Town Offers Variety of Film Options

Whether you plan to see behemoths or less obvious picks, you'll be able to catch a flick any day of the week, almost any time of the day, thanks to Chapel Hill's six theaters.

And you don't have to sit with half of the student body in the same 20-screen multiplex: Theaters with personality seem to have won out over the tired shopping-mall model.

If you're looking to see the latest competition for the all-time highest-grossing movies, then try the Plaza, Movies at Timberlyne or the Lumina.

Eastern Federal Corporation owns both the Plaza and Movies at Timberlyne, so you can catch the new Ben Affleck blockbuster at one of these theaters.

The Timberlyne theater and adjoining shopping district lie several miles down Airport Road, so expect to take the bus or to drive. The same holds for the Plaza -- it's near Wellspring on Elliott Road, close to the intersection of Franklin Street and U.S. 15-501.

At either one, expect your typical movie experience and expect to pay typical theater prices. It's $7 for the evening show and $5.25 for the matinee.

The Lumina usually has the big flicks, too, and lines usually aren't as long. It's in the middle of Southern Village, so it tends to show G- and PG-rated films.

It's also a bus ride away but a little cheaper than the Eastern Federal theaters. Other perks include stadium seating.

And if you're looking for a rare movie experience, go Friday or Saturday nights -- the Lumina shows a movie outdoors while the weather is warm, and you're free to bring along picnic supplies.

But maybe you don't want to see the same movies that you can see anywhere. The Chelsea, Varsity and the Carolina theaters tend to have imports, in addition to a few mainstream films.

"If there are foreign movies to be played in this area, we're going to get them," said Stuart Hoyle, the Varsity's veteran projectionist.

The Chelsea is across the lot from Movies at Timberlyne, but it generally won't play the same movies, nor will you have to pay quite as much to see a show there.

Concessions cost less, and you can even buy a passport to see 10 movies at a reduced price.

And the Chelsea doesn't bombard patrons with much-loathed advertisements.

"We don't show Coke commercials before the show," one Chelsea employee said. "We assume our customers know this stuff already."

Of course, if you lack transportation, the Carolina or the Varsity will be your best bets.

The Carolina is next door to the Ackland Art Museum by Hanes Hall. It has only one screen, so expect limited showtimes.

And you can't miss the Varsity: It's smack-dab in the middle of Franklin Street.