Brenden Theatres — Attraction in Concord

I had issues trying to book Fandango tickets through these guys. The first was Wonder Woman back in June. The manager gave us some line about Fandango selling seats they shouldn't have, and that we needed to be moved into a different showing. We were giving terrible seats in a 3D theater (we had originally not purchased 3D tickets) and I basically couldn't watch the movie because sitting in the front corner of a 3D showing makes for a distorted viewing. I quickly got a migraine and had to leave. And, despite the manager saying that he would refund our tickets, he didn't. So we paid forty bucks for an unwatchable movie experience. Since the manager lied, we didn't contact Fandago in a timely enough manner so the refund is still pending. I was willing to dismiss it as just a one time breakdown of communication until today.

We booked Fandago again, and this time tried to call ahead to the theater and make sure there would be no issues. But there's actually no way to speak to a live person at this theater unless you go there in person.

The manager this time started off rude and clearly not wanting to help us, (whoever was on shift around 1:40ish today) snapping "Look, what am I supposed to be helping you with?" before we could even say anything. She then proceeded to roll her eyes and scoff at our concerns, peppering the conversation with remarks like "I don't know what to tell you, this isn't my fault" and outright laughing at me when I said we didn't want to wait around the theater for another two hours for the next showing. I was trying to figure out if they just had issues with Fandago and she kept cutting me off, saying that there was no problem with Fandago and it wasn't her fault the other manager had lied to me. (I wasn't trying to blame her, just explain that this has been a recurring problem for us.)

So...a nice manager who lied about refunding, then a rude, condescending manager who was at least honest about not refunding us. Tough choice.

Never go to this theater for any popular or new movie unless you're able to go to the theater in person to buy tickets in advance. Which isn't feasible for us since we need to bart+15 min walk to the theater. But honestly, given the service, I'd say try one of the other theaters in Walnut Creek or Pleasant Hill. The extra time to get there is worth making sure you actually get to watch your movie...

I wanted to see Oppenheimer at the 70 MM IMAX, but by the time I got my plans together they were sold out. Looking through google results I saw the show times at the Brendan Theater. This showing was in one of their JB-X theaters. I was skeptical, but it was my only option, so what the heck.

The theater has a limited, but standard set of snacks. There is also the theater café with food and adult beverages that seems plucked from a sporting arena. Everything is fried and over priced. $40 for 2 margaritas, that I do not think contained any real tequila and 2 bottles of water. Candy snacks at the concessions seem to be a few cents more than other area theaters.

But let's talk about the movie, or at least, the theater! JB-X might not mean anything to anyone outside of Brendan's management and marketing teams, but what do you get? Top of the line projection and audio from top of the line manufacturers in the commercial AV realms.

The theater has surround and height (ceiling) speakers. The into for the movie had a Dolby Atmos demo, but I would bet the equipment is able to handle either height encoding format. I might have to go see a movie recorded in DTS:X to see if that is how they play it. So the sound is top notch. In Oppenheimer, the earth shattering explosion was felt through my whole body.

The projectors have a spectacular dynamic range. Oppenheimer is a master class in High Dynamic Range, or HDR. There are scenes that are dim and dark and blinding. The contrast in the theater was great and made for an impressive movie watching experience.

All in all, I will happily go back. I would love to see a movie with a real sweeping soundtrack in one of the JB-X theaters, I bet it will be amazing.

But when it comes to food and dink, I think I will skip the overpriced low quality drinks and fried food and save my food money for before or after the movie in...

This is the first review I've ever written. Being a new resident to this area I didn't know what to expect. The movie theaters in Southlake, TX. seem to be the best in the nation compared to this place. The restrooms are unisex single toilet with no paper towels and sparse soap, filthy. These restrooms are the only ones close to the auditorium 12 entrance. The big restrooms are upstairs by the theater ticket entrance away from all the viewing auditoriums. Theater floors were sticky, so I would not wear any good shoes to this theater. I usually go to dollar theaters that are cleaner and more sanitary than this location. I watch movies as a hobby. I was able to go see Jurassic World this weekend. The two men next to me ruined the movie. They were unruly, they talked more than there was silence in the theater. There was a 5 year old kid who talked less than these two guys. It was hard to remain calm to try and enjoy my movie. I asked these guys twice to whisper and a lady on the other side did the same. There are no monitors that walk through the theaters. I will have to wait until this movie comes out on DVD. I am vary disappointed with this experience. I will not return to this theater nor will I bring my family when child appropriate movies are showing. I must be spoiled with other great movie going experiences. I would've talked to the manager. I doubt that I will...