Tired of Netflix? Hilton Head theater makes some of its films available online
Editor’s note: Beginning May 8, Park Plaza Cinema will offer curbside pick-up of popcorn and other concession items from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. daily. Orders must be placed and paid in advance by texting or calling (843) 301-9003.
Coronavirus and orders for social distancing have closed theaters across the country, including Hilton Head’s locally owned Park Plaza Cinema. Starting Friday, though, that theater is taking its business online.
Park Plaza’s website will become a virtual theater, where customers can stream brand new art house films and documentaries not yet available on other platforms like Netflix.
“In most cases, it’s $12, and people generally have five to seven days to watch the movie,” said Larry Mann, who has owned and operated the theater on the island’s south end with his wife, Lucie, for the past 11 years.
The Manns had to furlough all 10 of the theater’s employees after S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster ordered nonessential businesses to close their doors because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before this, Larry said, “we have never, ever closed.”
The movies can be watched from any device that can connect to the internet via mannsparkplazacinema.com. New offerings will be added each week.
Friday’s launch will start with three films:
- “The Roads Not Taken” starring Javier Bardem and Elle Fanning as a father and daughter.
- “Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band,” a documentary about the roots rock group primarily recording in the 1960s and 70s.
- “Beanpole,” a story about two women rebuilding their lives in Leningrad after the destruction of World War II.
Coming soon will be “Slay the Dragon,” a political documentary that opened April 3 and currently has a 100% Tomatometer rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
“We love movies and a lot of people ... I think they’ve gone through everything they can watch on TV,” Larry Mann said. “If we could figure out how to get everyone popcorn, we would do that, too.”
This story was originally published April 16, 2020 at 3:04 PM with the headline "Tired of Netflix? Hilton Head theater makes some of its films available online."
