$69.1 Million Sale to Loews Cineplex Owner Onex Acquires Loeks-Star NEW YORK – Following its March 21 acquisition of Loews Cineplex Entertainment (LCE) – and the half of the Loeks-Star circuit owned by LCE – Canadian congolerate Onex agreed in early April to buy the other half of Loeks-Star from veteran exhibitors Jim & Barrie Loeks. Onex and Oaktree bought out the 50 percent interest held by the Loekses for a reported $69.1 million. Loeks-Star’s current management team will continue to oversee the 156-screen circuit until June 30, at which time Loews will assume management. New York-based LCE currently operates 2,445 screens. Hollywood’s Cinerama Dome Relaunched Pacific Bows ArcLight 14 HOLLYWOOD – Pacific Theatres re-opened on March 22 its historic Cinerama Dome in Hollywood – while simultaneously introducing its adjacent Arclight 14-plex. Both venues inhabit the new Dome Entertainment Center. Built in 1963 by Pacific, the Dome retains such unique features as its geodesic ceiling, its 800 loge-style seats and its signature 33- by 89-foot screen. New features to the Dome include an upgraded JBL sound system, 44 computer-placed surround speakers (to replace the existing 8-speaker system) and the installation of sound absorbent material in each of the 316 hexagonal and pentagonal panels in the ceiling. In addition to its auditoriums, the three-story Dome Entertainment Center features floor-to-ceiling glass walls, the ArcLight café bar and other retail space. The ArcLight’s reserved seating system allows patrons to choose from the front, middle or back of the auditorium. All seats are reserved and can be purchased online, over the phone or via automated kiosks and traditional box office stations. Adult tickets cost $14, which includes three hours of free parking, and ArcLight memberships can be attained online or at the guest services desk in the ArcLight lobby for discounted rates on off-peak showtimes. ArcLight auditoria sport a “black-box” design, a midnight blue color scheme and the complete absence of other decorative flourishes. The facility does not screen commercials. Bellevue, Wash., will be the home of the next ArcLight site, a 13-plex planned for a 2003 bow. Ohio Megaplex Due Late 2003 4,000 NA Seats For West Chester WEST CHESTER, Ohio – National Amusements announced on March 26 plans to open either a 16-plex or an 18-plex in the West Chester Market Square, a development that will house restaurant, retail, entertainment, hotel and office space. The multi will boast some 4,000 rocking recliner stadium-style seats, Dolby digital surround sound, expanded concession services and advanced ticketing by phone or via the Internet. Scheduled to open by fall 2003, the Market Square development is located at the intersection of I-75 North/South and Cincinnati-Dayton Road. NA currently operates 120 screens at 10 sites in the Cincinnati market and 88 screens in the Dayton and Toledo areas. Los Angeles Movie Palace Pacific Bows 14 Screens at Grove LOS ANGELES – Pacific Theatres opened on March 15 a 14-plex at The Grove, a new retail complex, situated near Hollywood’s CBS Television City, designed to resemble a 1930s Los Angeles street. Two restaurants adjacent to the multi – Madame Wu’s and The Farm at Beverly Hills – offer direct access to the cinema’s lobby. The multi’s interior, designed to suggest a grand hotel, is decorated in original art and combines monolithic imported marble centerpieces and mahogany cabinetry and columns with limestone bases, art-deco Venetian glass chandeliers and large club chairs for patrons to relax in. The multi offers amenities such as valet parking, concierge service, a children’s party room and a conference room. Auditoria of the 80,000-square-foot 14-plex feature wall-length curved screens, state-of-the-art projection technology, digital sound, stadium-style seating, high-back seats with retractable armrests and cupholders as well as reserved leather seating and loge boxes for private viewing groups. Founded in 1946, Pacific Theatres operates over 450 screens throughout California and Hawaii. Birmingham, Mich. Multi Uptown Launches Palladium 12-plex BIRMINGHAM, Mich. – Uptown Entertainment launched on Nov. 16 its Palladium 12-plex in downtown Birmingham, Mich. The 73,500-square-foot, 2,650-seat multi features auditoria with Dolby digital surround sound and wall-length curved screens. The facility’s “Premiere Entertainment Auditorium” features high-back leather seating with adjacent side tables, food and beverage service for 175 patrons, and adjoining reception rooms for dining, corporate events or birthday parties. Concessions range from traditional theatre fare to flavored popcorn, gourmet coffee, self-serve frozen Coke stations, french fries with unique toppings, chicken strips, Ray’s Ice Cream and Little Caesars pizza. The Uptown Palladium 12 offers patrons an ATM, an elevator and escalator, and advanced ticketing through automated machines or via phone. Parking includes valet, two parking structures and metered spaces. A VIP preview was held Nov. 14 to benefit local charities including the Children’s Charities Coalition and Gilda’s Club. Uptown currently operates 20 screens at two sites in Michigan.

12 Screens for Selinsgrove Cinema Centers Expands Flagship SELINSGROVE, Pa. – Cinema Centers held a Feb. 22 grand opening celebration for its newly expanded 12-plex at the Susquehanna Valley Mall in Selinsgrove, Pa. Considered the flagship of the circuit, the multi features auditoria with stadium-style seating, Dolby digital surround sound, plush seating and curved screens. Billed by its owners as the premiere screening facility between Harrisburg and Scranton, Pa., the 12-plex also offers patrons a neon-enhanced lobby and concession area, as well as an arcade. Press were invited to a Feb. 21 fund-raiser opening to benefit Susquehana Valley Women in Transition. Including the Selinsgrove site, Millersberg, Pa.-based Cinema Centers operates three 12-plexes with plans to expand their fourth site to 10 screens by the end of 2002 and to open a fifth site in the Williamsport, Pa. area. Neals’ Georgia Gala Ritz Celebrates 75th Anniversary THOMASTON, Ga. – The Ritz Theatre in Thomaston, Ga., will celebrate its 75th anniversary Aug. 8 with a two and a half hours of old shorts, newsreels, mini-features and memorabilia representing the passage of time. In the days before and after the Aug. 8 celebration, the Ritz will exhibit classic features. Every week building up to the anniversary will see a special on concessions or admissions, all making reference to the number 75. The Ritz, bought by current owners Malcolm and Amy Neal in 1997, has installed the latest in projection and sound equipment as well as new heating and air-conditioning, with plans to turn the balcony into an 80-seat VIP area. Loews Cineplex Veteran Lenihan Heads Film Buying for Century SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – Century Theatres announced on March 22 Robert J. Lenihan’s appointment as senior vice president of film. Lenihan began his exhibition career as a Bay Area theatre manager in the mid-1970s, and followed with a 10-year stint as Act III Theatres’ senior vice president of film. Previous to his appointment at Century, Lenihan spent four years leading film buying efforts for New York-based Loews Cineplex Entertainment. “Bob has been instrumental in leading major circuits throughout years of successful film buying,” said Century COO David Shesgreen. “We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with him first hand and enjoy the benefits of his talent.” San Rafael, Calif.-based Century currently operates over 850 screens in 11 states, with plans to add another 250 screens over the next three years. Michigan Multiplex Uptown Birmingham Takes Specialty Fare BIRMINGHAM, Mich. – Uptown Entertainment announced Oct. 23 that its Birmingham, Mich. 8-plex was changing its programming to specialty fare. The Detroit-area 8-plex, which now offers a selection of recent art, foreign and independent films, features the Classic Film Series and is home to the Woodward Film Society, a membership-based organization dedicated to the appreciation and celebration of the art of film. “We are excited to offer guests who have an appetite for great art films – including documentary, foreign, retrospective and other award-winning independent films – a large venue that is both aesthetically pleasing and provides state-of-the-art amenities,” said Uptown owner Carole Ilitch Trepeck. The multi, located at 211 South Old Woodward Ave. in downtown Birmingham, was refurbished and re-opened in 1996. The facility has received special recognition, including Hour magazine’s “The Best of Detroit 2000” for the best movie theatre and a Michigan honor award from the American Institute of Architects for its exceptional renovations. Dimensions of Excellence Chamber Honors MJC’s North Pointe WARSAW, Ind. – Mallers-Joyner Cinemas’ North Pointe 6-plex was honored by the Kosciusko County’s Chamber of Commerce general business Dimensions of Excellence Award. Awards at the chamber’s 90th annual membership dinner meeting were presented to businesses and individuals who have bettered the local economy and the quality of life in Kosciusko County. Mallers-Joyner is based in Warsaw, Ind. Cornwell Drugs Vet Eastern Fed Gets Marketing Director CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Eastern Federal Corp. (EFC) announced on March 25 the appointment of Janice M. Black as its first director of marketing. In her new role, Black oversees marketing strategy and implementation, as well as advertising and promotion of films and EFC multis. Black spent two years gaining experience as a territory manager for Glenbrook Labs, a division of Sterling Drugs, followed by five years as the corporate marketing and advertising director for Cornwell Drugs. Previous to her appointment at EFC, Black owned and operated Innovative Marketing and Advertising Group for 13 years. EFC currently operates 202 screens in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. More Captioned Films Virginia Kudos to Cinema Owners RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia legislature passed a joint-resolution in February commending theatre owners for their aid to the hearing impaired. Resolution No. 409 noted that theatre owners are showing more captioned movies as an aid to deaf, hard-of-hearing and late-deafened individuals. The Coalition for Movie Captioning estimates that 28 million Americans with hearing loss could benefit from captioned films.