Greg W.
Yelp
Let me start by saying that the Capri Theater is an amazing addition to the Fondren District. It is a unique attraction that provides an entertainment option not available anywhere else in the city of Jackson, and I want it to succeed.
That said, the management of the Capri have other plans.
I go to the Capri to see just about any movie that doesn't feature superheroes or talking CGI animals. That's a lie. If someone pulls my arm, I'll probably go see one of those. I like going to the movies. I really like being able to walk to the movies. Being able to walk to the movies and get food and drinks delivered to my seat is kind of amazing.
However, it's not so amazing as to completely narcotize my judgement and allow gross incompetence in stewardship to go unnoticed.
"Well," I can hear you say, "that's a long way to go about saying that you're unhappy at the Capri for some perceived abuse. What could they have possibly done to deserve such vitriol?
Allow me to pull up this here soapbox so I can testify to some indignation.
To begin with, let's say you get a Capri Gift Card as a gift for Christmas from you elderly yet thoughtful mother. Thanks, Mom! You take that Capri Gift Card and walk up to the Capri Movie Theater, ask for two tickets to see Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and then have to try not to swallow your tongue when you're told that you can't use a Capri Gift Card to... purchase movie tickets?
So, after you use your own money to pay for your ticket (Sorry, Mom), you might find yourself asking what can you purchase with your Capri Gift Card.
Want some of that nostalgic movie theater candy? Well, if they have any in stock then you're in luck, but you'll probably have to settle for one of the last remaining boxes of Sweadish Fish that have probably been there since the place opened. The vending machines in Stan's Lounge have a wider variety of candy to choose from.
If candy isn't your bag you can use that Capri Gift Card that you couldn't use to buy movie tickets to buy some pretty mediocre restaurant food and have it delivered right to your seat. Eventually. It might take a while, and your fries might be cold, but you got to order it right from your seat, so that's got to count for something, right?
Pro tip: I've tried most everything they offer. Get the cheeseburger. What's that? You're in the mood for chicken strips? Get the cheeseburger. Trust me. Or wait until you get home and pop some Tyson Anytisers in the air fryer. They'll probably be just as good.
Or, maybe you ate somewhere better before you came to the movie, like McDonalds, and you just want to sit back and enjoy a couple of drinks with you wife while you watch the Bob Dylan biopic. Lucky for you that gift card that you couldn't use to buy movie tickets is great for buying bottles of beer. Not necessarily getting bottles of beer, but you can enjoy the fun experience of playing pretend, like when you were a kid and you'd get on your bigwheel and pretend you were going through the McDonalds drive through ordering some chicken nuggets when in actuality you were just riding in circles on your driveway.
So you scan the QR code there at seat F12, punch in an order for two bottles of domestic beer, throw on a tip, sit back and start enjoying the show. Until about half an hour later when you haven't gotten your drinks, and your wife has to go find someone to look into the missing bottles of beer for seat F12. Then about twenty minutes later watch folks start getting food delivered that they probably ordered fifty minutes ago, only to stare sadly as the servers keep walking past you.
You never get those bottles of beer.
And when the movie's over and your parched but must take time that you could be using to walk home to have a pee and grab a beer to request a refund, don't worry about a manager fawning over you with solicitous apologies, and promises to do better. Nope. At the Capri your refund will be delivered by a man with all the hospitality of a wet dish rag who will neither speak to you, nor even bother to make eye contact.
Like I said. I love the Capri, and I want it to be a place I want to go. But I just saw that the Brutalist is playing there next, and the fact that I have to ask myself if I want to see it at the Capri or somewhere else, makes me sad for the Capri.