Document text
Cinemark sticks to big films Why is it that the 3- and 4-star films reviewed in Tempo are so often not playing in any of Medford's many theaters? Recent examples: "American Beauty," "Mumford," "Red Violin." -- Eileen A., Medford A number of movies that receive glowing reviews from Roger Ebert and other critics fall into the "art film" or "limited release" category. Many of these play at the Varsity in Ashland but do not make it to Medford, or at least not right away. That's because all of the Medford theaters -- except South Side Cinema -- are owned by Cinemark. The national chain, headquartered in Texas, tends to book popular films with strong commercial potential. The Varsity, on the other hand, is owned by Coming Attractions, a local firm headed by John Schweiger. It makes a policy of booking art films, no doubt figuring that the arts and university climate in Ashland makes it commercially feasible to do so. Indeed, Coming Attractions just received the 1999 Arts Council of Southern Oregon large-business award for being a champion of independent cinema. The three movies you mentioned have all played at the Varsity but not, as yet, in Medford. In the past, some so-called art films have eventually been shown in Medford theaters after enjoying considerable commercial success, notably "Life Is Beautiful" and "The Full Monty." Can you find out if there will be better pedestrian/bicycle crossings put in place at the Highland Drive and Siskiyou Boulevard intersection in Medford? Already, there have been many children attracted to the area to use Bear Creek Park, and the numbers will only increase with the completion of the skateboard park and bike track areas. -- Mike and Lori L., Medford Yes, plans are in the works that will make that intersection more friendly for pedestrians and bicyclists, said Cory Crebbin, the Medford Public Works director. The improvement is one of 17 traffic projects developed to clean up Medford's street system. The city is selling bonds to support these improvements in three batches over six years. The first three of 17 projects got under way this summer. The most visible one is the McAndrews extension in east Medford. Your concern -- improving Highland and Siskiyou -- will be in the next batch; the city will sell bonds for those projects in spring 2001. Crebbin has some ideas and would like to do some innovative engineering to make the area safer for children, but says "We haven't gotten real far on that because that project is down the road." (Send your questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; or by fax to (541) 776-4376; or by e-mail to: [email protected] Please include your name, address and phone number for verification.) Today's News Index Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA