AMC Clifton Commons 16 — Attraction in Clifton

After everything settled down since the pandemic, I wanted to experience something fun I hadn't done in a long time; watch a movie at a theater! And I wasn't prepared for the experience that unfolded... the building was nearly a ghost town. I mean... they were running a skeleton crew with very few guests present... literal zero wait time... no crowds... the lobby was devoid of life, save for a ticket taker at the door, a technician doing rounds, and like 2 people on the kitchen.

Now, I bought my ticket online, bought a large popcorn and soda with the combos, and reserved a seat, not knowing what to expect. As it was a weekday, during business hours, I wasn't expecting many to be going to see a movie... but I never anticipated what an understatement that would be...

For a little over $30... I had a private screening! 😆🤩😂 I mean... the the entire auditorium was empty! Save for 2 people who were 3 rows in back of me... and left halfway through the movie.

So... if anyone worries about going to see a movie at a theater in late 2022 due to social distancing or whatever... don't. Now is the time to a see a movie!!! For less than half of $100, go to a private screening of your favorite popular movie from years ago. As AMC seems to be replaying a whole bunch of popular older movies during the week now... such as, I went to see James Cameron's Avatar... I movie I missed in the theaters when it first came out... So I got a second chance at seeing it on the big screen... Real-D 3D, cinema-grade surround sound, large popcorn and soda (they also have Coke's Freestyle machine so you can get your favorite soda (mine's orange-vanilla Coke) or even mix them!!), the whole nine yards!

I don't often give 5-star reviews... I save them for exceptional experiences... and this one certainly was! So, thanks AMC! Seeing a movie in the theater is about more than just watching a movie, it's about the whole experience... one I sorely missed from the pre-COVID world. Thanks AMC, for providing an exceptional experience. And I hope maybe some of you can have similar experiences by taking advantage...

ZERO STARS! Absolutely most disgusting, ghetto and poorly run place I have ever been to. This place should come with all sorts of disclaimers and warnings because I was not prepared. I don’t know how one could be prepared for what I experienced. I wish I had taken photos because words cannot describe what it was like. Filthy! ALL of the drink machines were full of ice, popcorn and/or a bunch of soda like a clogged sink! The ICEE machines were a NO! Popcorn and garbage were everywhere. Even the parking lot was full of trash and popcorn. Ordered ahead and order was missing items. No one was controlling the crowd including the on duty CLIFTON POLICE OFFICER whom was clearly stationed there but was just idling standing by. Hoards of unaccompanied minors were running rampant causing chaos. They were going in and out of the building like it was nothing. The person at the door was allowing it and engaging as well. The auditorium we were in was literally like a stadium. The seats were so tight my knees almost touched the back of the chair in front of me and people had to move repeatedly whenever someone needed to get by. Enter movie hoppers here as they went from seat to seat asking “what movie is this?” and eventually a paying customer came to claim their rightful seat. Yelling, clapping, outbursts, talking and jumping all through a 2+ hour movie! This was a nightmare. First and last time EVER! And I am an avid movie goer. There’s a reason I stay away from AMCs and this is it. I’ve never had a good experience. I’d rather drive to IPIC or the drive in than go to an AMC! I was literally boiling from this experience and did my best to keep cool. I couldn’t wait to leave. AMC you need to do better. This was horrible! I wish an EXECUTIVE level employee was there to see this. It was unbelievable. You would have thought animals escaped...

As AMC theatre’s go this one is substandard. From the parking to the ticket lobby to the concessions to the seating to the sound to the screen quality to the restroom; the whole thing is a mess!

Parking; tight spacing, never salted on time when it snows/ices & its a subtle rise the further from the door you go, so slipping is a concern.

Lobby; The lobby is a slow moving torment even if just a few people are ahead of you because it’s always understaffed. Buy your tickets ahead, if you’re not a member you’ll pay a convenience fee. Since they charge for that there’s no incentive to staff the lobby better.

Concessions; better not want buttered popcorn or you’ll have to hike half a bucket to the end of the concession stand add butter, return to the server to add more popcorn then go back and add butter on the top layer. If the goal of taking away the servers ability to add butter was to save line time, they’ve failed!

Seating; Most of the seating is fine, however there are a few screen rooms where, if you’re on a far side you simply cannot see over the head of the person in front of you because the screen is set too low to the floor. If the seating grade was set higher you’d be okay. In this place they appear to have said ‘enh it’s good enough’. Some of the first row seats are so close to the screen that it’s impossible to see the movie properly from such an angle.

Sound; two movies, two different rooms and several speakers either couldn’t handle the sound or were broken.

Screens; Seem dirty and old. The image clarity was poor during Star Wars and Avengers.

Restrooms; Never clean enough, never stocked enough and the dispensers don’t even work sometimes and go months without repair.

Unless you’re desperate, go elsewhere to see a movie and leave this one out of your plans until someone improves place...