There is no question about it. The CineStarz Deluxe Cavendish, which opened last summer, is catching on with the community.
Look no further than me. Since the pandemic hit, I have watched most movies via streaming services. Yet there is nothing like seeing a motion picture on this big screen. This past weekend I went to see two matinees, Shazam! Fury of Gods and Air.
The place is kind of addictive. Owner Bruce Gurberg inherited a gutted theatre that Cineplex Odeon had operated. It was rundown and frankly when I wanted to see a movie, I usually avoided it and headed downtown or to St. Laurent, Marché Central or LaSalle.
Gurberg installed state-of-the-art DPX sound, laser projection, massive screens and the most comfortable leather seats you will find anywhere, with an electronic reclining feature.
The concessions stands were busy both days and so was the full bar. Gurberg obtained a liquor license when he opened the complex a few months ago. Now those of age can come for a drink before or after the movie.
CineStarz Deluxe also proved to be a good refuge center in recent days for many people who had no power in their homes. It is open seven days a week, day and night.
Now for the movies I saw. I was a big fan of the original Shazam television show back in the 1970s. When the first movie came out in 2019, I was not compelled to go see it. With the long weekend upon us, my wife and I decided to go the movies. We checked the lineup at CineStarz and saw Shazam! Fury of The Gods. So on the Friday night we watched the 2019 version on Apple TV+ and we liked it. In this version Billy Batson is an orphan who gains special powers by shouting out the word Shazam! He is a DC super hero, with Asher Angel as the younger version and Zachary Levi as his alter-ego and the man in the fancy lightning suit. We get to meet his foster brothers and sisters, who by the end of the first movie become super heroes as well. I must say it was pretty cool not to have waited four years to see the sequel. Shazam! Fury of Gods has everything from humour, action and violence to crashes, destruction, monsters and a terrifying dragon.
Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu play the baddies. The film is based in Philadelphia and we see Citizens Bank Park, home to baseball’s Phillies and the Ben Franklin Bridge destroyed with some great special effects.
I am so glad I did not have to wait to see Air on a streaming service. This is the behind the scenes true story of how Nike convinced the family of the now legendary Michael Jordan to sign an endorsement deal with them – despite heavy competition from Converse and Adidas. Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman and Viola Davis play leading roles in this superb film. The theatre I was in was nearly full, with people of all ages. At the entrance, Bernie Gurberg (Bruce's dad) told me that young kids were heading in and showing them their “Air Jordan” shoes. It was fascinating to learn that even today Michael Jordan collects $400 million a year in royalties from that brand and he has his mom (played by Davis) to thank for it. I really loved all the retro in this film from the 80s, be it the music, the clothes, the cars and Damon’s excitement over getting a rental with a phone in it.
Business has been good lately at CineStarz, which is in my district. Bruce tells me Super Mario Brothers is really bringing in the crowds.
To see what is playing go to: https://www.cinestarz.ca/movie-theater/deluxecavendish
