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IPic: IConfused, but ILiked
Completing my Christmas tradition of Chinese food and a movie, I finally checked out the new IPic theater at Bayshore Tuesday. It's a little overwhelming at first, but overall, it's a great way to see a movie.
We bought our matinee tickets online for $5.50, and that came with valet parking and a free bag of popcorn. Signage was ample to find the theater, but after that, I felt a little on my own.
It felt a lot like Vegas inside the theater. Bars, restaurants and a bowling alley you have to see to believe flank the movie section. The concessions stand is also the bar, apparently, and it's devoid of easy-to-find prices (I know this because my wife almost bought us a half bottle of $46 champagne). Best I could tell, prices for the full bar and snack area were posted on a rotating digital menu, but there seemed to be a fair amount of confusion during this process. The popcorn was prepackaged and tasted like cardboard -- but who can argue with free? The drinks are at a premium cost (like all movie food is). Our group of four enjoyed a $25 bottle of Seven Deadly Zins while we sat back and watched "Charlie Wilson's War."
It's not really labeled, but if you turn the corner, you'll find a bowling alley with perhaps the two largest TVs of all time -- effectively, they are movie screens filling up the entire wall above the pins. I can imagine this would be a great way to watch a Brewers game. Behind the alley is the gourmet restaurant, but again, a lack of signage makes navigation a little tricky.
As for the movie theater part, ushers actually bring you to your assigned seats. We got stuck in the front row, but as the seats are so spread apart and reclinable, it wasn't a problem. The screens are far bigger than what you'd find at your typical theater, and the seats are far more comfortable. The only problem is that because you're so spread out, it's hard to lean over to share popcorn or ask a question.
I wish I had a little more time to discover all the nuances of the IPic. It had a fun and upscale feel to it, and could be a great rainy day diversion. And, priced as competitively as every other theater, it even feels like a good value. I've heard people say that mashing together a movie theater, gourmet restaurant and bowling alley won't work. And to that I say, why not? If this is the new direction of American movie theaters, then count me in.
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gregryan | Feb. 9, 2008 at 12:31 p.m. (report)
I took my wife to the Ipix theater a couple of weeks ago and I have to admit they are nice theatres...not sure where you got the $5.50 entry fee since we paid $11.00. That's $5.50 for the movie and $5.50 for the VIP access....now you HAVE to pay that VIP fee...it gives you popcorn and valet parking (if you know where to drive to) and reserved seating...Would I go back? Probably not. I don't always get popcorn and I doubt I'd ever use the valet parking...
The experience was good except for price, though.
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DrMustard | Dec. 30, 2007 at 11:35 a.m. (report)
Ditto - Where do you get the $5.50 tickets? I liked the sound of that, but all I found were $11 tickets. At that price, I think I'll park my own car and go elsewhere,
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JKranky | Dec. 29, 2007 at 4:31 p.m. (report)
I would have found it interesting if this blog had mentioned something about why its called iPics ie: is there a different concept going on there? More movie choices? Movies get switched faster? You pic wha gets played on the screen? Is it just the same old thing, but they used the word iPic to catch some demographic? May we have some basic journalism here?
EDITOR'S NOTE: While we appreciate the Talkback, JKranky, you may want to explore our site before deriding our journalism. If you'd bothered to use the search function on our homepage and tap in "iPic," you'll find a business listing and a complete article that staff writer Julie Lawrence did about the business. (Check it out at http://onmilwaukee.com/market/articles/ipicentertainment.html). Thanks again for participating and thank you for reading OnMilwaukee.com.
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drwhodat | Dec. 28, 2007 at 8:02 p.m. (report)
how did you get tickets for $5.50? i went to the site and it said matinees were $11 apiece
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mitchgat | Dec. 28, 2007 at 11:46 a.m. (report)
RE: no name...
Yup, closer to home... I could walk to a downtown theater, I can't walk to Bayshore.
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