The student news site of Benilde-St. Margaret's School in St. Louis Park, MN

Knight Errant

The student news site of Benilde-St. Margaret's School in St. Louis Park, MN

Knight Errant

The student news site of Benilde-St. Margaret's School in St. Louis Park, MN

Knight Errant

West End provides new theater option

For patrons of the west, options for movie theaters have always been limited. On November 21, however, ShowPlace opened a new theater in St. Louis Park as part of the extensive Shops at West End project. The new theater, officially the Kerasotes ShowPlace ICON Theatre at West End, offers a welcome solace from the closest alternatives: sticky and decrepit Mann theaters, overpriced AMCs, and a scattered few independents with small, outdated auditoriums.

Coming in the tail end of a decade where DVD sales and on-demand TV have hugely affected the theater industry, ShowPlace’s 16-screen theater promises a new experience unique among theaters in the area––bathroom attendants, ushers in every theater, an upstairs bar, and VIP balconies are all present. There are no pre-film ads, and free refills are available for all sizes of popcorn (with real butter) and beverages. The theater has also established policies that restrict all under-17s from the theater without an of-age guardian after 7pm; there are two screens exclusively 21+.

These amenities have a price, though. To see a movie at the fancy new West End 16, expect to pay a premium for the ticket––$12 to $15, depending on auditorium and time. In exchange for a ticket price slightly higher than the competition, movie-goers will see a tangibly better movie: premium silver screens (which are especially necessary for 3-D presentations), all-digital projection, and state-of-the-art surround sound complete each theater. ShowPlace also allows specific seats to be reserved, eliminating the need to arrive early for premieres.

Under-17s might not appreciate some of the adult-oriented policies (matinées are cheaper anyway), but for the rest of us, The West End looks to be one of the better theaters in the metro area.

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The student news site of Benilde-St. Margaret's School in St. Louis Park, MN
West End provides new theater option