a/perture cinema

311 W 4th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA

Address:	311 W 4th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
Phone:	+1 336-722-8148
Site:	aperturecinema.com
Rating:	4.8

Location

Photos 61

Reviews 10

James Shertzer

aperture is a mixed blessing. Yes, the theater does offer "different" fare , but just because somethings an "indie" doesnt win it a seal of approval or guarantee its any good. (Lets face it, 80 percent of all films are mediocre or bad - which is way we love the good ones). I would be nice if aperture dedicated at least one of its screens to genuine film classics - classic Kurosawa, classic Fellini, classic Hitchcock, classic Welles, classic Bergman, etc., etc. - and offer some themed "festivals." Of course, these films are available on DVD and Blu-Ray but seeing them with an audience - as they were meant to be seen - would be refreshing. (And great directors pack so much the film frame you often cant see on home screens.) I dont know how licensing contracts work on public screenings of films on Blu-ray, but it would be worth exploring. The physical limitations of the theater have already been described here. They are severe - in the main street-level theaters I have to sit at least 4/5ths of the way back to avoid neck problems - but I also find the attitude of the place troublesome. Ticket buying is slow and frustrated by pitches for concessions. (I go to movies to watch a movie not eat like a pig), and staff and some patrons are invariably whatd Id call cinephilishly snobby. But thats been what way since the theatre opened, so I dont expect it to change. In short, be advised - youd really have to WANT to see a film to see it at the aperture. As a former Journal film critic (1967- 1988), I know Winston-Salem needs a theater like this - I just wish it had one that did the job better and offered viewers great comfort.

Bryan Livingston

Very industrial atmosphere for the price. One employee manning tickets & concessions mirrors the ambiance of the $1 theatres in the area. The illumination from the screen casts a harsh glare onto a large part of ceiling and walls where vents are visible and remind you they are still there every time scenes change throughout the movie- the glare from the overly bright EXIT sign is a constant distraction. Seats dont allow you to recline. Sound system is excellent. Worst experience though is that the movie had been heavily edited by some entity, full of blatant omissions that were in its original theatrical AND directors cut releases - #heresy. For that reason, this was a one time trip to this theatre for me. Shame on whoever is responsible for molesting the content of the film - equivalent to releasing the Bible and omitting the parts that didnt personally suit you. If you enjoy watching a movie on an oversized, boxy portable dvd player screen in an airplane seat (actually, those are more comfortable than a/pertures), next to someone with an LED booklight shining in your eyes while listening to it with a great pair of headphones, this is your place. +1 star for throwback screenings +1 star: sound quality -1 star: hack job edited version of film -1 star: poor ambiance -1 star: overall value Theres no place like home.

A Private User

I agree with some of Sarahs critiques- there should be two registers; one for the concessions and the other for tickets, and yes the movie theater is a bit narrow. The screen seems a bit high. However, there are plenty of good seats- that is a wild exaggeration to say only 20 percent are good seats. You get used to it pretty quickly when the movie starts. In some ways, her critique is all about favoriing convenience and comfort rather than experience. I loved the line out the door, and seeing all the interesting looking people in one place. Wow.. all these people are supporting this theater. Big deal- it took all of 5 minutes to get a ticket instead of 1 minute. Whats the big rush? Enjoy the experience of people watching! Watching a movie at home in your Lazy Boy recliner may be more comfortable, but misses out on the shared community experience of seeing a movie downtown, and a movie that we might have missed on Netflix. Serious Man was a superb movie and afterwards my friends and I had a wonderful time discussing the movie at Noma. That made the whole experience "an event" that felt like we could have been in Greenwich Village (which too has small intimate theaters). Go to this theater and support the downtown and get out of your comfortable living rooms. This is a great addition to the downtown experience.

Scott M.

This is a great mixture of your hometown theater blended with a downtown art house cinema. Concessions include adult beverages, nice upscale candy or ice cream, in addition to the usual theater fare. The screening rooms are intimate but also have updated sound and video so youre getting a great movie going experience. Best of all is the movie selections are more varied than the chain theaters; lots of small, meaningful movies as well as quirky, fun films that will never see the inside of a cineplex. Parking can be a challenge but well worth it. Lots of good restaurants within easy 1-2 block walk and after the movie ease across the street for some delicious coffee or locally made ice cream.

John Cary

If you are tired of the standard movie fare, this is the place to go. The movie options are interesting and different and sure to make you think. The beer and wine selections are good and reasonably priced unlike standard theaters. I theater chairs comfortable and the theater was clean. The only downside of Theater 2 is that each row is about 10 seats and you can only enter on one end of the row which makes it a little awkward if the person next to the wall needs to get out. Well definitely go back.

Dale Moore

A very good little theater that allows you to see small indie films that you would normally have to wait for a DVD release or the sundance channel. the concessions are something special with some nice selections and you can get a whine or beer to go with the movie as well. As someone else said the screens are very high but this allows you to have an unobstructed view as the floor is relatively flat. With such small theaters and screens it would have been nice if they had more comfortable seats

A Private User

Uncomfortable theater, but a good option to see select indie films. While I am glad to have this theater in Winston Salem, which offers an opportunity to see some hard to find indie films, I find the theaters very uncomfortable. The screen is so high, and the seats do not recline at all, so by the end of a 2 hour film, my neck is killing me! The theaters are small and intimate, and they have some goods snacks (and wine) for theater-goers. But Im afraid the neck pain is a deal-breaker for me.

Jordan Burleson

I really enjoy this theater because it gives locals an opportunity to see films that dont hit the big theaters. I love that they help out and are featured in the River Run Film Festival each year and are plugged into the local community. It is great to catch a show midweek for the same price as a matinee elsewhere.

Justin Newsome

Small local movie theater. Seen a few independent films and documentaries here. They have a few draft and bottled beer options. Always special events and updating the movie selection so you have to keep an eye out.

Phoenix Down

Pleasant European-style theater with beer/wine sales in the lobby. This creates minor inconveniences between admission and concessions, but the culture of the cinema more than compensates.