AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center — Hotel in Silver Spring

I've highly valued the service AFI has provided over many decades to its customers, students, and community groups in the metro DC area. The variety and quality of international contemporary and classic films of all genres and the informative discussions have been superb. The staff is efficient, helpful, and friendly, and, thankfully, the theatres have preserved seating styles that enhance film-going as a communal experience. It's also welcome that popcorn costs have not become as exorbitant as they now are at commercial theatre chains! I regret that the theatre has stopped receiving cash payments for its tickets. I can pay by card, but I know many of my senior peers prefer not to carry cards on them. There may also be people who do not have cards who may wish to attend the AFI. The new policy on cash seems elitist, not in keeping with the social justice themes of resistance to oppression based on class, race/ethnic, gender, gender orientation, faith, differing capacities, etc., that permeate great films of all ages and genres. I also find it offensive and hurtful that the clips (shown before films) publicizing AFI offerings, while showing diversity of ethnicity and country of origin, feature almost all males (this was true before the pandemic began in early 2020; possibly the rather oblivious use of that clip has been...

I attended the 1:30pm showing Kubrick's 2001 Space Odyssey on Sunday, September 2, 2024. I'm disappointed to report that the print shown was scratched from beginning to end. Screening such a print was unacceptable. It actually did not meet any basic standards of projection. I raised this with one of the employees who proceeded to tell me that it was a 40 year old print. That actually did not fly. I had seen the film screaning a couple of years ago and that print was pristine. The projectionist came down to see the film being projected and concurred that the print was scratched. When I questioned how this could happen at the AFI, he said that the distributor most likely did not check the print. Again, how about AFI checking to make sure the film print is in pristine condition before screening a film like 2001?

At the very least management should have been transparent with the patrons and announced that the print was badly scratched and given the patrons a choice to stay or leave with a re-fund.

This was a bad experience and the staff response was reprehensible as I was treated and made to feel like I was a nuisance.

Although I have seen hundreds of films at AFI-- and never encountered a problem of any kind, I am willing to write it as a one off, but today, given the film, was sadly a huge...

This is a fine theater, with fine amenities. It may possess the best overall cinema-going experience of any theater in the area.

The screen is crystal clear and screams of "maximum" definition. Even my non-cinemaphile companion recognized its clarity. We watched 1917, which looked excellent. I found myself wanting to see something by Kurosawa -- as well as a digital effects film (Endgame? The next Deadpool or Doctor Strange?).

The seats are comfy and clean. The bathrooms a tad retro, in a good way. The concession stands deserve their own paragraph.

The concession stands, of which there are two, have an excellent selection of adult beverages. I sampled an IPA from a local brewery, located blocks away. It was well-crafted, with a slight Founders-style buzz. Quite drinkable. Unlike some other theaters with adult bevs, Silver doesn't have tables. The drinks go accompany you to your seat and the beverage holders. It's quite civilized -- and I didn't feel ripped-of when I paid for two beers and a large popcorn, which is a triumph in and of itself.

If there's anything I would consider changing, it's the non-assigned seating; but I'm really not sure about that, as we had great seats. No harm, no foul. I really have nothing to kvetch about.

We even found free parking.

I would definitely see...