Category Archives: Las Vegas

Josie Lepe / AP

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan walks on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 13,2020.

By Case Keefer (contact)

Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020 | 2 a.m.

Insert cautionary tale or warning about betting the last week of the NFL regular season here.

I feel like I write some version of the same thing every year pertaining to Week 17, and the message is similar to one youll find in any other betting preview. But its for good reason.

Theres nothing trickier in football betting than handicapping the final full slate where the results of most games range somewhere from minor to meaningless in terms of significance. Some teams will go all out. Some teams will exert minimal effort throughout. Some teams will switch their approach midway through.

And its not so simple figuring out which sides fall into which boxes.

Taking it easy at the betting window might be the smartest advice for Week 17. Of course, thats not an option here as I continue on a season-long quest to pick every game.

Twenty-nine games are left including the playoffs with more than half of them on tap for Sunday so lets make the most of it.

Read below for picks on every Week 17 game, separated into three confidence categories and listed in rough order of confidence. Lines are the best currently available in Las Vegas on the chosen side. The record for the year stands at 124-109-7 after going 9-6-1 last week.

Plays (38-34-1)

New England Patriots -3 vs. New York Jets Sell high on the Jets. I cant believe I just typed those words either, but thats where we stand with a team once favored to go 0-16 now being priced with too much respect after winning two straight games.

New York Giants +2.5 vs. Dallas Cowboys The line on this game a week ago was New York -3.5, and a five-point swing is way too much for Dallas 37-17 win over Philadelphia. The Giants mostly neutralized the Cowboys in a 37-34 loss in their first meeting this season and that was with Dak Prescott playing more than half the game.

San Francisco 49ers +6 vs. Seattle Seahawks By raw EPA (expected points added), the Seahawks are the ninth best team in the NFL and the 49ers are 12th. In other words, theres less separating these teams than conventional wisdom indicates.

Minnesota Vikings -6.5 at Detroit Lions The Lions have been outscored by 61 points the last two weeks, and considering their injuries, have a real case to make as the worst team in the NFL at the moment. I cant pass up a chance to bet against them at less than a touchdown one last time.

New Orleans Saints -6.5 at Carolina Panthers The Saints already rank first in Football Outsiders DVOA, and now they might be peaking heading into the playoffs. Theyve outgained their last two opponents yes, including the Chiefs despite a 32-29 loss by nearly 1.5 yards per play since Drew Brees returned.

Leans (34-27-3)

Chicago Bears +5.5 vs. Green Bay Packers Despite three straight wins and covers, the market is still showing some hesitation with the Bears. Theres no such holdup with the Packers, which are hitting their power-rating peak after blowing out the Titans 40-14. That means its time to sell high, though preferably only if this spread hits 6 again.

Philadelphia Eagles +2.5 vs. Washington Football Team Philadelphia was a 4-point favorite on last weeks lookahead line and not even its elimination should account for this big of a shift. Jalen Hurts isnt a finished product at quarterback but hes still preferable to either Alex Smith or Taylor Heinicke.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers -6 vs. Atlanta Falcons If the Buccaneers plan to play everyone, then this line is at minimum 1.5 points too low. And Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians says he plans to play everyone, and its easy to believe him with the No. 5 seed and a game against the NFC East champion available to clinch.

Arizona Cardinals -2.5 at Los Angeles Rams This line implies a 7-point dropoff from injured Rams quarterback Jared Goff to the backup John Wolford. Im not so sure the change shouldnt be worth at least another half point considering Wolford was an undrafted afterthought and has never started an NFL game.

Guesses (52-48)

Los Angeles Chargers -3.5 vs. Kansas City Chiefs The Chiefs have committed to resting their starters. If the Chargers first string cant beat the Chiefs second string, then the organization is further behind in a rebuild than realized.

Miami Dolphins +2.5 at Buffalo Bills The Dolphins opened as a 1-point favorite, and considering that theres been no clarity on if the Bills will play their starters, the shift might have been unjustified. The Bills are a much stronger team, but the motivational aspects of this game with the Dolphins needing a win to reach the postseason couldnt be any more divergent.

Tennessee Titans -7 at Houston Texans Tennessee -7.5 is the correct number and thats where this line sits everywhere in the world except one place Treasure Island. Thats an important half-point that wont be around much longer.

Cleveland Browns -9 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers The Steelers are giving every indication that winning this game isnt a priority while the Browns will be going all-out to clinch a playoff spot by their own volition. Pittsburgh might have to be the pick at 10, but double digits are a necessity to entertain the idea and not all sports books are there yet.

Baltimore Ravens -11.5 vs. Cincinnati Bengals Backing Baltimore requires paying a bit of a premium, but its worth it for as well as its playing. I dont anticipate betting against the Ravens any time soon quite possibly not for the rest of the year.

Denver Broncos +2.5 vs. Las Vegas Raiders Both teams are beaten-up and reeling, making it hard to know what to expect. That makes this feel like more of a pickem and a game where I would take points with either side.

Jacksonville Jaguars +14 at Indianapolis Colts Im not comfortable laying a huge number with a somewhat underachieving Colts team. Given that Indianapolis must win, it might be the pick at any smaller number but the spread looks unlikely to budge.

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [emailprotected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.

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Vegas pick'em: NFL Week 17 winners against the spread - Las Vegas Sun

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Mike Mayock needs to continue to bolster the Raiders secondary. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)

The Las Vegas Raiders have a gifted but very young cornerback group, as the truth is theres a lot of potential there with the right coach. Depending on whos the defensive coordinator in 2021, the Silver and Black should target these cornerback prospects in April.

Fans might be dubious regarding the notion of drafting a cornerback, but the Raiders still need help at the position. In fact, the pass defense was putrid all year long, so addressing this position shouldnt be above reproach.

We all know that Trayvon Mullen is a promising young defensive back, but other than him, most of the Raiders corners wouldnt be starters on other teams. Again, though, I must emphasize the coaching aspect. Its entirely possible that this unit could potentially be special but Paul Guenther didnt know how to utilize these players.

Subpar tackling and missed assignment indicate that something just wasnt working.

Whether Rod Marinelli stays on permanently, or Jon Gruden hires an outsider, the team still needs depth at corner. There should be question marks surrounding Damon Arnette considering how much he struggled to stay on the field this year, and battling fans on social media should be the least of his concerns, so maturity should be a worry.

Isaiah Johnson could be more than serviceable but Gruden himself said he still has a ways to go. As you can see, the unit is anything but solidified. Throughout the upcoming NFL Draft, the Silver and Black will have the chance to add some noteworthy studs.

So who should the Raiders target at cornerback?

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Intriguing CB prospects the Las Vegas Raiders should eye in April - Just Blog Baby

Charlie Riedel / AP

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws a pass while being chased down by Atlanta Falcons Jacob Tuioti-Mariner during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in KansasCity.

By Josh Dubow, Associated Press

Friday, Jan. 1, 2021 | 1 a.m.

After getting gashed by Cleveland for nearly 500 yards and six touchdowns and still coming out on top in a high-scoring, back-and-forth thriller, Baltimore star linebacker Matthew Judon summed it up well.

Thats how football is, man, he said after the Ravens won 47-42 on Dec. 14. You leave enough time (against) a good offense, and they go right back and score.

Thats NFL football in 2020, where no lead is safe, no point total high enough and offensive records are getting shattered weekly in whats on pace to be the most prolific scoring season in a century of pro football.

The reasons for the scoring spree are numerous. The virtual offseason made building defensive cohesion more difficult. The lack of fans in the stands made life easier on road quarterbacks. Rule changes that seemed to de-emphasize offensive holding, while cracking down on defensive pass interference only made scoring easier. Analytics friendly coaches were more aggressive than ever on fourth downs, creating short fields for defenses that managed to make a stop or gave offenses an extra chance at success.

It has all added up to teams averaging 24.7 points per game heading into Week 17, more than a point higher than the previous NFL record of 23.4 set in 2013 and even slightly ahead of the highest-scoring season in the wide-open AFL (24.5 ppg in 1961).

While all those factors conspired against defenses, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr prefers to look at it a different way.

I think we can all agree theres been a lot of good quarterback play this season, he said. You go around, you look at a lot of teams, you look at a lot of guys and youre like, wow, a lot of these teams that are scoring, well they have a quarterback that has been in the system a while or someone thats there guy or a young guy thats playing well, whatever it is. I think were seeing more of that.

While a quarterback crediting his fellow passers for the runaway scores may seem predictable, there is more than a bit of truth to the theory.

A league that struggled to find competent quarterbacks not too long ago is having a much easier time filling spots of late. With NFL teams adopting more of the spread concepts that have proliferated through the college game, rookies are more able to step right in and thrive, as evidenced by the Chargers Justin Herbert throwing a rookie record 28 TD passes this season.

Herbert is not alone, joined by others in the 25-and-under crowd like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Deshaun Watson, Lamar Jackson and Kyler Murray having nearly immediate success.

The increase in younger quarterbacks also means more mobile ones as the NFL has already shattered the record for QB running with 8,754 yards and 118 TDs. Thats more than 3,000 yards ahead the quarterback rushing total from 2010, the year before Cam Newton entered the NFL, and 38 TDs more than the next highest season, which was last year.

Theyve been given opportunities to do it early in their career, Raiders coach Jon Gruden said. The old school method was to let them sit for a year and watch. I think thats part of the reason. Secondly, a lot of these guys are very talented. Theyre way further along throwing the football, understanding how to attack defenses. They do it year-round. A lot of these guys have their own private, quarterback coach. So, theyre further along, I think, in terms of training and in terms of the overall passing game nowadays as opposed to 20, 25 years ago.

Quarterbacks are coming into the league more prepared, making it easier than ever to play young guys. Improved training and nutrition, coupled with fewer hits on quarterbacks, has helped older ones like Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Philip Rivers and Aaron Rodgers stick around at a high level, giving more teams quality options.

Of the 18 teams heading into Week 17 still in the playoff race, 13 are led by QBs who entered the season either 25 or younger or 37 or older. Quarterbacks across the league have posted a 93.7 passer rating, which is on pace to top the previous record of 92.9 set in 2018 and nearly 10 points higher than the mark of 84.1 a decade ago.

Heres a look at a few other notable facts and factors that explain the scoring spree:

Visiting quarterbacks are posting a higher passer rating this season than home ones with scoring almost identical (24.8 ppg at home, 24.6 for road teams). Those marks are similar to last season when fans were in the stands, but from 2014-18, home teams outscored road teams by 2.3 ppg and had a passer rating 3.9 points higher.

Teams have gone for it a record 617 times on fourth down, converting on 336 of them. That aggressiveness has led to only 1,781 punts, 378 fewer than last season with one week to go. There have been 173 TDs scored this season on drives that included a fourth-down conversion, up from 139 last year and 105 in 2017, when coach Doug Pedersons aggressiveness helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl.

There have been an NFL record 30 times that a team lost a game despite scoring at least 30 points, up from 16 all of last season. Many of those have happened in epic rallies. The 42 double-digit comebacks are the most through Week 16, and the nine times a team has won after trailing by at least 17 points is two shy of a record.

There have been 5.89 penalties per game against the offense, a drop of more than one per game from the previous low mark since 2000 of 6.95 in 2001. There have been nearly 300 fewer offensive holding penalties this season, while pass interference flags are up slightly.

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NFL on pace to set scoring record in 2020 season - Las Vegas Sun

By Pepper Trail

Friday, Jan. 1, 2021 | 2 a.m.

In Oregon, the Klamath Basin wildlife refuges have fallen into their winter silence. The huge, clamorous flocks of geese that fill the sky during migration have moved south.

This summer, a different silence gripped the Basin a dead silence. The 90,000 acres of marshes and open water that make up the Lower Klamath and Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuges are a small remnant of vast wetlands that once filled this region on the Oregon-California border.

With over 75% of those wetlands now converted to agriculture, the refuges are a last precious oasis for nesting waterfowl and other marsh birds. For this oasis to burst with life, it simply needs water. Sadly, nothing is simple about water in the Klamath Basin. And this summer, that led to tragedy.

All the water in the basin is promised to somebody and almost every year, far more is promised than is available. The protected wetlands of the national wildlife refuges come last on the list, and are chronically starved of water. In 2020, the situation was so critical that the Bureau of Reclamation, which controls the water, released three emergency allocations to the refuges, totaling 14,000 acre-feet. It was not enough, and compared with the 147,000 acre-feet received by irrigators, barely a drop in the bucket.

The resulting stagnant pools were perfect breeding grounds for bacteria that produce a botulism toxin deadly to birds (but harmless to humans). The toxin is taken up by aquatic invertebrates that filter-feed on the bacteria, and then reaches fatal concentrations in waterfowl and other birds that eat the invertebratesAfflicted birds lose muscle control. Unable to hold up their heads, poisoned ducks often drown in the water that should have given them life.

The Klamath refuges regularly suffer outbreaks of avian botulism in late summer, when the water is lowest. In a normal year, a few hundred birds might be brought in for treatment.

This summer, the outbreak was a conflagration. More than 3,000 poisoned birds were treated by the rehabilitation organization Bird Ally X. They were the lucky ones. Among rescued birds that survived the first 24 hours, over 80% could be released, a testimony to the tireless work of volunteers, the support of conservation organizations, and the expertise of Bird Ally X staff.

But most poisoned birds never made it to treatment. Field surveyors at the refuge gathered the bodies of about 20,000 dead birds, a number equivalent to the population of Klamath Falls, the regions largest city. The California Waterfowl Association estimates that at least three times that many died. So at least 60,000 dead birds. Dead mallards, with their emerald-green heads. Dead northern shovelers, with their comically enormous bills. Dead northern pintails, long-necked, long-tailed and elegant.

A host of seemingly legitimate claims on the Klamath Basins water exist: farmers whose roots in the region go back generations, tribes whose ties to endangered Klamath River salmon and Klamath Lake suckers stretch to time immemorial.

But older than any human claim, any human right, are the rights of the wild. How easily we forget that water is wild. We claim it, we fight over it, but we did not make it. The water of the Klamath Basin created a world of overflowing abundance, of lakes filled with suckers, a great river bursting with salmon, and also of marshlands filled with ducks and grebes and ibis and egrets. Our use, our heedless overuse, has almost destroyed that world.

There are glimmers of hope. The dams that choke the Klamath River may be finally nearing removal, to the great benefit of salmon. Over $6 million was recently made available to the wildlife refuges to lease additional water. But the comprehensive plan needed to assure a supply of water sufficient to prevent a recurrence of 2020s botulism tragedy remains elusive.

In my minds eye, I see the 60,000 dead birds gathered in a great poisoned pile, a pyramid of lost lives. The bodies are perfect and unmarked. The feathers are still beautiful. If the masters of the Klamath Basins water, all the contending parties, could be brought to stand before that awful sight, would they fall silent for a moment? Would their hearts soften? Can we, at least, agree that this must never happen again?

Pepper Trail is a contributor to Writers on the Range, writersontherange.com, a nonprofit dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. He is a conservation biologist and writer in Ashland, Ore.

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When water dries up, it can be deadly - Las Vegas Sun

Break out the boots and umbrellas: Las Vegas likely will see rain, and possibly even some snow, when a winter storm rolls in on Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

There is a 50 percent chance of rain on Monday afternoon with a high of 53 degrees, and the western valley could possibly see graupel, or snow pellets, meteorologist Andy Gorelow said.

Mount Charleston, which got about an inch of snow on Sunday, will likely see a few inches during the storm.

The system is coming off the Pacific, and when they come that way instead of from the West they usually bring a bit more precipitations, Gorelow said. Itll definitely be enough to bring a few inches on the mountain.

The rainfall in the valley would likely begin midday Monday and continue through the evening, Gorelow said. The storm should clear out by Tuesday morning.

High temperatures are expected to stay in the low 50s throughout the week. Tuesday has a forecast high of 53 and will be mostly sunny; Wednesday will be 52 and sunny; Thursday will be 53 and partly cloudy; and Friday will be 55 and sunny, Gorelow said.

Contact Alexis Ford at aford@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0335. Follow @alexisdford on Twitter.

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Winter storm coming to Las Vegas, snow in the mountains - Las Vegas Review-Journal

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Vegas.com - Las Vegas Hotels, Shows, Tours, Clubs & More

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A massive emergency food distribution is underway at Sam Boyd Stadium. The Culinary Academy of Las Vegas (CALV) says local families are in dire need right now as the holidays approach.

Thousands of cars have been lining up all day between two lanes, waiting to pick up a free basket of groceries.

The event is scheduled for today and tomorrow, and reservations were required. They are full for both days.

The pandemics impact has been widespread in Nevada. A lot of us know someone who has been affected by layoffs.

CALV says people are feeling an unprecedented level of food insecurity. Many are also struggling with rent, utilities and other expenses.

To make the holidays a little easier, the nonprofit teamed up with The Just One Project to give away 15,000 boxes today and tomorrow at the Stadium. Then, they will hand out 5,000 more in rural areas, such as Laughlin, Moapa and Mesquite.

They have been helping families since March.

I should tell you that when we first started this, many of the people that were first displaced were people that work in the hospitality industry, shared Dr. Mark Scott, CEO of CALV. We would open trunks, and people would leave us notes of kindness and gratitudes. People would leave us tips, or attempt to leave us tips. Here, it is people that were just laid off would their last three or four or five dollars. Obviously, we wouldnt take it, but it just really speaks to who we are as a community.

The boxes are brimming with winter-themed food items. They include:

Cars are still streaming through, but again, reservations are full.

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Culinary Academy of Las Vegas helps families in need with grocery drive-thru - KLAS - 8 News Now

A 68-year-old woman died after she was struck by a car Thursday night while trying to retrieve personal items from her vehicle in a Las Vegas intersection.

The collision occurred around 6:55 p.m. at the intersection of East Warm Springs Road and Paradise Bay Drive, according to a release from the Metropolitan Police Department.

A preliminary investigation indicates that the Las Vegas womans 2008 Toyota Camry was stopped in the intersection because of its previous collision involvement.

A 2005 Chrysler 300 was heading west on East Warm Springs approaching Paradise Bay Drive when the Toyota driver stepped into the roadway, outside of a marked crosswalk, to get personal items from her vehicle. After retrieving the items, she was trying to return to the north sidewalk when the Chrysler struck her, the release said.

She was transported in critical condition to the Sunrise Hospital and Medical Centers trauma unit, where she was later pronounced dead.

The 26-year-old Chrysler driver, Pedro Taligo-Garcia of Henderson, showed signs of impairment and was later arrested.

He was not injured in the crash, and neither were any of the four passengers, including a 26-year-old man, a 22-year-old woman, a 25-year-old woman and a 3-year-old boy, all from California.

No further information was immediately available.

The womans death marked the 98th traffic fatality in Metros jurisdiction in 2020.

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Pedestrian killed by suspected impaired driver in southeast Las Vegas - Las Vegas Review-Journal

If you are looking for a sweet place to while away an hour or so while catching a game, head into The Still. Inside, an old Airstream converted into a kitchen sends out plenty of dishes like crispy-style chicken wings, a tuna poke bowl, grilled fish tacos, steak tacos, a Philly cheesesteak panini and deep-fried birthday cake Oreos with cream cheese icing.

Meanwhile, the bar issues a range of about 40 beers on draft, from typical domestics to Elysian Space Dust and Guinness in pints, liters and pitchers. Signature cocktails include margaritas, a mango martini and several variations on the mule, with spirits like vodka, gin, tequila, bourbonyou choose your favorite, and theyll mix it up with classic mule ingredients.

And during professional football games, The Still offers a menu with specialty cocktail and beer specials. Score!

The Mirage, 702.692.8455

Click here for your free subscription to the weekly digital edition of Las Vegas Magazine, your guide to everything to do, hear, see and experience in Southern Nevada. As part of your subscription, each week via email you will receive the latest edition of Las Vegas Magazine, full of informative content such as restaurants to visit, cocktails to sip and attractions to enjoy.

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Visit sports heaven at The Still in Las Vegas - Lasvegasmagazine

December 3, Warner Bros. announced that its entire slate of upcoming filmsfrom Wonder Woman 1984 to Dunewould appear on the HBO Max streaming service, the same day as their scheduled theatrical release. COVID-19 has shaken a business already reeling from the compound threat posed by streaming services and high-definition video. After all, why go to a movie when you can wait a couple months and stream it on Prime Video, Disney+ or Netflix? And why, in a post-pandemic world, would you go out to see Matrix 4 in theaters when its available 6 feet away from your couch? Or on your phone?

Admittedly, moviegoing isnt always the best time, even when you factor in reclining seats and cocktail service. There are too many commercials before the feature begins, and too many jerks texting during the movie itself. But movies are made to be shown in theaters; even Netflix screens its movies in theaters for limited runs. And were meant to see them there, with crowds of others, cheering, laughing and recoiling from the screen. Weve been doing it for more than a hundred years, and we shouldnt give it up now.

Huntridge Theater (1944) Its not the oldest theater still standing in Vegasthat would be Fremont Streets El Portalbut its the only one that stayed a theater into its senior years, trading first-run movies for punk shows.

Motor Vu Drive-In (1949) Las Vegas first drive-in, located adjacent to the former Stardust. The Valley used to boast several drive-ins, but now only one remains: the West Wind in North Las Vegas. And thats one more than many cities can claim at this point.

Las Vegas Cinerama (1965) A cool, domed Cinerama theater, similar to the one that still stands in Hollywood; its former space on Paradise Road is now occupied by shops and restaurants.

Red Rock 11 Theaters (1966, additions 1971-1973) We still miss this charming Charleston Boulevard multiplex, with its cavernous Main Street USA-styled lobby. Like many old Vegas charmers, it was replaced by a strip mall.

OmniMax Theatre at Caesars Palace (1979) So many hours spent staring at IMAX-size wonders of science and nature on that giant curved screen.

Gold Coast Twin (1986) In the mid-1990s, this was the place to see independent films in Las Vegas. And their concessions were dirt-cheap.

1874: The first motion picture

Chronophotography, a technique that captures movement as a series of individual images (think of a flip book), was used by French astronomer Pierre Jules Csar Janssen and Brazilian engineer Francisco Antnio de Almeida to capture a planetary orbit in 1874; their moving picture, Passage de Vnus, is the oldest listed on IMDb.com. But the oldest surviving movie actually screened from a film print is Louis Le Princes Roundhay Garden Scene from 1888.

Late 1800s: First movie theaters

Washington, Iowas State Theater began screening moving pictures May 7, 1897, and it continues to screen them to this day. Guinness World Records certified the venue, originally built as an opera house, as the worlds oldest continually operating cinema in April 2016. (Though theres some debate over the first designation; assorted venues began screening rudimentary moving pictures as early as 1893.)

Early 1900s: First storefront movie theater

The idea of opening up cinemas inside retail corridors like malls is hardly a recent one. The Nickelodeon debuted in a Pittsburgh storefront June 19, 1905. Its name combined the word odeon, ancient Greek for theater (literally singing place), with the 5-cent price of admission. Prior to its opening, movies were screened as part of vaudeville packages, alongside live acts. Later, the Nickelodeon name was liberally applied to a number of storefront theaters charging a 5-cent admission.

1902-1929: Firsts in sound and vision

The first motion picture filmed in color was George Albert Smiths A Visit to the Seaside, released in 1908 (many early black-and-white films were hand-tinted; Georges Mlis, director of 1902s A Trip to the Moon, was known for it.) The first movies seen by a paying audience that featured sound were a series of short musical films that screened at New Yorks Rivoli Theater in 1923. The first hit film with sound was Warner Bros. The Jazz Singer, in 1927; the studio also released the first talking picture in color, 1929s On With the Show!

1913-1948: Movie palaces

Movies soon outgrew nickelodeons. Large, upscale theaters dedicated solely to motion pictures were built, beginning with the Regent Theater in Harlem in 1913. Most of them were owned by the five major studios of the timeFox, Loews (MGM), Paramount, RKO and Warner Bros.and screened those studios films exclusively. (In a 1948 case, the Supreme Court decided that this amounted to a monopoly and forced them to sell the theaters. The ruling was recently nullified.) Some of the movie palaces built during this era still stand, serving for the most part as performing arts venues. But a fewincluding LAs Graumans Chinese Theatre and the Roxie in San Franciscostill screen movies in old-Hollywood opulence.

1948-today

Most of the moviegoing innovations of the past 90 or so years have been technicalthe first movie with stereo sound (Walt Disneys Fantasia, 1940), the first film shot in a 70mm widescreen format (Fred Zinnemanns Oklahoma!, 1955), first with a Dolby sound mix (Stanley Kubricks A Clockwork Orange, 1971) and so on. The experience hasnt changed much from those early days; theres just improved sound, a sharper picture, better seats and, yeah, more Coke ads.

The future

A number of theater chains and filmmakers have accused Warner Bros. of using the coronavirus shutdown as an excuse to bolster HBO Max, which is otherwise struggling to draw subscribers. But the studioalong with Disney, which experimented with simultaneous home and theater release this year with Mulanmight be reacting to trends that took root long before the coronavirus lockdowns: cheaper hi-def TVs, digital distribution and audiences that only leave home for event movies. If Warner and Disney are to believe that theaters arent obsolete, itll require us, once this virus is contained, to patronize cinemas in large numbers once again.

This story appeared in Las VegasWeekly.

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Are movie theaters a bedrock American tradition fading to black? - Las Vegas Sun