New movieplex opens its doors at Colonie Center

PHOTOGRAPHER: James Schlett

The Regal Entertainment Group is using the movie “Atonement” to publicly christen its new 13-screen theater at Colonie Center.

Almost 30 months after construction started on the mall’s third-floor Regal Cinemas, movies started playing there this afternoon. In the run-up to the theater’s grand opening on Friday, the Knoxville, Tenn.-based Regal is showing second-run films. The Academy Award-nominated “Atonement” starring Keira Knightley and James McAvoy was the theater’s first scheduled film at 12:10 p.m.

Other films slated to show through Wednesday include “10,000 B.C.,” “I Am Legend,” “National Treasure 2” “Sweeney Todd,” and “Enchanted.”

For each day during the three-day soft opening, Regal will also show a trio of films revolving around themes. They include “Spider-Man 3” for Superheroes for a Cause on Tuesday and “Water Horse” for Family Day at Regal on Wednesday.

The theater in charging $2 for tickets, popcorn and soft drinks through Wednesday. Proceeds from the soft opening will go to local charities, such as the Times Union Hope Fund and the National Kidney Foundation.

The 2,800-seat theater covers 64,000 square feet. It features digital projection and stadium seating. First-run films, such as “Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian,” start at the theater Friday.