Located on the “east mountain” of Hamilton where there’s the new “power center” with mega stores like Michael’s, Best Buy, Indigo, Home depot, etc. Silvercity Hamilton is a welcome addition to the landscape of the east mountain.

A few days ago we went out for an afternoon showing of Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen and I thought I’d kill 2 birds with one stone. Catch the latest Transformers flick and do a review of this “new” Silvercity location. I’d been here about 3 times prior, since it’s so conveniently located to our home but I kept forgetting to bring along my camera. BTW, the pics are a bit limited since I’m always afraid that some manager would approach me to not take pics etc, so I move like a paparazzi ninja.

The basics…

* Digital Projection
* Automated Banking Machine
* Real D 3D projection (where listed)
* Interactive Gaming Area
* Party Rooms
* 10 Screens

Accessibility

* Wheelchair Accessibility
* Hearing Assistance

Good or Bad?

We’ll we’ve gone from being blown away by the sound, picture and seat spacing (tons of leg-room in front – you don’t even have to squish when someones wants to get pass you to head for the bathrooms or concessions) from previous installments of Silvercity type movie theatre. How could they improve on an already successful arrangement?  With the addition of “lazy boy” type reclining seats. But I dare to ask how many people find them comfortable? I’m a fairly large fella so my weight and length of legs can see me enjoy this new feature, as you have to use size and gravity to set you in the right position.  But since there is no locking mechanism to keep the tilted seats into a comfortable position, if you’re short or petite you will struggle to appreciate these seats. Caron had a terrible time getting comfortable and she even resorted to pushing her legs onto the seats in front of her to get comfortable (Caron is not one to go against rules like this). Silvercity did not think this one through when they opted for this design. A simple locking mechanism would easily correct this flaw in their seating.

Parking.

Free and ample, but it..

SUCKS! Again we see these poorly laid out parking lots, with very limited space for a vehicle bigger than a “smart car” and those friggin concrete dividers. Due to the layout it’s so easy to get into accidents or have your parked car scraped by other cars trying to park. Plus, they did not even consider that many of their customers are kids who gets dropped off by parents. It would have been nice to see some sort of drop off and pick up zone near the doors. The way the front is designed, if a car pauses to let off people the entire parking area goes into lock down due to lack of space to move.

It’s very rare that I ever give poor reviews, but this one is very hard to fake. Once inside you are greeted with the “slowest” working staff I’ve encountered in my 20+ years in Canada. From the ticketing system (btw, the automated system is just as slow and does have the occasional hiccup when it won’t let you make the purchase you want) to the concession area, it seems no staff member is in a hurry. Our very first time there it took us almost an hour to get tickets and some pop corn and it was not a busy night. We discounted that experience to the fact that it was new (1 week old at the time I think). But the last 2 times we’ve only seen a minimal improvement.

Silvercity Hamilton comes with the normal stuff you’d expect at the concessions (pop corn, pop, chocolate bars, candy), except this location also serves gourmet coffee and yogurt fruit blends (not bad for $4 or so for a large serving). There’s the games area where you can spend a few bucks really fast if you’re into those video game type of things and though I’ve never ventured upstairs, there’s supposedly a lounge where you can kick back and wait with friends before the movie starts or while you wait for someone to give you a ride home.

So why do I keep going back you ask? The picture and sound. Unmatched at any other movie theatre location in the Hamilton area without any doubt, even at the Ancaster Silvercity location. I love to be entertained by high quality picture and sound and this place delivers. I can confess that I did spend a lot of coins at our own home system (rocks the crap out our home when the volume is cranked), but I also work from home so getting the opportunity the leave the house and watch a movie with the girls or Caron is always a treat.

So how was the movie.

Other than a few jerks talking non-stop and one of them getting punked by an adult (shame on you) the movie was what I expected. Not Oscar calibre, but hey.. it was about robots.

Location:

795, Paramount Drive
Stoney Creek
ON, L8J 0B4
905-560-0239

Nearest intersection:
Paramount Dr. and Old Mud St.

Map:

View Larger Map