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RNZ News
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Lights out at CNMI's only theatre amid economic struggles
Hollywood Theaters Photo: Mark Rabago Movie goers in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands are lamenting the closure of the territoy's only cinema. Regal Cinemas in Saipan is set to roll its final credits at the end of this month. Local residents, who spoke to RNZ Pacific, expressed their disappointment at the prospect of no longer being able to watch movies on the big screen at the at Hollywood Theaters, the official of the multi-screen cinema complex. "As a filmmaker and a cinephile, this is a sad day," Galvin Deleon Guerrero, who himself is guilty of not frequenting the cinemas, said. "There is something truly unifying about the collective experience of enjoying a good story on the big screen with an audience. "I fear we lose that, and a bit of our humanity and empathy, when we resort to the isolated and atomised entertainment on our digital devices." Deleon Guerrero said his most memorable time at the movies would be about his favorite franchise: Star Wars . "I have watched every Star Wars film since Episode II: Attack of the Clones first screened at Hollywood Theaters and have screened many films of my own there. "It will be missed dearly and I hope that all is not lost and that perhaps a new owner will emerge, a 'New Hope', if you will." Another Star Wars fan, Edward Dela Cruz Jr, said, "My fondest memory was the duel between myself and grand master, Dr Deleon Guerrero who will be the first in line prime time for Star Wars movies starting with Force Awakens in 2015. "I defeated him the first year. After that never again. He proved he was the undisputed Star Wars faithful in the CNMI. "If we resume this duel looks like we must take it to Guam. It will be sad because movie theaters are one of the fondest memories when people grow up," he said. Meanwhile, another local resident Kerri Bauer said she and her family have seen lots of movies at the Regal Cinemas. "Two of our kids had their 'first ever' movie experience at that theatre," she said. "Our favorite memories were in the summer when it is too hot to do anything else and the theater had summer $1 kids' movies. "We got to wear sweatshirts, buy a big tub of buttery popcorn, and escape the heat for a few hours. We will definitely miss it." Simon Necesito said the closing of Regal Cinemas means less entertainment options for local residents. "I think it's a shame that the theatre is closing down. It really provided people here an alternative for recreation. And it is bad enough as it is because we lack options for that here on Saipan." Adam Walsh said Regal Cinemas is closing now after surviving all the calamities the CNMI went through. "It is terrible to see such a great business that has weathered super typhoons, a pandemic to then close its doors due to an economic downturn is so unfortunate. "My fondest memories are taking my kids and their friends to see new Disney or Pixar flicks, like Moana and Inside Out . I also enjoyed have a night out to see the John Wick series with my brother-in-lawand friend." Another local Tish Ferrer said it the closure was a big loss to her moviegoing family. "I feel so sad because me and my family have a lot of fun memories especially when my kids were growing up. "That is one of the places we go bonding as a family and enjoy popcorn and slushies. "My kids are sad because every time their friends have birthdays, they usually celebrate it at the movies. It will never be the same without Regal theaters." Regal Cinemas general manager Maybeline Cabrera confirmed on 21 April that Regal Cinemas Saipan will shuttering its doors. "We can only confirm that the last day of operations is Wednesday, 30 April," she via a social media message to RNZ Pacific. The CNMI economy has also suffered since the pandemic. According to the islands' Department of Labour, the Commonwealth lost 71 businesses between 2020 and 2024 - seven closures in 2020, five closures in 2021, 11 closures in 2022, 24 closures in 2023, and 24 closures so far in 2024, including legacy companies like Saipan Tribune and Hyatt Regency Saipan (eventually bought by MB Corp. and soon to become a Sheraton). Asiana Airlines also flew the coop last year. Labour secretary Leila Fleming said in a recent CNMI Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management general membership meeting that not all businesses wrapping up report their demise to the agency. Joining Regal Cinemas Saipan on the sidelines at month's end is DFS Saipan after almost 50 years doing business in the territory.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
SWAT team uses old movie theater for tactical training in Covington
COVINGTON, La. (WGNO) — The old Hollywood Theaters building in Covington is set to be demolished, but before that happens, the SWAT team with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office is utilizing the building for their SWAT training exercises. WGNO's Kenny Lopez spent the day with their tactical team. Throughout the day their SWAT team got real life training for various situations. 'We put a fire hose charge on the the doors. We use that for breaching commercial size doors, big metal doors, things like that. The whole purpose of it is to get into that door, whether it be a hostage situation, an active shooter situation, or something like that. We do it quickly and efficiently,' Lt. Devin Coulon, SWAT commander with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office said. Sterling Properties let them use this abandoned building this week for tactical training before it gets demolished. Is iconic TV star Don Johnson of 'Doctor Odyssey' afraid of sharks? 'This is the most beneficial. Opportunities like this don't come around that often. Actual commercial buildings like this, we can't go and close down Wal-Mart or Sam's Club for training, and put explosives on their doors, this is unique and one-of-a-kind. I mean the movie seats and concession stands are still there,' he said. Covington Celtic Club Parade rescheduled due to weather Coulon went on to say, 'We try to treat it as 'how would we effectively handle this in a real-world environment.' We don't get training like this all the time.' The St. Tammany Parish Fire Department is also using this old theater to do their training as joins Will Smith to recreate viral TikTok trend Oklahoma man says Social Security benefits terminated without warning or explanation Schumer brushes off leadership questions: 'My caucus and I are in sync' Scams target seniors as gold prices rise R&B star Ginuwine set to perform at Live! Casino Hotel Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
