Daniel Fienberg, Commentary Cinemagic- Located within rappelling distance of High Rise North, Cinemagic offers a basic selection of current hits, with the occasional college-interest film mixed in. For the past two years, Cinemagic had the advantage of offering the cheapest seats in town, with low low student prices. However, as the price of a student ticket has gone up $1.50 since September of 1996, Cinemagic doesn't seem like such a good deal anymore. Still, the theater is generally clean, the seats are comfy, and it's a fine place to rendezvous with friends and acquaintances who have nothing better to do before that night's obligatory '80s party. UA Sameric- Go down Chestnut, and down a few blocks more, then cross the Schukill and keep going and you will arrive at the Sameric, which features the largest screen in Philadelphia. And what a glorious screen it is! Towering over rows and rows of seats, there are some films which simply must be seen here -- the round-the-block lines of Penn students at the recent Star Wars rerelease is evidence of that. The smaller theaters, though, are pretty trashy, with puny screens and rickety seats, so phone ahead to make sure that the spectacle of your choosing is on the mammoth screen. With no students rates, tickets prices can be rather hefty. Ritz 5 and Ritz at the Bourse- Both theaters share the Ritz name, signaling the quality of the cinematic property therein. If it's intellectual, based on a play, about real events, or starring people with British accents wearing corsets, it's going to be showing at one of the Ritzae. Both theaters feature fair sized screen, incredible chairs with leg-room and concession stands with Toblerone. And both are easily accessible via the blue line. (The Ritz 5 is only blocks from the 2nd Street Station and the Bourse is around the corner from 5th.) While both theaters have their strengths, some partisans favor the Bourse for it's escalator. While movies on Saturday nights are ridiculously expensive because of a "No Discount" policy, other nights feature student tickets cheaper than Cinemagic's, justifying the SEPTA costs. UA Riverview- Stuck out by the Delaware River, where the subway dares not tread, getting to the Riverview requires effort. Or a car. The Riverview benefits from all of the amenities of a multiplex -- tons of movies, clean theaters, and crystal clear sound-- but it also suffers from the failings of a multiplex -- bandbox screening rooms, selection limited by the box office top ten, and apathetic employees. Most of the films that you want to see with probably be showing somewhere else in the city, but if not, be prepared to spend an hour getting to the Riverview. UA 69th Street- A little like the Riverview in style, but without the immense trauma transportation (it's just up a hill from the 69th Street station), the 69th Street theaters just another alternative for your blockbuster buck. While the clientele may be a little questionable --memories of audience members yelling "Slap the bitch" during a screening of Casino linger to this day -- if all you're looking to do is blow your hard earned $7.50, this is as good a place as any to do it. The Roxy- Just go to the Roxy. It's the right thing to do. You've got to support local business people to go out of their ways to do things for the community. This Center City theater recently reopened and thus far the management has shown a booking tendency leaning towards the arty, quirky, and eccentric. And how can that be bad? So keep those facts in mind as you look to start your weekend. For showtimes, listing, and reviews, you can also look forward to reading 34th Street magazine in the Daily Pennsylvanian every Thursday.
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