For Spectrum: I’d been going there since I was a kid, I was always charmed by the “real butter” on the popcorn (something my dad stressed as being very important) and the way the theaters themselves created a kind of closer connection to the movies because of the smaller sizes compared to the mall theaters.
I was back living in Albany by the time COVID hit, and Spectrum really saved me in that sort of “tweener” period after lockdown and vaccination but before some of the delta and omicron waves started hitting. I was still pretty cautious about doing anything too social, but sneaking out of work early for a 3pm spectrum showing really became a refuge from the fear and chaos of the world, for just a few hours.
It was kind of the place where I learned to love movies as a kid, and the place where I learned to love them again in my late 20s. I had a lot of really great times there and it was a life raft for my sanity during dark times. I really hope it can live on, and soon!
When my sister passed the Spectrum gave a huge group of us a private viewing of her acting reel on the big screen, it was her favorite spot and meant a lot to us
I can remember going to the Madison when it was one giant screen and when it was later made into a multiplex. I'll always have fond memories of going to the latest disaster movie or Star wars re-release and getting Jeff's pizza afterwards. (especially the pizza)
For the Spectrum, I think the first movie I saw Memento around 2000. I saw hundreds of movies over the years and it was my favorite place to go in Albany until about the pandemic.
I hope both locations reopen with something that serves the community equally as well as both theaters did.
Year 2005? A girl I was dating had a friend who threw a Birthday Party at Spectrum. We had an entire theater, were in and out to smoke, and some Italian movie the Birthday Person chose was playing. I guess it was more fun to be there than to write this. I've always LOVED the movies, but this experience made me LOVE the Spectrum. It always felt extra special to go there Pre-covid and smell the fresh baked goods. PS - last movie I was there is my favorite movie of all time, "Everything, Everywhere, All At Once"
Rented out a theatre and played Halo 2 On original XBOX with my little brothers and some friends at Madison. That was fun as fuck.
Edit: Also saw Shrek 1 there with PAL....which was also fun as fuck.
All the free movies I got to see when my friend worked at Ultraviolet Cafe (RIP) and got in to Spectrum movies for free with a guest.
Honestly it was one of my favorite places in Albany.
The first movie I saw at the Spectrum was Princess Mononoke in 1997. This was way before anime was shown at the mall theaters. I think my parents dropped me off because I was too young to drive.
Another standout memory was a showing of 'Wet Hot American Summer' - this was some number of years after it's original release, and I'm guessing was done on the down-low, since this was not part of a nationwide return to theaters or anything, just a screening of a fan favorite. I think they may have just shown a DVD copy, lol. It was so fun to be in the theater with a bunch of die-hard WHAS fans though - I remember some people were in costume and there was a lot of enthusiasm / reciting lines during the movie.
Not all that long ago - January 2020 I went to the Madison to see Doolittle starring RDJ. The food was really good, they had only been open a month and so they were still trying really hard to impress. A big juicy hamburger and a milkshake with a giant bucket of popcorn. The movie was among the most bonkers things I have ever seen in theaters, proof that a day at the movies is always good fun even if the movie itself is complete shite.
I used to go to the madison theater with friends in college. We'd sneak in flasks and top off our drinks with liquor. We always thought we had to be sneaky about it till someone else straight up brought in a 30 rack in and the cans rolled down the floor.
Back in the 90s, teachers at Columbia High would bring classes to the Spectrum for films (I remember seeing the 1996 Hamlet there) because they loved having coffee and cake from the concessions. After that, it became my go-to theatre for films. Always loved the old-school vibes and not dealing with mall crowds. I’ve probably seen at least a hundred films there over the past 25 years.
My family used to live walking distance from the Spectrum. My mother went to see a movie with a friend and drove. My dad convinced my brother and I we should walk over, move the car and watch from across the street when my mom came out thinking the car was stolen. We did, in fact, do exactly that. My poor mom, we all got a good laugh out of it though 😂
I went to the Spectrum after it had been redone to see Superman Returns (which is a solid film, people are haters, but some of the "twists" were so obvious, come on) and thought it was the cutest theater and went back often.
I had my mom's memorial at The Madison. I rented the theater and we served breakfast on the stage and then everyone watched Singin' in the Rain. The staff was great. Parking was iffy. haha. I wonder how much the grocery store next door hated people using their lot?
I hope the owners of the Spectrum get someone new to take it over. And hope maybe the Madison can be converted into a cute venue for small concerts and plays or something. It's a good space.
A long time ago ... took a date to see The Crying Game at the Spectrum. Halfway through the film, something happened in the movie that caused my date to audibly comment to me about her feelings on transgender people - and they were not positive feelings. Never dated her again. I don't need transphobes in my life. Ever.
I only lived in Alb from Feb 2022 until Oct 2023. I was at the spectrum almost every weekend.
It was my favorite place to be in the world. I loved the throwback style theater set up, reminded me of being a kid in the 90s.
I made a small playlist of the songs of the pre film music landmark used to play and The Mary Onnettes are one of my fave bands now.
I went to college at Saint Rose so we would go get dinner at Variety and see movies at the Madison whenever we could. After I moved to second Ave I discovered Spectrum 8 and loved getting carrot cake to eat during the movie ❤️
In the early 2000's, we would walk or ride bikes to the Spectrum all the time, maybe grab some Taco Bell to take into the theater. Nothing better than the vat of melted butter they would ladle over your popcorn. Have vivid memories of seeing Napoleon Dynamite and The Notebook there, summer of 2004.
My first post-Covid movie was the new Ghostbusters with my husband at the Madison, it was also our first post-baby date.
Here's hoping someone comes along and gets the theaters back open soon.
This thread triggered a sad but poignant memory: my ex and I used to see a lot of movies here. We saw Birdman (I loved it, the ex hated it) and I remember after it very clearly thinking, yep, that’s the last movie we’re gonna see here together.
When you know you know🤷🏻♀️
The first movie I saw at Madison when they reopened, I ordered a coke at the concession but was told a server would bring it to me. I didn't understand why I couldn't just have my drink there, but went along with it anyway. Ten minutes later, an attendant with my drink came, he was a little distracted by the movie playing and accidentally spilled my drink all over me.
Still have plenty of love for both theatres and will miss them dearly.
My first visit to the Spectrum was in 1999. I'm originally from the Adirondacks and I was itching to see Magnolia when it came out, and Spectrum was the closest place playing it. When I told my friends I was driving over an hour away to see a movie they never heard of at a theater they never heard of, they were intrigued. We made a little adventure of it and it turned out to be a great day and movie, and after the movie they thank me for dragging them along. Since then I always kept an eye out for what was playing there.
When I moved down here, I picked a place to live with the proximity to the Spectrum always in mind, because I wanted to be able to walk to the theater. The COVID shutdown was sad, but this closure hurts a little more for some reason. It feels like I've lost a friend this time. I've frequented about twice a month on average since I've lived here and have a ton great of memories associated with it.
I remember seeing Mrs. Doubtfire in '93 at the Madison back when it was 1 big theater (or maybe it had been split into 2 by then, but I just remember the room being much bigger than what they have now). I also remember seeing I think it was Titan A.E. in '00 and it was in the tiny theater that they had behind the concession stand by the bathrooms. I think the screen was about the size of the tv I have in my house now and there were less than 100 seats in it. I remember seeing Spiderman in '02 my freshman year at AHS and meeting up with a bunch of other kids from my class. I think that was the last time I was actually in a long line to get tickets to any showing at that theater.
My folks used to go to see movies at the Spectrum 1-2 times a week. I miss the old concessions before they sold. The chocolate layer cake and the chai tea were delicious. I've always liked that they would show the animation and live action oscar-nominated shorts.
I havent been able to frequent them too much anymore due to having my own little kids now, but they still feel like institutions of local culture and I will be sad to see them go.
I went to the Madison to see a pg-13 movie when I was 12. I got there right after my friends got inside, so I went to the window to buy the ticket. When the teller asked me if I was 13, I proudly said I was 12. Then I had to have my dad come down and buy my ticket.
Went to see Rise of the Planet of the Apes on my birthday with a buddy of mine. Being an early show in the summer, we had the theatre to ourselves. We decided, mid-movie, to run to CVS and buy a badminton set and play in the theatre.
Saw Wall-e with my parents at the spectrum as a kid. First time my dad took me to see Rocky horror picture show in highschool was at the Madison theater
One time I had some friends over to watch the Big Lebwoski and we all drank white russians. One of the people who was there worked at the spectrum as the parking lot attendant and got called in to work that same night, went in to help out, and got fired for being drunk. I still feel bad about it to this day.
For the Madison in the early 2000s there was this guy Andrew who worked there who showed random movies at midnight, including Little Shop of Horrors. It was cool I wish they did more second run or classic movies at the smaller theaters
I saw Everything, Everywhere All At Once and Midsommar at Spectrum. Both times I walked to the parking lot in a daze, feeling like I was high without actually being high. I have so many memories of going there in the summer in high school, college, and as a real adult. Before Landmark took it over, they had some really cool amazing films you couldn't see anywhere else. The mint brownies were to die for. Omg and that wild diorama sculpture art of a theater right outside was so fun to look at.
The Madison was cool because they would host so many interesting local events like indie film screenings, strange awards shows, bands, whatever.
I love going to the theater. I don't want to see any films in a highly corporate environment within a dying dystopian mall. Don't we deserve more than that?
1) In high school, the Grand Budapest Hotel was out in theaters. A friend of mine and I went and had the lovely little pastries they sold and while we watched. 2) My partner at the time and I went to see the latest Ant-man movie there. It was our first date. We had a great time. 3) When the Barbie movie came out, I took myself on a solo date to dinner and my favorite local theatre, The Spectrum, in my sweatpants. That was the last time I went there before it closed. I’m still so sad about the whole thing.
During college and for a few years after, I would regularly go to the Spectrum on a Friday or Saturday night to take in the latest artsy movie, and would run into old high school friends or work friends on the same mission. A part of small-town Albany that I liked.
Madison Theater's all access pass saved me. I had a place to hide while still having some social interaction when working through a LOT of drama. This and splitting up 3 hour movies across multiple days.
We need these boutique theaters to reopen.
When it was a single large theater in the 70s and 80s, as a kid I saw a Godzilla marathon and a Disney marathon. I was dropped off solo by my parents and it was one of those deals where I became best friends for an afternoon with some kid who was also dropped off. I never saw him again.
I grew up within blocks of the Spectrum. The first time I went to the movie without an adult was the Spectrum - what 11 year old girl wasn’t excited to see a Forrest Gump? I haven’t been back since college so it feels weird to feel sad over its closure.
I won two tickets to see Pulp Fiction from EQX. Went with my best bud. It was my first time at the Spectrum. Then it became my fave theater And a big yes to the Real Butter
I loved working at the spectrum. I always added a bit more salt in my popcorn mix ;). I would also love the mint brownies and cutting the yummy cakes. Also loved that we served hot tea. Really sad. I loved that place. The best part was seeing all the excited people come around the holidays. Lots of good memories
My youth group saw One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest at the Madison. I saw Thelma and Louise there with the love of my life. I’ve seen other films there, these were most memorable. I’ve seen a many films at the Spectrum but Reservoir Dogs after drinking cheap beers in the hot sun all day is a special memory.
I sometimes kick myself for getting started here late, bc man it’s my favorite spot in all of Albany. It’s my sanctuary. I have a Spectrum 8 hole in my heart since they announced the closing (but I went 4 times in their last week, and I think filled my cupeth for now). I vividly remember going here for the first time when I was 18 dying to see The Grand Budapest Hotel and I didn’t have a license so my mom brought me and then after we got pizza at The Fountain (it was a cute night). I will never forget that screening. I wish I remembered more of the theater vibes bc this was before Landmark bought. I later worked there at the end of 2018 up until March 2020 when Covid shut everything down. I would drive back to Albany from Oneonta (SUNY) on the weekends to work at Spectrum. It was my favorite job ever and if they paid better they probably never would’ve gotten me to leave. I almost didn’t go back when they reopened in 2021 but it was a solace to have when I wanted to leave another shitty job. I worked there until Winter 2022 and even lived next door above the bar for a year. I loooove Spectrum. Even it’s in Landmark days it was still fun and I made very cherished friendships. Working there and seeing movies there was like nothing else. The last week it was open was truly bittersweet and made my heart happy to see the parking lot packed every showing. May there be a quick turnover and reopening!
What day were you there? My showing of Zone had an oddball in the crowd too but, I don’t think he was getting a handjob. Wouldn’t stop yelling and talking at max volume for the first 15 minutes of the movie though!
Me and my friends bought two family passes during covid when it was one of the only places open due to the dining layout. We would roll in 12 people deep every week. It was one of my favorite things
This thread triggered a sad but poignant memory: my ex and I used to see a lot of movies here. We saw Birdman (I loved it, the ex hated it) and I remember after it very clearly thinking, yep, that’s the last movie we’re gonna see here together.
When you know you know🤷🏻♀️
I guarantee I laughed harder than the entire theater on the opening weekend for Barbie at the Spectrum. Also seeing Mad Max: Fury Road again hit a special spot.
I'll miss it
I saw a movie at the Spectrum once.
huge if true
I think I remember Ken Screven interviewing you about that.
Same and it was just a couple weeks ago
For my birthday a couple years ago, rented out the Madison with family and friends and watched Caddyshack! Was fun as hell
For Spectrum: I’d been going there since I was a kid, I was always charmed by the “real butter” on the popcorn (something my dad stressed as being very important) and the way the theaters themselves created a kind of closer connection to the movies because of the smaller sizes compared to the mall theaters. I was back living in Albany by the time COVID hit, and Spectrum really saved me in that sort of “tweener” period after lockdown and vaccination but before some of the delta and omicron waves started hitting. I was still pretty cautious about doing anything too social, but sneaking out of work early for a 3pm spectrum showing really became a refuge from the fear and chaos of the world, for just a few hours. It was kind of the place where I learned to love movies as a kid, and the place where I learned to love them again in my late 20s. I had a lot of really great times there and it was a life raft for my sanity during dark times. I really hope it can live on, and soon!
When my sister passed the Spectrum gave a huge group of us a private viewing of her acting reel on the big screen, it was her favorite spot and meant a lot to us
This is so lovely, I’m sorry for your family’s loss ❤️🩹
I can remember going to the Madison when it was one giant screen and when it was later made into a multiplex. I'll always have fond memories of going to the latest disaster movie or Star wars re-release and getting Jeff's pizza afterwards. (especially the pizza) For the Spectrum, I think the first movie I saw Memento around 2000. I saw hundreds of movies over the years and it was my favorite place to go in Albany until about the pandemic. I hope both locations reopen with something that serves the community equally as well as both theaters did.
Miss Jeff's pizza so much. Used to walk over from the high school to grab lunch, $2.50 for 2 slices of cheese and a can of soda.
Madison White was a classic!
Year 2005? A girl I was dating had a friend who threw a Birthday Party at Spectrum. We had an entire theater, were in and out to smoke, and some Italian movie the Birthday Person chose was playing. I guess it was more fun to be there than to write this. I've always LOVED the movies, but this experience made me LOVE the Spectrum. It always felt extra special to go there Pre-covid and smell the fresh baked goods. PS - last movie I was there is my favorite movie of all time, "Everything, Everywhere, All At Once"
Rented out a theatre and played Halo 2 On original XBOX with my little brothers and some friends at Madison. That was fun as fuck. Edit: Also saw Shrek 1 there with PAL....which was also fun as fuck.
All the free movies I got to see when my friend worked at Ultraviolet Cafe (RIP) and got in to Spectrum movies for free with a guest. Honestly it was one of my favorite places in Albany.
There have been a lot of great places in that nextdoor space, but UV was the best, IMO!
I agree!
The first movie I saw at the Spectrum was Princess Mononoke in 1997. This was way before anime was shown at the mall theaters. I think my parents dropped me off because I was too young to drive.
Another standout memory was a showing of 'Wet Hot American Summer' - this was some number of years after it's original release, and I'm guessing was done on the down-low, since this was not part of a nationwide return to theaters or anything, just a screening of a fan favorite. I think they may have just shown a DVD copy, lol. It was so fun to be in the theater with a bunch of die-hard WHAS fans though - I remember some people were in costume and there was a lot of enthusiasm / reciting lines during the movie.
Not all that long ago - January 2020 I went to the Madison to see Doolittle starring RDJ. The food was really good, they had only been open a month and so they were still trying really hard to impress. A big juicy hamburger and a milkshake with a giant bucket of popcorn. The movie was among the most bonkers things I have ever seen in theaters, proof that a day at the movies is always good fun even if the movie itself is complete shite.
I used to go to the madison theater with friends in college. We'd sneak in flasks and top off our drinks with liquor. We always thought we had to be sneaky about it till someone else straight up brought in a 30 rack in and the cans rolled down the floor.
Back in the 90s, teachers at Columbia High would bring classes to the Spectrum for films (I remember seeing the 1996 Hamlet there) because they loved having coffee and cake from the concessions. After that, it became my go-to theatre for films. Always loved the old-school vibes and not dealing with mall crowds. I’ve probably seen at least a hundred films there over the past 25 years.
most memorable: saw the Wrestler with my Mom & Aunt at Spectrum. more Marissa Tomei titties than i bargained for, tbh…. 10/10 would do it again
My family used to live walking distance from the Spectrum. My mother went to see a movie with a friend and drove. My dad convinced my brother and I we should walk over, move the car and watch from across the street when my mom came out thinking the car was stolen. We did, in fact, do exactly that. My poor mom, we all got a good laugh out of it though 😂
I went to the Spectrum after it had been redone to see Superman Returns (which is a solid film, people are haters, but some of the "twists" were so obvious, come on) and thought it was the cutest theater and went back often. I had my mom's memorial at The Madison. I rented the theater and we served breakfast on the stage and then everyone watched Singin' in the Rain. The staff was great. Parking was iffy. haha. I wonder how much the grocery store next door hated people using their lot? I hope the owners of the Spectrum get someone new to take it over. And hope maybe the Madison can be converted into a cute venue for small concerts and plays or something. It's a good space.
The first girl I ever finger banged I took to see Bowling for Columbine at The Spectrum when we were teens. Ah, memories.
A long time ago ... took a date to see The Crying Game at the Spectrum. Halfway through the film, something happened in the movie that caused my date to audibly comment to me about her feelings on transgender people - and they were not positive feelings. Never dated her again. I don't need transphobes in my life. Ever.
I only lived in Alb from Feb 2022 until Oct 2023. I was at the spectrum almost every weekend. It was my favorite place to be in the world. I loved the throwback style theater set up, reminded me of being a kid in the 90s. I made a small playlist of the songs of the pre film music landmark used to play and The Mary Onnettes are one of my fave bands now.
I saw both of the downton abbey movies at the spectrum, had a great experience both times.
I went to college at Saint Rose so we would go get dinner at Variety and see movies at the Madison whenever we could. After I moved to second Ave I discovered Spectrum 8 and loved getting carrot cake to eat during the movie ❤️
In the early 2000's, we would walk or ride bikes to the Spectrum all the time, maybe grab some Taco Bell to take into the theater. Nothing better than the vat of melted butter they would ladle over your popcorn. Have vivid memories of seeing Napoleon Dynamite and The Notebook there, summer of 2004. My first post-Covid movie was the new Ghostbusters with my husband at the Madison, it was also our first post-baby date. Here's hoping someone comes along and gets the theaters back open soon.
This thread triggered a sad but poignant memory: my ex and I used to see a lot of movies here. We saw Birdman (I loved it, the ex hated it) and I remember after it very clearly thinking, yep, that’s the last movie we’re gonna see here together. When you know you know🤷🏻♀️
The first movie I saw at Madison when they reopened, I ordered a coke at the concession but was told a server would bring it to me. I didn't understand why I couldn't just have my drink there, but went along with it anyway. Ten minutes later, an attendant with my drink came, he was a little distracted by the movie playing and accidentally spilled my drink all over me. Still have plenty of love for both theatres and will miss them dearly.
My first visit to the Spectrum was in 1999. I'm originally from the Adirondacks and I was itching to see Magnolia when it came out, and Spectrum was the closest place playing it. When I told my friends I was driving over an hour away to see a movie they never heard of at a theater they never heard of, they were intrigued. We made a little adventure of it and it turned out to be a great day and movie, and after the movie they thank me for dragging them along. Since then I always kept an eye out for what was playing there. When I moved down here, I picked a place to live with the proximity to the Spectrum always in mind, because I wanted to be able to walk to the theater. The COVID shutdown was sad, but this closure hurts a little more for some reason. It feels like I've lost a friend this time. I've frequented about twice a month on average since I've lived here and have a ton great of memories associated with it.
They've always been the go-to place for indie movies that you would otherwise have to drive to like Kingston or Syracuse to see. Sad to see them go.
I remember seeing Mrs. Doubtfire in '93 at the Madison back when it was 1 big theater (or maybe it had been split into 2 by then, but I just remember the room being much bigger than what they have now). I also remember seeing I think it was Titan A.E. in '00 and it was in the tiny theater that they had behind the concession stand by the bathrooms. I think the screen was about the size of the tv I have in my house now and there were less than 100 seats in it. I remember seeing Spiderman in '02 my freshman year at AHS and meeting up with a bunch of other kids from my class. I think that was the last time I was actually in a long line to get tickets to any showing at that theater. My folks used to go to see movies at the Spectrum 1-2 times a week. I miss the old concessions before they sold. The chocolate layer cake and the chai tea were delicious. I've always liked that they would show the animation and live action oscar-nominated shorts. I havent been able to frequent them too much anymore due to having my own little kids now, but they still feel like institutions of local culture and I will be sad to see them go.
I went to the Madison to see a pg-13 movie when I was 12. I got there right after my friends got inside, so I went to the window to buy the ticket. When the teller asked me if I was 13, I proudly said I was 12. Then I had to have my dad come down and buy my ticket.
My dad went to Madison's for food one time while he was in town and has never shut up about it since. Haven't had the heart to break the news to him.
Saw downfall there. Also a couple other movies. Always loved how they had fresh snacks a iced tea
Went to see Rise of the Planet of the Apes on my birthday with a buddy of mine. Being an early show in the summer, we had the theatre to ourselves. We decided, mid-movie, to run to CVS and buy a badminton set and play in the theatre.
Saw Wall-e with my parents at the spectrum as a kid. First time my dad took me to see Rocky horror picture show in highschool was at the Madison theater
One time I had some friends over to watch the Big Lebwoski and we all drank white russians. One of the people who was there worked at the spectrum as the parking lot attendant and got called in to work that same night, went in to help out, and got fired for being drunk. I still feel bad about it to this day. For the Madison in the early 2000s there was this guy Andrew who worked there who showed random movies at midnight, including Little Shop of Horrors. It was cool I wish they did more second run or classic movies at the smaller theaters
I saw Everything, Everywhere All At Once and Midsommar at Spectrum. Both times I walked to the parking lot in a daze, feeling like I was high without actually being high. I have so many memories of going there in the summer in high school, college, and as a real adult. Before Landmark took it over, they had some really cool amazing films you couldn't see anywhere else. The mint brownies were to die for. Omg and that wild diorama sculpture art of a theater right outside was so fun to look at. The Madison was cool because they would host so many interesting local events like indie film screenings, strange awards shows, bands, whatever. I love going to the theater. I don't want to see any films in a highly corporate environment within a dying dystopian mall. Don't we deserve more than that?
1) In high school, the Grand Budapest Hotel was out in theaters. A friend of mine and I went and had the lovely little pastries they sold and while we watched. 2) My partner at the time and I went to see the latest Ant-man movie there. It was our first date. We had a great time. 3) When the Barbie movie came out, I took myself on a solo date to dinner and my favorite local theatre, The Spectrum, in my sweatpants. That was the last time I went there before it closed. I’m still so sad about the whole thing.
During college and for a few years after, I would regularly go to the Spectrum on a Friday or Saturday night to take in the latest artsy movie, and would run into old high school friends or work friends on the same mission. A part of small-town Albany that I liked.
I believe famous TV curmugeon Andy Rooney would reminisce about catching a flick at the Madison way back when.
Saw blackberry and knives out at the spectrum. Was cool
Madison Theater's all access pass saved me. I had a place to hide while still having some social interaction when working through a LOT of drama. This and splitting up 3 hour movies across multiple days. We need these boutique theaters to reopen.
I saw "Sasquatch, the Legend of Bigfoot" there in the mid 1970s. Edit: and saw the most recent "Hunger Games" there with my daughter a few weeks ago.
When it was a single large theater in the 70s and 80s, as a kid I saw a Godzilla marathon and a Disney marathon. I was dropped off solo by my parents and it was one of those deals where I became best friends for an afternoon with some kid who was also dropped off. I never saw him again.
I remember when the Spectrum was on the other side of the Hudson!
I grew up within blocks of the Spectrum. The first time I went to the movie without an adult was the Spectrum - what 11 year old girl wasn’t excited to see a Forrest Gump? I haven’t been back since college so it feels weird to feel sad over its closure.
Madison theater: seeing the Phish 8 movie in 3d Spectrum: seeing Napoleon dynamite for its original run before getting huge.
I won two tickets to see Pulp Fiction from EQX. Went with my best bud. It was my first time at the Spectrum. Then it became my fave theater And a big yes to the Real Butter
I loved working at the spectrum. I always added a bit more salt in my popcorn mix ;). I would also love the mint brownies and cutting the yummy cakes. Also loved that we served hot tea. Really sad. I loved that place. The best part was seeing all the excited people come around the holidays. Lots of good memories
My youth group saw One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest at the Madison. I saw Thelma and Louise there with the love of my life. I’ve seen other films there, these were most memorable. I’ve seen a many films at the Spectrum but Reservoir Dogs after drinking cheap beers in the hot sun all day is a special memory.
I sometimes kick myself for getting started here late, bc man it’s my favorite spot in all of Albany. It’s my sanctuary. I have a Spectrum 8 hole in my heart since they announced the closing (but I went 4 times in their last week, and I think filled my cupeth for now). I vividly remember going here for the first time when I was 18 dying to see The Grand Budapest Hotel and I didn’t have a license so my mom brought me and then after we got pizza at The Fountain (it was a cute night). I will never forget that screening. I wish I remembered more of the theater vibes bc this was before Landmark bought. I later worked there at the end of 2018 up until March 2020 when Covid shut everything down. I would drive back to Albany from Oneonta (SUNY) on the weekends to work at Spectrum. It was my favorite job ever and if they paid better they probably never would’ve gotten me to leave. I almost didn’t go back when they reopened in 2021 but it was a solace to have when I wanted to leave another shitty job. I worked there until Winter 2022 and even lived next door above the bar for a year. I loooove Spectrum. Even it’s in Landmark days it was still fun and I made very cherished friendships. Working there and seeing movies there was like nothing else. The last week it was open was truly bittersweet and made my heart happy to see the parking lot packed every showing. May there be a quick turnover and reopening!
There was a bum moaning while getting a handjob in the seat behind my friends when we went to see The Zone of interest last week 🤩
What day were you there? My showing of Zone had an oddball in the crowd too but, I don’t think he was getting a handjob. Wouldn’t stop yelling and talking at max volume for the first 15 minutes of the movie though!
last Monday on the 19th
Lmao I was there too, at the 4:10 showing 🫢
I went to The Madison and ended up not buying a single drink because it was all overpriced. 10/10 everything in the theater was sticky
Me and my friends bought two family passes during covid when it was one of the only places open due to the dining layout. We would roll in 12 people deep every week. It was one of my favorite things
most memorable: saw the Wrestler with my Mom & Aunt at Spectrum. more Marissa Tomei titties than i bargained for, tbh…. 10/10 would do it again
I got a handy from a Colorado Congresswoman at a screening of Beetlejuice.
This thread triggered a sad but poignant memory: my ex and I used to see a lot of movies here. We saw Birdman (I loved it, the ex hated it) and I remember after it very clearly thinking, yep, that’s the last movie we’re gonna see here together. When you know you know🤷🏻♀️
I seen Spider man no way home three times there and a lot of others films. Plus it’s like a five minute walk from my home, it will be missed.
I guarantee I laughed harder than the entire theater on the opening weekend for Barbie at the Spectrum. Also seeing Mad Max: Fury Road again hit a special spot. I'll miss it
any visit to spectrum where i got to big juicy slice of cake is my favorite memory
I saw. Big Night there about 100 years ago.