In no particular order, cause I love them all equally, I’ll start with a long-time favorite (Note: these will be my own personal favorites, which may or may not be yours and may or may not be found on some slick top ten list in a magazine somewhere; which means they are highly specific and my opinion, and have nothing to do w/ top coffee towns or top recreation cities or top singles or smart people cities. Feel free to agree or disagree, or if you don’t know cause you have never been . . . Go.)
The Colony Theater
The Colony TheaterBefore Madstone, before Galaxy, before the idea of multiplex independent film cinema existed–back when the (still-great) art-deco Rialto was the only art house theater in Raleigh, the owner of the very same Rialto opened the Colony twin screen theater in an older real-type ordinary Raleigh suburban shopping center at Six Forks and Millbrook Rd, just outside the beltline (above North Hills, look for the Food Lion on your right).
The Colony is Raleigh’s unsung hero if a place can be a hero. Although from the outside it looks like the sort of theater that would have closed in some other city long ago when the multiplex giants took over, inside the Colony is an oasis. Everything from international and independent, little-known hard to find films, to popular indie sleeper films, shown on two wide screens in large auditoriums, with comfortable theater seating complete with cup holders, and most importantly excellent sound and lighting. In this theater, you will never fume because the film is out of focus, or the lights didn’t go off when the film began, making a glare on the screen so you can’t see the film, because the projectionist cares enough about film and about you, the viewer, to stay in the booth long enough to make sure everything works properly before running off (which I’m sorry to say is not the case elsewhere).
This kind of reliable care and attention over many years has been and continues to be due to the manager, Denver Hill, a former English major, a long-time fan of good cinema. He has been at the Colony for as long as I can remember, starting out as many do there, with a teenage-type job, then growing into a first-class manager who keeps his place running the way it should: brisk, courteous service, without sacrificing its unique comfy, laid back, “let’s just hang out” atmosphere. The Colony has about the most eager to please, friendliest crew I’ve ever seen in a theater, serving up draft and bottled beer, wine, and other beverages along with the usual movie snacks, and always with smiles and a welcoming attitude. There are plush arm chairs, plants, and an enormous sofa that is so welcoming, people often sink down into its softness and read from the great selection of books (yes, there’s a bookcase full of donated books with a sign that invites you to take one if you like, and/or donate one).
Other reasons to arrive early and lounge about: you will want to read the long, growing bulletin board that takes up an entire wall with community messages and happenings, and browse through the magazines and flyers on the counter below the bulletin board. Or view the art exhibited on the remaining walls by area artists. Or come early and ask that friendly crew about what is coming next; get questions answered about film, advice on what to see. They actually know lots and love to chat about movies and community events.
Which brings me to the unsung hero part (aside from just being an awesome place to see movies): what sets the Colony apart from other art house theaters is Denver’s and his girlfriend Michelle’s dedication to Raleigh’s nonprofit groups, helping their causes. For example, tomorrow night — grab your pen –
Tuesday May 22 at 7 PM —- MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW
The Colony is showing “Kundun”
– a rarely seen film by the acclaimed director Martin Scorsese, that tells the story of the Dalai Lama’s exile from Tibet. The score is by Philip Glass, the Oscar-nominated avant-garde composer. Don’t miss this opportunity to see an excellent Scorsese film you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere else. Feel good knowing your $5 ticket price goes toward helping out the Kadampa Center, a Tibetan Buddhist community in Raleigh that needs funds for a new space.
Denver Hill has been doing this sort of thing for years, quietly, and never for his own glory, just wanting to help, welcoming community nonprofits who need space to view a film, hear speakers, raise funds; bringing together many of Raleigh’s groups around a film that ties into their cause, often packing the house, making the Colony not only a great place to gather and and view a film; but also an important force in the community.
It’s not all serious issue stuff!!
Denver loves to bring in favorite fun films, new 35 mm prints of classics, and runs movie events. Last week, we all enjoyed “Easy Rider”
Other fun films coming up:
| June 20 | The Dark Crystal |
|
July 18 |
2001 A Space Odyssey |
| August 15 | Temple of Doom |
Only 5 Bucks for these great films! You can call for other feature film showings, and prices, plus any other info: 856-0111.
One final tiny treat: if you are a lifetime lover of movies, look down at the carpet. It’s so cute.
Coming up soon —- Reason #2
Amen – the Colony is my favorite place in town. One of my favorite things is the ability to to hear the occasional bottle of empty beer roll down through the middle of the seat area – and as if it is some act of from above it never seems to smash after it’s roll through the plinco arena of seats. If not for the Colony I would not be able to see some of the first run indy films that I wait for. Thank you Jebus…
“Although from the outside it looks like the sort of theater that would have closed in some other city long ago when the multiplex giants took over” …
Not just a coincidence there, really. This theater location has a history – it was a very popular 99 cent theater when I was in high school, long before Blue Ridge existed.
hmmm… this post just added to my google reader 7 hours ago. So by the time I read it, it was the 23rd.
Dang. Not off to a good start, of all the things to do in Raleigh, we get #1; a movie theater. I understand an independently owned theater is nice, “real” and roots. But there has got to be better things going on in Raleigh than a movie theater…
Not a knock on the effort; just the #1 is weak in my opinion (I know it was not ranked, just hoping for a bigger splash).
Nice article…I agree the Colony is great, as well as their parent theatre, the Rialto. Their owners (locally-owned Ambassador Entertainment) also deserve much credit for Mission Valley Cinema…another older theatre that would certainly be empty today if not for their support! (Not to mention, the only cineplex left inside-the-beltline.)
Good work AE!
raleighbob you are right! mission valley is an asset to the whole town, esp. for students. its fun to go there for the typical “college humor” movies just to see it with the crowd. and their draft beer selection is great and cheap!
Something else that rolls well down the concrete floor are peanut m&m’s. Not that I have ever spilled an entire bag during a serious film or anything. . .
One thing to note – they only take cash. No debit cards.
Also, only came into the feed reader today – missed the film last night. Don’t know if that’s a Raleighing thing or a reader thing.
thanks Rhonda. i had forgotten about the Colony. can’t wait to read the rest of your list.
rhonda.
you are dead on.
as usual.
CarnifeX, the big splashy things are fine and certainly get us on the map, but it is the little things that make YOUR city into YOUR city…a city that you love. The things you really miss about your city when you leave. I’m with Rhonda. The Colony is great. And I will add a sub #1 — Cinema, Inc. Raleigh’s oldest running “film society” For you movie lovers who do not know what this is, check this out: http://www.cinema-inc.org/ Once a month, Sunday night movies for anyone who loves good movies. 12 shows, one a month, at the Rialto. A steal for $20 and it is great to see these movies again, or for the first time, on the wide screen. And Rialto has such great popcorn. Thank you Ambassador, for Colony, Rialto and MV.
Sorry this was delayed and some of you missed Kundun. My fault. Probably.
Yes! The sound of the beer bottle rolling down the slanted floor, muffled giggles marking its path–what can you do but laugh as it comes by your seat but you can’t see it in the dark, so you can’t grab it or anything–so on it goes merrily, and no one ever knows where it eventually comes to rest. Except that hard working staff that cleans up after.
Splash? Nothing on my list has splash, sorry. Splash is noise. Which is the opposite of what I’m after with this list. Splash is the sound that people above the surface hear when something with substance makes a plunge into deep water. The sound of splash dies quickly, while the thing that made that sound continues on through depths so mysterious and strange and delightful you must dive in to know, follow until it reaches the ocean floor where you will find other sunken treasure, along with beer bottles from the Colony and the Rialto.
Warning: if you are looking for splash, don’t read the second installment, coming soon. It will put you to sleep. I’m serious. Skip the next one.
I’ve recently found this great little blog while doing some completely unrelated research and am glad I did. As a die hard movie fan (and ex movie theatre worker and manager over Chapel Hill way for many years), I’m glad to see there are others who share my love for The Colony.
Every comment you make right about the technical aspects being followed is dead on and I suspect will *always* be that way, even though I’m sure the need for a projectionist is all too quickly dying out as film is being savaged for DVD and other (read: cheaper to distribute, show, and milk for every dollar) technologies in the biz. I’ve seen the future of film presentation and it’s scary. But it’s the professionalism, attention to patrons, and willingness to show ‘the small gems’, are what makes a theatre away from simply being entertainment to being a much loved place to visit and meet friends…regardless of what’s on screen. Forget all the multiplexes with the copycat boxes; give me genuine devotion to the art every day.
The Colony does it right and the way it should be…and I warmly promote them to anyone and everyone I can. Not sure it’s a No 1 (and again, not a knock, just an observation as someone else has stated previously), but definitely in the top 8 for certain.
Yes, Raleighing is definitely picking up steam lately with Rhonda’s posts. You might also want to check out RDU-WTF http://www.rduWTF.com
I scan this site periodically hoping that most of Raleigh’s true hidden gems will remain hidden. Please keep all references to Cinema Inc and similar venues to yourself and close family.
Let’s hear it for the RALEIGH GRANDE!
Despite Crank’s admonition about not to mention it…..I will not that Cinema, Inc. just selected the films for its 2007/2008 season: http://www.cinema-inc.org/07_08_Schedule.htm
It is the usual varied list and I am looking forward to them all!
Thank all you folks for your kind words. I am glad our efforts are noticed. We have a great staff and great patrons. Also, please check out our Six Forks location.
Plesae let us know what you like about our theatre and on what we can improve at our Colony, Mission Valley, Rialto, and Six Forks cinemas.
See ya at the movies,
Bill Peebles