COLUMBUS, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Carmike Cinemas, Inc. (NASDAQ: CKEC), a leading DIGITAL cinema and 3-D motion picture exhibitor, is announcing the March 1st unveiling of its newest entertainment complex in the Foothills Mall located at the intersection of State Highway 321 and U.S. Highways 129 and 411 in Maryville. The new twelve screen theatre complex will seat over 2,300 guests in luxurious comfort and features the critically acclaimed “BIGD” auditorium. “We’re providing the ultimate entertainment experience that centerpieces large format Digital with bigger screens, bigger and better sound, and the finest in-theater seating for cutting edge presentation and the definitive enjoyment of our audiences,” notes David Passman, Carmike’s President and CEO.
The new facility is equipped with auditoriums featuring state-of-the-art stadium style seating, with comfortable high back luxury chairs, in addition to retractable armrests and convenient cup holders. The Foothills 12 also contains large, wall-to-wall screens, as well as DLP DIGITAL projection and DIGITAL sound. The new theatre has an upscale lobby, multiple concession areas featuring Coca Cola Freestyle drink centers and an indoor box office, so filmgoers can escape the elements.
The Foothills 12 will open at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, March 7th featuring a selection of recent blockbuster movies throughout the complex. This special gala charity grand opening night at the beautifully appointed theatre will feature $1 admission with $1 small popcorn and $1 small drinks; with all proceeds benefiting The Ronald McDonald House which provides a "home away from home" for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. The House provides a comfortable, supportive, temporary residence near the medical facility where family members can sleep, eat, relax and find support from other families in similar situations. The event will be promoted by area radio and television stations. Maryville is one of the first communities in the nation to offer theatregoers the exciting new “BIGD” format recently launched by Carmike Cinemas, an industry leader in Digital projection and 3-D technology since 2006.
The “BIGD” auditorium includes a wall-to-wall screen measuring 62 feet wide and nearly three stories tall, the latest in surround sound and Digital projection of both 2-D and 3-D features. In technical terms, Carmike’s “BIGD” DIGITAL experience is powered by a cutting edge Christie Brilliant 3-D flash projector. The end result is a light output of 30,000 lumens, creating a picture quality with noticeably higher resolution than HD.
To further enhance the experience, the custom QSC DIGITAL audio system is tuned to a 7.1 speaker array with 16 channels and the ability to upgrade to 11.1, a revolution in surround sound technology with DIGITAL audio processing supported by quad-amplified, 4-way speakers and six 21-inch subwoofers. The new, expanded configuration at the Foothills 12 promises a new gold standard in unparalleled picture clarity and deep resonating DIGITAL sound.
“The success of 3-D releases for features like ‘Avatar,’ ‘Cars 2,’ ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon,’ and the record-breaking re-launch of “The Lion King in 3D,’ proves that audiences are excited about and enjoy the new DIGITAL experience, and are demanding it,” notes Mr. Passman. “These early successes will no doubt persuade producers to release more movies in this format, and with the “BIGD” experience – in either 3-D or 2-D DIGITAL – Carmike has the full capability to provide our audiences with the technology and total luxury that brings theatergoing to a new level.”
Plans for the “BIGD” Experience will include more locations in 2012 including Minneapolis, MN, Cleveland, TN, Sandestin, FL, Jacksonville, NC, Winchester, VA, and Decatur, AL. “Whether it is a movie, concert, sporting event, motivational speaker or church service, Carmike guests will find “BIGD” placing them at the heart of the event,” notes Terrell Mayton, Carmike’s Director of Marketing.
About Carmike Cinemas (NASDAQ: CKEC) - www.carmike.com
Carmike Cinemas, Inc. is a U.S. leader in digital cinema and 3-D cinema deployments and one of the nation’s largest motion picture exhibitors. As of September 30, 2011 Carmike had 235 theatres with 2,215 screens in 36 states. Carmike’s digital cinema footprint reached 2,089 screens, including 208 theatres with 726 screens that are also equipped for 3-D. Carmike’s focus for its theatre locations is small to mid-sized communities.
About Ronald McDonald House. – http://www.rmhc.org/
The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. We believe that when you change a child’s life, you change a family’s, which can change a community, and ultimately the world. At Ronald McDonald House Charities, we owe our continued success to the tireless work of volunteers and the countless contributions from our donors. Because of you, we’ve been helping improve the lives of children and their families for 36 years.