Marcus Coral Ridge Cinema — Attraction in Coralville

I feel scammed. This is not the first time I’ve been in a cinema from this company. I’ve already been twice in Sycamore, and I came here to Coral Ridge this time hoping it wouldn’t be the same as the other one — but unfortunately, it’s the same in all of them. The projection is awful. First, because they don’t activate Dolby, they turn off the speakers on both sides and surrounding, and you only listens the movie through the speakers behind the screen, with poor sound, low volume, and a complete loss of all the sound design work and soundtrack that goes into major productions like Marvel films — which, coincidentally, are the three I’ve watched in these theaters. It’s disheartening to barely hear the dialogue and miss out on all the music and effects that make going to the movies magical. It’s incomprehensible how this is done systematically in these theaters. Honestly, it’s something worth filing a complaint about. But even worse is the projection quality itself. I’d bet anything that the projector bulbs are worn out. All three times I’ve been here, I’ve watched films that — based on trailers seen in other theaters and clips on YouTube — have rich, precise, and stunning color grading… yet here, with these faulty projectors, everything looks dull, flat, with zero contrast, washed-out blacks, and completely lifeless colors. It’s abominable. The last movie where I had to endure this was Fantastic Four, and it broke my heart to pay $15 just to suffer through this mess — but even more painful was the feeling that they ruined what should’ve been a spectacular experience. I will never go to a Marcus Theatre again in my life.
And i’m not surprised about that in this 3 times I was practically alone in the theatre.

Nice theatres, good locations, very, very, very, VERY bad projections and...

Update: 10 May 23, Still no greeting upon walking up to the counter but theater is much cleaner inside now. Bumping my rating from a 1/5 to a 4/5. I do like their promotions (Value Tuesday, student etc).

First I will start with the greeting upon walking into the theater - there is none. I stood behind a customer for a movie ticket, once the customer was done receiving their ticket, I was next. You would think you might get a 'Hello!' or 'Hi, how can I help you?" - nothing as I stood just staring at the cashier as he just stared at me. I walk up and say Hello! - nothing again. Pro-tip for the guy - If you hate customer service - perhaps don't work a customer service job. I ask for two tickets, says nothing, gives me the total, and I pay, no thank you or enjoy your movie. I then go to the next cashier for popcorn and a drink - no greeting again. I pay the obligatory $15 for a popcorn and drink, really great value. I then walk to the dirty, trash littered soda fountain area to get my drink. I then proceed on through the dirty trash littered hallway to our movie screen. The movie itself was good, however the projector/screen was not focused well, which led to a semi-blurry movie, and no, my vision is very good (20/15). The movie theater temperature itself was semi hot/stuffy, no air flow. After the movie, we then exit through the trash littered hallway again as an employee crashes into us with a broom on the way out (of course no excuse me or sorry). This was the first time my wife and I have been to the theaters in close to two years due to COVID, and I am reminded again why waiting for the TV release is a...

Realize this is an old theater that has a old setup. Very confusing setup on my first visit to this theater. The box office was closed and they were selling tickets at the concession stand. There was no one taking the barcode from pre-buying the ticket. The order ahead for concession pickup wasn't ready but they quickly got it ready. Popcorn was decently fresh and tasty. Old style soda fountain so No freestyle soda here. Smaller auditoriums here. The seats were an old style seating from the 1990s and were comfortable enough and in good repair it seemed but the chairs were that limited movement rocking base but the back and arms didn't move. Video and audio were decent. Not advanced but it was movie on the big silver screen. Bathroom was clean and over all it was a decent experience. I'd certainly go watch movies here again but I wouldn't pay full movie price tickets. It's not worth that. I did notice they have 3D showing there and I'd be curious how that auditorium is and how the video for the 3D is. If it's like the one I was in, I'd recommend finding another more modern theater for the experience...