Dinner and a movie rolled into one, is the premise behind AMC’s Fork and Screen Buckhead theatre. Located in the Tower Walk shopping center at 3340 Peachtree Road NE, the Fork and Screen provides seating at a table top or counter, where you are able to dine as you enjoy your flick. With adjustable leather seats, seat-side service, and a call button at your seat, there is no need to miss the movie to get your popcorn, in fact there is no need for popcorn at all with their extensive menu. The menu includes a appetizers, salads, burgers, entrees, grillers, pizzettas, desserts, and a kid’s meal for $6.29. Entrees run from $9.99 to $10.99, burgers are about the same. They also have large selection on beer, wine and mixed drinks. If you prefer to stick to the basics, there is a traditional concession stand located in the lobby as well.
Free parking is available at the shopping center for up to 3 hours, and you must be 18 or older to enter the theater unless accompanied by and adult 21 or older. Kids 2-12 pay $5 for admission, and adults pay $10. However, the Fork and Screen offers a Weekday Escape deal for adults, available Monday-Thursday, all day Friday, and Saturday-Sunday, tickets are only $5 for any show beginning before 4pm (not including holidays).The theater is equipped with digital surround sound, online ticketing, and the Movie Watcher Program (AMC’s movie-point program). For more information on the theatre and showtimes, call (404) 467-9619, or go to www.moviewatcher.com
Another option, for those who prefer a full-course meal with their movie, is the Northlake Movie Tavern. Located inside of the Northlake Festival Shopping Center at 4043 LaVista Road in Tucker, the Northlake Movie Tavern offers a similar movie experience to the Fork and Screen. There is no call button at your seat in this theater, instead, movie watchers must place their orders at the concession stand in the lobby, and are then served in their seats. Their edible selections include appetizers, salads, burgers, pizzas, desserts, popcorn, candy, and soda. Beer, wine and margaritas are available from the lobby bar.
Movie Tavern prices are slightly more reasonable at $5 for children and seniors, $5 for all matinées, $8 for adults Friday- Saturdays evenings, and $7 for adults Sunday-Thursday evenings. Ticketing is also available on their website at www.movietavern.com, or by phone at (678) 680-5787.
For art house and indie flicks there are few venerable options in the city of Atlanta. Midtown Art Cinema is one of the more well-known independent, foreign language, and documentary film theaters in Atlanta. Recently renovated, the new concession stand offers a large selection including gourmet candies, baked goods and a full espresso bar. Just outside the theater, there are two additional restaurants in the courtyard. Voted Best Place to See a Movie (Readers’ Pick) by Creative Loafing in 2007, this theater features a film club, surround sound,online ticketing, and an incredible selection of films not available in commercial theaters. Landmark’s Midtown Art Cinema is located at 931 Monroe Drive, in Atlanta, and can be reached by phone at (678) 495-1424, or visit online at www.landmarktheatres.com
If you would like to participate in your movie experience, or you are looking for a blast from the past, swing by the historic Plaza Theatre. The Plaza Theatre, located at 10490 Ponce De Leon Avenue in Atlanta has been entertaining the locals since 1939. It’s Art Deco interior and restored antique chairs and chandelairs, combined with the light musty smell of age, provide an air of romance for any film junkie. Gold and velvet curtains, light sconces, and classic film posters incorporate history and nostalgia into your movie experience. The theatre has only two screens, lending to the intimacy of a small independently run movie theatre. There is a traditional concession stand, and a small arcade with vintage games in the spacious lobby, as well as an ever changing art gallery.
The Plaza Theatre currently focuses on event-centered films, in which the audience is part of the show. Some of their weekly and monthly events include, Splatter Cinema, Silver Scream Spook Show, Flicks & Giggles, Summer Camp, and Art Opening and a movie, and the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Splatter Cinema is a movie event featuring the goriest movies around, and Silver Scream Spook Show shows classic scary movies like “Frankenstein” after a lively pre-show hosted by a ghost who entertains with comedy, magic and dance performances. Flicks & Giggles is held every last Tuesday of the month at 9:30pm, where a classic comedy film follows live stand up form local comedians. Summer Camp screens the campiest movies around, hosted a drag queen called Ruby Red. Art Opening and a movie, features a classic movie, coupled with a complementary art show in the lobby, and last but not least on the list of interactive fare, is the Rocky Horror Picture show hosted by Lips Down on Dixie performance group, every Friday night at midnight. Movie attendees are encouraged to dress up for these events.
Live entertainment shows vary in price, but do not exceed $10. Regular movie screenings are $7.50 for adults, $6 for children, seniors and matinées. This theater is also cash only.
For a different kind of throw back, check out the Starlight Six Drive-In Theaters at 2000 Moreland Ave SE in Atlanta. The Starlight Six is a six screen drive in open all year round (in the winter only 2 screens are used), and offer up double features for $7 for adults and $1 for kids 3-9 (cash only). Gates open at 7:30pm Monday through Thursday, and 6:30pm Friday through Sunday, and the movies start at 8:30pm. Plenty of time to get a good parking spot, grab some snacks at the concession stand and throw the ball around before the movie starts. For movie times and schedules call (404) 627-5786 or go to www.starlightdrivein.com.
