Carbon Arc

The ideal central location and small but very comfortable theatre make viewing great films fantastic .
Highly recommend trying out at least once and you will want to return. Where else are you going to find the best deal for price of admission, drink and a popcorn for all under $ 10.

I’m choosing Carbon Arc for my «under the radar» Unilocalspiration review because I’m always shocked when people haven’t heard of it. You guys, it’s so great!
Carbon Arc is a small independent theatre inside The Khyber Club and they play movies! I’ve been there for everything from a typical movie screening to an Oscars viewing party to a screening of all the Canadian Heritage Minutes commercials. Yep — it was as amazing as it sounds.
You can check out their website to see what screenings are coming up, and I highly recommend you check it out! Screenings are usually $ 6, and bring some cash with you. There’s also often a bar where you can get popcorn, beer and other things — always a plus!

What’s that — you’ve never heard of Carbon Arc? Well, I can’t say I’m all that surprised. This independent, weekly film festival of sorts is about as close to a secret society as you can get in Halifax. How so? I’ll explain.
First, the secret hideout. The Khyber Club is that building you’ve walked by countless times on Barrington Street but never really knew what happened inside. Be brave, push past that front door, and start climbing up the historic stairs and you’ll find the home of Carbon Arc.
Second, the ‘right place, right time’ factor. It might not be exactly ‘Skulls’ material, but here’s the one rule you need to know in order to earn entry to Carbon Arc: Thursday nights are screening nights. You’ll have to keep your ear to the ground (Twitter and Facebook make this easier than it sounds) to hear what you’ll find there from night to night, but it certainly won’t be your average night at Empire.
Third, the in-​crowd. Simply put, there isn’t one. There was not one distinguishable demographic that held true throughout the entire crowd when I visited and that seemed to work just fine. Some artsy, some mainstream, some old, some young, some even in costume — they were all welcomed the same by a Carbon Arc volunteer’s preamble to the show.
Need more? Fine. Films are screened on an entire wall with great clarity as you sit in poor man’s stadium seating, crafted by the volunteer organization themselves. You can nab popcorn, candy and even beer if you bring cash.
Stay alert to catch wind of a flick that’s up your alley, or at least close enough to your alley to be worth a shot, and enter the world of Carbon Arc. The city needs more of this.

In anticipation of the second annual Hal-​Con, I attended Carbon Arc’s sing-​along showing of BtVS’s Once More With Feeling. The event was a blast, due in large part to the location and organizers.
This was my first venture to the Khyber Club’s theatre space, and I’m woefully regretting not checking the place out sooner. They often screen wonderful off-​mainstream films on Thursdays that seem to be a crowd pleaser for most local cinephiles It’s just that my new identity as a suburbanite means that my Thursday plans usually involve a blanket, the cat, and a date with the couch as we help my OCD complex by clearing off the DVR. This might change now that I’ve experienced the charm of Carbon Arc.
The people involved with Carbon Arc are some of the funkiest, coolest, and friendliest folks. They volunteer their time and passion to ensure that every screening is a success. They plan, decorate, advertise, and accommodate all to share their love of film with others. They also are a great supporter of local talent. Their warmth and passion seeps into the walls of the place. My visit made me feel like I was part of the community supporting good people instead of just as an entertaining waste of time.
Plus, you can buy beer and wine with your candy and popcorn. That alone beats out any chain theater experience any day.

I have been to a few movies offered by Carbon Arc, and I have been impressed. Showing movies that, usually, I have not heard of — this independent theatre brings good cinema to my door step.
I particularly love that they do not play traditionally popular movies as it is helping me expand my knowledge of film. Every time I have attended they will have some trivia at the beginning and offer out cool prizes like CDs and DVDs or posters.
Offering popcorn and drinks (even beer!) this is definitely a cool place to kick back and relax. And with the new updates (i.e., painted ceiling, new seating) I’m excited to get back in there!

Carbon Arc at the Khyber has only been running since July 2010, but it has
already attracted a lot of attention because of the fantastic films it
has been screening. It’s also special because it occupies the former
Wormwood’s space – an independent theater I always wished I could have
experienced. Alas, I was 13 and thought Armegeddon was the best movie
ever.
Carbon Arc is a permanent theatre space run completely by volunteers. Their goal is to have the space used as much as possible – right now they’re holding screening every Thursday. A great thing about Carbon Arc screenings is that someone attached to the film, whether it’s a crew member or simply a devotee, will speak before the movie starts and give you something to think about while watching. Director Sook-​Yin Lee introduced her film, Year of the Carnivore, while Carbon Arc volunteer Allan Collins introduced David Cronenberg’s The Brood – a film he edited.
For a film fan, this place feels like home, and I look forward to attending many more of their weekly screenings.