Kent Edwards has a gift for Tucsonans.
It’s wrapped up in a century-old building that has vibrant yellow walls in the lobby; a buffed-up snack bar where you can get fresh popcorn, hummus, beer and wine; a couple of vintage movie projectors on display; and posters of a slew of movies all made in the Tucson area.
Go a little deeper into this gift and you’ll find the auditorium, where movies — new, near-new, indie and art flicks — are regularly screened. That’s something that hasn’t happened downtown in about 40 years.
And the viewing experience has been kicked up more than a few notches.
“We’ve really amped up and improved the movie presentation,” says Edwards as he leads the way into the theater. Edwards is managing partner of Grand Cinemas, which took over the Screening Room in June.
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“These are new seats with cup holders, we comply with ADA regulations, have aisle lighting, and the screen has gone from 16 feet to 23 feet — essentially, from wall to wall.”
He points to speakers that provide surround sound and to the projection booth, which holds a state-of-the-art digital projector.
“The projection booth use to be right here,” he says, indicating an area in the middle of the theater now filled by refurbished seats. The new projection equipment is right where it should be — in a room behind and above the seats.
The upgrades aren’t just a lure for movie goers — it makes the theater more attractive to filmmakers, too.
“They want it to be immaculate,” says Edwards.
While Edwards won’t be competing with the multiplex for blockbusters on opening day, he promises fresh exciting cinema: new indie films, nearly-new flicks — “Gone Girl” opens Friday — and in his series he calls “Sunday Spotlight,” there will be screenings of performances from the likes of The Royal Opera House, Opera de Paris, Shakespeare’s Globe and the Royal Ballet.
While movies are the popcorn and butter of the Screening Room, it certainly isn’t the only thing you’ll find there.
Edwards is making the 114-seat theater available to anyone who wants to use it — to show their own movies, or host birthday parties, dance and music performances and whatever else makes sense.
The Tucson Jazz Festival in January will hold a few events there, and the Opera Guild plans a fundraiser in February. At $75 an hour, renting the space is a bargain for most groups.
“Where our niche is is to be here and available,” says Edwards.
And to show movies in downtown, of course.
