Boston's First State-of-the-Art Movie Megaplex to Open in the Fenway in June! Enormous 13-Screen Movie Complex to Open in Time for Summer's Biggest Blockbuster Films.

Business/City Editors and Entertainment Writers

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 2000

The wait is over! Boston residents will finally have a modern movie megaplex with all of the latest amenities - stadium seating, digital sound, 13 large screens, high-backed seats and a mouth-watering variety of concessions.

The new General Cinema complex will open in late June in time for many of the summer's most eagerly anticipated blockbuster movies. It will be the largest theatre complex in the city and is expected to attract more than one million moviegoers a year from Boston, Brookline, Cambridge and the surrounding metropolitan area. Two of the auditoriums will have enormous wall-to-wall screens and seat more than 500 moviegoers at a time - making them THE place to see the largest event movies in Boston.

"We're excited to be opening a truly state-of-the-art modern movie theatre in Boston," says General Cinema president, Frank Stryjewski. "General Cinema was founded in Boston by Philip Smith more than 75 years ago, and we are proud to be building such a great facility in our hometown. Our new Fenway theatre will offer Bostonians a chance to experience excellent on-screen presentation and the very best in customer service every time they go to the movies."

"With 1,800 parking spaces, easy access to the T, and industry-leading concession operations, I think this will quickly become the preferred place for Boston area residents to enjoy a film," continues Stryjewski.

The 3,100 seat General Cinema Fenway megaplex is only three blocks from Fenway Park, in the new Landmark Center on Brookline Avenue -- known to many as the historic former home of the enormous Sears department store and distribution center. The theatre is located at the Fenway T stop on the Green Line "D" train, or is an easy walk from Kenmore Square.

"The comfort, amenities and technological advances at this theatre will allow people to see movies the way they were meant to be seen," continues Stryjewski. "Two of the auditoriums will be THX(TM) certified, all 13 will have digital sound and every auditorium will be certified according to the rigid standards of the Kodak ScreenCheck(TM) quality assurance program. People in Boston are very enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable moviegoers. They've deserved a theatre of this caliber for many years."

In addition to stadium seating in every auditorium, the Fenway 13 will also offer:

-- wall-to-wall, curved screens, including two that are more than 50 feet wide;

-- all-digital sound;

-- daily bargain matinees for all, and senior and children's discounts at all times;

-- advance ticketing via MovieFone;

-- General Cinema's frequent moviegoer rewards program, Credits(R);

-- wheelchair access and assisted listening equipment in all auditoriums; and

-- an 1800-space parking garage adjacent to the theatre with special rates for moviegoers.

Guests will also enjoy:

-- a birthday party room;

-- mouth-watering concessions including Pizzeria Uno's pizza, Green Mountain coffee, fresh cookies, nachos, a mouth-watering array of candies and popcorn popped right in the theatre;

-- a unique new fountain beverage system - one of the most advanced in the country - that dispenses "bottle quality" Pepsi and Dr. Pepper products; and

-- easy access to and from the T.

The Fenway 13 will offer guests the most movies and the most showtimes of any theatre in Boston - along with some of the best customer service in the industry.

In addition to the very latest Hollywood blockbusters, the theatre will also show independent and foreign films throughout the year, giving movie fans a chance to see these works on a large screen with modern, state-of-the-art presentation.

The Fenway 13 is part of General Cinema's recent megaplex expansion plan. In the past four years, the company has opened other popular megaplex locations in Chicago, Seattle, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Dallas, Atlanta, Baltimore, Austin and other areas. The company also recently remodeled its Boston area locations at Framingham and Chestnut Hill, and added a luxurious new Premium Cinema(TM) to its successful Framingham 16 megaplex.

General Cinema Theatres, a subsidiary of GC Companies, Inc. (NYSE:GCX), is based in Chestnut Hill, Mass., and is one of the largest motion picture exhibitors in the U.S., with nearly 1,100 screens in 23 states. The company was founded in Boston 77 years ago. General Cinema also operates theatres in Mexico, and cinemas in South America in a joint venture with Hoyts Cinema Group. The company annually hosts more than 60 million guests at its theatres worldwide.

EDITORS: To set up an appointment to visit this spectacular new theatre for a special behind the scenes tour while it is under construction, please contact Brian Callaghan at [phone].