MOVIE THEATERS

Movie lovers are in for a special (and discounted) treat this weekend.

Movie lovers are in for a special (and discounted) treat this weekend.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The historic Michigan Theater and State Theatre are taking it slow when it comes to reopening. On Thursday, the Michigan Theater Foundation (MTF), which operates both of the downtown Ann Arbor independent theaters, announced that neither theater would fully reopen until April. According to the Michigan Theater’s reopening plan:“The MTF received permission from the State of Michigan to reopen the historic Michigan and State theaters in downtown Ann Arbor on December 21, 2020. For reasons of safety, the MTF team made the conscious decision to delay a full public reopening for three reasons:The rise in the infection rate after the Christmas/New Year holiday. Virtual events and Michigan Theater concessions are also available.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Big screen buffs can now rent Ann Arbor’s State Theatre for family (or pod) movie night. The art deco theater reopened to audiences for private screenings on Monday, based on guidance by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The base rental fee the theater for $125 per hour and includes managerial help, custodial services, a film screening and some licensing fees. During the rental period audiences must wear masks, even when seated, and no food or drinks are allowed. The State Theatre is at 233 S. State St.Related: Michigan movie theaters, casinos, bowling alleys to reopen Monday

MORE: Here’s everything that’s reopening under Michigan’s revised COVID-19 order“I think this is a glass half full situation,” said Emagine Entertainment’s Chairman and co-founder, Paul Glantz. After weeks of having to abruptly shut down, Emagine theaters -- along with other businesses -- will finally be able to reopen its doors. “Now we’re not allowed to offer our guests food and beverage items, so there will be no concession sales,” Glantz said. And until then his business will continue to follow and practice the procedures necessary to keep movie goers safe. When will Michigan restaurants be allowed to reopen after the most recent shutdown due to COVID-19?

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Michigan Theater and State Theatre are temporarily closing their doors, again. The restrictions will result in the temporary closing of several types of businesses, including theaters, for three weeks between Wednesday, Nov. 18 and Tuesday, Dec. 8. On Monday, The Michigan Theater Foundation informed fans through an email that its two independent theaters would be closing ahead of the mandated dates and that screenings scheduled for Tuesday were canceled. The email states that the theaters will continue with their collective Virtual Movie Palace and virtual events, including Virtual Movie Trivia. The Michigan Theater and State Theatre reopened in early October with limited screenings, reduced seating and concessions restrictions after being closed for over six months.

DETROIT – The newly announced set of COVID-19 restrictions is yet another devastating blow for the movie theater industry. Some movie theater owners are questioning if closing the doors to the big screen is necessary. “We have been applying protocols and safety procedures, we’ve been insisting that our guests wear masks or we have every CDC protocol in place,” Glantz said. READ: Michigan health director explains need for expanded COVID-19 restrictionsREAD: Can Michigan restaurants survive new COVID-19 restrictions? I’m concerned about our ability to continue to weather a period of time when we have no revenue,” he said.

COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Entertainment centers are reopening for the first time since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic first hit. That means bowling alleys, movie theaters and even trampoline parks have the green light to open again on Friday. READ: After six months, Michigan movie theaters, bowling alleys reopenWonder Lanes in Commerce Township opened back up. He’s been in league bowling and admits he needs to improve -- but returning to the bowling alley for him is more about returning to normal. READ: Michigan movie theaters, bowling alleys can reopen today

NOVI, Mich. – Movie theaters and bowling alleys are some of the last industries to be allowed to reopen in Michigan. Starting Friday, movie theaters, bowling alleys, trampoline parks and other entertainment venues are now allowed to open their doors for the first time since the pandemic began. Related: Emagine to reopen Michigan theaters on Oct. 9 with free tickets for frontline workersCustomers are required to wear a mask and there are attendance restrictions. As movie theaters received the green light to reopen, theaters -- like Emagine -- are looking forward to welcoming back guests. There is always the potential for outbreaks to happen in the midst of a pandemic and if that happens, Emagine theaters will rely on their rewards program to contact trace.

The advertiser paid a fee to promote this sponsored article and may have influenced or authored the content. Greg gave this movie 4 out of 5 reels. Tenet stars John David Washington who manipulates the flow of time to prevent World War III. This “history lesson” film stars Ethan Hawke (John Brown) , Daveed Diggs (Fredrick Douglas), Joshua Caleb Johnson (Henry Shackleford) and more. Greg gave this 4 out of 5 reels.

Here’s what you missed on Local 4 News at Noon:After six months, Michigan movie theaters, bowling alleys reopenStarting Friday, movie theaters, bowling alleys, trampoline parks and other entertainment venues are now allowed to open their doors for the first time since the pandemic began.

NOVI, Mich. – After more than six months of being closed, movie theaters and bowling alleys can finally reopen on Friday in Michigan. Previous: Coronavirus order chaos in Michigan: Here’s where things stand“It’s going to be a slow rebuild. We don’t expect a full attendance right away -- especially with the capacity restrictions,” said Emagine Entertainmen CEO Anthony Laverde. This goes for cinemas, bowling alleys and live theater. MORE: Reopening Michigan

Movie theaters and bowling alleys: More venues can reopen in Michigan today with COVID restrictionsIf you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

Movie theaters have been closed for more than six months in Michigan due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Whitmer signed an order to allow theaters to reopen on Oct. 9, with restrictions in place. Emagine Theatres says it will reopen its Michigan theaters on Oct. 9, with a special free ticket promotion for frontline workers through Oct. 15. To redeem this offer, please bring your valid work I.D., badge, nametag, etc., to the theatre when you purchase tickets. *Dates and times may vary, Michigan Emagine locations only open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

DETROIT – When Michigan was forced to shut down in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, it meant theaters and theater jobs went on a hiatus. Nationwide, an estimated 90 percent of those venues that were forced to close during the pandemic will likely not reopen. For the Royal Oak’s Stagecrafters Community Theater, the decision was to not only close but suspend their season on an opening night. Gretchen Whitmer allowing theaters and venues to reopen stating Oct. 9 may be the revival theaters and those who work inside them have been waiting for. That means for most small theaters, it’s not enough to keep the house lights on.

NOVI, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer amended the MI Safe Start order to reopen movie theaters and performance venues. READ: Michigan Gov. Whitmer reopens movie theaters, strengthens mask requirements in schoolsThe decision comes as Whitmer has been under increasing pressure to explain why businesses like casinos can open but theaters could not. We don’t expect a full attendance right away -- especially with the capacity restrictions,” said Emagine Entertainmen CEO Anthony Laverde.

Gretchen Whitmer amended the MI Safe Start order to reopen movie theaters and performance venues. That includes indoor theaters, cinemas, performance venues, arcades, bingo halls, bowling centers, indoor climbing facilities, trampoline parks, and more. As a result, we are now able to reopen movie theaters and performance venues with strict safety measures in place. Non-residential indoor venues must require a face coverings. Let’s all be smart and stay safe.”The governor today also signed Executive Order 2020-184, which updates the governor’s previous order on workplace safeguards to reflect the changes in the MI Safe Start Order.

The Royal Starr Arts Institute, a nonprofit arts organization, will be hosting its annual film festival, giving a platform to independent filmmakers from all over Michigan, The United States and abroad. While theatres are temporarily closed, the annual festival will be held virtually, with limited drive-in screenings. The Royal Starr Film Festival will be held from Thursday-Sunday at Emagine Theatre in Novi, located at 44425 West 12 Mile Road. RELATED: 4 ways to reduce the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) this fall in MichiganThis year we have seen amazing growth in the filmmaker community and the Royal Starr Arts Institute is here to do its part. Weve received hundreds of submissions internationally, across the country and right here, at home in Michigan," said Royal Starr Arts Institute president Luke Castle.

NEW YORK In a litmus test for American moviegoing in the pandemic, Christopher Nolan's Tenet brought in an estimated $20.2 million through the holiday weekend in U.S. and Canadian theaters. Theaters in Canada, where COVID-19 cases are much lower than in the U.S., began showing Tenet a week earlier. In two weeks of release, its overseas total is $126 million, with a global tally thus far of $146.2 million. The film, which cost $200 million to make and at least $100 million to market, will need to get close to $500 million to break even. Disney's The New Mutants," a long delayed X-Men spinoff, collected about $7 million in 2,412 locations last weekend.

LANSING, Mich. The owners of Michigan gyms and other businesses were hoping to hear the governor address reopening plans Wednesday, but that didnt happen. Gretchen Whitmer didnt officially announce a plan at her coronavirus (COVID-19) briefing, but she hinted that a decision should be revealed in the coming days. Business owners might be able to reopen after Labor Day, but they were hoping an official plan would be revealed Wednesday. For example, Ohios gyms have been open since May, and after initially saying football wouldnt happen, the Michigan High School Athletic Association did an about-face and said the final decision would be up to Whitmer. Whitmer said last week that she wouldnt be bullied into making these decisions.

ROYAL OAK, Mich. Emagine Royal Oak has postponed its Juneteenth Film Festival after they said Emagines chairman, Paul Glantz, was given a letter from the Attorney Generals Office threatening to bring criminal charges against him if the film festival proceeded as planned. The film festival was to benefit the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and has been indefinitely postponed. The second festival stie is in Minneapolis, MN and is expected to still hold a festival. To our friends at UNCF, we continue to believe in the benefits this Film Festival can bring to the community. The Royal Oak show will go on at a later date.

ROYAL OAK, Mich. Emagine Royal Oak will be opening this Friday for a film festival showcasing Black actors, directors and writers. Tickets are $10 and after royalties $6.50 of each ticket will go to the United Negro College Fund. Emagine Chairman Paul Glanz anticipates the film festival will go for a week. READ: Heres everything thats reopening today in Michigan after COVID-19 shutdownThe idea is to help some wonderful people at the United Negro College Fund, its a great charity, Glantz said. READ: List of Michigan pandemic executive orders that are still active