xtreme 8 experience

a very different feeling, but a good one

---

Surreal would be the best word to describe the feeling or experience of entering the lobby at the Landmark Xtreme 8 theatre last night to watch Christopher Nolan's latest release, Tenet.

At the moment we entered, there were no other patrons cueing up for concessions or tickets. With many of the 8 theatres showing the same movie, and times staggered throughout the day, an amazing level of social distancing was accomplished in the lobby itself.

With tickets purchased online ahead of time, which is the recommended method, we were able to just get them scanned off the phone and were directed to the particular theatre that we would be watching in.

For a list of all the theatres in and around town, check out our Movie Theatres page.

NOTE - The COVID-19 pandemic and the provincial emergency delcaration have meant an immediate closure of all movie theatres. As restrictions loosen and movie theatres announce plans to re-open, we will do our best to keep you up to date.

The first thing you notice is that there are no lineups anywhere. With patrons encouraged to purchase their tickets online and get to the theatre well ahead of the start time, we were the only non-staff in the lobby when we arrived. Weird, but somehow comforting.

Immediately after noticing that, you pick up on the fact that every staff member is wearing a mask, with no exceptions. Ticekt takers, concession workers, an abundance of cleaning agents. All with facial coverings. All happy to be there.

Staff were poised with sanitizers and cleaning utensils to quickly move in behind any patrons who may have touched any surfaces after grabbing their snacks, with others ready to attend to any other areas where movie goers came into contact with any part of the building or dispensing equipment or anythng at all for that matter.

Inside the theatre itself, the closest patrons to us would have been at least 10 ft away. I never once felt too close to anyone. That made it very easy to relax into my seat and get into the movie.

Each of us has to make our own decisions during this continuing pandemic, and should feel free to do so without any need to justify it to anyone else. For me, I certainly felt at least as safe here as I have going into any restaurant or even the mall or grocery store. Again, make your own choice on your own terms, but I sure enjoyed catching a great film on the big screen. Yes, there will be a review in the reviews section, but I wanted to get this message out there first.