Clearview Arts Cinema - Red Bank, NJ

Clearview Arts Cinema

36 White Street

Red Bank, NJ 07701

1-888-CLVW-TIX

I adore this theatre.

When mega-multiplexes dominate the entertainment quotient these days, and with the digital lobbyboard of movie titles/showing times the size of Nebraska looming over your heads-- it's so refreshing to spend some time at this tiny diamond in the rough.

Situated in "Hip City", as weekly newspaper Tri-City News refers to Red Bank, Clearview Arts Cinema is perfectly seated on White Street amongst the many shops, eateries, galleries and cafes that make the town such a cool place to hang out.

Specializing in independent or limited-release films (and the occasional special occasion premiere event or symposium), this Arts Cinema has a vintage feel while still offering most of the modern amenities we've all come to expect when going to the movies.

The seating is extremely comfortable, the theatre clean & well-kempt, and the lighting/sound fantastic. It's never too freezing, never too hot, and never too crowded. Prices of both the tickets & snacks are comparable to other theatres but with my (FREE) Clear Advantage discount card I'm able to rack up points which turn into rewards later (free drinks, snacks, tickets, etc). The bathrooms are tiny and in need of some updating but it never takes away from the overall experience.

What I want to focus on here is the A+ level of customer service I get here every single time I go. Since there are only 2 theatres on the premises, the staff is usually pretty skeletal-- only a small handful of employees each time. Everyone, from the ticket seller, to the ticket taker, concession staff, ushers and so on is polite, helpful and accomodating. They will help you carry things to your seat if you need assistance, they will hold a flashlight and guide your way to your seat, and they even stand at the exit doors of each film with a basket of mints! Their old-fashioned uniforms complete with bowties just unify the whole experience.

I just always leave so happily impressed with the service-- even though they've been so consistent it's the service I now come to expect!

Not to mention I love their film offerings, as they are titles not usually available elsewhere locally. I most recently saw "Sunshine Cleaning" starring Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Steve Zahn & Alan Arkin -- which I thought was great! I definitely recommend it-- it's a little off-the-wall, and highly emotional at times. Great performances throughout, especially by Blunt & Arkin -- but the standout of them all for me was the young boy who played Adams' son, Oscar: newcomer & youngster Jason Spevack... remember the name! He ran the full gamut and stole many scenes. He's the little guy in the photo above.

So next time you're in the Red Bank area and looking for something to do before dinner or before a concert at Count Basie Theatre-- head over to White Street to check out an indie film!

--A.