- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Garneau Theatre
Category: Arts & Entertainment Cinema Cinema [Edit]
8712 109 StEdmonton, AB T6G 1E9
(780) 425-9212
Now Playing:
Keyhole
Showtimes on RottenTomatoes.com
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 5 pm - 1 am
Sat 12 pm - 1 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
18 reviews for Garneau Theatre
18 reviews in English
-
Review from John S.
3/6/2012
Theatres owned by Magic Lantern Theatres always have the BEST popcorn. I've seen many movies at a variety of theatres all over the place so I consider myself a popcorn connoisseur. Cineplex is tasteless and the butter they charge extra(!?!?) for leaves a lot to be desired, but Magic Lantern always has the best. During the week, I teach in a small town just outside St. Paul so I hit their theatre all the time - I've gone to movies there just for the popcorn. My standards for film-going choices drops quite a bit during the week in that I see movies in St. Paul that I would never bother with if I was back in Edmonton...I call this the "Wicker Principle" (as in "Wicker Park" or "WickerMan")...but the popcorn is just so good. The Princess on Whyte is also owned by this company, and until it changed over to the Metro Film Society of Edmonton, the Garneau also fell under the umbrella of this company - so needless to say their popcorn was excellent. When they changed ownership, I was afraid that the new owners would muck-up the popcorn; you know, change so that it was more healthy or some other nonsense. Well I'm happy to report that the popcorn is just as good as ever. Since the Metro took over, not only has the variety of movies improved (yippee for late night shows!!!) but the concession hasn't changed and I can still get my salty, buttery fix in when I get a chance to catch a flick there.
Oh, I guess I should mention that the choice and variety of movies are great, and for such an old theatre, the seats are still comfortable (though be careful when you first sit down 'cause they will sling you back and throw your legs in the air to what I call the giving-birth position), but that's all part of the atmosphere when you visit a vintage theatre. And did I mention how good the popcorn is? -
Review from Laurel P.
2/14/2012 2 Check-ins Here
This theatre isn't "old"; it's "vintage". I feel like it wouldn't have the same allure if they got rid of the scruff. It has history. Sure, I would have preferred a more comfortable chair (maybe I just picked a bad one?) but not at the expense of the atmosphere. I love the tacky red curtains that open at the start of the movie and the balcony seating.
It felt kind of awkward getting there ten minutes before our movie was supposed to start and being the only two people sitting in the theatre. However, most of the moviegoers trickled in right before the movie began playing. I suppose I'm too used to going to first-run theatres where you have to arrive an hour before a film starts to even guarantee tickets.
I love the movie selection. I find that many indie theatres tend to focus on newer festival films, but the Garneau Theatre seems to transcend time. For instance, the current selection ranges from 40's classics, to 90's foreign films, to more modern fare. They also have a number of special events such as having a screening of Jurassic Park, followed by a free lecture from an expert on cloning and genetics. Too cool!
I have a feeling the Garneau Theatre is going to become one of my regular haunts. Brava!Listed in: Good Old Garneau, Lazy Saturday
-
Review from Meghan B.
Edmonton, AB
5/16/2012
Due to being a broke university student, I've only had the pleasure of coming to this theatre once. This was back in February when they did a special screening of Scott Pilgrim on Valentine's Day. That was my fourth time seeing the movie, it's that awesome. I was really happy to have the chance to see it in the theatre again.
The people are awesome and friendly. Pretty sure I streetpassed one of the volunteers on my 3DS. Hi there!
While I was there, I discovered that they do monthly screenings of The Room. First friday of every month. I've been meaning to attend, but university has been eating up all my money.
Although I've only managed to make it out the one time, it was a good experience and will come back when finances allow. -
Review from Matthew L.
Edmonton, AB
1/25/2012
Any place that shows Midnight Movies is fantastic in my book. The Metro film society is doing its best to encourage cinephilia of all sorts, and in what a setting! The Garneau isn't as fancy as a number of other older theatres worldwide, but it still captures the charm of pre-multiplex moviegoing.
-
Review from Peggy L.
11/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
The Garneau is an old theatre but it has character. I love the huge sign outside and the layout of the theatre. The popcorn also beats the popcorn at any major theatre by far. However, when I went for the Rocky Horror Picture Show, the seats were super uncomfortable, lumpy and pokey - just awful. It's not fun to sit there for 2+ hours, but they have such distinctive showings that sometimes it's unavoidable. Hopefully the new management will spruce things up a little.
-
Review from Brittany K.
Edmonton, AB
1/2/2011 2 Check-ins Here
The first place to check out if you're looking for the hot indie flick of the moment, plus some more mainstream films occasionally. The theatre set-up is so cool. A lower level of flat seating, and an upper level behind the theatre entrance that scales upwards (more traditional theatre-style). Comfy seats, too, that lean nice and far back :-)
A few treats available to purchase, too, and cheaper than your chain theatres! Try the popcorn to go with your independent film selection!
Parking is either around the corner (meters) or across the street (time limit). If you can walk or bike over, it's a great location, with coffee shops and restaurants surrounding Garneau Theatre to complete your date night! -
Review from Luke R.
1/30/2011
This is how going to a movie should feel like. Spacious and comfortable. Like royalty. The theater being old as feeling of nostalgia, something they have happily not renovated away.
Garneau Theatre plays one movie at a time. Quality not quantity; you don't have to choose what to see, just see whatever quality movie they happen to be showing.
And the friendly staff even thank you for visiting. -
Review from Alex P.
7/13/2011
What can I say? Cheap tickets, friendly staff, comfy seats, and interesting movies. Whenever I go here it's essentially equivalent to picking a movie at random and I've never been let down. Though sometimes, depending on the movie, I've come out of the theater sobbing. I went to my first screening of Rocky Horror here, it's crazy that the staff would actually let their patrons make that big of a mess. Awesome!
-
Review from Aditya R.
10/17/2010 5 Check-ins Here
The Garneau is an Edmonton relic which remains active and keeps up the class of the south side, a wee bit. Most of the time when you walk by the theatre you'd see movies playing that aren't big blockbuster tickets and are, invariably, indie movies, British and Canadian movies. It's good to see less of Hollywood every once in a while!
The interiors are very old school, reminding every thirty year old of their first movie and every baby boomer of how great the 70s were. Dark red, crimson drapes hang from the sidewalls inside the auditorium along with the multicolored NY skyline style lights that stay on through the movie. The screen too has drapes that raise before the movie. The feeling one gets is that it was once a theatre for plays, given the distance of the screen from the first row. The screen is large and the sound quality is good, again missing the Hi-Def dolby type of feel to it (that's a plus point, every now and then). I really enjoyed the popcorn, candy store too.
Situated in the cozy alcove of the University, namely, the 109th street highlevel bridge block, the Garneau boasts a commanding red neon sign that can be seen from a distance. The only thing missing is a small marquee and I'll feel like I'm in Silverlake (Los Angeles) again! Part of the Garneau building has a few new establishments opened, namely Transcend Coffee, Whimsical cupcakes (that looks terrifically inviting) and Kabuki - a decent sushi place.
We went for a 7 p.m. show and got some sushi after that - so all in all, it was a great evening! Also, I'm quite excited about the way the 109th street alcove has been changing. Right in front of the Garneau an Urban Diner is opening up, creating three-four great brunch options within a stone's throw from each other. Would be a great weekend idea, including coffee at Transcend! -
Review from Jason L.
Edmonton, AB
5/31/2010 5 Check-ins Here
If you love movies, this is your temple. From the red velvet curtains, the sculptural mouldings on the walls, to the floor + balcony seating. It's movie going at it's long lost best. There is even a stage in front of the screen, a vestigial legacy to when movies were projected in actual theatres (great for Rocky Horror Picture Show screenings).
The theatre shows a mix of art house, independent and foreign films. No single engagement is long, so keep up on flixster. It also hosts a variety of special screenings like Lebowski Fest and the aforementioned Rocky Horror Picture Show. To put the cherry on the Sundae, the staff are happy, smiling and actually helpful, and the concession is entirely reasonable, so kick back, grab a popcorn and see a great movie in a real honest to goodness movie house. -
Review from Kerri W.
Banff, AB
10/4/2008
This is an awesome, classic movie theatre. I've been here a couple times, once sat central on the main floor and once up in the balcony. The seats are comfy and the view is great wherever you sit.
They generally play independent films, mainly non-mainstream. Every year they host the World's Most Amazing Commercials.
There isn't much parking at all and on a busy weekend night even street parking is at a premium.
I love that these small theatres still exist and continue to promote indie films in Edmonton. -
Review from Jeanette B.
Edmonton, AB
10/8/2008
I love Garneau Theatre, because it's so large and roomy, and they play awesome indie flicks. This is actually an historic theatre that was built in 1940, so it's pretty cool that it's still around.
The seats are comfy, and it's often fairly empty, so you can pretty much sit wherever you want, whether it be on the floor or balcony seats.
I like to get snacks here, because they are cheaper than they are at regular movie theatres, and the popcorn is full of salty and buttery goodness. This theatre also offers student pricing on tickets, as long as you show your student ID.
Some pretty cool films are shown here, including The Rocky Horror Picture Show that is played annually. -
Review from Lauren N.
10/10/2008
I like coming to the Garneau because it's one of Edmonton's oldest theatres, and you just gotta treasure old places like this. My boyfriend and I come here when we're in the mood for an indie or documentary flick. I like the plushy and swingy seats, although I find that if I fidget too much, they make a lot of squeaking noises. We usually sit in the floor seats, which have a great view, but I'm sure the balcony seats are the same too. Next time I go, I'm going to demand we sit in the balcony!
I remember one time we went to go see Into the Wild, and the image on the screen just got cut off, right in the middle of the movie. You could still hear the sound, but there was no image, and it was a good scene too! But everyone was a really good sport about it, and just cheered jokingly. Eventually they got the picture back up. I'm not sure if their equipment wasn't working properly or what, but I suppose that's one weakness of this being an old theatre. Still, I'm sure it doesn't happen often, and it's not going to deter me from going back. -
Review from Jack G.
Edmonton, AB
6/17/2010
Garneau is a classic movie theater.
It mostly plays indie films and it is exactly the type of theater you see in old school movies. Comfy seats with balcony seating. Anywhere you sit you get a good look at the screen. I went here to watch the World's Most Amazing Commercials one time and it was a pretty cool experience. It was the first time I had been here.
If you have never been you should check it out when it's hosting a movie that interests you. They have great popcorn too. -
Review from Roman K.
Edmonton, AB
6/14/2011
I adore movies. Watching a well-crafted story unfold on a giant lit screen in a dark room is a special joy for me. Sadly, the multiplex theatre-going experience has plummeted to a level somewhere between rush hour traffic and a botched colonoscopy: derivative Hollywood tripe, escalating prices, and self-absorbed obnoxious patrons treating the theatre like a coffee shop or midway. The Garneau (and Princess) Theatre is the place for people unafraid (and unashamed) of better movies. Still slightly cheaper than the big theatres for both tickets and popcorn, with a carpeted London theatre-style lobby, a balcony, comfortable chairs, fewer ads, smarter films, and a generally more well-informed and better behaved Edmonton Strathcona audience. Sadly, with but one screen, they can only play a couple of movies at a time, and I discovered during "The Triplets of Belleville" that the sound can be a bit difficult to hear from the balcony, but this is a charming old-school movie house for those who fondly remember the days of curtains parting before the start of a show.
-
Review from Francesca K.
Edmonton, AB
3/23/2010 2 photos
I went here last night to see the foreign film "The White Ribbon"
The movie was good, the price was good, but the seats were UGHH.
We went on a Monday night and on Monday's the Garneau has $6 seats. For my boyfriend and I the whole evening cost us $24. This $24 covered 2 tickets, a large pop, a large popcorn and a large bag of twizzlers. All this would have cost MUCH more at any regular mainstream movie theatre.
My mom wanted to sit on the lower level and we did but I truly regretted it. I guess the seats on the top level are newer and therefore, much more comfortable. My boyfriend even went up there after the movie was done to test them out and he said they were much more comfortable than the old, creaky ones we sat on. The seats were really loud every time someone moved an inch. It was sort of distracting.
Other than the uncomfortable seats, I really enjoyed my experience at The Garneau. It is so nice to go see a movie in such an art deco location. I feel like I am stepping back in time! -
Review from Robin S.
Edmonton, AB
5/22/2010
I recently visited the Garneau Theatre for the first time ever and was blown away by its classic atmosphere, comfortable seats and aesthetic appeal. Although I was one of only three people in the room for a 10 a.m. press screening, it's not hard to imagine how much fun it'd be to see a film here in a packed house. A true throwback to the good old days of cinema.
-
Review from Paula K.
12/4/2008
The Garneau is one of the few truly independent movie theatres in Edmonton. It shows indie films mostly, with both evening and matinee screenings on weekends. They actually serve popcorn with real butter, and prices for snacks are indeed a bit lower than in mainstream theatres. The size of the theatre area is just large enough, with comfortable seats and a decent view throughout. Parking is hard to find, though, which is probably the only drawback of coming here.
