By Mike Anderson
It was back to the movies on July 16, as cinemas across the province reopened their doors.
However, COVID-19 guidelines are in effect with theatres restricted to 50 per cent capacity, seating reserved, and moviegoers required to wear masks and distance between groups.
In Keswick, Imagine Cinemas, located at 11 Church St., is enticing moviegoers back with a slate of summer blockbusters, like Black Widow, Boss Baby and Old, the latest thriller from M. Night Shyamalan.
William Edney, 41, a diehard Marvel Universe fan from Island Grove, said it felt good to see a movie again, especially “Black Widow,” the superhero adventure starring Scarlett Johansson.
“I loved it. It was an excellent movie,” said Edney, whose last trip to a movie theatre was in February 2019, before the pandemic hit.
“It’s been a long time. We used to go all the time. And it’s definitely been something I’ve been missing.”
Edney said he felt safe in the cinema because there was plenty of space between patrons.
“They have a seat between each person. And the movie we saw, there were maybe ten people in the theatre. So it felt like being in my living room.”
He also appreciated the luxury reclining seats, which are $12, just a couple of bucks more than the $10 regulars seats.
“Oh my God, they’re great. They recline all the way back. You almost fall asleep if you’re not too careful.”
Movie theatres in Ontario have been closed longer than anywhere else in North America, pummelling the bottom line for most operators.
“It’s been a huge hit,” said Gina Facca, Imagine Cinemas’ Chief Operating Officer, who points out they took the space over in Keswick in November 2019 and operated for only four months before the first lockdown.
“We went from making money to not making any money and still having to pay rent until the rent relief came in. But we still had our regular utility bills and all the fixed costs we couldn’t just get rid of,” Facca said.
The Keswick cinema was opened and closed a number of times during the pandemic, with the last closure on October 10, 2020.
“It was touch and go,” she said. “So we’re ecstatic to be able to open, and we’re even happier that we are opening this time around with a slate of great movies,” she said.
Facca is confident that the current COVID-19 guidelines for moviegoers will make going to the movies safe and enjoyable.
But she encourages moviegoers to reserve their tickets online before going to the cinema.
“We recommend that people do buy their tickets online, so they’re not disappointed with seat selection, because with the movies we have we’re going to be quite busy.”
Still, if your family decides to buy their tickets at the cinema, a family of six will now be able to sit together.
The ticketing system will block off the seats, ensuring there’s a buffer between you and the next group.
“If you see a movie by yourself, it’s going to block off two seats, so you’re not sitting directly next to people you don’t know,” she added.
Facca said the cinema maintains strict cleaning protocols, and staff wear masks and disinfect their hands regularly.
“Our guests are still required by law to wear their masks until they get to their seats and begin eating their food,” she said.
“I think what people forget about the whole movie experience is that you are in a movie theatre where you’re expected to be quiet and keep your mouth shut. And everybody is facing forward.”
“Our risk is low. It’s much lower than a restaurant. And there has not been one single case globally traced back to a movie theatre.”
For showtimes and to reserve your tickets, visit www.imaginecinemas.com.
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