Sun-Ray Cinema — Attraction in Temple Terrace

So I really wanted to not like this place so I can leave a funky review that would draw a snarky response from the owner. I thought maybe it would get me a little bit of attention and a personal email to be invited back to try it again later. But alas, that is not what this review is going to be.

I have now been to all three iterations of this movie theater. I went first when it was Studio Movie Grill and we were loyal customers. I actually won the black card during their grand opening and one free movies for an entire year for me and a guest. I think my wife and I saw 20 free movies that year. I spent a ton of money on food and drinks, but free movie tickets brought me in all day long. Then one day this movie theater closed, and it became Look Cinemas. This place sucked. I didn’t like anything about it, not the food, not the experience, not the atmosphere of the place anymore. It was just poorly run and not a great movie going experience in general. I saw this place was under new ownership again and of course we were very skeptical. I went in with absolutely no expectations. Looked at the menu and saw that it was inexpensive, So I was really expecting an overall very cheap experience.

In the end, we walked out having just watched thunderbolts and loved our experience. We went to the counter to pre-order our food and showed them our ticket so that they could deliver our food to our seat. We got the pizza and the chili dog and both were surprisingly delicious. The toppings were good quality and the crust tasted really good. Unfortunately, I can’t speak to the bar drinks this time because it was just me and my two kids, but I’m looking forward to trying that next time. We were in theater 10 and we didn’t have reclining seats, or I just didn’t know how to work it if it was, but the seat was comfortable nonetheless. The sound quality was good and so was the video quality. This is not an IMAX movie theater, but this also is not a cheap experience either.

I have high hopes for this place, I really hope they are able to make something special of this, and I’m looking forward to becoming a loyal customer here. Other than watching a movie in IMAX or Dolby digital, there’s not a lot of other reasons for me to continue going to AMC theaters. This place was so much more affordable, and the food was so much better, that I think it would be nonsensical to continue going to other places.

Yes, it’s still under refurbishment, but I feel like that’s priced in very fairly into what they charge. It didn’t disrupt our movie experience in any way shape or form. Thank you for investing in that area and working to be a part of the...

Sun-Ray is AWESOME!! I love living 5 minutes from an independent, locally owned movie theater...and bonus the seats are super comfy, it's very clean, there's a popcorn seasoning bar, and the food is both good and affordable!

I've attended about a dozen events here, both films and community things, including: Superman, Cat Video Fest (there were kittens!!), Film Oddities Market, Eddington, free premier of PeeWee Herman documentary, 32 Sounds, and others. Zero issues! Owners are active and involved, employees are friendly and accommodating, restrooms are clean, seats and floors are clean. We've eaten flatbreads and a couple apps and all arrived to the table freshly prepared and delicious. Leave yourself some extra time to check out the murals and decor in the lobby/cafe area. Menu has options for carnivores, vegetarians, and vegans.

GREAT that there's free covered parking in the garage (drive up to the 2nd floor for easiest access). If you're an "old time Tampanian," don't be put off by the location...in the "old University Mall." This area is a hub of culture with TONS of locally owned restaurants and international foods. Drive around to the back of the mall, turn and drive up the ramp, and park in the garage...super easy. THE THEATER IS BRIGHT GREEN. *Presently (Sept. 25) there's construction on the east side parking lots of the mall (closest to USF) so from Fowler, I recommend turn between Portillo's and Walgreens...from Fletcher you'll want to go south on 22nd St. and it basically dead-ends into the parking...

For some reason the mall entrance to the theater is blocked off and the place looks like it is closed and not open and operating.

When I showed up to see Superman I was confused and so were the people standing out there with me. We had already purchased our tickets but looking at this we had a problem. We couldn't get in and so we were thinking the place is just closed and erroneously were able to purchase tickets somehow.

After yelling through the closed gate after a while someone yelled "go around from the outside" back to us. When we finally made it into the place I was pretty upset and I spoke with the manager or at least it was one of those "I am the manager" situations. I expressed my concern about there not at least being a sign at the closed entrance to inform movie goers to go around and enter through the outside entrance. The "manager" was quick to blow off my concerns saying "what do you want me to do make a sign right now?" with an attitude. I noticed she was annoyed and frustrated, as was I as a paying customer. I didn't need her to make a sign at that very moment but actually even a written chicken scratch on a piece of paper would work at that point, but it really just seems like she didn't understand why I was frustrated. Just a bit more concern and professionalism would go a long way here and just put a sign up w/ maybe a map and arrow indicated where you are wanting customers to enter.

Other than that the movie showing was fine, the popcorn and drinks sucked, so did the...