Entertainment Emagine Theater

Readers' choice for best

movie theater.

Allan Nahajewski { Contributing Writer

e strive to give you the
best movie-going experi-
ence possible," said
Ruth Daniels, senior vice
president of advertising, sales and market-
ing for Emagine Entertainment. "That's the
key to our success."
That philosophy is working. Jewish News
readers have selected Emagine as the
area's best movie theater.
"We're delighted to be recognized by the
readers of the Jewish News," said Daniels.
"We've hosted events for several Jewish
organizations, and this honor reaffirms that
our theaters are continuing to deliver on
our promise."
Awards are nothing new for Emagine
Theatres, which previously have been
recognized as the best by the Detroit Free
Press, Detroit News, Observer and Eccentric
Newspapers, Metro Times, Real Detroit,
Hour Magazine and WDIV.
Emagine theaters can be found in Royal
Oak, Novi, Canton, Rochester Hills, Wood-
haven, Clio and Birch Run. In total, these
theaters have 80 screens, accommodating
more than 15,000 moviegoers in auditori-
ums of 90 to 450 seats.

Setting The Standard

Technology and luxury are Emagine's trade-
marks.
Emagine was first theater chain in the
industry to convert to 100 percent digital
projection. In 1997, Emagine's Cinema Hol-
lywood in Birch Run was the first theater in
Michigan to open with all stadium seating.
At most Emagine locations, luxury sec-
tions in some auditoriums include reserved

24 JN Best of Michigan • December 2013

seating and other upscale amenities, such as
valet parking.
Emagine Royal Oak includes boutique
bowling and a banquet center.
All Emagine Theatres offer adult patrons
the option of enjoying their favorite cocktail,
beer or wine. A two-drink maximum is
strictly enforced.
Emagine auditoriums are equipped with
low-light surveillance cameras as a security
measure.
The quest to provide the best movie-go-
ing experience led to the creation in 2012 of
"The Emagine Entertainment Experience,"
also known as E3. E3 premium large-format
auditoriums in the Royal Oak, Canton and
Novi locations feature enormous floor-to-
ceiling screens, outstanding digital sound
and picture quality, ultra-comfortable seats
and exquisite decor.
With the movie industry moving to an
early release schedule for large-format
theaters, Emagine took the initiative to set a
new standard.
"We studied other premium large-format
auditoriums and designed our own," said
David Zylstra, vice president of technology
for Emagine Entertainment. "We enlarged
the screens to be floor-to-ceiling, and we
are still able to qualify for Xbrite 3D files,
which are three times brighter than regular
3D. The audio systems were put on steroids
with 7.1 surround sound, tri-amplified stage
channels and thunderous sub-bass. We kept
our best-in-class projectors for the highest-
quality digital projection."
A year ago, Dolby Atmos sound was in-
stalled in the premium auditoriums in Royal
Oak, Canton and Novi.

"It's the most significant development in
audio since surround sound," said Zylstra.
"It's a unique layered approach to sound
design, delivering a powerful and dramatic
new listening experience. It creates a natural
and lifelike environment that matches the
story and reflects the artist's intent."
Emagine Theatres have come a long
way in a short time. Paul Glantz, founder
and president, opened the Novi location in
2002. He previously co-owned a one-screen
theater in Clarkston and built Cinema Hol-
lywood in Birch Run in 1997. The Canton
theater opened in 2004, followed by new
theaters in Woodhaven in 2009, Rochester
Hills in 2010 and Royal Oak in 2011.

A Wealth Of Special Touches

The Royal Oak location includes the Star

Lanes restaurant and sports bar with a ban-
quet center with a large reception hall and
a private room with bowling, billiards and
shuffleboard, as well as a small lounge.
"It's becoming quite a popular location
for special events, and you don't have to
bring anything in — everything is there —
bowling, banquet hall, dance floor, video
montages," says Daniels. "It's great for
wedding events, bar and bat mitzvahs or
corporate and personal holiday parties of
all sizes. We can host everything from a sit-
down dinner for 200, a strolling dinner for
up to 800, a team-building activity for 50 or
a small gathering for a family."
New to Emagine Royal Oak are the
All-Access Pass and Family Fun Day Pass.
"These cover movies, popcorn, bowling, in-
cluding shoes, and a meal all for one price,"
says Daniels. "It's a great way to spend a