Bruin Theater — Attraction in New Bern

12/17/24 - Went back after quite some time. The volume has improved, but bass frequencies are still severely lacking. What is it about Eastern North Carolina that is so averse to bass? The screen was incredibly clear. I don't remember being this impressed the other times I've visited. Maybe there's been screen or some other visual upgrades. Well done. Looks great. Overall, best experience for a movie locally by a mile, so I'll be trying to frequent it more often. Easy bump to 4.5 stars. We need more bass. Initial Review: I have mixed feelings but I guess 3 stars is warranted due to the overall experience. My only qualms after my first visit was that there was no baby changing station in the men's room. It's quite cramped in there, and I had to change my baby's diaper on the floor. My other issue was the volume. It was much too low. I had to stop eating popcorn so I could hear the dialogue. Bass, woefully lacking. Part of a great movie experience is the sound. I'll go again for sure because of the new recliner seats and good image quality. Tickets are a little high, but I'm sure they've got lots of debt to pay down with all the renovations. Also, at this time there's no matinee pricing either. If you get rid of the reclining seats and adult beverages then it's really no better than most places...

This theater needs some serious help overall.

Pros: Pricing is reasonable Concession choices are plentiful Serves Beer and Wine Theater is relatively clean Seats are reserved and reclining.

Cons: No signs stating that they don't have the ability to scan your Fandango stub at the ticket taker booth. Had to go back through the concession line.

The lobby is way too small and creates a traffic jam. If you increase seating capacity, you have to increase the lobby size.

No vestibules or walled off section around the theater doors. Every time someone goes to use the bathroom they bathe the seats in light, and the door is noisy every time it shuts.

Terrible, outdated sound system. Voices are washed and dull, bass is low, the mids are ok.

The projection system wasn't dialed in properly and caused shadows/overcasting/fuzzy edges around the screen.

The exit signs near the front need a blinder on the screen side to prevent their light from casting onto the screen and being incredibly noticible during dark scenes.

Overall: This theater needs a major overhaul to get it up to date with the times. Simple adjustments could be made to make the theater much more enjoyable...

NEW, Updated and Renovated! Looks and feels like a modern theater. This location came into new ownership in 2018; since then this theater has been transformed with the standard of a modern cinema experience in mind. I have seen theaters all along the East Coast, the Midwest, and while visiting Theme Park locations in Florida (Dis. Springs and Uni. City Walk), the new accommodations at Bruin Cinema definitely live up to the level of quality for a major Cinema. The lobby is very spacious, plenty of registers to buy tickets and snacks (no bottle neck), there is alcohol on tap, dream lounge seating for all guest, high quality screens and thick theater curtains on the walls to dampen the noise between screens, also plenty of walking space even when loungers are reclined. My family and I are happy to tell everyone that New Bern has a modern cinema. Anticipating many good prospects to come from Bear Town Cinema when they finish their renovations as well (both 'Bruin' and 'Bear Town' theaters now fall under the...