Celebration Cinema Crossroads & IMAX — Attraction in Portage

I don't know how this theater is getting all these good reviews, my biggest problem with this place is that I was in theater 10, watching Crazy Rich Asians, and the motion picture looked horribly out of focus, and dimmed out. Like the picture was out of focus, darker on the outside of the screen and brighter on the inside. I did my research, and apparently a lot of theaters are ripping off customers by projecting 2D movies using a 3D lenses after previously showing a 3D film in that theater. And by projecting a 2D film with a 3D lens, the polarity of the lens absorbs 50% of the light from the picture, which is why the motion picture looks like a**. I also almost wanted to walk out right after walking in, because they had these stupid tables in front of all the chairs, you know the kind that they have in college lecture halls, but bigger, only these ones you couldn't flip down, they were just there. Apparently they serve food, so that's probably why, which makes sense, but I think next time I will go somewhere else. Also, I really didn't think the chairs were very comfortable at all, I thought they were uncomfortable actually, after 45 minutes I wanted to walk out, I mean yeah they have recliners, but the actual chairs just were not comfortable. I'm used to the Battle Creek theater in the mall, which has better recliners and better presentation of the movie, it looks the way it should, none of this dim dark around the edges of the screen at the movie theaters nonsense. Also, avoid sitting in the front row of the back section, they have these lights on the floor, next to this nice hardwood floor that looks new, and they are very bright. Usually theaters have lights a little brighter during the preview, and dim them down once the movie starts, but this theater did not have that. Maybe if they were using the right lens for movie projections, the theater would be bright enough that they wouldn't have to have these uber bright lights on the floor. They also have a bar, I feel like that is a little unnecessary, like go to a bar before or after, but it's there. I feel like their manager must be hanging out a lot there, because really, the motion picture just looked bad. Like you know those 20 year old big screens that your neighbor gives you because they lost the remote and the picture won't focus and the colors look washed out? Yeah, it is that bad. 10-15 years ago, this place was great, but not anymore. I'm pretty sure before their IMAX days, they had the 3D movies in theaters 8-10. If they fix these problems, let me know, otherwise I will take my business out of town. I mean I guess if you're poor and want to save $3 on a ticket or whatever, and you don't care that the motion picture might look bad, have at it, but if you actually care about that sort of thing, go somewhere else. I want to support the box offices, but not here.

Oh the other thing, they force you to choose your seats when you buy tickets, I could understand for a big opening day picture that they know is going to sell out forcing customers to do this, but honestly nobody is remembering which seats they chose. Normally the way theaters do it is if somebody wants to request a seat, they will do so in advance, and the theater will put some kind of reserved sign physically on that seat so other customers know. I just feel like this theater is putting their priorities into things that don't matter to most, and neglecting things that are vital to a good movie...

My daughter and her boyfriend were kicked out of the movie theater after my daughters 17 yr old boyfriend with ADD leaned up against a box that was covering a fire alarm and trigger the lights, an employee ran over trying to shut it off meanwhile pulling the switch causeing the alarm and the fire department being called. they had to evacuate the building and where accusing my kids of doing it on purpose. my daughters boyfriend was in such emotional distress and so embarrassed he started to stutter. my daughter was so upset that she came to his defense telling the manager he didn't not do it on purpose that there was an employee who triggered the actual alarm. they asked the employee and she denied ever touching it. they told my daughter it was protocol to make them leave the theater. she demanded a refund and they gave it to her. they told her boyfriend he needed to write a statement and he added he was telling the truth and that he had ADD. they called his mom getting him into trouble before they knew the facts. my daughter called me and told me they were being force to leave and how embarrassed she was and all the people looking at them. I called and talked to a manager she said they talked to the employee and she said she never touched the switch and I told her my kids don't lie. and I asked if it was protocol to kick miners out onto the street at night without calling their parents. she said she did not know they were under age. I got very upset and said don't you think that should have been one of your questions you asked was their names and age's. I later found out that the fire Marshall found some flaws things up to standard in the theater. I called again later that night cause the Manager said they had everything on video and they were going to review it. she said they did watch it and that my kids where absolutely telling the truth and that they were not going to pursue anything further. I asked her about the worker who pulled the alarm she said the GM was dealing with her and was going to end the conversation. I said hold on we are not done I want you all to apologize to my kids and you will compensate them for what you put us all through. She said I would have to talk to the GM and he wont be there till Monday. so I wait.I also had to call my daughters boyfriends mom and inform her that her son was not at fault they failed to do...

'23 Edit: Final update, I added on a star because ever since the quesadilla incident, I haven't had any issues with this place and we're still regulars to this day.

'22 Edit: Took 2 stars off because the beloved chicken quesadilla gave me food poisoning. I've been sick for almost an entire week, running to the bathroom nonstop and I'll never order it again. What a shame.

Not only that but it seems the prices got jacked up. 2 medium drinks, chicken quesadilla with fries, and an order of sliders - $40 total!!!!

It was good while it lasted but I guess the golden era is over for this place.

Original Review:

I love this place. No, seriously, you don't get it.

Being able to order tickets, diner quality food and alcoholic beverages all in one shot at one counter is a blessing! And then they deliver the food to your seat at no extra cost?! The seat delivery alone would cost 1 arm, 1 leg and your first born child in other states! We have it good out here!

And other states would charge you $5,000 per shot for even daring to have the luxury of not having to sneak in alcohol! Please!

I love the tacky decor! Please! What, do you want them to make everything look grey, sterile and corporate with no pizazz, personality or fun whatsoever? Be glad that we have these big corny neon lights and the bizarre circus shaped... thing outside! Seriously!

And the holy grail... they actually have a whole day with matinee pricing, last I checked. That's right, the entire day and night - dirt cheap matinee prices, on Tuesdays if I remember right. Listen, this is genius marketing and other theaters are missing out. You want to rake in the dough and keep people coming back and loyal? This is how you do it! That movie I was 'meh' about seeing? I WILL come and see it if I know I'm getting a discount. (And then end up blowing money on food anyway! You win, I win!)

I'm so glad the panoramic didn't change this place. Seriously, in the midst of 2020 I was like, "please, of all the places on the downward spiral, let Celebration be the one place to survive this nightmare intact"!

Anyway, I recommend the chicken quesadilla with fries. The fries are downright addicting and the quesadilla always tastes like it was made in a diner by a wise old grandma. Everything I've ordered here has been delicious but that's my...