a/perture cinema — Attraction in Winston-Salem

aperture is a mixed blessing. Yes, the theater does offer "different" fare , but just because something's an "indie" doesn't win it a seal of approval or guarantee it's any good. (Let's face it, 80 percent of all films are mediocre or bad - which is way we love the good ones). I would be nice if aperture dedicated at least one of its screens to genuine film classics - classic Kurosawa, classic Fellini, classic Hitchcock, classic Welles, classic Bergman, etc., etc. - and offer some themed "festivals." Of course, these films are available on DVD and Blu-Ray but seeing them with an audience - as they were meant to be seen - would be refreshing. (And great directors pack so much the film frame you often can't see on home screens.) I don't know how licensing contracts work on public screenings of films on Blu-ray, but it would be worth exploring. The physical limitations of the theater have already been described here. They are severe - in the main street-level theaters I have to sit at least 4/5ths of the way back to avoid neck problems - but I also find the attitude of the place troublesome. Ticket buying is slow and frustrated by pitches for concessions. (I go to movies to watch a movie not eat like a pig), and staff and some patrons are invariably what'd I'd call cinephilishly snobby. But that's been what way since the theatre opened, so I don't expect it to change. In short, be advised - you'd really have to WANT to see a film to see it at the aperture. As a former Journal film critic (1967- 1988), I know Winston-Salem needs a theater like this - I just wish it had one that did the job better and offered viewers...

We adore that Winston has a theatre that works so hard to bring in rare films, foreign films, movies that aren't mainstream etc. In the beginning we loved Aperature! We still have much respect & appreciation for this establishment, and would still recommend it for all movie buffs or anyone looking for something different.

But sadly, everytime we decide to attend a movie there, we're reminded that the experience in the theater itself is a bit disappointing. Particularly the lighting. The theaters never go dark. There's peripheral light, and unfortunately it takes you out of the movie. It's almost like being in someone's house, and they've got all the lights in the living room on, and you're trying to get into this deep dark movie. I dunno, it's consistently frustrating for us. Often times we prefer just to wait and watch the movie at home. But as I said I have made respect for what Aperature Is trying to do! If things like this are ever updated, we'll definitely attend more often 😃

EDIT: That may be what it is, we will definitely revisit and try to get an inner corner seat!...

a/perture is a mixed bag for me. I love the selections they bring in, and they are often the only place in the triad to bring in great indie and foreign films. Unfortunately I tend to prefer waiting for releases to come out at home because of the poor setup of their theater. For a place so focused on the love of film, I have no idea why they designed it to have the screens up so high. They are essentially touching the ceiling of the room, so you are constantly looking all the way to the top of the ceiling to watch.

I don’t know if it’s a logistical reason, a mistake someone made, or just how whoever designed the place thought it should be…but it completely ruins the experience.

It bums me out, because it’s a place I’d love to visit regularly. I typically see a minimum of 2-3 movies a week and with a better setup, I'd be at a/Perture weekly and would sign up for their membership pass. As it is, I go maybe...