It’s the only movie house in town with a balcony, for starters. When there’s a big show playing, you have to stand on the sidewalk, a communal feeling. It has deep seats to sink into (or hide in). Just when you figure you’ll have to rent that Sundance fave all the critics have been raving about, it shows up magically. The screen’s gotten a little bigger, too. And the longtime Atlantic Film Festival venue scored a coup during this year’s fest when filmmaker Michael Moore showed up to monopolise the audience at both screenings of his controversial Bowling for Columbine. Who wouldn’t vote this joint best theatre? 6408 Quinpool Road, 423-7488
Runner-up: Empire 18 IMAX