One of the hardest things for me about living in this part of Maine is not having a lot of conveniences around that I am used to.  I've always lived in an area with multiple multiplex cinemas within an hour of where I lived, making it easy to see any film no mater how small or limited the release.  When I originally moved to Fort Kent, Maine I had only one multiplex, and that was in Presque Isle, a little more than an hour away.  It didn't have the features of any cinema that I was used to having around, but I learned to adjust.



After leaving the state for a few years, I returned to find that the cinema had closed, but the original downtown cinema had been renovated, and was operating 3 screens.  I was crushed.  Nearly all of the towns that have cinemas here are just dreadful places to see a  movie.  Caribou has a theater, and I hate to be mean because I do see a movie there from time to time, but I dread it.  The picture quality, and sound just do not meet the standards that I am used to, and that films require in today's world.   And I had assumed that The Braden would be no different.  I understand that the population is limited here, so it isn't viable for a theater to invest in top of the line equipment, but in Caribou, some of the screens have such limited sound that its actually hard to hear the film sometimes.

I love everything about going to a movie, the popcorn, the drinks, seeing a film with a large group of people, it's the entire experience that I enjoy, not just the film.  So I decided to give The Braden a chance, and see what it's like, and man, I am SO glad that I did.

From the outside, it looks like a classic old style downtown cinema, and I love that they have kept that look. The theaters on the inside are the classic style seating, the screens are beautiful and the sound and projection equipment are so much better than I could have hoped for.  It's obvious form the moment you walk in the door, that the people that operate The Braden, operate it with class. 

The concessions are well priced, all shows are $5.00, what more could a person ask for.  Admission, large popcorn, Large coke, 12 bucks.  I was used to typically paying 10 bucks just to get in the door, with a large Coke costing $4.50, and another $6.00 or so for a large popcorn.  They had won me over before I even stepped foot into the screening area.


The staff at The Braden has to be one of the nicest, friendliest, fun bunch of people I've ever had the pleasure of dealing with.  Even during the maximum stress times, everyone is polite, and focused on your needs, totally unlike any chain that I've ever been to.  They are a major reason that I've fallen in love with this theater.  Anytime I have ever had a concern, they are easily approachable at the theater, or reachable on Facebook, and always take the time to reply, and help you to see things from their prospective as well.

Once inside, I noticed that the screens were in great shape, and large enough to properly present a  film.  They use a platter system, and I  know that the new fad is digital, but that's just not for me, so looking up and seeing a platter style projector really made me happy.  All of my fears had been erased within 20 minutes of arriving, and while I had grown used to stadium seating, and feared that I would not be able see with classic seating, I was proven wrong again.  I actually prefer the way The Braden is configured, the feeling of watching the movie with a large group comes though so much better with the classic arrangement, you can see and hear and feel the reactions, which to me adds so much to the presentation.  The chairs are comfy,  the sound is so much better than any other place around.

It's obvious to me that the owners of the place truly care about their business. And while the goal of every business is to make money, this theater isn't just a cash grab to take advantage of a lack of entertainment in the town.  While the major mainstream movies find there way to The Braden most of the time, they do also offer films that are more limited in release, and not just "blockbusters"  I get the feeling that not only do the owners want to bring film and entertainment to the area, they also want to bring a bit of culture and show some different aspects and styles of film making.

The Braden has reignited my love and passion for film, and my enjoyment of it.  There is still a place in my heart for the multiplex, and IMAX screens, and there are movies that I will want to experience that way and will travel as far as I have to (6 hours or so to find IMAX in the state of Maine form here, but Transformers IMAX is totally worth the drive)  but I wouldn't trade The Braden for a multiplex in town. I'm there so often that it just feels like family now and that's something any multiplex has never been able to provide.

Thank you VERY much Dow family, and Dow Theater Company, you are very much appreciated around here!

Labels: The Braden.