Cinema Grill
Popular as a form of entertainment during the 1970s, film with dinner is now a relic of the past. One of only 17 such venues left in the U.S., Cinema Grill competes with the stadium seats and new multiplexes due to the quality service and the innovative use of special events featuring new and classic films. The menu is heavy on finger foods including mozzarella sticks, potato skins, nachos, poppers and mushrooms. For the big appetite, steak and chicken dinner quesadillas are served. Prices start at $4.50 for fries and rise to $8.25 for quesadillas. Popcorn is also available. Pizzas with all the usual toppings and salads are reasonably priced beginning at $5.25. Sandwiches run in the $8 range and feature chicken and hamburgers. Desserts are also available, as well as wine coolers, wine (Turning Leaf and Beringer), and domestic and imported beers (including the local micro brew from Mad Anthony). The main first-run feature runs three times per day and the second feature twice daily. Prices start at $5 for matinees. Regular showings are $7, with special rates for seniors and children. Film titles and times are available at: http://www.northwoodcinemagrill.com/index.php. Cinema Grill is located in the Northwood Plaza at 6069 Stellhorn Road in Fort Wayne. For additional information, call 260.492.4234.
Cinema Center
While larger cities have lost their art film houses, Fort Wayne’s is alive and well. Two classic films are offered at the downtown location, running at approximately 6:00 and 8:30 p.m. daily. Special programming includes film discussions, Lombardapalooza (Fort Wayne’s own comedienne) and visits with filmmakers, many from the local area. Parking is limited at the downtown location, while the Tech campus has many spaces open for the evening showings. Cinema Center is located at 437 East Berry Street on the east side of the downtown area. Call 260.426.3456 with questions. A second Cinema Center is located on the campus of Indiana Tech in the Andorfer Commons at 1600 East Washington Boulevard. Membership provides reduced admission and a free bag of popcorn.
Regal Coldwater Crossing
Stadium seating in fourteen theaters is featured at this branch of the Regal chain, located at 211 West Washington Center Road in Fort Wayne. Parking is abundant and free. Food is typical movie fare: popcorn, hotdogs, drinks and monster boxes of candy. The theater offers a reward program for items purchased at the snack bar and souvenirs but not for general admission, which runs $8.50. Clean theaters and nice cushy seats are featured. Current films are shown and listed on the Regal chain website at www.regmovies.com.
Coventry 13/Starplex Cinema
Coventry 13, now part of Starplex Cinema, is a great buy in movie viewing. The price of admission on Tuesdays is a mere $2, with $3 tickets on all other days. The films are fresh out of first run and the theater lacks long ticket lines as well as the inferior sound of many second-run cinemas. The cost of food rivals the first-run houses, but you won’t mind paying it since the admission is so cheap. Lots of free parking in front of the cinemas. Located at the rear of Coventry Plaza, the street address is 5495 Coventry Lane. For information call 260.436.6320. The automated movie line is available at 260.436.6312.
The Rave Multiplex
The Rave was once Fort Wayne’s only theater with stadium seating. The theater is located at the north end of Jefferson Pointe Shopping Center at 4250 West Jefferson Boulevard. Admission is $8.50 for adults; seniors and children have a $2 discount. The movie house has 18 screens all showing first-run films. Friday and Saturday nights are teen date nights, so if you like quiet in the theater, choose a different night. Parking is free, but plan to arrive early since parking spaces near the theater can be scarce. A special feature is the free Family Film Festival that begins in June and runs through the summer months. Call 260.432.1732 for additional information.
