MJR Universal Grand Cinema — Attraction in Warren

Trashy in every sense of the word, especially compared to MJR's locations closest to this one (Troy and Sterling Heights).

Right inside the front door, we were stopped by some theater employee: a short middle-aged man in a red shirt and a vest, wearing a "Security" ball cap despite obviously not being a security employee (since the actual security guard was 5 feet away, dressed correctly). He told me my "jug" was not allowed in for safety reasons. This is the same empty 20oz water bottle that I have brought with me into the Troy and Sterling Heights locations every week for 2+ years with no problems or complaints, so I was surprised. I told Mr Vest the other locations don't have that policy and asked what the reason was. He refused to give a reason or explanation and just repeated that it wasn't allowed for safety. (Meanwhile, the actual security guard listened to the whole conversation from his stool and was clearly unconcerned about us or my water bottle.) I relented and walked back out the door to put my water bottle back in my car; my partner walked with me. Mr Vest FOLLOWED US INTO THE PARKING LOT and began shouting at us from 50 feet away that water bottles were not allowed. My water bottle was locked in my car 30 feet away at this point, so neither of us understood what this aggressive employee was doing and we were beginning to feel threatened. He said "I saw you hide your bottle in her purse! It's not allowed!" We both protested that there was nothing in my partner's purse, and he didn't believe us. My partner had to march straight up to him in the middle of the parking lot(!!!) and shove her wide-open purse underneath his face, to which he just said "hmph, okay, fine" in a huffy tone of voice. I have NEVER been treated like this at a movie theater, and certainly not any of MJR's other locations.

We went inside and got our popcorn. I asked the (helpful, friendly, sweet) gal at the concessions register if Mr Vest is always like that, and she apologetically said "only when he's in a bad mood". So apparently this is a known pattern with this employee and he feels it's acceptable to vent his anger issues by being aggressive and threatening to customers, and management does nothing about it.

The auditorium itself isn't great. I remember when this was a dollar theater back before MJR bought it, and the only real upgrade since then is the seating. I'm glad there are recliners (which is why this is a 2-star review instead of 1-star) but they're also quite necessary since the floor is flat (not stadium seating) and the screen is small and quite high up on the wall. The other adults in the auditorium carried on full-volume conversations with each other, or using their phones on full brightness, or standing up and wandering around the room with no purpose -- and it was clear these are normal behaviors for them. Overall, this was not a comfortable viewing experience compared to MJR's other locations.

I'm a Millennial. I have a low bar to feel satisfied, and a high tolerance for nonsense and disappointment. I almost never write negative reviews, and certainly not ones this long. Hell, I like MJR as a local business and not only do I regularly defend MJR to my Emagine-loyal friends, I even drive past multiple Emagine and AMC locations to reach MJR every week because I prefer it. But DAMN, y'all, this experience was one for the record books. Even though it's just a few minutes from our home, we already likely wouldn't ever return to this location based purely on the low-quality viewing setup, but being chased into the parking lot by a powertripping employee with a known harassment problem, enforcing a made-up rule by aspiring to be a rent-a-cop? Yeah, we are DEFINITELY never returning to this location, and this is one of those stories I'll spend the next 10 years telling to people to encourage them not to...

So bought sneak peek tickets for Deadpool last Thursday. When we got to the venue they were checking I.D. at the door and said no one under 21 or 18 allowed I forget, but I thought how cool. Not only did I purchase sneek peek tix to see the movie the day before it came out but the venue was doing its best to make sure I had a good showing with no distractions and interuptions from immature or minor children. Funny tho because once seated in the auditorium I noticed the three people seated in fron of us appeared to be under 21, possibly 18 but doubt it due to the fact that they were loud and obnoxious and talked and laughed throughout the whole movie. To make matters worse the couple directly behind me and to the left had brought a small child? Id say no older then 3 or 4? So Im just wondering if you check I.D. at the door for a sneek peek special preview of a rated R film why would you then allow a couple to bring in a small child? Mind you the showing was at 7:45pm so I assumed there would be no small children in attendance. Just makes you wonder whats the point of checking I.D. at the door if your going to allow a couple to bring in their young child, who I might add ran up and down the isles talking and making noises which was very distracting from the movie. I was super excited to see this movie but left with a dissapointed feeling that the movie theatre failed me in some way. Probably wont be purchasing tickets here...

There are a LOT of movie theaters in this area, but MJR and this particular theater will always have my business as long as they keep up the great work they’re doing.

We usually go earlier in the day, so there isn’t a ton of staff around, but there’s never been an issue because of that. The theaters, lobby, and bathrooms are kept very clean.

Now let’s talk about the seats. The new recliners really can’t be beat. That alone will keep me coming back here. I have back issues, and seeing a movie was always a gamble (and usually included me trying to smuggle in some kind of inflatable back rest to make things slightly more manageable). These recliners aren’t just comfy, they’re COMFY. I’ve never been able to sit through more than one movie a week at a theater, but I’ve been able to see them two days in a row here without a single twang or twinge. Just, you know, try not to fall asleep. These things would be prime napping recliners at home.

The prices at MJR are so cheap, I don’t know how they do it, but it’s another thing that keeps me coming back.

Also, let’s not forget the classic “It’s more fun at MJR” jingle before each movie. I’ll be singing that song on my death bed and waiting for an over enthusiastic audience to clap at just the right place (anyone who doesn’t is out...