CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Sony Pictures Entertainment has become the first movie studio to own a movie theater in more than 70 years with the acquisition of Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, known for its craft beer and screenings of indie films for moviegoers.
KRIS 6 News asked TAMUCC media arts professor David Gurney if he thinks Sony can change the appeal of theaters.
““I think some of us have those misgivings because we love Drafthouse and we love that it’s catered to movie lovers, to people who love weird movies. It’s an essential part of what they do. It’s going to be really disappointing to see them go,” Gurney said.
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Sarah Tilton is a spokesperson for Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.
“It’s not going to take away from our guests’ experience. They can still come in and get Ninja service, they can still get food delivered while they watch a movie, they can still enjoy great craft beer and handcrafted food. Everything about the Alamo is still the Alamo,” Tilton said.
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With Sony now the first movie studio to own cinemas in more than 70 years, I asked Gurney what he expects to happen next.
“We’ll see whether Sony is successful in this venture, whether this is a financially smart move for Sony, whether other studios start considering this sort of thing,” Gurney said.
Some movie watchers may be wondering whether this change will lead Sony to only screen its own movies at the Alamo Drafthouse.
“As far as I know, no. We have to follow NATO rules and we have to be fair. Just because a studio owns a cinema doesn’t mean they have to show only their films,” Tilton said.
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