MOVIES 10 WINS AGAIN.

It's time for my annual rating of the best local movies theaters. As fast as you can whip out $7.85 to pay for a coke and popcorn, I can tell you THE best place to go for that fun (and affordable) inside movie experience. I am a believer in the "movie theater" experience, that is, I see the movies as a lot more than just a big TV and a place you drop your trash on the floor (Does anyone do this at home?).

For the 3rd year in a row, Cinemark Movies 10 at Banks Station wins as my personal favorite. But this year they've changed, you can get in for a buck; one dollar, one smakeroo, 4 quarters, 100 pennies. Be not deceived, if you have always thought that dollar theaters are unclean, outdated and understaffed, in this case you would be wrong. And today with the advent of even good movies being in a theater one day and gone the next a dollar theater is a wonderful and viable option to see the movies you want to see. They even have one of those guys whose sole job is to tear your ticket and put in that tall, secret box (My theory is, this is where all your lost dryer socks go).

Cinemark Movies 10 also opened "Clay Pigeons" this past Friday and this is an hallmark event. This is the first time a bonafide independent, art film opened south of I-285. Kudos to Cinemark and Movies 10 for having faith that there are people in Fayette County who want to see more than car chases and Mel Gibson's rear. People in Fayette county are the smartest in the country, I can never figure why our movie theaters never offer movie that are more mentally challenging than your average talk radio show. Keep it up Cinemark, it will be a tough battle and promotion, but there IS an audience for "alternative" movies. Movie Novice Billy Rating: Always the best staff, still the best color motif, now the best price, 2 thumbs as high as an NBA Player's Salary.

Newnan got a new movie theater this year and it comes in as my second personal favorite (#1 favorite full price theater). It scores high solely for its adjacent concession counters on the right and left as you walk into the movie. It makes getting your Goobers and popcorn fast and easy. It is especially fun for a people watcher like me, as now the person that likes to jump from a slow moving line to a fast moving line has the added option of jumping even from one counter to the other. On a good day it can look like a human checker game gone horribly bad. It can make you forget that the stuff on your popcorn is simulated butter flavored oil dye. Movie Novice Billy Rating: Always fast, great staffing cast and the big cushy seats make your Twizzlers last, 2 thumbs as high as a nerd's belt line.

Peachtree City Theater comes in third because of it's size (Only 3 screens) and cramped feel but it gets my vote for most improved. Finally movie theaters have figured out that their biggest problems (slow moving lines) can be solved by only paying $5.50 an hour per helper. Figure this, if a typical teen concession worker serves 50 people in an hour, the have taken in appx. $350 (50 x $7 snack costs) at a cost of $5.50 to the theater. A margin of $344.50 is not too shabby. Movie Novice Billy Rating: Much improved, 2 thumbs piled as high as a Bill Clinton "apology."

Lastly I mention the new Tinsletown 17. I will just relate an experience. I went to the movies a few weeks back and I had to change lines because mine had stalled completely over someone trying to order advanced tickets. Went to a new line with very sweet and helpful Melissa. Line stalled while she waited on bosses to get her change. About a week later I went back and I got sweet and helpful Melissa again. Line stalled when she waited on bosses to get her change. Coincidence? Anomaly? Enigma wrapped in a riddle deep fried in a conundrum? You be the judge. Movie Novice Billy Rating: Eventually should be the best--getting their footing, young nice staff that needs help from higher up, the deep, soft chairs can only soften the blow so much, 2 thumbs as high as Darth Vader's voice.

Billy Murphy -- 1/8/98