New Theater Brightens Post Falls Lineup

Christmas could be a “Big Night” in Post Falls. Not only is that the night the sixscreen Post Falls Cinemas is scheduled to open, but that’s even the name of one of the films set to debut there.

Located just east of Post Falls Mazda on Seltice Way, the movie multiplex is part of a planned entertainment complex that ultimately promises to boast a sports center with two ice rinks, a gymnasium, sporting goods store and sports tavern.

Initially scheduled to open Nov. 22, but postponed more than once by various delays, the movie house plans to debut a mostly mainstream schedule that includes such films as “Beavis and Butt-Head Do America,” “My Fellow Americans” and “One Fine Day.”

But, says project co-owner Larry Blair, the art-house favorite “Big Night” will play there, too.

Blair, who will oversee the theater’s management, owns a fourscreen movie theater in Sandpoint. And he co-owns Spokane’s Magic Lantern Cinemas with Kathryn Graham. Although there is no connection between the three operations, Blair does intend occasionally to play art-themed movies in the Post Falls Cinemas.

“Now and then, at one of the smaller screens, we’ll either move over a picture (from the Magic Lantern) or bring something in like ‘Big Night,’ ” Blair said. “So it’ll give a bit better mix than, perhaps, Act III was doing.”

ACT III Theatres, which is based in Portland, operates 33 of 37 screens in Spokane - the exceptions being the three-screen Magic Lantern and the single-screen Garland Dollar Theatre - and all 10 Coeur d’Alene screens. “Big Night,” which played briefly at ACT III’s Lyons Ave. Cinemas, was picked up by the Magic Lantern.

Of the Post Falls Cinemas’ six screens, two will have 125 seats with a center aisle, two will have 180 seats and side aisles and two will have 260 seats split in three sections.

“So it’s a very nice layout with huge screens and surround-sound,” Blair said. “Design-wise, it gives you a very good feeling, and it should be very comfortable.”

At the same time, Blair admitted, his theater will be mistaken for a movie-house mecca about the same time that Post Falls itself is mistaken for Hollywood.

“It’s like any other theater,” Blair said with a laugh. “You lay down your money and then you yell, ‘Hey, turn the sound up! It’s out of focus!’ “

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo