Oaks 7 VIP Cinema — Local services in Batesville

I want to point out how much it pains me to leave such a bad review for a place that played such a formative role in my life. This is the theater that I saw my first movie in. This is where I spent a major chunk of my teen years when there was nothing else to do. When I came home to visit family this holiday season, I had the worst experience I’ve ever had in a theater. I went to see Nosferatu, and, after paying for tickets and basic concessions, I found my seat. During the first five minutes of the movie, Sonic the Hedgehog was being projected in the top left corner of Nosferatu. I stepped out and told someone at the concession counter after waiting in line to be helped. I went back to my seat, and there was no change for another five minutes or so. I went out again, and this time, there were two other moviegoers speaking to the manager (presumably). I mentioned that I was coming from theater one, and I asked if there was any way to restart the film since we were so early into the showing. After asking, I was told by the presumed manager that I was being dramatic and that “one little corner isn’t that big of a deal” and that I was “missing more of the movie trying to argue” with her (I’m not sure what the others had told her before I got there or if they had been argumentative, but they were gone by the time she said this to me in response to a yes or no question). She then said she would not be restarting the film. Eventually (after about 20 minutes) someone covered the projection of Sonic the Hedgehog. However, that made a big section of the screen discolored (a red tint) for the remainder of the movie. Awful experience all around. If I’m paying this much for a movie viewing experience, I expect to see the film as it was meant to be shown. And not to be scolded for pointing out a technical problem. Don’t even get me started on the gross concession area conditions. Unfortunately, I will not be coming back to the place that made me fall in love...

My wallet slid out of my purse tonight while we were at the movies. I noticed it was missing within an hour, so I returned to the location. I went in, and the young men behind the counter were very nice about it. The next movie was playing, but since there were only 2 people in the movie, they allowed me to go in and look where I had sat. I didn't see it on the floor, and I didn't want to disturb the people watching the movie, so I left. However, one of the young men (Dawson), said if I didn't mind to leave my number, that he would go in after the movie finished and turn the lights on and look for me. Sure enough, that sweet little guy found my wallet, and gave me a call. Bless his heart!!! When I went to retrieve my wallet, I offered him all the cash that was in it. He refuse. I insisted! He then said he could not accept it, but that it really was ok. Such a sweet young man. I asked if I could run him some dinner back to him. Again, he refused, and said he was just glad I got everything back. This young man needs to be commended for having such good values in this crazy day in which we live. I did explain to him that if anyone else had found it, most likely that cash would have been taken, and I wouldn't have it anyway. I simply could not talk him into accepting a monetary gratitude. If you know this young man, please take a minute to either hug him for me, or at least tell him what a good example he is! (I don't know him, and didn't ask for his last name.) I had already canceled all my credit cards, but the paperwork and business cards in there is what mattered the most. What a relief to have my wallet back! THANK YOU, Dawson!!! JM

UPDATE: They've replaced the folding chairs with big, oversized chairs that rock....

Went to see Thor Love and Thunder tonight. Seats are nice. But that’s about it as far as the theater experience goes. My major disappointment was the quality of the showing itself. The screen seemed blurry at many parts of the movie. The sound absolutely sucked. You are supposed to be able to feel the movie in the theater. There was no bass from the subwoofers and the music and action sequences were ruined by not having the sound correct. Like rock music would be playing in an action sequence but it sounded far away while when swords hit together there would be almost no sound and no bass to feel it. Also in any dark scene, the exit/walkway lights in the theater light up the screen with red light which is distracting. I understand safety but you would think they would have a way to block the light from hitting the screen while the patron could still see the light when needed. $27 for me and my wife to watch a movie that was mostly distracted by poor quality has brought me here to write this review. I’m just going to wait for action movies to come out digitally and watch them at home instead of going to Oaks 7. I’m sure family movies or Rom Com type movies are fine here, but if you're wanting to see an action type movie I’d say go somewhere else or wait and watch it at home. I love Batesville and I’m thankful that we have a theater but some work needs to be done...