Times Cinema

The seats are comfy, aisles are wide, the beer is flowing at a decent price, and they offer more to eat than your standard popcorn and candy (though I was craving something sour and was disappointed to find no options). It’s a great theatre, though maybe I’d like it a bit less if the seats were packed… someone sitting directly in front of you could block your view.

I love the Times. It is my neighborhood theater and just a small walk down the street. I’ve seen Wolverine here, as well as midnight showings of films like Sharknado and Halloween. There are always good, cheap films running here on the weekends.
The picture quality is slightly grainy though, compared to seeing a film at the Oriental or Downer.

I’d really love if Unilocal allowed «½» stars, so consider this an unofficial 3.5’er!
Lets get the nasty out of the way first:
What don’t I like?
The parking. It was street only as far as I could tell, and all the streets there are one-​way only, so it got filled up faster, which meant you were parking further and further down and had to walk further to get to the Times. So while I don’t like it, I get it, little theater, can’t really afford big parking, check.
The seating. I’m so-​so here, but I default to not liking. I sort of felt like I was sinking into my seat, and while I know others may enjoy that feeling, I constantly kept adjusting myself — no, not THAT kind of adjusting, nasty.
What I liked!
The Times is one of those places that you can count on to host great community-​based events, like Ex Fabula, and the more independent films — not always, but sometimes.
I liked their varied seating, even though I didn’t really like MY seat (they have a mixture of theater chairs and tables and such which are up closer to the stage… or was that an Ex Fabula thing only?)
I’m really looking forward to keeping the Times on my radar for productions like Rocky Horror and other fun things that these smaller theaters tend to do.
Oh yea, they serve adult beverages as well, and while I’m not sure on any restrictions they may have, such as no beer before 9 AM, there were plenty of people coming out with cocktails and beer when I was there at 7:30/9:30 PM. Your luck my vary.
So, you know what, I was going to rate it a 3 and say it was a 3.5, but I’ll rate it a 4 and say it’s a 3.5. I think the Times deserves that much.

Not nearly as grand as the mighty Oriental, but offering far more personality than the blah Downer, the Times is kind of right in the middle.
A charming building with a cute, old-​timey lobby, it features alcoholic beverages and other unusual items for a theatre. And what other theatre in the area has fountain A&W, people!
Yet the facility is starting to show its age. The seats aren’t nearly as comfortable as some of the other choices in town, and most auditoriums have switched to digital projection, which blows away the screen pops and lines that most Times features suffer from.
My biggest gripe: Parking can be a challenge, so get there early. Recently I was there watching the Oscar-​nominated animated short films and a staff member yelled out (during the middle of one of the shorts): «If you parked illegally behind the pharmacy you should move your car; a woman called to say she’s calling the police.» Really? You couldn’t wait 7 minutes for the short to end to call that out and break the bond I had with the mini-​movie?

Hooray, Times Cinema! I am a fan of the Times because they show some unique movies you wouldn’t otherwise see in a normal (i.e. Marcus, AMC) cinema. For example, what other movie theater offers $ 1.00 showings of cult classics such as «A Christmas Story?» None that I know of. I love supporting my local cinema, and if they continue on the same path, I will definitely make the effort to frequent their movie showings more frequently.
I gave them 4 stars because the past few times it seems like they haven’t had the heat on, or at least not up very high. My suggestion, if you go later in the evening — bring a blanket. It’s understandable if they don’t turn the heat up — after all, they have to make a profit as well. Other than that — support your local movie house!

Saw a local documentary filmed by UWM research students and amateur filmmakers, following the lives of 5 gay and lesbian teenagers who are homeless in Milwaukee.
The docu is called Out of Respect: A Story of Five. The film sheds light on a hidden crisis in our community and country: a homelessness rate for gay teens and young adults that is four times higher than for straights. Created by local filmmaker Tess Gallun, the documentary tells the stories of five Milwaukee youths who struggle to find their place in the world against a backdrop of rejection, misunderstanding and instability. At times both heart-​wrenching and heartwarming, it’s a slice-​of-​life experience you shouldn’t miss.
What an excellent documentary, showing great agencies doing good things in Milwaukee — and telling the stories of some of the struggles of Milwaukee’s gay youth.
After the movie Tess stood and answered questions, and three of the kids from the movie were there to talk also.
Thank you for caring about local film makers, Times, and you have some good popcorn also!

I like the TImes better than the Rosebud. Why, you ask? Well, simple. I love the midnight cult movies. Have you ever seen Ed Gein: The Musical? Well I have, at Times Cinema. I even got to meet some cast members. Times also hosts live music, comedy, Brew City Bomshells, etc. They show not only new movies, but indies and classics. Most movies are $ 5 and some are even free. You can buy a beer or wine and some great snacks on your way in. Sure they don’t have couches or love seats like the Rosebud, but the Times holds its own charms.

They show some classic movies plus some in 3d

Love the Times Cinema — only $ 5 for a movie! Just saw the Social Network there last night. Great deals on snacks also, plus incredible movie memrobila in the lobby. Must check out, especially if you are a Bogart fan.

Love the idea, but the seating was extremely uncomfortable. That is the biggest part of a theater to me, and I cannot get passed the quality of the seats at Times. I will stick with the Rosebud, its’ sister theater.

Great neighborhood theatre full of true movie fans who usually dont talk all the way through a movie — either to themselves or on their cell phones. Good selection of movies and art films. Midnight shows are fun fun fun

The Times is GREAT! local and imported beer, great popcorn… and fantastic movies. I’m going to make it a Christmas tradition to go there on xmas day for It’s a Wonderful Life.
Great midnight shows too… and hard-​to-​beat bcs of their greatness owners and staff.

Back in the day, it was all about the Downer or the Oriental, but you’ve got to make your way to this little gem of a theatre for classic movies and sincerely underground and indie flicks. Now with beer!