The Manor Theatre

Saw The King’s Speech last night, which I enjoyed in the way that one enjoys very nice, very pleasant, inoffensive to the common denominator things, such as peanut butter sandwiches and Caribbean cruises. Earlier this week, in my own home, I watched Winter’s Bone and Wendy and Lucy. Both blew away The King’s Speech (I’m slowly becoming convinced Michelle Williams is the best, most honest and ugly actress Hollywood has to offer, which is a beautiful thing).

The entire duration of The King’s Speech, a high-pitched nuisance, akin to a metallic teakettle whistle, emanated from the sound system. Why? Because I made the mistake of seeing the film at the Manor. I WANT to support non-SouthSide Works megaplexes. I want Squirrel Hill to retain its last remaining theater (P.S. Screw you, Waterfront). But each and every time I go to the Manor, something is shamefully amiss, and I regret the decision almost immediately. In recent memory: no heating on a 20-degree night; lights failed to be turned off until ten minutes into the movie (and only after I asked); sound so quiet it strains the sharpest ear; sound not synched with the image; crooked projection. It goes on.

I love that the Manor shows some films the bigger theaters ignore in favor of Gnomeo & Juliet. But I feel increasingly forced to abandon that sinking ship. It feels like the Manor just doesn’t give a shit anymore about the patron after they’ve got our nine bucks. It doesn’t seem long till the Manor goes the way of the recently shuttered Squirrel Hill Theatre, and as much as I’d like to continue to blame the Waterfront’s suburban-urban imposition, the Manor’s management definitely has something — a lot of things, actually — to do with the theater’s demise.

I’ll stick to the Pittsburgh Filmmakers’ better-maintained venues for my independent cinema needs. And head to the largest, gaudiest multi-screen possible for Sucker Punch.