In honor of Sunday night’s 82nd Academy Awards with hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin, Datebook has taken stock of Des Moines metro movie theaters. We criss-crossed the city to test seat cushions, munch concessions and assess which theaters are a cut above the competition. From the Best Concessions award to our equivalent of the Oscar for Best Picture, Best Overall Theater, these are our findings. The envelope, please ...
Best Overall Theater: Fleur Cinema & Café
The Fleur Cinema and Café almost has it all: the most intelligent Hollywood films, the critically acclaimed indie films, even the occasional local film. Combine that with modern décor, a diverse menu of concessions and reasonable prices — in a refurbished space that once was occupied by a run-of-the-mill multiplex. It’s clear why this locally owned theater has drawn audiences since 2001, without having to rely on blockbusters.
Runners up: Century 20 offers up the latest, splashiest Hollywood fare in a posh, pricey package. The Varsity plays art-house films in a historical theater and remains the most economical option.
Best 3-D Option: Springwood 9
Springwood 9 is locally owned and family operated and is one of the lowest-cost options for 3-D in the metro ($6 matinee, $8 adults, $6 child, with a $2 surcharge for 3-D.) With two 3-D screens, and one more on the way by April 2, Springwood 9 is a great suburban alternative to the busy theaters west of the metro.
Runners up: Wynnsong 16 ($6.50 matinee, $9 adult, $6.50 child/senior, with a $3 service charge for 3-D) has four screens on which to view 3-D films — meaning more showtimes and less standing in line. Century 20 ($6.50 matinee, $6.25 child/senior, $9 weekday adult, $9.50 weekend adult, with a $3 surcharge for 3-D) has three 3-D screens, with several more planned for the near future.
Most Luxurious/Comfy: Century 20
Located in the Jordan Creek Town Center mall in West Des Moines, Century 20 boasts state-of-the-art facilities and stadium seating. The multiplex is well-maintained, clean and about as comfortable as they come. It is one of the select facilities owned by the CineMark chain that is designated as a "CineArts" theater, so it also often features indie flicks as well.
Runners up: Fleur Cinema & Café brims with modern décor — sort of like a posh coffeehouse in which you can sip wine while pondering plotlines. The Varsity’s cozy historical setting in the middle of Drake’s Dogtown neighborhood provides a laid-back vibe.
Biggest/Best Screen: Blank IMAX Dome Theater
Locally, it’s hard to beat a six-story wraparound, all-over visual and aural experience that one finds at the Science Center of Iowa. With 12,000 watts of digital surround sound, the facility serves up educational yet fun films, as well as the occasional wide release on its 70-foot-wide screen. ("Avatar" opens on Friday in 2-D.)
Runners up: Merle Hay Cinema’s 60-by-26-foot screen and gently sloping floor provide the ultimate throwback film experience. The Varsity has a large screen and is rich in history and charm; everyone should experience a movie here at least once.
Best Concessions: Fleur Cinema & Café
With the closing of Billy Joe’s Pitcher Show in West Des Moines (the bar is still there, just not the movies), the Fleur is the only remaining theater where moviegoers can sip beer ($4.50-$5.50) or wine ($6) in addition to the pop and popcorn staples while watching some of the best indie and wide-release films available. You can also order cheesecake ($3.50), brownies ($1.50), coffee ($1.50-$3.25) and more.
Runners up: Century 20 features Starbucks coffee ($3.45-$3.95), hand-scooped Edy’s ice cream ($3-$3.75), pizza ($6) and more. The Varsity boasts some of the lowest prices in town, and the popcorn ($1.35-$4) is slathered in real butter.
Best for Kids: Blank IMAX Dome Theater
For a few dollars above the price of an IMAX admission, moviegoers can gain access to the experience platforms housed in the rest of the 110,000-foot facility of the Science Center of Greater Iowa, including the Star Theater planetarium. Combining education with pure kiddie fun, the Science Center’s interactive offerings are unmatched locally.
Runners up: Besides being adjacent to a mall, Century 20 also features an arcade and matinees. Wynnsong 16 includes an arcade, and its stadium seating allows even the smallest patrons to see the screen.
Best for a Cheap Date: Nova 10
Yes, there is such thing as a first-run film at a discounted price, and we’re not just talking about the 1 p.m. matinee. The Nova 10 has reasonable admission every day, and the pop-and-popcorn combos keep concessions affordable as well. While the Nova 10 is a no-frills kind of joint, there is not a cheaper option for a Hollywood blockbuster in Des Moines.
Runners up: The Varsity is a double-hitter, offering films that will provide culture as well as budget-friendly concessions prices. Merle Hay Cinema may only show one movie at a time, but the prices are right to watch a film on the largest non-IMAX theater in Iowa.
Best for Foreign Films: The Varsity
This unchanging theater has long been a haven for those craving a bit of culture with their films. One of the few places in town to catch a subtitled foreign film or domestic indie, and with rabid regulars to boot, the Varsity offers a memorable, no-frills theater experience. And did we mention the cheap concessions prices?
Runners up: Fleur Cinema & Café is a true independent theater, consistently playing the hottest indie choices, as well as the wide releases boasting the most substance. Century 20 has more screens than any local multiplex, and it often has an indie release or two in its lineup.
