After passing final inspections this week, Our Town Cinemas said Thursday it will open on Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25, for showings of its first 4 films: “Invictus,” “Sherlock Holmes,” “It’s Complicated” and Disney’s “The Princess & The Frog.” The box office will open at 3 p.m. Christmas day, selling tickets for Friday through Dec. 31.

For show times and descriptions, SEE BELOW>

And what does the theater look like inside? See the photo report of our Christmas Eve tour, CLICK HERE>

The new 4-screen cinema has been under construction since September in 9,750 square feet of former storefronts in the Sadler Square Shopping Center off Griffith Street. After inspections Wednesday afternoon, Our Town Cinemas received its certificate of occupancy, allowing the owners to open Christmas Day.

The theater plans to show first-run movies, art and international films and host film festivals. It has tiered seating with bistro-style tables to accommodate food and drinks.

Ticket prices are slightly cheaper than at some other local theaters. Our Town Cinemas will charge $9 for its top-priced evening adult ticket – compared with $10 at Movies at Birkdale and the AMC Northlake Mall theater. Children 3-12 are $6 all day. Discounts are available for shows before 5 p.m., students, seniors and military service members.

The cinema will have two screening rooms of about 40 seats and two with about 80 seats. Plans call for serving pizzas from the Brick House Tavern off Watson Street in Davidson, as well as sandwiches, cookies, chocolate and other foods – from local businesses wherever possible, Our Town Cinemas spokeswoman Jan Black has said. The theater also has applied for an alcoholic beverages permit.

For several weeks, Our Town Cinemas has been promoting gift certificate sales and its first films through its website www.ourtowncinemas.com. But the opening date was uncertain, as the site awaited final inspections.

ART FILM SOCIETY FORMING

Our Town Cinemas chose Davidson in part because of the expected interest in specialty films, Ms. Black said. Ms. Black has said there’s been an outpouring of interest (via emails through its website) in foreign and art films, and she expects Our Town Cinemas to start some sort of a film society here.

In an email to customers Thursday, the cinema said, “We will have a meeting in January for everyone who has signed up with interest in developing an Arts Film Society.”

The theater also is in the right place geographically to get first-run movies – far enough from other area theaters.

A building permit for the project projected the cost of the renovations to the Davidson location at $273,000. Meanwhile, the company says it’s eyeing other sites in North and South Carolina. The company is led by managing partner Curtis Fainn, who has 38 years’ experience in movie theaters and film distribution.

OUR TOWN CINEMAS

Sadler Square Shopping Center (near the Healthy Home Market and The Egg @ Davidson)

Christmas Day show times:

“Invictus” (PG-13) – 4:55, 7:50 p.m.

Nelson Mandela, in his first term as the South African President, initiates a unique venture to unite the apartheid-torn land: enlist the national rugby team to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

“It’s complicated” (R) – 4:30, 7:15 and 9:55 p.m.

Follows a woman dealing with empty-nest syndrome who is torn between her ex-husband and a male friend.

“The Princess & The Frog” (G) – 4:20, 7:30, 9:40 p.m.

A fairy tale centered on a young girl named Princess Tiana who lives in New Orleans’ French Quarter during the Jazz Age.

“Sherlock Holmes” (PG-13) - 4:10, 7:00, 9:45 p.m.

Detective Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr) and his stalwart partner Watson (Jude Law) engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England.

Future show times and other info: www.ourtowncinemas.com

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Read our previous coverage of Our Town Cinemas, CLICK HERE>