Studio Movie Grill Review: Moviegoing Redefined

This week's opening of Studio Movie Grill adds a new player to the board, but suffers from opening night jitters.

Review by Matt Cummings

It doesn't happen too often when I get invited to merge my two favorite things to do in public - eating and watching movies - above anything other than soda and popcorn. This week's opening of Studio Movie Grill in Rocklin, CA gave me just such a chance, ushering in a new way to enjoy your favorite movie, even if the service suffered from opening day jitters. The Facility

When you drive up to theater, you're welcomed by two lit rectangular fountains, leading to the main doors. There's no standard glass service desk: you actually go into an open airy lobby where attendants with flat-screen monitors assist you in buying your ticket. There's also kiosks on each side for those who use online services to purchase tickets. Once you past the frosted glass here, it's a different ballgame: you're treated to a fully-stocked and well-lit bar, complete with leather seating and several booths. Lighting is nicely done throughout the area and drink prices look fairly reasonable. Ostensibly this area is meant to keep you busy until your movie is ready, but it's conceivable that you could find yourself ditching the movie for the drinks and the several televisions which surround the lobby. The Theater

Let's assume you're actually here for a movie. That experience is frankly second to none. Seating is completely different than a normal theater, with wide spacing in the aisles, reducing the largest screen to about 150, while smaller screens were closer to 75. I've always appreciated smaller environments, as this makes the experience more personal. The reason for the smaller numbers: space for attendants to bring your food and drinks, which you summon at the push of a button. The leather seats are wide and comfortable, with the larger screens allowing for some reclining. Drink holders are built into the arm of your seat and are large and deep. There is a small sliding circular table that can be moved towards you when the food arrives, which I'll focus on in a minute. There's also a lit press-like area in the center aisle, which is big enough to accommodate traffic without bumping your seat.

Ticket prices are currently lower than most theater chains, but I think that will change once word begins to spread. Apparently, you choose your seat when tickets are purchased, a great idea for families or cinephiles obsessed with getting the best seats. But the best experience is the premium sound and video. We were told that every theater features an XD-type of sound, which we confirmed during our viewing of Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb. I suspect a viewing of Interstellar would yield similar satisfying results. All screens are digital and bright; and even though the theater itself is barely lit for the attendants, it does not distract from the experience. We were also worried about the dining experience: would you hear plates/silveware action or attendants speaking with customers to order food? Not that we could tell. We'll see if the same occurs with a more quiet film, but overall we give the theater high marks. The Food

Again, the experience at SMG is based partially on food, and the broad menu features lots of American plates from burgers to finger foods and a good list of desserts. Again, you do not have to buy food to get in, but you'll be tempted when you see the pricing. Their current deal offers 2 meals for $25 value with one shared appetizer, two entrees, and one shared dessert. The food (when it eventually arrived) was fresh and hot, and my Oreo milkshake went down a little too fast. To me, the pricing seemed more than fair for what you got, and there are plenty of choices. However, I would advise you to order before the movie starts. Again, mark this portion as a win. The Service

Opening nights can sometimes be problematic, and while our help was friendly and attentive, we waited for our food for almost 45 minutes. In addition, we were being offered plates and drinks that weren't ours, drawing our attention away from the film. We could have eaten 5 times what we ordered, but instead were forced to seek a manager to resolve the situation. Had this been a regular experience, I think we might have left. However, I think this portion of the experience (along with the insane amount of bumping by attendance on our back seats) will improve, so I'm willing to give it a pass for now.

One thing that cannot improve is the distance relative to the Sacramento region. We know CEO Brian Schultz is from the Rocklin area, and this opening is certainly a feather in the cap for that community. However, it is not centrally located, favoring Roseville over Sacramento and Folsom. Drive times could take you an hour or more depending upon your location, which means this experience is a half-day affair. No way to fix that now, but we hope its success will encourage something more centrally located to appear in the future. The Bottom Line

Studio Movie Grill is set to establish itself as the newest (and best) way to view a movie. With comfortable seats, great sound, and a solid menu, we're seeing the best effort so far by theaters to bring back the crowds. SMG is planning a full-court press, with theaters already in Tampa, Scottsdale, and elsewhere, proving that moviegoers will come when presented with good value and such a slick experience. And even though distance and opening night jitters dulled the evening somewhat, I'm confident the movement will catch on. Besides IMAX, it's truly the best way to see a movie and it won't break the bank in the process. Recommended. Our thanks to Sean Carter & Tia Gemmell/Riverview Media Photography for the photos. Discuss this review with fellow SJF fans on Facebook. On Twitter, follow us at @SandwichJohnFilms, and follow author Matt Cummings at @mfc90125.