Cinema entertainment in Canada
-
A
Cinecenta
UVic's Cinecenta is where old classics and curiosities rub shoulders on a nightly changing schedule.
reviewed
-
B
-
C
Cineforum
Though there have been a few attempts to shut it down, an off-the-wall experience (or perhaps on-the-wall) still awaits at Cineforum. Irascible Torontonian character Reg Hartt wraps posters around telephone poles advertising his cinema – the front room of his house where he showcases classic and avant-garde films. Animation retrospectives are his specialty, as are Salvador Dalí prints. Come prepared for idiosyncratic lectures designed to expand your consciousness (like ‘What I Learned from LSD’), sometimes delivered while movies are playing. Seats 20; bring your own food and drink.
reviewed
-
D
National Film Board
This cutting-edge cinema in the Quartier Latin offers regular screenings from an archive of 6000 films, documentaries and animated shorts, but the real attraction is its Cinérobothèque – make your choice and a robot housed in a huge, glass-roofed archive plucks your selection from the stacks. Then relax and settle back into individual, stereo-equipped chair units to watch your personal monitor. There is also a huge Canadian video and DVD collection available.
reviewed
-
E
Ex-Centris Cinema
A showcase for independent films from around the world. It’s sleek and geared to provide pure movie enjoyment (popcorn and soft drinks are banned, for example, because they distract from the movie-watching experience). Besides several cinemas, this place is full of high-tech film gadgetry you have to see to believe, starting with the box-office cashier whose disembodied head speaks to you through electronic portholes when you buy your tickets.
reviewed
-
Le Clap
Located in the Ste-Foy-Sillery borough, Le Clap’s mandate is to show off the best of what’s going on in the film world. On any given afternoon, you’ll find an eclectic mix of films that could include the latest British hit, an old indie French film and probably one American blockbuster. Non-French-language films are almost always dubbed in French instead of subtitled but call ahead to double-check.
reviewed
-
F
Cinéma Cartier
This huge building really was a former movie theater until it was sliced up with a store on the bottom and retail space up top. The 2nd floor houses an independent video shop with a little movie theater in the back showing independent films. It’s deliciously old-world, completely pitch-black except for the screen, and set up with big comfy chairs. Subtitles in French only.
reviewed
-
G
Royal Cinema
By the time you read this, the newly renovated Royal – a funky art deco Little Italy landmark – will have opened its doors and made a triumphant return to the Toronto alternative cinema scene. Well, that's what they have planned… Expect documentaries, second-run and repertory releases – anything from Monty Python to Hong Kong punch-'em-up flicks.
reviewed
-
H
National Film Board Mediatheque
Aiming to 'reconnect Canadians with their past, present and future on film, ' the NFB has opened its vast collection of 3200 audiovisual gems to the public. Attend a low-cost (or sometimes free) film screening in an intimate, 80-seat cinema, or try one of the personal touch-screen viewing stations. Rare DVDs and videotapes are available for rent or purchase.
reviewed
-
I
Le Nouveau Cinéma du Parc
Located in the lower level of La Cité mall complex, Montréal’s English-language repertory cinema is a tried-and-true favorite of Plateau cinephiles. It shows cult classics as well as cool new releases and lots of foreign films. Despite the shabby decor, its charm and authenticity add to the cinematic experience.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
J
Cinéma Imax du Centre des Sciences de Montréal
Located in the Centre des Sciences de Montréal, this theater brings specially produced adventure, nature and historical films to oversized screens. Watch Cirque du Soleil, dinosaurs or marine life come tumbling into your lap with the aid of 3-D glasses and translation headsets. Greatfor kids.
reviewed
-
K
Fox Cinema
Behind a cute little art deco shopfront among The Beaches cafés is this arty cinema, screening offbeat Hollywood fare (think Half Nelson, Black Dahlia, An Inconvenient Truth) and classics by Woody Allen and David Lynch. 'Movies 4 Moms' sessions happen on Wednesday afternoons.
reviewed
-
L
Amc Forum
This may seem like just another multi-theater monster cinema, but it’s worth keeping an eye on these 22 screens. They are likely to have the most recent locally produced indie smash, foreign hit or subtitled Québécois film hit, as well as Hollywood blockbusters.
reviewed
-
M
Princess Theatre
The Princess is a grand old theater in the tradition that has long since been spoiled by the mall-housed multiplexes dominating the scene today. Showing first run, art house and cult classics, this is a movie theater for a more elegant age.
reviewed
-
N
Paramount & Imax Cinemas
An entertainment monstrosity with crowds darting through junk-food kiosks amid a riot of flashing lights and booming sounds to get to the IMAX theater and screens showing Hollywood blockbusters in this multilevel cinema.
reviewed
-
O
Cinémathèque Québécoise
A university-flavored venue noted for its French and Québécois avant-garde films. In the lobby there’s a permanent exhibition on the history of filmmaking as well as a TV and new-media section.
reviewed
-
P
Scotiabank Theatre
This gargantuan multiplex shows new releases and the latest IMAX technology, including 3-D. It always screens a dozen movies or more, with some offbeat ones found among mainstream releases.
reviewed
-
IMAX Les Galeries de la Capitale
Like all IMAX theaters, this shopping-mall wonder screens specially produced adventure, nature and historical films on oversized screens. Most films are in French, and families love it.
reviewed
-
Q
IMAX Niagara
On a 20m screen with 12,000-watt woofers, IMAX blasts out the 45-minute Falls Movie about the history and development of the region. The amazing Daredevil Gallery is here too.
reviewed
-
R
Alliance Atlantis Cumberland 4
The pint-sized Cumberland 4 multiplex screens a mix of independent films and hand-picked, left-of-centre Hollywood releases. There is a slightly more mainstream branch at The Beaches.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
S
Bloor Cinema
This art-deco theater with a two-tiered balcony screens a wonderfully varied schedule of new releases, art-house flicks, shorts, documentaries and vintage films.
reviewed
-
T
Docks Drive-in Theatre
A drive-in in downtown Toronto? Cool! Double bills of first-run blockbusters start around dusk at this lakeside yard; the usual fast-food suspects are on hand.
reviewed
-
U
Cineplex Odeon Varsity
Screening a range of movies, from Hollywood blockbusters to small-budget indie releases, this state-of-the-art multiplex has VIP theaters and smaller screens.
reviewed
-
V
Paramount Chinook
Located in Chinook Centre shopping mall, the Paramount has 17 screens, so there must be something on worth seeing. There is an IMAX theater on site, too.
reviewed
-
W
Plaza Theatre
Right in the heart of Kensington, the Plaza Theatre shows both art house flicks and cult classics - it's definitely a great place to do the 'Time Warp.'
reviewed
