State-of-the-art theaters put stars in the eyes of moviegoers

Las Vegas may be the entertainment capital of the world, but not many would extend that definition to include moviegoing.

We don't always get the latest Oscar-bait releases until the folks on both coasts have had the chance to see them. And some movies don't make their local debuts until they hit DVD (or pay-per-view).

Yet when it comes to where we see the movies that do play here, locals have it better than most, given Southern Nevada's ample supply of state-of-the-art theaters equipped with the latest cinematic bells and whistles, from digital projection to stadium seating.

And these theaters aren't just for movies anymore.

Increasingly, digital projection makes it possible to transform movie theaters into concert halls and sports arenas, presenting everything from Metropolitan Opera productions to football games, lectures and town hall meetings.

Week in and week out, however, most people go to movie theaters to see ... movies.

Unlike a few decades ago, when you wanted to see a particular movie in Las Vegas, you went to a specific theater, because exclusive runs were the norm. (Nostalgia fans can recapture the feel of that long-gone era at Henderson's Cinedome, which is the last of its breed, complete with curved screen and domed ceiling.)

These days, by contrast, every big release shows up at almost every theater in the valley, from South Point to Aliante Station.

Less than three miles separates The Orleans and Palms casinos, for example, yet their multiplexes play many of the same movies at the same time despite the proximity. (Indeed, there are only two truly competitive booking zones remaining in Southern Nevada: Boulder Station versus Sam's Town on the Boulder Strip and Suncoast versus Village Square in the Summerlin-Peccole Ranch area.)

And while most Southern Nevada movie theaters are inside casinos, a few stand-alone multiplexes (Rave's Town Square, Century's Cinedome, Galaxy's Neonopolis, Regency's Tropicana Cinemas and Regal's Colonnade, Rainbow, Showcase and Village Square) provide an alternative for those who would rather not combine moviegoing with weaving through banks of slot machines.

Yet some casinos -- including Boulder Station, the Cannery, Green Valley Ranch and the Palms -- have solved the hike-the-casino problem by placing their theaters near a separate entrance, thereby earning the thanks of harried parents escorting impressionable kiddies to the latest gotta-see-it cartoon.

Meanwhile, multiple runs on multiple screens (and computerized ticketing, available at most local theaters) have made it possible to see the weekend's hottest movie without marathon waits in line.

But other factors come into play when choosing where to see what you want to see.

If you're looking for the biggest screen around, head for one of Southern Nevada's four IMAX theaters (at Aliante Station, the Palms, Red Rock and Sunset Station), where enhanced versions of Hollywood blockbusters, many in IMAX 3-D, have replaced nature documentaries.

And although only four local theaters (Aliante, Cannery, Fiesta and Town Square) have all-digital capability all the time, almost every local multiplex has at least one digital screen setup, making possible 3-D and other special screenings.

Some purists (Steven Spielberg among them) remain loyal to making films on film, citing its visual depth and richness. But digital projection eliminates the need for theaters to handle all those bulky reels of film -- and also eliminates all the scratches and splices that accompany chewed-up film prints.

Southern Nevada's multiplex building boom pays off in other ways as well.

Most of the area's first-run theaters boast plush rocker seats with cupholder armrests and tiered stadium seating, enabling patrons to see even when they're sitting behind big-haired (or big-hatted) audience members. (Rave's Town Square raves about its 4 feet of legroom between rows.)

Even so, it's unusual in most local theaters when audience members seated on the aisle have to stand so fellow moviegoers can get to their middle-of-the-row seats.

Beyond the auditoriums, some local multiplexes go beyond the generic neon-accented multiplex model to augment their atmosphere with movie-centric decor.

Even though they're now owned by Cinemark, for example, the trademark murals at Century Theatres' local multiplexes remain to convey an exuberant Hooray-for-Hollywood vibe. (The South Point adds a star-spangled ceiling for even more pizazz.) And speaking of stars, Brenden's Palms multiplex conjures vintage Tinseltown flair with its walk-of-fame forecourt. (Hardly a surprise, considering owner Johnny Brenden used to work at his grandfather's movie palace, Hollywood's legendary Chinese Theatre.)

Regal's Boulder Station, meanwhile, echoes its home casino's railroad theme, from a snack bar that resembles a fanciful streamline-era train station to a hallway lined with lighted panels recalling passenger cars streaking by in the night -- or a model train rolling around a Christmas-tree track.

Ultimately, however, there's one question that remains paramount -- and universal -- in any moviegoer's mind: What's playing?

A longtime veteran of the studio distribution wars once put the answer to that fundamental question in perspective.

A circuit can have the most palatial theater in town, he said -- but if the dumpy old barn down the street is showing "Star Wars," everyone knows which theater will be packed on Saturday night.

Contact movie critic Carol Cling at ccling@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0272.