For nearly 25 years, Canyon Meadows Cinemas has been a cornerstone of Calgary’s movie theatre culture. In that time, the theatre has made sparing changes. Aside from moving the box office and a million-dollar conversion to digital instead of film projectors, Canyon Meadows Cinemas is very much like it was when it opened in the early ‘00s. Brightly coloured, patterned carpets, the smell of freshly popped popcorn and a teenager with a broken voice handing you a cola. An homage to a tried-and-true movie-going experience that evokes a familiar, comforting sense of nostalgia — unlocking a core memory for pre-internet babies, similar to renting a VHS from Blockbuster or spending Friday night at Lloyds Roller Rink.
While the ‘20s have ushered in a new era of movie-viewing experiences, such as reclining chairs and 3D glasses, visiting Canyon Meadows Cinemas feels a little more tangible, a little more true, and a lot more budget-friendly. It’s a family-owned-and-operated theatre that still offers $5 ticket pricing.
When it came to finding a venue to film their music video for their single “Alone in Paradise,” local band BETABOYS couldn’t have asked for a better space.
“I’ve been going to movies at Canyon Meadows Cinemas for decades, and I love it,” said BETABOYS founder and bassist Scott Perrin, adding that the decision to film at Canyon Meadows Cinemas was both “directly and indirectly nostalgic.”
Filmed entirely on VHS tape by Calgary photographer and creative director Heather Saitz, the video evokes a similar feeling to watching John Hughes cult-classics like Pretty in Pink or Sixteen Candles. The band, dressed appropriately with a collective nod to the ‘80s, primps in the movie theatre washroom, scoops popcorn, and sits in the movie theatre seats like how Blane McDonagh and his buddies might have — with the same cavalier nonchalance, and boyish charm. A new-wave, ‘80s synth-pop sound, along with creative choices that evoke nostalgia, is present both in the film and in the band’s music.
“We all grew up in the ‘90s, but we have a memory of that spirit that also pertains to the ‘80s that we’re trying to capture,” said Perrin, noting that the band will be releasing their new album, Great Pretenders — made in collaboration with producer and composer Russel Broom — on December 6 at Commonwealth.
While Perrin is inspired by places that feel trapped in time, such as North Hill Mall or Nick’s Steakhouse & Pizza, a common thread the band returns to is the optimism found in ‘80s coming-of-age stories.
“And it’s coming of age throughout life, through different stages,” said Perrin. “It’s not just like your teenagers in the John Hughes movies. We can see those themes playing out in different parts of your life as you get older, too.”
Similar to the music video, Canyon Meadows Cinemas sets the scene for coming-of-age stories in contemporary times. Nathalie Hunter, Canyon Meadows Cinemas General Manager, says all five of her children, and numerous nieces and nephews, have worked at the theatre, along with roughly 1,000 teenagers.
“At any given time, we employ around 60 kids,” said Hunter. “They’ve got sports and school, so most of them can’t work a ton unless they financially need to. And we do see that a lot, and that is very sad, where the kids are supporting their families.”
Indeed, teenagers rely on Canyon Meadows Cinemas both behind the concession counter and in front of it. In a post-COVID world, reclaiming in-person, human connection is a necessity for all generations, but is felt keenly at the theatre by the number of teenagers who come out to see movies — especially after opening The Dirty Soda Shoppe. Spearheaded by Hunter’s late sister-in-law, the Soda Shoppe offers a range of mixed sodas, similar to that season of life when pre-teens are given free rein at a 7-Eleven and build their own beverages between the Slurpees and sodas.
Perrin, who is also a teacher, emphasizes the importance of spaces where young people can connect. It shows that kids heading to see Fall today aren’t so different from those flocking to watch Pretty in Pink back in the day.
“There is still a yearning and a want to be a part of something that’s cool and that has a lineage, like going to the movie theatre,” said Perrin.
