By Caron Schwartz
Midweek movie matinees – the other afternoon delight
Some days all you want to do is be entertained. Netflix, Prime, et al offer plenty of options, but sprawled on your sofa surrounded by Honey-Do chores isn’t going to cut it. You need to play hooky. You need to sit in the dark, munching too buttery, too salty popcorn, mesmerized by the big screen. It’s even better if it’s a great deal, like the ubiquitous only-on-a Tuesday matinee discount.
There are plenty of choices for the “other afternoon delight.” Not that long ago I took in the Tuesday special at Regal Park Place at the Shoppes at Park Place in Pinellas Park, where for five bucks you can sit back in a comfy recliner and relax with an adult beverage.
The Tuesday special is a little more complicated at the AMC Sundial in downtown St. Pete. AMC features 30% off the cost of evening shows for all matinees, but on Tuesday there’s an additional perk. If you become a Stubs Insider, your free membership reduces the price to $6.50. And there’s more! A $15 Stubs Premier membership gets 12 months of waived online fees, free popcorn, and fountain drink size upgrades. If you want to splurge, it’ll cost you $19.95/month. The Stubs A-List gets you Premier benefits plus movies in any format including Dolby Cinema, IMAX, and 3D, plus you get 10% back on refreshments.
The CMX Cinemas Tyrone in St. Pete’s Tyrone Square is a little different. Movies are $5 all-day Tuesday, so if you really can’t play hooky at least you get a discount if you show up after work.
Indie art-house Green Light Cinema, 221 Second Ave. N, St. Petersburg, doesn’t offer discounts any day or time of the week. But where else are you going to see indies, foreign, docs, classics, and local content?
Maybe the historic Beach Theatre? According to new owner Christopher Scott, who’s just begun to repair and renovate the 81-year-old St. Pete Beach edifice, the venue is far from ready for prime time. But he’s open to suggestions. For more information and updates see www.spbeachtheatre.org.
