[johnny36]

Seems like all the MINI rallies for the opening of the new Italian Job are just a bit too much of a drive. So, I'm seeing if New Jersey folk (residents and near neighbors) what to get together. I figure New Jersey movie theatres have big parking lots, big screen, big seats and low ticket prices (compared to NYC).

I haven't seen listing for the theatres that will be running the movie, so there is no definite location as yet.

Two friends (both MINI owners, if that wasn't obvious) are excited, so there will be at least three of us. Any other NJ/NY MINI folk interested? Post or send message.

I'll update this thread as we start to form more solid plans.


Cheers,

[paulgraz]

There's a SONY theater in Freehold NJ with a very large parking lot. When the film "Fast and Furious" came out they had part of the lot sectioned off just for the ricers, and it was like a car show to promote the movie.

We're running out of time, but I'd be willing to participate in a similar deal for MINIs...

[tfisher]

I'm interested too. Same theater as Paul suggested.

[grumpy07470]

I'm up for the ride

[ram_one]

Pick a day and time.

[johnny36]

Mon Amici...

Here's an update.

Seems there is plenty of enthusiasm about the Freehold Loews (101 Trotters Way, Freehold, New Jersey in the Freehold Raceway Mall) , so let's make that the theatre (unless situations develop, see below).

I spoke with two manager at the Freehold theatre; one said they are getting the Italian Job, the other said the are "likely" getting it ("we usually get the big movies"). It seems that they work on a weekly booking schedule and do not know definitely what they will be showing until the Monday before. To compound the situation, Monday (the 26th) is a holiday, so they won't know for sure until Tuesday. grrrr...

Next, we have a situation with show times. According to the second manager; once they get the bookings, they arrange their showing schedule and confirm it with the central office. That means they don't have show time until the afternoon of Weds. 28th. (again, the holiday delays everything by a day).

On the upside, they have no problem with us hanging out in their parking lot! Excellent suggestion that we arrange to have part of the parking lot reserved for us ala the opening of the Fast + Furious. However, that involves arranging a promotional situation with the central office. Given a quick head count (about twelve MINI) and the size of their parking lot, I can't imagine that will need special space reserved for us. If a lot more folks express interest, then I'll contact the main office.

Man, when I suggested getting together, I had no idea it would be so complicated. My apologizes for not foreseeing the complexity.

Moving on though -- here's the current game plan:

Let's assume for the moment that the Freehold theatre is showing IJ. Rather than opening night, I feel Saturday afternoon (the 31st) would be a better time to get together (can't ogle MINIs in the dark). Judging from the historic first shows at the Freehold Loews (11 am) let's shoot for the 3rd showing. My guess at the moment is that would be 3 p.m. That gives people time to do lunch before hand.

The drive part: my two friends coming from NYC and I plan to meet at the Pep Boys on Rt.18 east off exit 9 on the Trnpk. at about 1:00 p.m. At about 1:30 - 1:45 p.m. we will drive to the theatre (I'm scoping out the best route tomorrow -- Tues. -- morning). It's roughly 16 miles to the theatre, so that should mean arriving at the theatre parking lot at about 2:00-2:15 p.m. Hang-out out for about an hour and see the movie.

RECAP:

Saturday, June 31st.
Loews Cineplex Freehold Metroplex
101 Trotters Way
Freehold (in the Freehold Raceway Mall)

Meet at the Pep Boys (575 Route 18, E Brunswick, NJ 08816) @ 1:00 p.m.

Drive to theatre at 1:30 - 1:45p.m.

Meet in parking lot of theatre at (approx.) 2:00 pm

See Italian Job at 3:00 p.m.


There are plenty of points where this plan could fall apart. On Tues. evening I will know if the theatre is playing IJ and on Weds. I'll have show times. If there is a major deviation from the plan above, I'll post changes. I will also PM updates to anyone who PM's me.

[paulgraz]

Sounds like a great plan - thanks for all the hard work putting it together.

I hope the manager comes through with the reserved parking area though - it's a big lot, but it would be nice to have the MINIs near the front, not tucked away in the back of the lot.

I live 15 minutes from this theater, I'll try to get there early and hold spots if we can't get anything more formal.

[MiniCooperS123]

Hey! I am very upset that I will not be able to drive a mini on the opening day of Italian Job. But when I do get my mini I would be happy if I could join you guys and gals(if there are any). Just posting to say there are only 30 days in June not 31! Just trying not to get people confused.

[paulgraz]

It's MAY 31st, not June...

[tfisher]

I just got an invitation from my dealer Princeton MINI for their IJ party on May 29. But I will still try to meet all of you at the Freehold Theater parking lot at 2 on the 31st.

[xplode]

hey, i'm in. good reason for a 54 minute drive. thanks for setting this up!

[MiniCooperS123]

Is everyone about the same age in here. I feel like a little kid. Actually I am 16. Hopefully nobody take offence to that. But I am still intrested in the IJ meet. I am like 15 or 20 minutes away from the Freehold Movie Theatre. Not to many people in my school like the Mini as much as I do so this would be cool.

[spaceboy]

We're going to the Princeton MINI party on the 29th, but we'd love to come to Freehold to meet up with you guys.

Any excuse to get the car out on the NJ Turnpike and take a little drive is fine with me.

See you there.

[paulgraz]

Hey guys, I called a friend of mine "in the biz" and he hooked me up with a guy from Paramount! I spoke to him today, told him about our plans, and he seemed to like the idea. He's going to call his counterpart at Lowes HQ and see what they can come up with to help us out.

Can someone going to the Princeton MINI event spread the word about our little informal deal? Maybe we can get a few more cars that way. Looks like we have about 8 or 10 cars here, and I saw this was mentioned on the NYCMMG list on yahoo, and probably about the same number there also said they would come. If we could get 25 or 30 cars, it would be cool. Classic Mini's would also be a plus. The more the merrier...

Johnny36, thanks again for taking the lead on this - sorry it was so much work, I hope my phone call helps out a little...

[olerud400]

this is looking pretty cool. i too saw the NYCMMG thread and I'm in for this little trip too.

Adam

[olerud400]

this is looking pretty cool. i too saw the NYCMMG thread and I'm in for this little trip too.

Adam

[paulgraz]

Argh!

We may have to change the location - I know it's late, but I've been talking to Steve Barrett in Exhibitor Services at Paramount, and he really likes this idea and wants to hype it up - but his counterpart at Lowes Theaters is out this week. (Having a baby!)

He would like us to move to a Clearview theater in Ocean Township, NJ (not really far from freehold) because he can setup a bigger promotion with Clearview Cinemas main office. He's setting up a tie in with a radio station that would do a local broadcast from the parking lot, talking about the movie, our cars, etc. This sounds like a great opportunity!

The new location is here

It's still pretty easy to get to - maybe even easier than Freehold.

Any problems/issues with this change? I really hate to switch gears so late, but hey - we're Mini drivers, we like to switch gears, right?

[tfisher]

No problem with Ocean for me Paul. Same time?

Tom

[minibuff]

i MIGHT BE ABLE TO ATTEND WHAT TIME ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT?

[MiniCooperS123]

Guys, I saw the coolest thing. There is a mini rally that takes plave every year in Italy. It has been going on for about 13 years. I wish I was there! Go to Mini Italian Job Site. Go all the way into the site until you reach a map. Look to the left and highlight the top left area and click on the Italian flag that should appear. It looks so cool!