Film Maven Testimonials

“As a member of this community, I'm thrilled to share my heartfelt testimonial about the Maven theater. This charming mom-and-pop theater has been a beloved landmark in our neighborhood, and I'm so grateful to have it as a part of our community.

For me, the Maven theater is more than just a place to watch movies - it's a hub for creativity, connection, and belonging. I cherish the memories of cozy movie nights with my family, laughing and crying together on the big screen. As a parent, I love that it's a safe and welcoming space for families, where we can share our love of film with our children and create new traditions.

As Maven transitions into a non-profit community center, I'm excited to see it become an even more vibrant hub for our community. Maven has held viewings of films that would otherwise never see the light of day. I hope to continue to see original works by local filmmakers. Unknown artists showcased here, and I'm eager to continue being a part of the culture of housing new projects. I envision independent films, workshops, and events that bring people together, foster creativity, and promote social connection right here at Maven.

The Maven theater has always been a place where everyone can go, and where everyone can belong. As we work to show our support in reopening the theater, I'm confident that it will continue to be a beacon of hope and inspiration for our community.

My fondest memory of Maven is the time I overheard a family say they love what was happening at the theater down the road. The holidays always had something special for her and her kids to go to, and could count on the little festivities. These are experiences that stay with us, and I know that the Maven can continue to create those moments for families like throughout the community.”

Clotile Bonner Farkas

“There is nothing like Maven Cinemas in Northern Utah County! As a board member of the Harrington Center for the Arts and head of the Theater Committee, we used Maven cinemas several times to host our Exploration of New Works series. This series has supported dozens of composers, lyricists and playwrights and hundreds of performers. Not only does Maven Cinemas provide a unique and valuable experience through their film series, but also they provide a venue for other local arts organizations to connect with the community.”

Blake Barlow

“I love classic cinema and particularly love seeing films on the big screen. Maven Cinemas is this cinephile’s dream come true. The high quality projection and sound coupled with the excellent programming, clean and comfortable theater, tasty treats and wonderful staff make this revival house truly a community treasure.”

Stanford Clark

“There was so much I loved about the experience. First of all the variety of the movies they featured. I'll never forget getting to see 2001 A Space Odyssey on the big screen and then Muppets Christmas Carol with a crowd singing. I attended the Saturday morning pajama party and what a treat to eat cereal and laugh at Looney Tunes with my fellow movie fans. Maven Cinemas is a treasure and I would do anything to see it back”

Rachel Wagner

“When we first moved to Utah in 2016, we were introduced to a little theater on Main Street that people referenced as “the sticky shoe”. In the almost 10 years that we have lived here we became familiar with Joe and Dvorah when they took over as the Maven Cinema. We marveled at their passion and their determination to bring great movie experiences to our little community of American Fork. We participated in fundraisers, we experienced the Hairspray sing-along, and other classic movies. My favorite experience was when no one in the family would go with me to see Gone With The Wind until my, at the time 38-year-old son stepped up and said, “mom I will sit through it with you”. We went to that little neighborhood theater and watched a movie that has played a huge role in my life. It was a movie that I shared with my mother multiple times and now I have this cherished memory of seeing it with my son. ❤️”

Phyllis Ann Stearns-Poynter

“We hosted TWO Cinema Therapy events during their short time, filled with our fans to screen a couple of our favorites (Serenity and Speed Racer) followed by a Q&A. Amazing venue. I would visit everytime I was in Utah. Rocky III, Modern Times, Speed, Star Trek: First Contact were some of my favorites here. I also took my kids several times: Court Jester and School of Rock were wonderful to see at Maven Cinemas for the first time. The Saturday Morning Cartoons Pajama Party with all-you-can-eat cereal was probably my favorite event. Looney Tunes in jammies? Come on!”

Jonathan Decker

“Maven isn’t just a theater, it’s a community and an experience! We’ve been able to build memories there that no other theater has been able to do. Joe and Dvorah have shared their heart and passion for cinema with the community, and given us all a new place to call home!”

Ollie Odinson

“My name is Magpie and I'm a proud film maven. Movies have always been a huge part of how I see the world, understand it, and share it with the people I love. The Maven Cinema has been an incredible community center, giving not only these older and more underground films the chance to shine once more on the big screen, but giving our community members a place to gather, laugh, talk, and share that passion with one another. In an age of ever-racing media cycles and the rush to create the new "highest grossing film yet" every few months without room for cultural impact, this local cinema gives people the chance to slow down, sit with and revisit the films that matter to them years after their production, and to share old films with a new generation who will love and appreciate them anew. 

Thanks to Maven Cinemas, I've watched the first instances of pioneer film techniques, discovered decades before my time. I've spent overnight marathons enjoying cult classic genre films, and gotten to discuss them over Saturday morning cereal with sleepy and grinning members of my community. I've gotten to surprise my coauthor by taking them to see one of their favorite cult classic movies, decades after it was released, and got to see the way they glowed with delight at seeing the production on the big screen they love. (A night that pushed me to pursue them: the person who I will soon be marrying.) 

My friends and I were gutted to hear that the theater had been visited by tragedy. I cannot overstate the number of times over this past year that one of us has fantasized about the films we would have loved to watch "at Maven like it deserves", or mourned the get-togethers that "could have been a Maven night". We saved ticket stubs, wrote reviews to share, and demanded friends go back with us to watch before it was too late. "I miss Maven" has become an ache like missing an old family member; like missing someone wise and full of story and always happy to see you again. 

When we heard that Maven was trying to reopen, and that there was something we could do to help, the email got read aloud to a carpool full of cheers. The opportunity to have this heartfelt local haven in our lives again is overwhelming. As both an artist and a studying librarian, I firmly believe that Maven is doing the kind of critical preservation work that changes lives. They are keeping art history alive in a way that can be seen, heard, and felt in the way the pieces were intended to be experienced. People love to call movies "timeless". Maven Cinemas does something about it.”

Magpie

“I happened upon Maven Theater on Facebook. Mama Mia sing-along. Cool sounds fun!!! At first, I thought it would be a onetime thing. Just check it out. But oh, my goodness the atmosphere and nostalgia of the building was so amazing. The owners so nice, so friendly.  We kept going back. Week after week.  Sing-a-longs. Movies I never thought I would see on the big screen. We went back so much we started to get to know the owners. And they got to know us. Recognized us all the time. Oh, and the movie board!!! Sparking memories. Three generations have gone to Maven theater. Myself, my daughter, and my grandbabies. They love the Frozen sing-along. They keep asking when the next one is.  Since the closing we have participated in the Christmas event they had. Soo fun. We really hope Maven is able to reopen. Such fun. In the future? I would love to see Maven back in the old building.”

A. Scooby

“Because of Maven Cinema, I've been able to relive the exact movie experience great-grandparents, grandparents, and my dad experienced going to the sticky shoe. I've made so many memories there and would love to bring my own future kids to it someday.”

Austin Proctor