Modular Building 10232 Palace Cinema

[jimmynick]

I must say I'm a tad disappointed by the interior of the cinema, but, honestly, it's LEGO. I had expected stadium-style seats a la sonicstarlight, but I could do what I wanted if I bought this set. It looks ripe for modding.

[spectre4188]

LEGO, if you read this before it's too late, I BEG OF YOU, REMOVE THE WINDOWS ON THE SECOND FLOOR, ADD MORE SEATS, AND PUT THE PROJECTOR IN IT'S OWN ROOM! Maybe replace the window spaces with statues. I'd be happy to pay $200-$250, maybe $275 for the set if these changes were made, and I bet others would too!

And PS -- Please fix the car too ;-)

Here's to hoping it's not too late!!

Edited January 5, 2013 by spectre4188

[Jargo]

I like the part with the cinema....

Sets like this are too pricey for me but I appreciate all the parts that will end up on Bricklink.

[Andy D]

I just saw the interiors. Great! I'm liking this modular more and more. Sign me up for 2!

BTW: Notice the movie title " Forver Sorting"? Looks like someone undertands the plight of the AFOL.

Andy D

Edited January 5, 2013 by Andy D

[andythenorth]

I have no interest in building modular building, no interest in weird collecting fetishes, and my kids won't want to play with this.

But....I'm going to buy it. As soon as I can.

If whining AHOLs are disappointed by this set, it's probably be good. Because whining AHOLs have no concept of fun or play or joy, and certainly very little imagination.

In fact whenever whining AHOLs whine about a set, I'm going to buy it (if I can afford it). Because it amuses me.

Edited January 5, 2013 by andythenorth

[GRogall]

LEGO, if you read this before it's too late, I BEG OF YOU, REMOVE THE WINDOWS ON THE SECOND FLOOR, ADD MORE SEATS, AND PUT THE PROJECTOR IN IT'S OWN ROOM! Maybe replace the window spaces with statues. I'd be happy to pay $200-$250, maybe $275 for the set if these changes were made, and I bet others would too!

And PS -- Please fix the car too ;-)

Here's to hoping it's not too late!!

The set has already been produced! and the are not going to change something because YOU don't like it! Remember others AFOL's do quiet like it!

Edited January 5, 2013 by GRogall

[spectre4188]

The set has already been produced! and the are not going to change something because YOU don't like it! Remember others AFOL's do quiet like it!

I challenge you to find me a movie theater with windows in the theater. Please..

[lightningtiger]

I don't know what it is but most of these modulars go so far with the detail and then at the last jump fall flat on their faces......perhaps this is a retro design cinema from the early 20th century...where's the magic lantern ?

That limo needs a little work....small wheels and large wheel arches....looks a bit of a toss together at the last minute ?

Windows in the cinema....what where and when....where are the curtains to block out the light.....so many holes in this set.

In my opinion the Town Plan cinema is still the best.....but that's going from an open back classic town style fan !

[ChrisW]

Honestly, I've always dreamed of a Lego Cinema, being a filmmaker and cinema buff, and having missed out on the theatre in the Town Plan set in my dark age, this is brilliant.

Those whingeing about the windows, car etc. could easily mod those elements, and if you don't want to purchase it, that's fine, there's more around for the rest of us that do.

[David Thomsen]

Looking at the building in comparison to the Pet Shop, it's really tiny - the facade makes the roof look higher than it actually is. I don't mind because I think a cityscape needs buildings of a different height.

I don't see much point complaining about the windows, if the cinema was fully enclosed the building would look extremely boring from the outside. I'd rather have an interesting building than a practical one.

The only thing that really disappoints me is that one of the minifigs is identical from one from the Pet Shop, except her trousers are red instead of dark red. You can see in the group shot of the three buildings that the version from the Pet Shop is facing the other way, so that maybe people won't notice.

And yes, I know it's very easy to swap out the minifig for a different one, but I'm one of those people who likes to build Lego sets as they were intended, which is a perfectly valid lifestyle choice thank you very much...

[MadManMingo]

I smell a contest warming up allready...

- Who can make the best MOD of the theater floor? With more seats, blinded windows on the inside, seperate projektion room and who knows what else?....

That way we could get tons of great suggestions on alternative movie theaters. No bad feelings Jamie, Astrid or who ever is watching from TLG You guys have given us so much. This beautiful cinema just needs to be "finished" before many of us truly can share the joy of it

[Kristel]

I smell a contest warming up allready...

- Who can make the best MOD of the theater floor? With more seats, blinded windows on the inside, seperate projektion room and who knows what else?....

I like the sound of this. I've already been thinking through how to change the fit out of the building!

[Martin_B]

The interior shots haven't made me more impressed, as I'd hoped they would. I have the same issues as some other people - the windows in the auditorium, the lack of projector room/toilets, the size in general. But then, if those limitations were intended to make the set a bit more affordable, I can understand why they've designed it that way.

Anyone else see those interior shots and think, "Cool. I want to buy this and mod it." I can think of some areas where I'd take the charming details and overall concept, and extend it to my own liking in directions that wouldn't have been practical or financially viable for the original designers.

[ShaydDeGrai]

I'm glad to see that they've finally added a cinema to the modular line up, and I can understand why they drew inspiration from Graumans Chinese Theatre in LA, but I think I would have preferred something in the Art Deco style. All the (surviving) old movie houses near me are Art Deco with that certain angular, geometric, tacky charm inside and out.

Don't get me wrong; I'll pick up this set, block up the windows, redo the auditorium and happily add it to my modular block, but as a model of Grauman's it's a little low-end and as a generic old movie house it's a bit of an odd duck.

Edited January 5, 2013 by ShaydDeGrai

[bootz]

I have no interest in building modular building, no interest in weird collecting fetishes, and my kids won't want to play with this.

But....I'm going to buy it. As soon as I can.

If whining AHOLs are disappointed by this set, it's probably be good. Because whining AHOLs have no concept of fun or play or joy, and certainly very little imagination.

In fact whenever whining AHOLs whine about a set, I'm going to buy it (if I can afford it). Because it amuses me.

You really showed them!

[medib]

Andy if we had a like button on comments, I would give you 3 thumbs up... :D (also if I had a third arm).

[andythenorth]

You really showed them!

Yes I really did. Me and my big protest. That'll definitely stop the whining AHOLs.

[bootz]

Yes I really did. Me and my big protest. That'll definitely stop the whining AHOLs.

I don't get it. Are you going to buy it as a parts pack? Are you going to leave it in the box and let it appreciate? I'm not exactly sure what you're trying to protest or who you're trying to spite. As AFOLs, the group TLG designs this series for, I think we have a right to complain when something doesn't match our expectations for what the company and its paid model makers are capable of. There are some questionable aspects of this set that have some people on the fence about it. The car is awful, they've had better in $20 creator sets. If it indeed uses stickers that is very disappointing. The windows don't bother me as I won't be watching movies in there and dealing with the sun glare, but I can see why people are upset about that. TLG should know by now what the AFOL community expects of this line and one would expect them to pander to us, since few parents are plopping down $150 for a single set for their young child.

As I've said before, I think most of the disappointment comes from the fact that this isn't the Empire Theater. I would rather buy that than this, but this is what TLG gave us and as it's part of a collection I'll have to get it. That's not to say I don't like the set, but it's far from my favorite in the series.

[Dhivael]

I seem to be in the minority here, but I love it. It feels like an old theatre (proscenium stage type theatre) that has been renovated into a movie theatre. i'll definitely pick up one or two (the second to redesign) , and I'm so glad to have another corner building.

[kermit]

She's buying tickets.

I'm loving this more and more! I really like the roof technique. I knew there wasn't going to be many seats, that's just how TLG works. Not every ground floor is tiled either, so I don't see how that's a big deal. As for the car, I'm just happy they didn't give it the City treatment and give it the monster wheels.

Theres really no point talking about what the buildings don't have, because ALL buildings LEGO makes miss things.

There is a point to saying what the building doesnt have . It is missing a chandelier on the bottom floor which would of added to the entire movie ambiance feeling and plus if the ticket booth was on the outside under the sign it would left more room in the interior of the bottom floor.

Edited January 5, 2013 by kermit

[legobear]

This is just pure conjecture but I have a feeling that the designer on the Lego channel on youtube will announce the reason for having windows in the cinema. The most obvious reason to me is that he/she wants adequate lighting into the set so that on display, you can see the minifigures inside watching the movie. If it was 'bricked' up, you'd have a pretty drab looking wall - it would literally be a giant cement block. You could decorate the cement block but it's 'brick' costly. The end result would be CIA headquarters or something completely bricked in. Yes, windows are rare to find in a theater but if they were removed and covered up with bricks, it would be architectural suicide as you end up with dark interiors, and the loss of personal connection to the minifigures watching the movie as well as to the interior of the theater itself.

Some may not care about that or already have too much personal connection with their minifigures .. but I think that was an important consideration when adding in the windows. The other positive is the ultimate 'wow' factor when it's on display in your house or at the Lego store . People will instantly peek into the 2nd story window to see what's going on in there or to get a free show .

In regards to the 6 seats, I think there was compromise made somehow because my guess is that the designer first did fill in the entire floor with seats, but that they looked cheaply made. He/she probably thought in hindsight that 6 well made seats beat 9 cheaply designed seats. Of course it is all pure conjecture as we never get to see the day to day challenges these designers face. The greatest thing going for this set is that no one can say it doesn't stand out. It'll be that ONE set in your collection that you can talk on and on about in regards to the tiles, windows, seats, popcorn, and the added limousine many people don't like. I secretly like it though .....did I type that for everyone to see? I mean....it sucks!

Edited January 5, 2013 by legobear

[merman]

how could would it have been to have some mechanism like garage-doors blinding the windows/

[kermit]

how could would it have been to have some mechanism like garage-doors blinding the windows/

It would be necessary to have beams running across the top of the room for the garage door system to work to allow them to slide up and down which would prevent hands from being able to play inside the room.

[Chocolatecake]

After seeing the interior, it's a must buy for me, cause it has a lot of potential for making it my own. the cinema definitely needs some loveseats for the lovebirds and when I get my paws on the set, more ideas will come.

[Multiverse]

It looks like TLC's spoiling us with these amounts of new prints - those few (were there even more than two?) from Town Hall were a great treat, but these custom movie posters and star tiles and all takes the whole thing up a notch. I understand it pefectly if that means a slightly scarce interior.

I love the roof, both sections. I would've loved it even more if the middle part hadn't been open on the back, but you can't have everything. That half-studded, half-studless look of it gives it that perfect professional shine. Oh, and a red baseplate! That even beats the tan one from Grand Emporium, even if I can't think of any specific ues for it right now.

The doors are awesome, and make brilliantly use of a few recent recolours. And 'Three Clicks And A Snap'? That's absolutely brilliant. I personally can't wait to get this one and show those details off to everyone (that is, once I've caught up with the Pet Shop and Town Hall). =)

On the downside, I'm lost as to what I'm going to do with the limousine. The fire engine from Fire Brigade can be conveniently placed inside the building, but this one seems more problematic to have on a restricted space.

My overall preliminary verdict on this (because you have to give one, don't you?) is that while it's not a peak for the line like Grand Emporium or Town Hall, it's still a great set and a definite must-have for, well, me. =)