UltraStar River Village Cinemas: entertaining moviegoers year 'round

Christina Macone-Greene

Special to the Village News

The holidays are in full swing, which means it’s time to enjoy outings with family and friends to the movies!

UltraStar Cinemas in Bonsall’s River Village doesn’t just want to show their customers movies, they want to entertain people.

“You can see a movie anywhere, but we want our theater experience to be different,” said Julie Bravo, vice president of advertising and marketing.

This past May, the theater underwent some exciting renovations. Moviegoers now have the comfort and pleasure of the theater’s new reclining, high-backed seats.

The concession stand was also redone, adding kettle corn to its menu. “Most theaters don’t serve kettle corn because an entire different popper is needed for that,” said Bravo.

The kettle corn has been quite the new rave at the theater.

Favorite candies, nachos, drinks and ice cream for movie munchers are still offered at the new concession stand.

The picture is crystal-clear at UltraStar because about 99 percent of the movies being shown are done so through pure digital cinema. “It’s our trademark,” said Bravo.

Rather than showing film on 35mm, which most theaters still do today, UltraStar has made a leap into the future.

According to Bravo, most of the movies the theater shows are brought on digitally via satellite or by hard drive, giving superb picture and sound quality.

One great thing about having digital capabilities is UltraStar has access to show things such as sporting events, concerts, the opera and the Academy Awards.

“We are now able to show these things because of our digital projection,” said Bravo.

In 2008, UltraStar plans to offer the opportunity to see more of these exciting events.

The “G-Rated Family Film Program” is still popular. Every Saturday and Sunday morning, families can enjoy a presentation for only $2.50 per person.

The series lasts about an hour or so, said Bravo.

This month, “The Santa Claus Brothers” is playing.

Following the shows, children leave with special gifts, like coloring sheets or temporary tattoos.

UltraStar still offers the daily Early Bird Special, where the first matinee show of every movie is $5.50 per person.

Ultra Discount Tuesday, otherwise known as Bargain Day, is popular, since many movies are discounted to $5.50.

Bravo also wants to remind moviegoers to buy their tickets online. “You get priority seating when you buy your tickets online,” she said. “You get seated first.”

Going to the movies is still an amazing experience that you cannot reproduce at home, said Bravo. “You are sitting in an auditorium with 200 other people, watching a movie on a huge screen, with speakers all around you.”

The type of quality enjoyed at a professional movie theater is an unforgettable experience.

For more information on movies and show times, call (760) 945-8784. Log on to http://www.ultrastarmovies.com for additional information and to sign up for e-mail show times.

An at-a-glance list of

upcoming movies

• Dec. 21: “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story”

• Dec. 21: “National Treasure: Book of Secrets”

• Dec. 21: “Sweeney Todd”

• Dec. 25: “Alien vs. Predator: Requiem”

• Dec. 25: “Charlie Wilson’s War”

• Jan. 11: “27 Dresses”

• Jan. 11: “First Sunday”

• Jan. 11: “The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything”

• Jan. 18: “Mad Money”