Spotlight On: Minaret Cinemas is D’Place

Spotlight On:
Minaret Cinemas is D’Place

As part of our ongoing series, we are interviewing people and places of interest in the area who are having a positive impact on our community.

This time, we reached out to Damon Rubio of Minaret Cinemas is D’Place!

Can you describe the history and evolution of the theater?

The Minaret Cinema was acquired by D’Place Entertainment in 2019. In the fall of 2019, the theater underwent an extensive remodel, bringing in recliner seats, updating the interior finishes, and adding a new bar and food options.

What types of films do you typically show, and how do you select them? 

The Minaret Cinemas plays some of Hollywood’s biggest hits, for example this summer’s Deadpool & Wolverine and Beettlejuice Beetlejuice. We also play some specialty film content like Warren Miller and some retro classic titles that we believe serve the market well. For example coming up in September is the 25th anniversary screening of The Matrix and the 50th anniversary of Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles, both films being sold at a classic film price of just $7.95 a ticket.

We always encourage our guests to tell us what films they are looking forward to to better understand the ones we should bring to town. With only two screens, we often do have to make some hard choices, so knowing what the community is excited about is always helpful.

Are there any upcoming special events or film festivals hosted by the theater?

We are very proud to work with and host both the Mammoth Lakes Films Festival and the Mammoth Film Festival from time to time as they bring events to town. We also support and play multiple film tours like the Fly Fishing Tour (F3) every April and the Women Adventure Film Tour (WAFT) every March. We also play Warren Miller’s new film every year in November. This year we will be screening  Warren Miller’s 75, his 75th ski film.

What role do you think movie theaters play in the digital age, especially in smaller communities like Mammoth Lakes?

Even in the age of streaming, small-town movie theaters are more than just a place to watch the latest blockbuster. They serve as community centers and meeting places. They help root the community in a shared sense of culture and entertainment. Your local hometown theater may have been the first place a child saw their favorite movie or where couples had their first date. They also bring people together—families, friends, and neighbors all gathered in one space to experience the magic of film!

For communities that rely on these theaters as their main source of entertainment, closures can have a significant impact. Not only does it take away a beloved pastime, but it also often leaves residents without many options for leisure and socializing.

But it’s more than entertainment—small town movie theaters can also serve as an economic driver. They create jobs within the community an attract visitors from neighboring areas who may spend money at local businesses while in town for a movie. The closure of these theaters could potentially lead to a decline in the local economy—and, ultimately, a lack of resources and opportunities for community growth and quality of life.

What do you see the future being for Minaret Cinemas is D’Place?

We are very excited about the future of movies and the movie experience at the Minaret Cinemas.  We are looking to find better ways to make movie-going more affordable to our local community and hope to roll out a supporters club soon that will provide local members with better pricing and some great perks soon.

What do your typical showtimes look like?

We are open most of the day every day of the year. Weekends are typically our longest days, with some matinee and evening shows available, while weekdays usually have just a 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. screening. During the off-season, when films are light and folks are busy with school and life, we sometimes go dark on Mondays. It’s best to always check our website at DPlaceEntertainment.com for the day’s movies and showtimes.

A special thank you to Damon Rubio, operator of Minaret Cinemas is D’Place, for answering our questions!

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Tanner Rush