Big, Bright, Horrible!
posted on october 28, 2003, tag: new york
Regal Cinemas 14 in Union Square is sending a message to people who think Manhattan doesn't need any more bright, huge signs: Yes it does.
I know it's hard to see from the crappy picture taken with my cell phone, but let me describe: it's a high sign that wraps around the whole corner of the theater building (the 13th and Broadway corner), with 5-foot-tall lighted letters spelling out "REGAL CINEMAS 14" across the top, and a 5-foot-tall electronic marquee underneath. Flanking the left and right of the marquee are two more, smaller lighted signs that only say "REGAL."
While I can understand wanting to advertise your theater to the crowds in Union Square, I just think this is a waste of time (and power), since the sign is hard to see from most places in the Square. In fact, because the theater is on the corner a block south of the park, you can't see the sign unless you're on that street, or within 20-30 feet west or east of the street in the park.
I think maybe instead of paying for that sign, Regal Cinemas 14 should spend a little more money getting big movies when they open—after not having The Matrix Reloaded and several other big films recently, who cares about that damned sign? If there are no good films it means nothing. Oh, except it's huge and bright and horrible.