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Embarcadero Center Cinema
Rating Details »
Categories: Cinema, Jazz & Blues
Neighborhood: Financial District1 Embarcadero Ctr
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 267-4893
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Tue, Wed
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- None
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
241 reviews for Embarcadero Center Cinema
It's hard to give any theater five stars after having experienced the soaring heights of Arclight Cinemas in Los Angeles, but Embarcadero Center Cinemas is the best of the Bay Area's Landmark Theaters, a chain specializing in foreign, art house, and independent film. All five theaters have reasonably sized screens, the seats are comfortable, and the audiences are usually reasonably quiet and low-key. None of the theaters are tiny little why-didn't-I-rent-this-on-video shoe boxes like the smaller theaters at the Lumiere or Opera Plaza.
I've experienced projection and sound problems here on a few occasions, but I go often, and overwhelmingly my experiences have been excellent. Embarcadero Center Cinemas has, unfortunately, started running more and more commercials before the films. I don't mind trailers at all--I enjoy trailers--but I don't appreciate paying for the privilege of seeing commercials, especially the tiresome Stella Artois ads, each of which you see several thousand times if you, like me, are a habitué of Landmark's theaters.
My first choice for foreign and indie films.
If only i had more friends who LIKED foreign and indie films.
All the auditoriums here are medium-sized, sloping downward (no stadium-style seats here). I believe it's auditorium #4 (and maybe the others?) that has the two long walkway aisles, separating the center seating from the two side seating rows. It is the style of the older theaters, and meant to keep its old-movie-house charms. Of course, independent and smaller studio films are shown here. As a result, the crowd is more older and if young, mature.
Located upstairs in the Embarcadero 1 building. Street parking are plenty in the area after 6pm, so there's no need to go in the garages. The walk will take just as long. And, no sweats or pajama pants were seen in the vicinity. Black Angus hot dogs were $4.75, a small popcorn was $5.00 and a small Coke was $3.75.
Bonus review: "Gentlemen Broncos" is another quirky comedy 'with funny-looking eccentric people', along the same line as Napoleon Dynamite (both movies were written by the husband and wife team of Jared and Jerusha Hess, with Jared directing). The movie is about a teenage kid who wants to be a sci-fi writer. While attending a writing camp, his story submitted for critique was stolen by a guest author. The movie is how all this develops and its end result. Clips of the kid's story - if were filmed B-movie style - interjected throughout the movie. Will enjoy IFF you got ND.
Milestone: the 400th "Cool" vote's review...
I love this place! They have a great selection of alternative films and friendly staff. I like that it is walking distance to BART and the ferry building farmer's market.
Good times.
What can I say? I love movies, and it is hard for me to dislike any place that shows them. Embarcadero Center theater has a certain charm to it that I love. It is on top of Embarcadero Center building 1. Every time I have been here the movies have been pretty crowded (the last two movies I saw were on opening day) but the people who tend to go here aren't annoying. They are quiet and want to enjoy the film just as much as I do. It is a fun theater to go to because there are lots of restaurants and stores around, so you can make an morning/afternoon/evening of it! Close to public transportation and plenty of parking. The theater validates parking too!! Go get your movie on!
I love going to this theater but I wish the location wasnt such a bitch to get to and also I wish the bathrooms smelled better!!! Other than that, its a nice place!
God bless Embarcadero Center Cinema!
Lots of foreign films they show are wonderful.
Quality over quantity.
I have seen so many films here and never been disappointed.
Recently, I saw "Paris" here although DVD is already sold in the UK.
The audience is always nice as well.
One extra star for having many popcorn topping powders. It is fun!
We stopped here for a film festival. The theatre itself is pretty small. The location is ideal and they validate for parking if you use the garage. The bathrooms were pretty messy. I'm not sure what's up with that. I'd probably go back here, especially since it is conveniently located. Also there are some neat shops that surround the center itself. Oh well, at least the theatre itself didn't smell like stinky feet.
Oh joy, an indie-ish movie theatre right near work and all this time- I didn't even know it was there! I'm hitting up the snack bar next time because I saw wasabi peas and pour-em-yourself popcorn toppings. An intimate/comfortable theatre worth going to for sure!
Watched Amreeka here. I was surprised at how old the theater is . It was one of those really long ones with old chairs. It was rows and rows of chairs. Like it doesn't matter where you sit you will still feel so far away from the giant screen. It felt like watching a movie from 5 miles away.
I'd say cleanliness wasn't too shabby. Better directions to the actual doors to initially get in the physical theater was messed up. One door next to the ticketing counter says use next door. That NEXT door wasn't open. tsk tsk tsk.
Well anyways it was still a cool weekend. But wait a minute! One ore thing. Don't they have a lost and found section? The girl at the ticket counter helped this guy out who forgot his phone a week ago while people were waiting to purchase tickets. She needs more training by sending this person over to the LnF dept. That's it!!
After my review of the dirty men's room, guess what they cleaned it up . . . ONCE . . . . come on people, it isn't rocket science to wiped down the tiles and "modesty" panels once in a while. The place is relatively new so there really is no excuse.
I love the movies they show, I love the concession stand, the staff could definitely be more friendly and . . . the janitorial service is so bad, they gross me out.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/22/2009
I've had it! There is absolutely no excuse for a business to have dirty nasty restrooms. It's just… Read more »
We came here for the Chipotle sponsored free screening of Food Inc. I've been to A LOT of free movie screenings and this was the most organized one yet. We waited in line on their beautiful outdoor walkway with views of the FiDi. I don't know if they always practice handing out tickets but one of the theater ladies came out and gave everyone present one. This way we didn't have to stuck around for an hour. We were free to roam!
I've been to this theater before and I just love the selection of indie films. It's fun to read the employees' top ten movie lists posted on the windows too while you wait for your showing. For Food Inc., the theater was PACKED but I didn't feel squished or uncomfortable at all. The leg room was generous and the seats were comfortable too. Sometimes I like to sit "indian style" at the movies and I can totally do that here.
Lastly, if you come here for a normal showing (aka paid admission), you can get validation for free parking from the garage. That's almost unheard of in San Francisco.
Enjoy the show!
Yes, I just reviewed this spot two days ago, but I had to give an update due to freakin' awesome customer service from one of the assistant managers named Wayne.
The vegan sausage I had was so good I emailed and asked what the brand was out of curiosity. Wayne replied back, in hours, letting me know the brand (Underdog!) as well an update that they just got in sauerkraut which can be requested at concessions.
On top of that, they keep soy milk in the house for any of their coffee drinks too, and they have nutritional yeast for on top of the popcorn instead of butter. If you haven't heard of the yeast thing don't freak, it's a good flavor alternative to butter and cheese as a topping. Plus it's called "nutritional yeast" so I like to pretend there is some nutritional benefit.
Wayne even asked me for vegan snacking suggestions as they've been working hard to have these options. God I love it when places give a crap, wins me over every time.
Nice job Wayne and Embarcadero Cinema, I'll be spreadin' the word.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/12/2009
Overeating as I usually do on my lazy Sundays, I was almost a bit bummed to go to a movie. Rarely… Read more »
I never really thought too much of this theater when I worked in the area, but after viewing a movie there over the weekend I've decided that it is a really nice find.
Located within the Embarcadero Center, this Landmark Theater is surrounded by restaurants and shopping. It's on the very top floor of Embarcadero One so it can be a bit tricky to find if you are going there for the first time.
I like the quaint feel I received when I walked in. It was like walking into a home theater with your very own snack bar. It was great! The screens are small, but fit perfectly with the size of each theater. The chairs are older so they smaller in size, but comfy non-the-less. I had no qualms about the sound at all. I expected it to be a bit poor, but was very surprised in the end.
This theater also plays a lot of independent films. So I'd come back to if I wanted to beat the crowds at some of the other theaters in SF.
The bf & I saw "The Girlfriend Experience" here a few months ago. I was so bummed that I missed that film at the Tribeca Film Festival, that I was DETERMINED to see it here. We paid $21 for two tickets.
YAY!!!:
- lots of parking in the garage
- they validate parking
- they take credit cards
- staff was very friendly
- comfy seats
- clean
- located in an area with TONS of restaurants, shops & bars for before or after movie eating/shopping
- the theater plays tons of indie films
NAY:
- the snobby girls in front of us who shot us dirty looks everytime we laughed or snickered. i'm sorry, the movie was amusing, interesting & at times funny... get over it ladies, everyone else was laughing & snickering...if you want complete silence, watch your precious movies AT HOME!
I never would have guessed there was a theater in this place. What a nice surprise. And it was really cool to stop and have Happy Hour at Chevy's before the movie started.
It's a small theater i think w/ like 5 screens or sometihng...showing mostly documentaries, indie films and sundance film festival films. It was a very personal setting...not like sitting at Bay Street or the Metreon.
So I went on Friday w/ My Beau to see Food Inc., what an awesome film...I would recommend it to everyone. Very eye opening to the food industry w/o being completely turned off by meat for the rest of my life.
This cinema is pretty awesome. I watched the GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE here (it's an indie about call girls). We went to the cinema at about 7:15 and the movie was playing at 7:30. There was a huge line - I guess people wanted to know more about call girls?
They have these kiosks - where you can buy a ticket with a debit/credit card. However, one was broken so everyone was waiting in line. However, I am very smart. So, I went up the kiosk to see if it was really broken. It was. BUT there was a note, in fine print, that said: "There is another kiosk on the other side of the lobby."
I ran over the other side of the lobby. The kiosk was there. It was unoccupied. I ran over there, paid within a matter of 45 seconds, got my tickets and ran over to my boyfriend, who was still near the end of the line. I triumphantly waved my tickets in his face and said, "I WON, honey, I WON!"
I took his hand and we rushed into the 7:30 screening of the Girlfriend Experience. It was only 7:20. I felt relaxed. There weren't a lot of people. Good. The seat next to me was unoccupied, and I thought, "great, I can have the arm rest!"
Just then, a guy with a big hiking backpack plopped down on the seat next to me.
He was breathing really heavily. I don't know why - the movie didn't even start yet. He smiled at me. A lot. He took the armrest that I was going to use, and his big fat arm was resting there the ENTIRE movie. At times, his fat head seemed to tilt towards my (not-so-fat) head. He would glance over occasionally during some of the funny parts of the movie -- as if to illicit some reaction from me.
I wanted to tell him that this was a movie about call girls -- and that I was not part of the "girlfriend experience."
Just remember two things when you go to this cinema.
1) look for the kiosks
2) INSIST on sitting in an aisle seat and make a friend sit in the seat next to you
The Embarcadero Center Cinema plays first-run independent & foreign films almost exclusively. It's a Landmark Theatre w/ five screens. The other Landmark Theatres in the City are the Bridge, Clay, Lumiere, & the Opera Plaza Cinemas. So if you like movies like "Persepolis", Landmark theatres are pretty much your only chance to see them on the big screen before they are available on DVD.
Aside from during children-targeted films, I have never seen kids here. Its financial district location has a lot to do w/ this.
They also have advance screenings of independent/foreign movies, of course.
I like when movie theaters aren't swarmed with a bunch of teens. This one looks EMPTY EMPTY. Where are the people?
I went to a screening of "Adam" today, got there over an hour early. We didn't need to get there so early. I anticipated a long line, since most screenings are crowded with people and lines that have formed hours ago...well...not this one. We could have gone in 5 minutes before the showing and still would have gotten a pretty good seat.
Movie was pretty good, I'm not sure if I'd pay for it. It did cost me $$$ to take the bus here, I guess it was worth the bus money to watch.
I've watched my share of movies here (The Host, Darjeeling Limited, Persepolis and Departures) and every time has been a great experience thanks of course in part to the cleanliness and coziness of the Embarcadero Center Cinema :)
Pros:
* The floors are never sticky.
* The bathrooms are quite sanitary, neither smelly nor crowded.
* The food is decent priced.
* They have different popcorn powders/flavors to add to your popcorn!
Cons:
* .....Uh, too perfect?
But really, as far as I know from my movie-going experiences here, Embarcadero Center Cinema is a wonderful place to take in a film to escape from your everyday worries.
We came here for a late night showing. It's pretty easy to find street parking at night. No student discounts and most of the films here are independent/indie type of films.
It's quite quiet around the area and can be romantic if you are planning to go on a date!
$10.75/adult tickets.
Seats are spacious but don't expect it to be a big theater.
I found my new favorite theater in the City!!! For an indy/art-house film enthusiast, I'm ecstatic to find out this place specializes in quirky, non-blockbuster, indy/foreign flicks.
I saw "Shall We Kiss", a cute little French film here the other night and look forward to coming back for more!
A TIP- a great way to spend "after film hour" is walking along the Embarcadero by the waters for a post movie discussion!
Date & Time: Friday February 27, 2009 @ 7:20pm
Movie: Two Lovers(Gwyneth Paltrow, Joaquin Phoenix, Vanessa Shaw)
Rating: 3 Stars
Total: $21
Company: Michael
Crowd: Well-Heeled Sophisticated Crowd- Ladies in Tory Burch Flats or Boots
Vibe: Understated
Decor: Ascend a Small Flight of Stairs to Intimate Theatres
Service: Nice & Efficient
Imbibe: Espresso & Strawberry-Kiwi Icee
Devour: Popcorn w/ Seasonings, Nathan's Hotdogs, Big Cookies
Total: $23.25 for Refreshments
This is a great theater for indie flicks and a lot nicer than going to The Bridge or Lumiere.
Average movie theater prices but slightly better snacks and I love that there is a parking garage.
My only issue is that you have to use an outdoor escalator which is no fun on a rainy day.
I love the Landmark Theater nestled on the 3rd floor of 1 Embarcadero...The movie selection is cool (lot of indie and documentary films) and it has a personal vibe to it which makes you feel like it's there just for you and a few of your close friends...
If you love watching indie films, this is the place for you. I remember the first time I came here, Ghost in the Shell. Awesome movie at the time and still is.
Last night showing was the Sneak Peak at "Donkey Punch" Just another brilliant bizarre sexy killing thriller that made everyone covering up their eyes. "Intoxicating, a real eye jointing experience!" -Stanley K.
See you at the movies!
I've been a big fan of the Embarcadero Center Cinema for quite some time. This was my go to theatre for indie movies. Times change and now I split it between the 4-Star Theatre and the Sundance Kabuki Cinema. I would come here after those half days of work in the Financial District. Sometimes full days of work and weekends too.
It's a great place to catch up on your Oscar movies. The food prices have gone up quite a bit, so be forewarned. I used to be able with a matinee price ticket buy a small popcorn, small soda and hot dog for under $20. Times have changed.
But I love and will always support this movie house for my love of independent cinema. These days, I lack the bandwidth for the blockbuster films. Thank you Embarcadero Center Cinema, you make the movie experience a happy one for me!
I'm really beginning to like this place.
The best film I've seen here to date has been "River of Renewal"--the theater complex gets major props for hosting the American Indian Film Festival. The opening night film began with a prayer and song led by three Indian woman (one was a friend from the Hoopa Valley Tribe), and finished with a Q&A session with the director, a Hoopa engineer/activist.
Other great non-festival films we've seen here include Slumdog Millionaire, Milk, and The Reader. This place gets five stars for quality and accessibility.
Where would us fans of independent cinema go if the Embarcadero Cinema were no there?
The location is great and walkable from Embarcadero Muni, close to food a.k.a. Ferry Building, great views of the city, its never crammed or over crowded... and I have not even started talking about the cinema itself, yet!
I go here at least twice a month either with friends or by myself and they always have a great selection of independent movies running. The crowd is really great (no popcorn throwing, dialog lip syncing, iPhone texting folks), the theaters are just the right size and one comes away with a good feeling of having watched a movie that moved you because you actually did not leave your brain outside the theater.
The staff are friendly and the old guy who takes your ticket at the entrance has been there for eons and is such a sweetheart! Don't mind that they don't do online ticketing... I like the old fashioned "go to the movie theater and get in line to buy a ticket" feeling and the human interaction!
After coming to this theater two nights in a row, I realized it may be time to write a review. And be less monotonous.
Located in the super convenient, super WASPy Embarcadero Center Mall, this little theater brings the artsy folk out of their tiny, dark Union Square studios, and into...well, into a tiny, dark theatre.
But! The films are always so fantastic you won't miss the sunlight.
The Cinema has the charm of an independent with the small rooms, the friendly ticket collectors, the interactive audiences and great array of foreign and independent films.
So good, I might just aim for three nights in a row next time. :)
The Embarcadero Cinema has the charm of an independent theater, with movie posters in the lobby, one cashier in the lobby, one snack/espresso bar and five screens. It's in the heart of downtown SF, convenient to public transportation with validated parking (free four-hour validated parking after 5 PM Monday-Friday and after 10 AM Saturday & Sunday at any Embarcadero Center Parking Garage, otherwise reduced rates apply). They usually have postcards and reviews of the current movies in the lobby.
They still show 10-15 minutes worth of previews before the movie begins. The crowd is usually much older and well behaved but twice I've sat right in front of some senior citizen who talked during the movie. This time it was a woman with a cane (argh).
I like Embarcadero Center Cinema's movie selection (I recently watched THE READER - an excellent, powerful movie about how secrets can change the course of someone's life - $8.25 bargain matinee). Though the comfort of a new, plush chair, surround sound and a massive screen aren't there, I prefer the smaller screens at the older theaters.
I don't think I've purchased anything from the concession stand (except for coffee or soda when I'm tired and need caffeine). I can sit for two hours without snacking on something and there's something strange about eating in the dark.
I prefer the CineArts in Sausalito though (free parking, MUCH less crowded, haven't run into any talkers there yet): http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Where you can watch a movie that doesn't star anyone you see on E!, PerezHilton or TMZ.
Great theather that shows movies that make you think. Sometimes you actually want to see a movie that means something. When that happens...come here.
The place is a little dirty though...the hallways outside the men's bathroom smelled like urine. Gross.
Watch the Departures! Best movie I've seen in a while. Very purifying.
I'm a big fan of the Landmark theater chain. I consider it a hallmark of this city's cultural eclecticism that it has a bunch of these theaters to choose from, all playing different foreign/independent/weird movies at any given moment. The Embarcadero is the most multiplexual of them all, recreating the familiar suburban Friday night movie-going experience much more completely than places like the Lumiere, the Clay, or the Bridge, albeit amid the strange urban desertedness of the afterhours Financial District.
Its nice that they validate your parking in the basement garage. It'd be nicer if there were any place to go hang out afterwards though.
Comfortable theatres and free refill on the Big Gulp-sized sodas. AND, you do not have to compete with the teenagers attending the most recent
"Fast & Furious" or "Saw" release. Additional savings can be found if you pre-purchase the Landmark Theatres GOLD Group Activity Ticket (good for most movies, except new releases).
The crowd is your typical San Francisco audience (which is compliment... or an insult, depending upon how much you love Sean Hannity and Fox News). On rare occasions, you have to wait in line behind slow-moving octogenarians and deal with the "What did he just say?!?" couples who narrate the film to their hearing impaired companions, but I guess grandmas gotta get their indie on, too.
Great programming, great location, HORRID crowd control. On a busy night, it is impossible to stand on line if you are getting there early for a popular film. To be fair, sometimes it is like herding cats. Unfortunately, the staff & management seem powerless to queue up a group of people, so as soon as the theater has been cleaned, it is every man for himself ("forget women and children first"!).
Get there early if you want a good seat, but for the most part, the crowds are reasonable. Buy your tickets early, then go get a bite to eat. An affordable night out with happy hour at Chevy's (half-price) and then a show at the Cinema. Afterwards, walk down to the Embarcadero & the Ferry Terminal. A really great date night. For a few dollars more, there are some Irish and German pubs nearby... well, you can find just about anything to suit your tastes if you just walk a couple of blocks.
The staff is pleasant... a much nicer than the surly grad students working other indie movie houses (did someone just say "Castro Theatre"?!?).
If you are in town on business, this place is INCREDIBLY convenient for the convention attendees, the Hyatt Embarcadero and the Financial District, and it gets you away from all the tourist traffic packing out the Metreon and the Westfield Center.
N E W S F L A S H
Head over to Embarcadero Cinema QUICK! They're currently showing the Oscar Nominated Animated Short Films for I don't know how much longer!
If you're looking to do something a little different than the norm, pop into Embarcadero Cinema where you can catch these unique & entertaining short films. There are 2 diff showings: Live Action and Animated, but I'd suggest sticking w/ Animated since they seem to really have outdone themselves this year. Pixar's "Presto" and "Octapodi" are my top favorites!
Embarcadero Cinema is a refreshing change from the norm. You can often times catch cool, independent flicks and they've got a snack bar that's stocked w/ quite a few treats to nosh on (Popcorn w/ a fun variety of seasonings, Haribo Gummy Bears, and Dk. Chocolate Rainsinettes, just to name a few!). It's also nice being around a movie crowd sans teens, but I guess that's to be expected when you see a movie at an indie theater!
Sidenote: If you've missed the boat for these short films, don't worry! You can catch em' here at around the same time (February) or at their sister theater, Lumiere.
I've seen several excellent films at this theater that I've not been able to see at other theaters, and I also appreciate that they show some more mainstream stuff as well (like Milk) so that I can enjoy either an indie flick or a more mainstream movie without traipsing down to the Westfield.
I especially like the previews, because I always see at least one or two films that wouldn't have been on my radar otherwise. The theater itself is nice because it's got a lot of natural light in the lobby and the seats are comfortable (cup holders and armrests, etc). Minus one star for over-priced concessions. Yes, I know this is common and accepted, but it's irksome.
Probably the best theater in San Francisco. It doesn't get 5 stars because of the seating style. You always have to look up at the screen. If it had stadium style seating this place would be perfect. Movie buffs come here, not thugs or douchey teenagers. I've never had a bad experience here compared to other theaters where I have seen fights breakout.
The food and beverage options are awesome. Any theater that offers coffee and tea rocks. And they also sell homemade cookies. The Icee machine is a nice touch when you're in the mood for a sweet drink.
Finally, the movies playing here are for the most part usually pretty good and thought provoking, not mindless entertainment. And to top it all off the service is really friendly. No surly teenagers to deal with.
The staff is cinema itself, on a strange cocktail of anti-depressants. What sadists abuse you, dear employees? I'll write a letter condemning them.
Comrades, rise up and stand up for yourselves and the people. The hand who feeds you must be so cruel.
Y'all employees may be hot messes, but damn goodness this theater relaxes me.
This theater is great. Clean, quiet, great location. Like all theaters here, kinda expensive. The reason it's so quiet is because the clientele is older, middle age plus. It's never been too crowded. I've seen some great indie films here and all of the animated short films nominated for an academy award.
