Beacon Cinemas — Local services in Spring Hill

I went to see The Expendables 3 today at this theater. When I purchased my movie ticket, I was informed that I would have to pay an additional $3.00 for reserved seating! Apparently for that particular theater, a GTX theater, you can only purchase reserved seating. So that means an extra $3.00 above the price of the ticket. When I offerered that I didn't want reserved seating, I was informed that I would have to choose another movie or come back at another time! It was reserved seating or no show. Now I checked showtimes for this particular movie on Flixster and there was nothing on Flixster to indicate that this was a special showing of this particular movie so I had no way of knowing that it would be in the "GTX Theater." I really wanted to see this movie so I reluctantly paid the extra $3.00 rather than come back another time. When the movie started, there was just me and about 10 other people in the theater, total. Excuse me - why did I have to pay for preferred seating? I like to be spread out when I go to see a movie and prefer not to have other people sitting almost on top of me. And in this theater with maybe 10 people and with the reserved seating process, I had other people sitting right next me because who doesn't want to sit in the middle? I think this policy stinks! I was forced into paying extra money for no good reason. I didn't like the seat's location because it was too close to the screen. I didn't know the layout of this theater beforehand or I would have chosen a row that was farther back. This policy is very restrictive! I eventually moved to a seat farther back because there were only 10 other people in the theater at the time and so there were plenty of seats open! But let me tell you - I will seriously consider not going back to this theater in the future. There are plenty of other theaters in the area that I can choose to attend that don't pull these kinds of shenanigans! I DON'T LIKE BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF!!! This policy might be - might be - helpful for when a big popular movie premieres. But not under these circumstances: the first showing of the day on a Tuesday, 4 days after its premiere. And certainly not in Podunk, USA, aka Brooksville, FL. If you are considering going to see a movie at the GTC Beacon Theater in Brooksville, I would highly discourage you from going there. What will they charge extra for next? Use of...

This theater has gotten much better over the years. I do have to acknoledge that. Some of the really bad reviews from the past were relevent and very true back then. I remember one time waiting in the very long line for tickets then noticing when I finally got up to the window, only one employee was helping people and the other was actually playing on a PSP game system while yet another was watching her play. Some confused seniors went up to their window and were given a dirty look and pointed at the other window without a word said.

Anyhow, now days: It's not too bad. The employees are not unhelpfull and the ones behind the concession stand are actually very nice, helpfull and upbeat. The bathrooms are a bit rough still. The screens and projectors usually look pretty good and the sound is good. The seats are decent.

There are a few bad points still. The attention to the movie going experience is still not there like it is in some of the bigger chains. There are still some times when the movie is out of focus untill someone goes and tells them about it. Also, sometimes they forget to dim the lights. It's not often but I've experienced it and I don't go out to the movies much these days.

The other downside is unfortunately something that is somewhat beyond their control and that is all the unruly teenagers that loiter there every Friday and Saturday night. Unfortunately, there realy isn't much for the youth to do in Spring Hill so I guess they all go to the theater and just stand around in front. When they actualy do pay and see a movie, of course they are rowdy in the theater.

I won't go there on a Friday or Saturday night. The matinee is the best bet for me; not only for the cheaper price but the...

Let me begin by saying the Cinema isn't bad. There is a lot of room for improvement.

When I last went it was just my wife and I, and the staff were dull, moving around slowly as if bored and inconvenienced that we were there. The place was also in need of basic cleaning. Nothing horrible mind you but dirt and debris in the lid dispensers, the drink machines needing a wipe down, and brixed properly.

The seats were fair, but as many have noted, cinemas are moving to recliners to stay relevant in this time and age. Understanding the huge cost of such a renovation, i can't strike the Cinema for it, given the population of the town and their business intake, which obviously none of us see, so this is easily forgivable.

When I made a complaint on their website, the general manager reached out to me right away and tried to contact me. Sadly, I wasn't able to get in touch with them due to schedule conflicts on my end, but it meant a great deal to me that they reached out.

I was even a bit harsh in my criticism in the email and they remained professional and tactful. I still believe someone with a hospitality background could assist in bringing them up to date, and over time, if budgeted for the Cinema could be updated to newer seats, but otherwise, it is a decent Cinema.

Upon reflection, I am willing to go back and give them another shot, and see if my initial review matches, but understanding in 2020 with the days of Netflix and Hulu, it is hard to get people to go to the Cinemas, it is more challenging and demanding than ever for these businesses to...