UPDATE: The head of the local bar association called us to let us know if anyone out there who feels they have been victimized by local attorney Carolyn Janzen and wants to file a complaint with the state Bar Association, they can call 800-843-9053.
Thanks for the info. We continued to get e-mails and calls today about Janzen and C&C Legal Services. Apparently there are way more victims than we realized.
The local bar head also told us that there is a victim restitution fund for those who think and can prove they were ripped off by an attorney. He said to use the same number.
QUESTION: This past weekend I went to the movie theaters at the I.V. Mall. This was the first time I have attended since the recent change of ownership.
My first clue should have been the empty parking lot adjacent to the theater.
My second clue should have been the fact there was no one in line to buy a movie ticket or to buy refreshments.
I then found that the new company changed soft drink vendors. That was sad to see. But I ventured on.
After tasting the cardboard that was being sold as popcorn, I realized why there was no line to buy refreshments and food.
Then we were notified that the movie would not start on time due to projector problems.
Fifteen minutes later the movie started. The quality of the picture was so poor that I could literally see vertical lines reminiscent of movies I attended thirty years ago.
It gets worse. Ten minutes before the end of the movie, the screen went black. We sat there for a few minutes and finally someone ventured off to notify an employee.
Fifteen minutes later the movie started again.
Do you know if the I.V. Mall theater is going back to digital? Do they have any plans to upgrade their food and beverage quality?
Do they know how bad they have screwed up this ownership transition? — Frustrated mall moviegoer
As most local moviegoers are aware, Cinemark recently gained control of the Imperial Valley 14 theater from UltraStar.
We reported at the time that UltraStar’s local trademark of digital audio and video went out the door when Cinemark came in, replaced with traditional 35mm cameras.
We unfortunately weren’t able to get many answers for you because our calls to Cinemark were not returned Tuesday.
We called the Cinemark Imperial Valley 14 but were told that we needed to contact marketing spokesman James Meredith.
Meredith has already answered some of your questions in previous interviews.
“When the theater was bought by Cinemark, UltraStar’s agreement with a digital projector vendor came to an end and the vendor wanted the equipment returned,” Meredith said back in mid-February.
“While we research an alternative digital solution, Cinemark will continue to offer our quality experience through our 35mm projectors,” he said.
We don’t know whether the other problems you mentioned — blackouts and poor food and drink — are part of the transition process or simply gaffes on Cinemark’s part, but if we can get a hold of Meredith, we will be sure to let you know.
To contact PROBE, send your question by e-mail to probe@ivpressonline.com or by standard mail: Imperial Valley Press, ATTN: PROBE, 205 N. Eighth St., El Centro, CA 92243.
" I wanted to watch 10,000 BC but Cinemark doesn't have digital projectors. When Ironman is released, I will go to the nearest theater that has a digital projector. "
bob_bear wrote on Mar 10, 2008 4:23 PM:
" How about we email this article to the Corp office? Maybe then, they will respond to our emails. "
CHS_ALU wrote on Mar 5, 2008 8:24 PM:
" I usually go to Calexico. It's cheaper and the nachos are great. The cheese is actually hot. The last time I went to the movies (mall) I wanted to exchange my nachos (cheese not hot). The young girl made a face and actually wanted to put the nachos in the microwave and reheat it. I told her not to do that, to give me other nachos and that for her to put the cheese in the microwave to heat up. This happened during the first showing (Hannah M. movie concert) I guess the cheese wasn't hot at such an early time. There was another lady there with the young gal, and the lady told her to stop serving nachos until the cheese was hot. "
encinas1 wrote on Mar 5, 2008 7:23 PM:
" I have to agree with most people here...the quality of the movie is no good, the customer service is poor since they employed new people and fired everybody else. Ultrastar was actually pretty good. I will not return to Cinemark since my first and last poor impression from them last week. (The snacks and beverages are lousy as well, I mean how many medium sizes could there be, I'm sorry I meant (junior) are you kidding me. I will be going to Mexicali or support the theatre in Calexico. Much cheaper too!!! Tues, Wed, Thur. for $4.50. "
kozzackkelt wrote on Mar 5, 2008 6:49 PM:
" Why should the movie theater at the mall offer quality service ? Bad attitude, poor service, lack of caring about the customer.....SADLY, so typical of this valley. Until the young people of this valley learn a good attitude, work ethic and people with money who patronize low class business' stop spending money at them, expect more of the same. Go to the movies in San Diego. "
newsguy wrote on Mar 5, 2008 3:25 PM:
" I wanted to watch Jumper but since the digital projectors are gone, I'll just wait and watch it when the DVD is released. Cinemark lost me as a customer since they removed their digital projectors. In the meantime, I'll remain loyal to my HDTV, and my upscaling DVD player. "
thegarz wrote on Mar 5, 2008 2:30 PM:
" I knew this was going to happen when Cinemark announced no more digital projectors! What did I do? Since I already have a 56in. HDTV, I went out and bought a $400 Sony Blu-Ray DVD player and started enjoying superb quality movies at home. Yeah, most movies run about $29, but you get your money back if 4 or more people watch the movie--and I can watch it again if you want to. I say invest in a quality High-Definition TV, Blue-Ray DVD player, HDMI cable and start enjoying Blu-Ray movies at home. The price is beginning to come down and in a year, they will be much cheaper. Goodbye Cinemark! "
Prov3 wrote on Mar 5, 2008 12:05 PM:
" I agree with you, "coach77" and "amlyam". I've been going to the movies in Imperial for years and haven't had a bad experience yet. "
coach77 wrote on Mar 5, 2008 11:34 AM:
" I am replying to Prov3...asking if we ever brought the matter of the "rude clerk" to a manager's attention...yes, we did, and his actions were just as bad as the "rude clerk" his response was "we'll take care of it", with a smerk on his face as though he wouldn't take care of it -
One thing is for sure my family and I will not give our business to the Movies at the mall!! We have been giving it to the Movies in Imperial! Since this incident that happened to us!
I sure hope that someone is reading these bloggs so that upper management, I mean corp. office can get on the ball and do some house cleaning, with employee's and improvements on this business - would sure hate to see it close but, that is the road its leading too! :( "
sunnyday98802 wrote on Mar 5, 2008 11:00 AM:
" Hey just go to Mexicali
Better service (alot better.)
"
girlyb22 wrote on Mar 5, 2008 10:41 AM:
" My experience. My daughter and I sat in theater, alone, the infomercials started, there was no sound. I figured the problem would be noticed and fixed. Nothing. I went to inform the ticket attendant and he said he would check on it. Ten to Fifteen minutes went by, the movies started and nothing. I went to ask again. The manager went hiding somewhere and it took another ten minutes. We missed about twenty to thirty minutes of the show. Even after complaining, there was no good intentions, no refund, no nothing, and no good new releases. It is sad to see the mall come down to that. The theater was a great part of the mall. "
chick wrote on Mar 5, 2008 9:53 AM:
" sorry to say but the new management's attitude there is no different from the the way coach 77 was treated at the concession. I'm thinking the employee's attitude rubbed off from the new management. managment needs an attitude adjustment towards their employees. Also, if they didn't get rid of their projection manager, they could have at least prevented these movie failures. oh well, live and learn cinemark "
MELI760 wrote on Mar 5, 2008 9:27 AM:
" Does anyone know if the UltraStar Point Card still works? I just bought mine in December. "
blackieblax wrote on Mar 5, 2008 9:09 AM:
" Are the Movies in Imperial digital? "
Prov3 wrote on Mar 5, 2008 9:08 AM:
" Interesting comment, "coach77". If Cinemark continues to provide poor-quality movies (if they're even shown) and stale refreshments, it won't be long before they'll be closed down....and the rude clerk will have to "get used to" no longer having a job. Your comment doesn't state if you ever spoke with the manager, nor does the PROBE writer's. Sometimes it helps to report bad experiences to the manager or owner; so often people don't and the bad service continues as a result. "
amlyam wrote on Mar 5, 2008 8:30 AM:
" I really do not care for the movies at the mall, even when it was UltraStar instead of Cinemark. I prefer to go to the Movies in Imperial. I have never ever had a problem there and I always receive great, friendly customer service from all the employees. "
coach77 wrote on Mar 5, 2008 8:10 AM:
" I recently also experienced a bad incident at the Movies in the Mall - My family and I purchased movie tickets (which were not cheap) got some snacks at the snack bar when we were told what our total was we nearly fell back! (only 4 items were purchased) when we asked the clerk what we were being charged for she replied in a very rude manner, by replying back to us "Get use to it!" Finally we go in to watch the movie and NO MOVIE! Also due to projector problems! After 30 minutes we were told we could get credit or our money back - My family and I will never go back!
I did complain to the website,but have not heard from the corp. office -
I just hope that they better their service with people that do want to work and know how to treat the public, maybe even have discount/specials for students, senior citizens now that summer time is right around the corner! "
wildgigglzz wrote on Mar 5, 2008 7:43 AM:
" You can complain directly to corporate for Cinemark @
http://www.cinemark.com/contactus.asp
Under type of question there is a quality of theatre option and a area to fill out about more details about how bad your visit was. "
kayro14 wrote on Mar 5, 2008 6:45 AM:
" Angelical: Your PROBE question will probably get a better response if you follow the above instructions and send it to: probe@ivpressonline.com.
If Cinemark choses not to answer the phone and offer poor service, they will soon find themselves out of business. NOT patronizing them is the best way to voice dissatisfaction. "
Angelical Mom wrote on Mar 5, 2008 4:32 AM:
" I have a concern about the labor market and how people are really screened or selected for interviews. I have noticed on many job applications that they ask questions about families who are receiving TANF, is that legal for then to make you answer those questions and what does that have to do with your skills? I see it as a way for the employer to get a tax credit or some break for hiring low income families. What about all the unemployed people who are ENGLISH speaking in this county and have a higher education. Have we become chopped liver?
Job Searching "
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newsguy wrote on Mar 11, 2008 8:49 AM: