Editor's note: This is a reporter's first-hand account of The Pearl Stadium 8, the renovated movie theaters at the Schuylkill Mall, Frackville.
Honestly, I was not too keen on watching a movie for almost three hours when I was assigned to write about the new VIP auditorium at The Pearl Stadium 8, formerly The Schuylkill Mall Theatres.
However, after sitting in the comfy, black leather seats to watch "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" in 3D, my worries were quickly put to rest.
The addition of the auditorium is just one of many changes to the movie experience patrons will have. Plans call for four additional theaters, stadium seating, digital projection and sound. Four of the screens will be in 3D. Movie-goers can also experience motion technology simulating what is on the screen for an extra charge.
Patrons 21 and over will even be able to have an alcoholic drink of beer, wine or hard liquor in the designated area. Work was still taking place in the bar area capable of seating 50 people set off from the VIP auditorium. The state Liquor Control Board has not yet approved the application for the license yet, said Mark Clement, theatre manager.
A new and expanded concession area was open for customers.
"Basically, Schuylkill County just got a state of the art movie theater complex," Clement said while standing in the lobby area Friday.
Construction to provide the more up-to-date experience for customers started in July.
Clement said improvements could be finished "probably by April. It's going to be an ongoing construction."
The movie was first shown at midnight with about a dozen diehard fans showing up, said Zach Gilbert, 19, a concession worker.
I paid $11 on Friday and was given a pair of glasses to enjoy the 3D experience. About 15 people attended the showing.
The actual movie started at 11:58 a.m. and ended at about 2:36 p.m.
Sitting in the seats, I was amazed how comfortable they actually were. At various times during the movie I moved around slightly but that probably had more to do with me taking notes about the experience than the seating. The leg room provided was nice. When I crossed my legs, neither one was too near the person sitting to the right of me.
The armrest was very wide, unlike some at movie theaters where you can bump the person next to you. A stainless steel cup holder was located at the front of either side of the armrest. I even put my regular glasses in it before I bought a 24-ounce root beer to drink, which took me the entire movie to finish.
The wall-to-wall screen, sound and the 3D effects were impressive. For example, at one point main character Bilbo Baggins sits on a bench and blows smoke from his pipe. The white ring looks as if it is in the air in front of you. In another scene, a butterfly released from the hands of one of the characters looks as if it were flying towards me.
Sound fills the 65-seat VIP area so much that you feel as if you are actually taking part in the many fight scenes in the movie.
Gandalf, a wizard, said that the small things can end up making a big difference in life. You could say those small things in the VIP auditorium make a big impact for the experience movie-goers can have.
A couple from Schuylkill Haven described the VIP area as "awesome."
Gretchen and Mike Brinich said they no longer have to drive to Hazelton to watch a movie in comfortable surroundings.
"The video and audio (is) way first class," Mike said.
For more information about The Pearl Stadium 8, visit www.schuylkillmalltheatres.com.