Carmike Cinemas, Inc. will be unveiling the latest of its "BigD" big-screen concept auditoriums at the Carmike 14 - Tyler in Tyler, Texas on July 28, 2011.

The debut happens with a special premiere showing of Cowboys & Aliens tomorrow at 7pm with the proceeds benefitting the East Texas Food Bank.

"We're providing the ultimate entertainment experience that centerpieces large format digital with a bigger screen, bigger and better sound, plus luxurious in-theater seating for cutting edge presentation and the definitive enjoyment of our audiences," notes David Passman, Carmike's President and CEO.

The new auditorium features a screen that measures 62 feet across and "nearly three stories tall" with a Digital Cinema Projection system capable of both 2D and 3D presentations and backed up with a 7.1 channel surround sound system. Plush leather seating in the stadium seating auditorium rounds out the amenities that audiences will be able to enjoy if they choose the "BigD Experience."

To make that choice, however, it is going to cost you some of those dollar bills you have in your pocket. Seeing Cowboys & Aliens in the BigD auditorium is going to run an adult $10.75 for an evening show on Friday and Saturday, which is $2 more than the same movie in the non-BigD auditorium.

These upcharges are not unique to this location or the Carmike chain. Every theater chain that has created these "enhanced" auditoriums adds a surcharge for the pleasure of getting what should be the best experience possible at that location. (One could argue that these "enhanced" presentations should be the norm, rather than the exception, and that a surcharge should not be necessary...)

If you've attended a show at the new BigD auditorium, please let others know what you think about the experience and if it really is "enhanced" or not, by going to the Reader Comments page for the theater and add your comments there!

Carmike Cinemas owns and/or operates about 240 locations in 36 states. The chain focuses on small to mid-sized communities for its theater locations.

Source: Carmike Cinemas, Inc. Press Release