🎥 Seattle just lost its best movie theater

R.I.P. to the Boeing IMAX… Kinda

The Boeing IMAX is not closing, don't worry, but it sort of feels like it is anyway. The only IMAX in the state is no longer showing theatrical films because its new owners, The Space Needle Corp, “weren’t looking to operate a theater,” according to reporting from contributor Chase Hutchinson in The Stranger.

• 🎞️ The theater will still be operating. The owners told The Stranger that rather than seeing the IMAX theater as a movie theater, they see it functioning as a space to show content. What does that mean? They will be mainly showing short documentaries from IMAX and the Chihuly Glass Center, as well as other undefined content.
• 😭 For the non-cinephiles, this matters because IMAX is considered a “premium” film format due to its immersive viewing experience, high resolution viewing, and larger-than-average screens. The Wall Street Journal has reported that everyone in Hollywood, from directors to executives, is pushing the format because, in the era of watching movies at home, IMAX is a way to create a different, more premium experience. Now Seattle has lost its ability to be a part of that – at least for now.
• 😡 People are, unsurprisingly, upset about this move. A former employee of the Pacific Science Center told The Stranger that they are worried the company will make the theater less of a community space since they are focused on tourism dollars. People on r/Seattle are fuming; someone even suggested a boycott of all the businesses owned by the Space Needle Corp.
• Hear Chase discuss this news with us on the podcast today! Plus, make sure to check out an upcoming explainer on the City Cast Seattle Instagram, too.

💰 Gas prices hurt food banks: Many food banks have a centralized warehouse, where they store and then deliver food to smaller pantries in the region — Seattle is home to one of them. However, with the rising cost of gas due to the war in Iran, food banks are taking the hit, and it could soon impact their ability to provide services. [Seattle Times]

• Seattle-area gas prices are at $6.05– an all-time high. [My Northwest]

💸 Washington flood aid dries up: After the devastating flooding in Washington last December, the state said it would make $3.5 million available to flood victims. But as of last week, only $175,000 of that $3.5 million has been distributed, due to the restrictive criteria preventing those in need from accessing it. [Washington State Standard]

• President Trump only recently approved the state's request for FEMA funding, but victims can only apply for help until June 10th. [Seattle Times]

📢 McDonald’s taking over Broadway Theater: What will happen to the theater’s iconic Marquee? The Stranger’s editor-in-chief, Hannah Murphy Winter, is advocating for the theater to get a landmark status, so the city can keep its iconic marquee. She argues that it qualifies for landmark status because it is an identifiable feature of the neighborhood. I say let's go for it! We need more whimsy! [The Stranger]