Hampton Roads offers more than your run-of-the-mill movie theaters
By MICHELLE ROGERSON

Going to the movies is not the most unique thing to do on a Saturday night.  Or is it?  A visit to the traditional movie theater may have lost its thrill, but Hampton Roads has its fill of unconventional theaters.  So if you’re in the mood for a unique movie experience you might want to check out these theaters.

AMC 24 Hampton Towne Centre

As one of the newest theaters in Hampton Roads, AMC 24  has been built on a grand-scale that anyone who enjoys super-sizing a combo meal or shopping at a Super WalMart Center could appreciate.  Located on Towne Centre Way in Hampton, it houses 24 movie theaters, all featuring stadium seating, which puts and end to viewing a movie around the head of the person in front of you.
An advantage to having 24 movie theaters is that there is always a variety of movies showing.  The theater even makes room for Friday and Saturday midnight showings of older films such as Swingers, Indiana Jones and Mallrats.
AMC 24 is also a great place to take a date.  You can save money without looking cheap by presenting your student I.D. for a discount on ticket purchases.  Even better, the arm chair between the seats lifts up for snugglers.
There is little that this theater is lacking.  Like its predecessors, it may still have way over-priced refreshments and a slight parking problem, but you’ll forget all about that once you’re seated and the lights dim.  For more information call 896-2330.

The Family Channel 3D IMAX Theater

Another option for super-sized movie entertainment is the Family Channel 3D IMAX Theater located inside the Virginia Marine Science Museum in Virginia Beach. This theater takes movies to new heights, literally, as it  features the only six-story screen in the area.  For those who still might want to get even closer to the action, many of the IMAX movies are in 3D.
The theater plays about four movies at a time, all of which can only be seen in an IMAX theater.  Although many of the movies are educational, the visual effects will make you forget your actually spending your free time learning.
The only downside to the theater is that it is located in a museum where there is a plethora of obnoxious children that want to talk throughout the entire movie.  So if you’re not taking a kid along, you might want to consider going to one of the double features offered on Friday and Saturday nights.
Also, IMAX movies tend to be a lot shorter than most films.  Don’t expect the movie to run more than an hour, and make sure to eat ahead of time because no refreshments are allowed in the auditorium.  For more information call 425-3474.
 

The Commodore Theatre

The Commodore Theatre is a great place to go for a luxurious night at the movies.  Upon entering the theater one begins to feel like royalty in the Art Deco atmosphere complete with murals and chandeliers.  Located in Old Towne Portsmouth, the theater’s ground floor consists of a large rows of dinning tables with plush chairs, giving a new meaning to going out for dinner and a movie.
Once seated, you place your food and drink order with a phone on the table that automatically dials the theater’s kitchen.   The service is exceptional throughout the movie, and the servers never get in your way while your watching the film.
Another unique aspect of the theater is that the food is reasonably priced.  The menu offers a wide variety of appetizers called “previews”, main courses or “feature presentations” and desserts, referred to as “Great Endings,” all ranging from $1.00 to $6.00.  The theater also offers a wide selection of beer and wine, and typical movie favorites such as popcorn and candy bars.
For movie-goers that aren’t so hungry, there is also a balcony section in the theater, which does not have tables.
Unlike the Family Channel IMAX and Hampton Towne Centre, The Commodore does not allow children under six in at anytime, so you can expect a peaceful night out.  If this means leaving your kids with a babysitter, you can call the sitter with the phone at your table any time.
Unfortunately, the Commodore only has the capacity to show one movie at a time, which limits variety.  Even so, the theater never has a problem attracting an audience.  If you don’t want to wait in a long line, it’s wise to buy your tickets a half an hour early on weekdays and at least an hour early on weekends.  For more information call 393-6962.


Splitting spiky hairs over colorful self-expression
By CHANDRA SMITH
Hairstyles.  Long, short, red, blue — any number of colors, shapes and designs.
I have had a number of hairstyles.  I had long hair that went to my waist; I had dreads; I had my head shaved under my hair; and now I have my bangs long but the back of my hair is short and spiked.
For me hair is an expression, an extension of who I am, or the person with the hairstyle.  I wanted to find out how other people felt about their own hair.
“I had a mohawk when I was 16,” said junior George Szabad, when asked what his craziest hairstyle was.  “It was about three inches.  Everyone had shaved their hair on the sides and so I just took it further.”
I had my own mohawk.  It was my senior year in high school, and it was most definitely a change to go from waist length hair to a green mohawk.
Szabad now has short hair.  The change, he said, was to “try something different.”
I can relate to that.  It is always fun to be different, to look at all sides of yourself and try to extend them in ways you never thought that you could before.
“I had dreads in high school,” said Jared Soprano.
This is yet another style I have had myself.  Before the mohawk came the dreads. I finally had to wash them out but they were great fun.  Soprano, on the other hand, had some issues with having dreads.
“I like my hair now though,” he said.  “I like my hair washed.  When I was growing my hair out after having dreads I had a porn star fro.  Now I love my hair.  I love sporting my . . . curls.”
“I got dreads when I was 16,” said a junior who prefers to be known only as “Matt.”
“I still had them when I got here,” he said, “but I didn’t like them.  The worst thing that happened to my hair was when I dyed it once.  The lady ran out of dye before she was done so I had green hair on the sides and yellow hair on the top.”
“The craziest thing I did to my hair was get it cut short, chin length to be exact,” said senior Brianna Muggli.  “It is so curly that it was just really big.  I’ve had it dyed and shaved underneath, but nothing really crazy.”
To me, hair is like an artist’s canvas.  I can “paint” it to be whatever I want.  Don’t be afraid to express yourself.  That is the best advice someone can give.  If you want to change something about yourself, go for it.  Don’t let worry or pressure stop you.  Otherwise you’ll find yourself regretting the things you never did.