Crystal Plaza Theater provides options

The Crystal Plaza Theater is the only movie theater in Franklin County.

Currently, OU sponsors free movie nights at the Crystal Plaza where students can get in free with their student identification.

Many students take advantage of this opportunity to see popular movies for free.

Sophomore Matt Merrill said he has attended many movie nights, but he has never gone to the theater otherwise. It's a much smaller theater than he is used to, but he still enjoys movie nights for other reasons.

"I love OU movie nights," he said. "It gives me a chance to see movies that I would not pay to go see on my own."

Merrill said he is used to a multi-plex with eight theaters that each seat many more people than the two theaters at the Crystal Plaza.

Freshman Angela Skerston loves the small town feel.

"It reminds me of being at home," she said. "But I can see how many students don't feel like they are getting the full experience."

There are many changes happening at the Crystal Plaza.

Managing owner, Peach Madl, described the upcoming features such as Digital Conversion and Dinner and a Movie.

"You can now sit at chairs with tables and be served dinner by one of our area restaurants during your movie," she said.

Most of the movie selections at this theater are movies that OU students would be interested in. This selection process is different than some larger theaters.

Madl said movies are selected based on the number of prints and during their down times their selection is limited.

"The movies that we choose are based on our demographic and history of success," she said.

"Family movies and movies targeted to teens and young adults do the best for ticket sales."

Skerston said the smaller theatre is not what many students at OU are used to, but has advantages they may not be aware of.

"To some students this theatre is not worth it because they are used to huge screens and IMAX movies," she said. "But to me, this theatre is under appreciated."

"The Crystal Plaza has more leg room and is less crowded then your other multi-plexes," Madl said. "We cost less for tickets and you don't have to drive far to enjoy a movie."