AMC Causeway 13 — Local services in Boston

ArcLight Cinemas originally opened this theater right before COVID, only to then get COVID'ed. I saw a movie just before COVID hit the fan.

ArcLight very much designed the screening rooms to be moviegoer friendly for serious moviegoers. Good to great sight lines, great seating with some recliner seat, like new condition and clean, very good sound systems, etc. While not Hollywood mogul private screening rooms, close enough for me.

At the same time, this cineplex's layout is a bit of a rabbit warren as well as one has to rely on stairs, an escalator or an ADA-required elevator from the ground floor entrance to travel up to the two levels of screening rooms. Some of this is surely the result of this cineplex's location within a much larger building constants as opposed to what is possible with a standalone suburban site. With familiarity, sure to be no biggie re the layout and in the meanwhile given my two visits since AMC took over, I found its staff very nice and helpful with directions, etc.

Ticket buying or will-call pick-up is automated but staff can work a face to face register if need be. Screening rooms are on the smaller size so no IMAX -- assuming building space restrictions meets market research and rent costs -- but this cineplex does have 3D screening rooms.

A full-license bar is just inside the ticket taking point -- works for me -- and it took me back to college days of sneaking beers up to the balcony at rep houses.

Food/snack options "reasonable" even if movie theater pricey. Theater food ordering is also automated -- personally not a fan but such is what it is these days as well as that I can see ordering snacks, picking up drinks and then grabbing a food order when its ready working out nicely.

For those who want something else and/or less expensive, there is a somewhat less pricey food court next to the cineplex entrance in the newish North Station development as well as more affordable standalone places nearby for those who wish to smuggle in more food to chow on during the previews. There is also a CVS right across the street wide a wide assortment of more "regularly" priced snacks, candy, water, and/or sodas.

Be sure to note early screening times and certain midweek ticket discounts make for great money-saving options for those who would like to avoid the evening commute (this cineplex has GREAT public transit access) or have flexibility with their days.

My only real grip is that screening room sound volume level was more than a bit loud on my two visits while an AMC facility and I noted same to a staffer who had helped me out earlier on something after my second movie viewing. For now, I will this view this as a recently opened shakedown sort of problem until I visit again -- and I will...

UPDATE: Theater has been open for a year now. The bar is operating and the common areas on the upper levels have some movie posters, etc. to liven things up a bit, but the street-level entry lobby is still pretty blah. It's so easy to walk right by and not even notice there's a theater here! I want them to do well, but it seems like they're not putting much effort into advertising and promotion.

Surprised to see the multiple reviews here complaining about the difficulty and/or expense of nearby parking. Um, yes, it is in the center of Boston, right next to a major sports/concert venue and surrounded by dense urban neighborhoods. Who drives into downtown Boston and expects to find cheap and easy parking?? If you choose to drive here, it's going to be congested and expensive. There are LOTS of transit options nearby, including multiple subway and commuter rail lines. If you can't take transit, in most cases Uber or Lyft will be a much more economical option than driving and paying for parking. If you have no choice but to drive, you might be better off heading to the AMC Theaters at Assembly Row, just up the road.

ORIGINAL REVIEW: So glad a movie theater has reopened in this location! I was sad when the ArcLight Cinema closed after only a few months, and I’ve been eagerly awaiting AMC’s opening for more than a year now. Saw a movie here this weekend and was pleased with the sound quality, the projection quality, and the comfortable seating. Restrooms are nice too. I know they’ve just opened, so I’m hoping they have plans to reopen the bar and make some improvements to the common areas. A few suggestions: (1) Enhance the street-level entry lobby with some movie posters, screens with features and showtimes, and maybe a box office or some ticketing kiosks. Right now, it is easy to pass by on the street and not realize that there’s a movie theater here. (2) Similarly, the interior common areas, including the escalator lobbies and concourses, are pretty drab. Some movie posters of coming attractions could make a big difference. (3) If you haven’t been here before, it’s a little unclear where to go and where to buy tickets as you arrive at the main entrance. Some directional signage would be helpful and could be done in a visually exciting way, appropriate for a theater. (4) Hope there will be a well-publicized grand opening event (maybe with a celebrity appearance?) at the right time to announce that the theater is up and operating. Let people know that...

The worst experience ever! We brought our newly purchased, unopened bottled drinks and freshly packed Korean fried chicken to this cinema, intending to leave them on the counter at the entrance (we had done this just earlier this week and it was fine). However, the staff told us that if someone took our food or drinks from the counter, they wouldn't be responsible. We agreed to leave the drinks on the counter and enter the theater. But just five minutes later, we decided to cancel our tickets and go home, promising to return the next day without any food or drinks. Yet, in those five minutes, the staff took our drinks and unopened food and we have no idea where they went. When we tried to talk to the staff at the counter to get our tickets refunded and our food back, this incredibly rude staff member refused to tell us where they had thrown our food, and we couldn't find our items in any nearby trash bins.

First, I believe these staff members may be racially biased. Just a few days ago, we were allowed to do this, but today, when most people in line were people of color, they suddenly prohibited it and treated us in a very unfriendly and mean-spirited way. Secondly, I suspect they may have taken our food and drinks for themselves. How could they disappear in just five minutes without any staff cleaning the designated trash bins? When we asked about the location, they refused to answer, and none of the trash bins around had our food or drinks. So, is it safe to assume they took it for themselves? These three rude and possibly racist staff members have completely ruined our Valentine's Day, and this was truly the worst movie...