or skip them completely. I would love to see malco run them out of business. Can u please write about the old hickory mall. Another competitor-free jackson landmark. Do your review at 8pm on saturday night.

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  32. My husband and I were in Jackson, Tn for Thanksgiving and took our grandson to see Charlie Brown movie. We went to the Hollywood because this theater had a matinee. Parents were at work so it was great to do something just the 3 of us. I thought I was in a nightmare. The lobby is just like you described it. 1970's was there to stay. I could not believe that at $7.50 per person, even a child, they could not use some money to update. Well maybe just clean, someone must be looking for a janitor job somewhere in Jackson. They have no children seats, borrow a few from your local haircut place. Grandpa had to hold our grandson. The popcorn prices were so high. We live in Illinois so I do know theater prices are high but we have a nice, new local theater that has $5 Tuesday movies and discount popcorn and pop prices too. I guess I'm just spolied. I will be looking for a different theater when I'm in Jackson. Sorry

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  33. I have been told by a Hollywood employee that the owner has said "I don't care about the customers, they don't matter." Just cares about the money coming in. Definitely reflects in the manner in which he cares for his facility, treats his customers and employees. But, unfortunately, there are no other options in Jackson. He owns Cinema Planet too.

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  34. About 3 years ago we went to see a movie there and the video projector stopped working about 3/4 of the way through the movie (understandable I guess). We all sat there for 15-20 minutes waiting for the movie to come back on it for an employee to come out, but neither ever happened. Finally, we decided to just go get a refund. Yeah right. They didn't give a rip. So we just left without seeing the end of the movie. That's just one example of 20 that I could give.

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  35. My boyfriend and I went to see a movie there about a year or two ago, and the seat he sat in literally smelled like human feces =(. I wish I could say that I am exaggerating.....but I am not.

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  36. I agree with most of the poor assessments. I stopped going until just recently, when the family wanted to see new Star Wars over holidays. Wish I'd thoguht about Humboldt, but honestly don't go that much any more as I think $10 is rediciculous. A few years ago, there was talk about an entertainment complex that was going to be built in the downtown area, and would also have IMAX. Well, that turned into the Lift instead. Why someone has not bult something like that by the ballparks seems amazing, but then, there may simply not be enough actual business to warrant the cost of doign so.

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  37. Cinema Planet is no better (and apparently owned by the same people). While some of the facilities are nicer, the management is complete shit. Sometimes they have wrong times (we have had to leave and come back because they reported the times wrong). Once, they had multiple people leaving at once because they had gotten the times wrong. A lady said that was her last time there because it had happened before.

    And then there's the fact you can't buy tickets online for anything. This was pretty annoying for The Force Awakens. While the rest of the friggin world had joined the 21st century, here we were living in this shithole town with theaters acting like it was the 1980s.

    And back to Hollywood, why are their theaters so cold while the bathroom is like a sauna?

    And FYI, I know that there's been at least once incident of an employee getting pissed at the managers and pissing in the ice case. Something to think about before you get a coke there.

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  38. Bravo, what a well written review. Since all the theaters in Jackson are owned by the same person in Memphis, there's no real incentive for him to make any improvements. Years ago I emailed them and asked if we could have hot dogs. I received a reply that the people in Jackson weren't ready! No kidding!!The employees have never been happy and it shows - at both theaters!. In fact, a few years ago, my wife and I were getting popcorn at the Kenworth location. The employee looked at us and said I'm so sorry, but I just can't do this anymore. She promptly walked out the front door. Recently. we went to see a movie that was scheduled to start at 1:30. We arrived around 1:15 and found a long line. The folks told us the computers were down and the staff were trying to get them up and running. We asked if we could simply pay by cash and we were told "NO". We then asked if the movies would be delayed since we couldn't get our tickets. They told us they had the ability to delay the start of the movies. One of the guests in line pointed out that they didn't say they "would" only that they "could". Finally, we arrived in the theater at 1:35. You guessed it, the movie was playing. Everyone should remember, if you want change you have to make sure the merchant is clearly aware. In this case, simply don't go or head to Milan/Humboldt. Yes, the screens are smaller, but the people at both theaters make up the difference.

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  39. THAT PLACE SHOULD HAVE A NEW MANAGER, REMODEL, NEW WORKERS, ALL FOOD, POPCORN, DRINKS THROWN OUT & ALL FRESH NEW FOOD & BEVERAGES BROUGHT IN!!!!
    THAT PLACE IS A STRAIGHT UP FILTHY PLACE FOR ANYONE TO GO!

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  40. THAT PLACE SHOULD HAVE A NEW MANAGER, REMODEL, NEW WORKERS, ALL FOOD, POPCORN, DRINKS THROWN OUT & ALL FRESH NEW FOOD & BEVERAGES BROUGHT IN!!!!
    THAT PLACE IS A STRAIGHT UP FILTHY PLACE FOR ANYONE TO GO!

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  41. Awesome review. Last time I was there an concessions employee was talking about his 'taco'. This theater doesn't serve tacos. Pretty disturbing stuff. Needless to say I will not be returning anytime soon.

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  42. This review is true. I use to work there. It is filthy. But when I worked there me and my coworkers were like a family so we made sure that our concessions area was clean and took a delight in some of the customers we met on a day to day. And we had regulars who knew our faces. It was the little short white guy with black hair who was rude. Came in and started changing how things were done. And he was rude. After he got there every one quit

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    1. Andre of course you would comment! Are you kidding me? You were part of the problem at cinema planet. 90% of people who quit was because of you. You are and probably always will be the worst manager I have ever seen. Coming from a former usher.

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  43. Ha, it is nice seeing this published.

    These places deserve some bad publicity for how the Keshani brothers have milked the community. First off, I don't know if anyone remembers the prior lawsuit the owners of Hollywood were in for more or less faking ticket sales. They were also involved in a sexual discrimination lawsuit. Look up Ajay Theaters lawsuits for some fun reading.

    Per the ticket sales lawsuit,

    "Sony, Buena Vista, Warner Brothers, Paramount, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal,
    Miramax, New Line and Dreamworks joined in a suit against Ajay Theatres, owners of the Hollywood 16 in Jackson, Tennessee. The distributors claim that the theatres provided false information on the number of admissions, admissions in various categories, and the serial numbers of tickets from March of 2003 to the present time."

    I can attest as a former manager how poorly the theaters are ran. You can't have a clean theater as they refuse to pay for quality janitors/cleaners by hiring the cheapest illegal immigrants Jackson has to offer. The employees have no desire or proposition to offer better customer service as there are no promotions or raises for employees. Full-time managers make poverty wages. Quite frankly, any complaint that you give to Keshani is ignored. He's quite forthcoming about he doesn't really care and service isn't really his business. Even as a manager, many complaints fall on deaf ears. I watched, as a manager, employees who cared about service slowly were wore down from abuse to the point of apathy - that glazed looked in all employees eyes are there for a reason other than the lack of drug testing.

    As customers, you'd be insane to eat at these theaters. I hope many of you realize that the Health scores do not have to be first tries. The theaters have failed, while continuing to operate, and allowed to get it up to par. The other poster who mentioned old popcorn is spot-on. If you eat early shows, I can almost guarantee that it's from the night before. The food is handled barehanded by many employees and of course it's not a concern to the owners. How about the drinks? Certainly they'd be ok, right? Of course not, they usually contain syrup that's been caked up for weeks around the nozzles. The standard procedure of dropping them in a bucket of cleaner doesn't constitute a thorough removal of gunk.

    I feel sorry for the community, the theaters are mismanaged garbage, the owners would milk our community dry and apparently since we had no choice we keep patronizing such terrible businesses. I wish the owners of the Humboldt theater could get a foothold in Jackson.

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  44. I used to work at Cinema Planet and everything bad people have to say about these theaters is unfortunately true. It was a terrible work environment, the employees are treated like shit, and the management and Keshani (the owner) could not care less.

    Also, Cinema Planet may seem like it's way nicer, but when I worked there we had a big problem with roaches. I even saw one in the trash bag of old popcorn we were supposed to serve to customers and when I said something to the manager he ignored it since none of the customers saw it. Also the manager would be seen eating popcorn straight out of said bag with his bare hands, which I'm sure weren't clean.

    Also nobody wore gloves or hair nets in that kitchen so the hot food that was prepared had goodness knows what in it.

    The only reason I ever go to either theater in Jackson anymore is if there is a movie that I am dying to see. Otherwise I just wait it out. I really hope Malco does come in and put Keshani out of business.

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  45. Hollywood 16 has been functioning since I was a teenager at the very least. That's a good 15 years... The decor is the same as it was then.. A few years back the new theater opened out by the ballpark and its very nice for this area. Anyone who doesn't want the outdated hollywood theater, should take a five minute ride up the interstate and visit cinema planet instead. Hollywood could use an upgrade that's for sure. However I don't see it happening with cinema planet so close by.. I do hope it doesn't become another huge abandoned building in the middle of town.

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  46. It's not that the managers don't care, it's that they don't have any real power. They are basically just there to babysit his money with no real authority. The owner won't even let them control the temperatures of the building. He keeps the thermostats locked and only he has the key. They work long hours with crap pay and can't take time off without the risk of being fired. They don't even get clocked out breaks no matter how many hours they work and he makes them work really long hours. It's usually only one manager running the entire building by themselves so if there are multiple issues at once,they have to do it all. The owner expects way to much from his managers and it takes a toll on them. They probably really do wish they could do more to help customers but they can't because of the owner breathing down their backs at every step. Pretty sure they only stay because it's hard to get any job nowadays so they work there until something better comes along. So don't take it out on the managers, it's truly not their fault.

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  47. This article is so on point. Cinema planet was my first job and I could not believe the crap they pull. Did ya know they failed the health department enough that one more time would have shut them down? Keshani is cheap as hell the popcorn is never fresh and roaches were one of the main reasons I quit! One time he wouldn't let us throw out food unless he inspected it in the kitchen so to put it simply chicken that was dropped on the floor would sit in a tub in the back rack in room temp FOR A MONTH OR MORE!!! He was so stingy he did this to ensure we were not stealing food. the stench was all you would think it would be. If Jackson just knew what shady stuff he does it would be newsworthy. I think pretty much the last straw was when I went to get a drink from the server station and seen A ROACH IN MY CUP!!!. I worked there for a year and I can honestly say that was a disgusting place.

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  48. It's a good thing that they have a "no guns allowed" sign to protect people from mass shootings.

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  49. I went to Hollywood Cinema tonight. I was standing at the concession counter to buy a drink. I noticed a small bug crawling on the counter top. It quickly realized it was a roach. I informed the employee and without saying a word she smashed the roach with her hand and wiped it off with a paper towel. Nothing said no apology nothing. This place is disgusting.

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  50. Aside from atrocious conditions of the bathroom and unkept theater, the individuals that frequent there can be unbearable. Any movie �� I go there to see, can not be heard due to the rude and crude customers, yet this theater has the audacity to raise its prices almost yearly. It's so not even worth the price of the tickets.

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  51. It's trueeeeeeeeeee.. They SUCKKK!! Never again on 6711 Stage rd bartlett tn.
    close them down manager rude!!! No video games.... dishonest with quoting one price and gave another when my summer camp came!!! do not go to this place

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