Who Holds the Magic When a Theater Closes? You Do

A Journey Through the Magic of Cinemas

Step inside. Leave different. This slogan, often seen on the side of a church or attached to the Abilene Convention Center, captures the essence of transformation that can occur during a moment in time. Whether it’s standing at the altar or listening to an incredible live performance, sometimes a movie can have a similar effect.

The closure of the Cinemark Century 12 theater is a sad reminder of how quickly things can change. On January 8, the theater closed its doors, and the following day, a sign was posted on the doors and box office windows: “That’s a wrap. Thank you for your business over the past 28 years.” It felt wrong, especially considering the magic experienced within those auditoriums over nearly three decades.

The Closure of a Beloved Venue

The closure of the Century theater was not entirely unexpected. When Cinemark opened its Abilene and XD location off East Overland Trail in 2017, it drained the patronage of the Century like a black hole. The new venue offered amenities such as electric recliners, which are also available at the Mall of Abilene’s Premiere LUX Cine 10. However, the XD theater also boasts the largest screen in town.

With all three commercial movie houses nearly always showing the same selection of films to Abilene audiences, moviegoers tend to choose the theater with the most comfortable seating. If one theater had a film the others didn’t, people would endure some discomfort to see it.

The Historic Paramount Theatre

Downtown’s historic Paramount Theatre stands out with its wonderful old-timey movie house atmosphere and curated film selections. The vibe there elevates the film-watching experience to a whole new level.

Another loss to remember is the Town & Country Drive-In Theatre, which closed in 2022 due to vandals wrecking the projectors. The cost to replace them proved too expensive. For many, the drive-in was a cherished place where families could watch movies under the stars.

The Power of Movies

Why this reflection on Abilene movie theaters? Because they offer something very few other mediums can — an escape. Movies in a theater are immersive, engaging with the art form in the way it was meant to be experienced. They can envelop the senses when the world is going off the rails.

I was 23 when my uncle died, a man my age that I’d grown up with, closer than a brother. I can’t think of a more painful moment in my life. A few days after his death, my cousin Mike, our friends, and I took in Charles Crichton’s comedy "A Fish Called Wanda." I’ve never laughed so hard at a movie in a theater. In that moment, it was the best salve we needed.

Lessons from the Unlikeliest of Places

Later, when the 9/11 attacks left me feeling numb, I laughed cynically when I heard about a studio exec saying hobbits would be the cure for that. Peter Jackson’s first installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, “The Fellowship of the Ring,” was to debut that December 19. For me, expectations were not high.

But here’s the truth, that dude was right. A lesson on heroism, sacrifice, nobility, and above all, hope, was exactly what so many found in that film. And I saw it at the Century, 25 years ago. Fellowship and its sequels, "The Two Towers" and "Return of the King," will play in order this weekend at the XD beginning Friday. Saturday will present the second film with the final movie on Sunday.

Even though we’ve got it at home, I’m taking my girls. After all, we don’t have a TV the size of a basketball court in our living room.

The Lasting Impact of Cinema

The idea that even the smallest person facing darkness can still find a spark to carry on is a powerful lesson. With hope, they’ll enter and leave different. The magic of cinema lies not just in the films themselves but in the experiences they create. Each movie has the potential to transform, to heal, and to inspire. As the Century theater closes, its legacy lives on in the memories of those who walked through its doors.