Multiplex Has Lots to Wow You

At Harkins Southlake Town Square everywhere you look you’ll be wowed, according to writer Philip Wuntch, movie critic.

“Unlike some multiplexes, the new complex doesn’t evoke the mood of a stately corporate office,” he said. “Instead, its marble, neon, and granite colorings and textures create a sense of celebration, fun, and glamour.”

A play center in the lobby of the Square offers child care during movies.

Southlake multiplex, which opened May 25th at 1450 Plaza Place, is the first that Phoenix-based Harkins has built in Texas, according to a recent article.

It’s also one of the chain’s first ventures outside Arizona, the article stated.

And nowhere is showmanship more evident than in the Southlake’s premier auditorium, the 600-seat Cine Capri, states Wuntch.

The first glance at the auditorium reminds veteran moviegoers of how theaters used to look in a less streamlined era, writes Wuntch.

During intermissions gold waterfall curtains cover the Capri’s giant 70-foot screen, wrote Wuntch.

On the draped walls and behind the screen are 150 speakers delivering 26,000 watts of virtually flawless digital sound according to research.

The other 13 auditoriums also are attractive with handsomely designed soundproof walls cutting out the secondhand sounds often heard from the movie next door in other theatres.

The original Capri opened in Phoenix in 1966 the year, I was born, as a Cinerama showplace and had the country’s best run of “Star Wars” in 1977, according to literature.

Sadly, despite a two-year period of petitions and protests, the theater was later torn down to make way for condos, of course.

Another enhancement to the Dallas-Fort Worth movie scene is Southlake’s play center where parents can drop off kids ages 3-8 while they see a movie, a great concept which I’m surprised no one thought of before.

For $6 per child they can play house and enjoy movie-themed games, beanbags, movie-related stuff animals, board games, blocks, and toys.

While the tots are playing, parents can grab dinner at the gourmet concession stand which features 150 items, including frosted pretzels, cheese sticks, chicken tenders, pizza, spring rolls, brownie bites, and popcorn made with canola oil and real butter, say staff.

“With dinner, a movie, and child care available at the theater, it looks as if things just got a little tougher for the neighborhood babysitter,” said Wuntch.