Grandview Theatre

I go to the grandview frequently and I agree with what most have said here. The place is by no means state of the art or even that clean. But there is something I find about it that is like stepping back in time and the popcorn is top notch. The second screen upstairs is extremely small but I think for some movies where intimacy is a strength of the storyline it can be a benefit. If you want a neighborhood experience this is a good one. If you want modern high end theater, this is a bad choice.

We live in the area so I’ve seen a number of shows here — both upstairs and downstairs, and I actually prefer the upstairs theater. Its like a large basement at a buddy’s house. Yeah, it isn’t super modern. The seats are not recliners. The sound it not crazy awesome and the theater is a little dingy. But I gotta say, for me, I don’t mind a bit. I love the décor, it reminds me of the theater in my home town. I know I’ll be back here and if I have the chance to see a movie here (or Highland) or at a newer theater in the suburbs, I’ll pick Grandview (or Highland) every time.

Don’t ever see a movie in the upstairs theatre. It will ruin the movie if there are more then 20 people up there. The sound is terrible up there. One time I walked out because I couldn’t hear the dialogue. At least they gave me a refund. The downstairs theatre is adequate. The old charm of this place has really worn off. It’s time to update the bathrooms lay down some new carpet and once and for all restore the balcony on the upper level. The owners really need to go see the remodeled Riverview or Uptown. Popcorn had way too much salt on it, and I love salty foods.

Perfectly serviceable. It’s old and looks it, but it’s still cute. I think part of the charm is that it’s shabby and worn, so if you go in expecting a modern cinema experience, you’re in the wrong place.
That said, the screens are small, the seats are cramped, and it’s just a touch on the dirty side. Of the old theaters in town, this is definitely a middling one, and probably was even at its heyday.
The highlight is easily the fresh popcorn!

The Grandview is a small charming 2-​screen theater that offers an atmosphere you can’t find at the big blockbuster playing movieplexes. It’s the kind of theater you expect the owner to be taking your ticket money and then filling your popcorn bucket.
But then, it’s not quite that. Apparently it’s one of many theaters owned by Mann Theaters, which also operates a similar theater on Hamline. Maybe that’s just their brand.
Still, I like it. The prices are lower and the movie selection always seems to veer to the more off beat, thought provoking flicks. It isn’t the flashiest theater in the world but it still gets the job done. That said, if you’re on the hunt for 3D or Dbox or anything like that, keep looking.

After living in the neighborhood for two years, we finally saw a film at the Grandview tonight. I really wanted to like it. I really did. And I may just be coming at this from the perspective of someone who has been spoiled by stadium seating mega theaters. But this theater just did not do it for me.
On the plus side:
–Well you can’t beat the convenience. Street parking is easy to find, or I could just walk there.
–Ticket prices were lower — $ 8.50 for a prime time evening show. With a bunch of snacks, we spent just over $ 30 for two — so cheaper than seeing a megaplex film.
–I enjoyed the candy selection, which contained some options that I haven’t seen in the big mega theaters for quite some time.
–The screen resolution, quality of the film and the sound were all fine. You can’t go to a theater like this and expect a giant wrap-​around screen, but what was there was good and well-​maintained.
–The theater just looks cool, from the marquee out front with all the old-​school lights and letters to the art-​deco deal inside.
On the minus side:
–OMG, they really need to replace the seats here. Again, it’s an old theater, so you get the whole slowly rising floor type flat seating and not modern stadium seating. But the seats themselves are really old. They are small. They have stains on them and in some cases, food or gum or candy stuck to them. The springs were busted, it felt like I was sitting in a chair that was leaning forward the whole time. I thought it might have just been my seat but tried three others in our row and found them all to be in similar states of disrepair. Some chairs (though not ours) squeaked. It really made for an uncomfortable viewing experience.
–The floor was sticky. I will admit to being a bit of a neat freak and kind of a hypochondriac sometimes. In general, this little personality quirk manifests in a new-​to-​me business with a creepy crawly feeling that I just can’t shake that the place is not clean. Unfortunately, this happened to me here. I really did not feel comfortable sitting in this theater. I wore my coat the whole time since I just didn’t know what I might put my elbow in and I just didn’t want to touch anything with my skin. I tried to put my purse on the chair next to me but the chairs were so «floppy» for lack of better word that I was worried my purse would fall right through and hit the ground (which again was sticky).
–It took the employees who handled the concessions forever to serve us our soda and popcorn. I’d hate to see what happens when it was busy.
–No Amex. But they take Visa, MC and Discover. Pet peeve as my Amex is my card of choice.
So in all, the actual viewing experience was fine — visual and audio quality were both better than expected for an older, smaller theater. But the seating arrangement and cleanliness of the theater just really turned me off. I think it will be quite awhile before we return.

This place needs to be updated. It is not worth the price.
The sound in the main auditorium is really bad. I saw Argo sitting toward the back and was straining to hear. And leaning my head back and forth to see around the normal-​sized person sitting in front of me.

I’ve gone to the Grandview Theater for years. Unfortunately, the interior just keeps
getting worse. Peeled paint, old, stinky carpet, bad seats and generally in very
bad shape. My friend and I were thinking it is a health hazard, as in mold. When it
is humid outside, it really smells bad. And it
isn’t cheap. It is a Mann Theater. Don’t the Manns take any pride in their
theaters? Come on Manns, don’t be so cheap and put some money into the
Grandview. Or else, I won’t be back.

The Grandview is located on Grand Ave (but for some reason I believed down St. Clair) and Fairview. You can’t miss the marquee as you drive down Grand (if in fact you are driving down Grand and not St. Clair).
Grandview is an old theatre and that is by far its biggest shortcoming. The entire building could use a renovation. I’m not saying we need to change the screens or the layout or anything like that. I do not want to lose that old movie house charm that the Grandview has. However, they need to fix all the chairs, maybe renovate the restrooms, add some new carpet and a fresh coat of paint. Right now, it looks rundown. I would really like to see someone put about $ 50k into the place. That would make a huge difference.
If you don’t mind a squeaky chair and some threadbare carpet, then there are some great reasons to head to the Grandview for a flick.
Number one: it is cheaper than the big box theaters. Recently, my wife and I went to see The Artist (deserved best actor, but not best picture).
The tickets for the two of us were $ 17 as compared to $ 20 or $ 22 for an evening show. The refreshments were cheaper as well. A large popcorn and a large soda was $ 9.25, easily $ 12.50 anywhere else. You may be thinking, «Big whoop! $ 5 or $ 6 bucks, not worth it.» But I say that $ 6 is still $ 6, and that can go a long way, especially in South East Asia.
Number 2: the clientele. The people who go to watch a movie at the Grandview have been going to movies for years –seriously most are OLD– and they know proper film– watching etiquette. No one is on a phone, and the talking stops when the previews start.
For those of you who don’t know, that is when to stop talking. Sometimes the previews are the best part (Malevolence 2004) and I want to hear them, not a sob story about your diabetic cat.
It’s nice to watch a movie with others who are as focused on the movie as you are. The Artist is so quiet I found myself trying to chew quietly so as not to disturb others, an action that I believe was being returned by those around me.
My wife and I have decided to start going to our local theatres (Grandview and Highland) more often because we prefer the atmosphere, so if you’re like us maybe we’ll see you at the movies.

Fresh Popcorn!
I really thought I reviewed this place before, but I guess not.
When it comes to movies, we try here and Highland first. I find local theaters to have people who are truly there to see the movie, not hang out and chat with friends.
We hadn’t been here in a while and went on a recent weekend. We were in the upstairs theater and the screen image and quality has improved as has the temperature control. It was hot out and perfect inside. I thought the seats seemed different too, but I asked and they weren’t — I must have been confused.
The concessions and tickets are priced fairly and there is something about the popcorn! It’s so freaking good every time. Plus, the DC is cold, huge and very bubbly.

Sorry kids… I want to love this theatre for being a throwback… but there are ways to keep it classic while doing some MAINTENANCE and such (see The Riverview or The Heights…). It’s wonderful to see the true Art Deco details, but the paint is peeling everywhere. It is terribly musty and the air conditioning barely works. The screen downstairs is very small and the sound system was probably last upgraded in the 80s. Upstairs is actually a cool venue for an art house film, but only if you go when it is not crowded-​because God help you if you have to sit on one of the sides… there are actually quite a few seats where it is nearly impossible to view the screen! I will also give a plus for the freshly-​popped popcorn, but this theatre desperately needs a renovation.

Two theaters on premises. The downstairs auditorium is large and still sports some art deco details, though the paint and curtain are getting a bit tatty. When this theater was built, only stadiums had stadium seating, so you will be sitting in a kind-​of-​comfortable seat and you bear the risk of having a tall person sit in front of you.
The upstairs theater, called the «screening room,» is the former balcony of the main auditorium. (Not to date myself, but I remember seeing movies from the actual balcony here). It’s a tiny little thing, without the fun architectural details, but its all good once the lights go down.
Sound and picture quality are fine. Staff are friendly, and concession prices are not as high as at the suburban multiplex. Parking can be a challenge.
Four stars for history, location and being family owned.

To clarify my rating, it’s the average of the two screens. Upstairs is a two star, at best. Downstairs was a four star. Tickets are the same price.
I’ll start with upstairs. It has a very small screen, for a movie theatre. It is still significantly larger than the screen I have at home, but if you’re really rich this might not be the case for you. The seats are also a little on the small side and the space between rows a little on the small side, which means all your movie viewing neighbors are in close proximity to you. And the sound of the movie is very quiet.
Downstairs though has deep, wider seats, and plenty of leg room. The screen is normal movie theatre size and the sound was loud without being deafening.
I will certainly be back, but I might check to see which floor the movie I want to see is on first.

This Theatre is OK, that’s about it. I used to come here years ago when I was a Macalester Student and I must say, not much has changed! The old musty smell, sticky floor, and red velvet chairs are all still there!!!
In all seriousness, however, i do think those qualities is what makes this Theatre charming and nostalgic. Its a nice theater for dating because its smaller, not as many people, and no huge lines like at the Giant 14 screen theaters. Only two screens here people!!!
The popcorn is good. I think they actually use real butter and the prices are a little cheaper so those are the positives.

Recent trip to see the newest Coen Bros. film, True Grit.
Comfortable enough seats on the main floor with a nice large screen. Reduced admission to shows prior to 6pm. A young man, employee of the theatre, got up on stage in front of the screen before the film started, and thanked the audience for coming and wished us all enjoyment of the show. That seemed really nice.
Really good, fresh popcorn on Christmas Day in the late afternoon. I even returned to the concession counter for a *free* refill on the large popcorn and large soda.
Parking in the area can be challenging.

I support this local cinema on principle and, luckily, it doesn’t give me much reason to regret my decision. Though weeknight shows at Rosedale are cheaper (and feature stadium seating) I opt for the Grandview whenever I can. It’s comfortable, the movies are usually the ones I want to see, and it’s a mere ten-​minute bus ride from my house. It harkens back to a time when there was a movie theater in every neighborhood and the movies in them cost a nickel. Too bad they don’t show a cult classic every now and again — I guess that’s what we have the Riverview for.

A cute little theater and blast from the past. Similar to the Uptown and Edina theaters with their old school vibe and more intimate setting. This theater only has two screens but plays new movies and some you won’t expect as well. I went last week and they were showing Clash of the Titans and The Ghost Writer.
It’s cozy and nice place to go with a friend or take someone on a fun little date for a more unique experience.

Saw «A Serious Man» here… first time seeing a Coen film in Minnesota, and a Mann theatre seemed entirely fitting. The Grandview is cute and a touch shabbier than the Highland, but has the same nice staff and vibe.

We returned to the Grandview despite it being a ways away from home … and I’m glad we did!
The cashier/​ticket-​taker was friendly but efficient. There’s a kind of graceful and aging elegance to the lobby. (Think of your dowager aunt’s apartment before she moved to the home.) There’s good popcorn … overpriced candy and soft drinks … but in line with what I’ve seen at other theaters.
Before the movie started — and after the previews — a young member of their staff came on the stage and welcomed and encouraged anyone who had a concern or issue with the sound, screen, temperature, etc to please let their staff know. A nice personal touch that I vaguely recalled when I was younger but not so much lately (and never at one of those mega-​theaters). He got a nice round of applause and a couple of «whoops» of support.
The movie was fine (actually the movie was great but the sound, screen, etc were fine). I was comfortable throughout.
And at the end of the movie, the audience applauded — a response that felt genuine and not at all contrived. It felt like spontaneous appreciation of a good story translated to the screen and from an audience where there was a sense of community and enjoyment.
Makes me pine to return to the city of St Paul now that we’re almost empty-​nesters.

As a decidedly infrequent movie-​goer, this little theater gets my approval. It’s not state of the art by any means, but it’s not in the suburbs, not in a mall, and not as over-​priced as some theaters. It’s a cozy little neighborhood theater showing a couple movies at a time.
I went last night to see the latest James Bond movie (the first one I’ve ever seen) and enjoyed the experience. I especially enjoyed giggling at the guy who fell asleep and was snoring across the aisle from us.