What Blaine and Janelle Given have done with the Roanoke Cinema in less than a year is short of amazing and the result of their effort is not only a tribute to their tenacity in revamping the small theater, but their passion for the movies and this community.

The comparisons to the last movie I saw and the one I saw at a special private screening Thursday night are stark.

Please don't get me wrong — Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy stands as the greatest ever made and Christian Bale was the best Dark Knight to ever be cast, but the quality between then and now is what stands to bring the movies back to Roanoke Rapids.

With special arrangements, Blaine and Janelle were able to present X-Men: Days of Future Past way before the rest of the country got to see it. That in itself should speak of the care they have not only for their new endeavor with the theater, but the care they have for this community.

This was the first X-Men movie I have ever seen and I like the story line, but what made the movie and the evening terrific was the new equipment and the power of the Dolby 5.1 surround system now installed in both theaters.

It was 4,000 watts of pure sound immersion that brought the movie to life — the punches thrown reverberating throughout the building, the explosions felt in your belly and the background chatter from minor characters in the movie making you look around to make sure you weren't hearing people talking behind you.

It is the difference, Blaine said before the screening, in a sound system designed for the total movie experience and that of the previous system when I watched The Dark Knight that could barely pass for stereo.

The new screen — there is one in both theaters — did as much for the movie as the sound system did, bringing the movie nearly to life with even the smallest details clearly seen.

When watching The Dark Knight, the old 35mm projection system faltered and had to be started again.

There was a such a striking difference that when the The Dark Knight Rises came out I drove to Rocky Mount to see it.

Now, I believe, we have two screens that are every bit as equal to those in Rocky Mount, if not better.

Blaine and Janelle have also added subtle touches to the venue. Those working concessions look crisp and sharp in their vests and ties while the old, garish wallpaper is now gone, replaced with deep burgundy side curtains. There are even new seasonings for the popcorn and my only suggestion for the concessions area is to add Milk Duds, my favorite movie treat.

The theater is cleaner and crisper, and in the second phase the hope is to bring in new seating.

The cinema's new owners have made it easier to go to the movies buy adding online ticket sales through an up-to-date website that lists offerings and trailers.

Outside, the parking area has fresh yellow lines and walking into the venue the employees are courteous and helpful.

Overall, the work the couple has done to bring us a theater with the latest technology is remarkable and they should be commended for it.

Better yet, thank them with your patronage and avoid that long trip to Rocky Mount on that insanely crazy I-95.

I think that's what they would appreciate more is seeing people come to enjoy what the rest of us saw Thursday night.

There was a time when I thought the last movie I saw in Roanoke Rapids would be that — the last. With these changes, I'm hoping it will only be the start of many I go to see here — Lance Martin