Kirkland cinema makes movies mom-friendly

Three or four moms stand in the theater aisles gently swaying with their babies. Others breastfeed or change diapers. An infant grabs at the seat in front of him and hoists himself up as if suddenly enraptured by the three angels who are quietly whomping some bad guys on the big screen.

The noise of the action sequences barely rises above the waves of murmuring, gurgling and occasional crying coming from the young audience at this special screening of "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle." That is because the movie's sound has been switched from digital to analog and turned way, way down.

It is "Mommy Movies" morning at the Kirkland Parkplace cinema.

The screenings are open only for parents who come with babies, so that moms — and a handful of dads — get a chance to relax without fear of annoying other patrons. Films begin at a parent-friendly 9:45 a.m. on the second and fourth Fridays of each month.

The five screenings so far have been so popular that theater manager Harry Lloyd has installed changing stations in the men's and women's restrooms. He expanded the last showing to two screens so that parents could choose between movies.

"I love it," said Amber Henry, who drove from North Bend with 4-month-old Jordan. "I didn't think I would get to go to a movie until she was at least a year."

The screenings are organized by Caron LeMay of Kirkland. She and baby Nolan, now 8 months old, were at a class with other new parents at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center when several people commented that it was months since they had been able to see a movie.

Lloyd said LeMay first approached him with Nolan under her arm and pitched her idea. "I thought I would give it a try," Lloyd said. "It's been a fun thing for me. It's very positive."

LeMay thought eight or nine moms might show up for the first film, advertised only by word of mouth. She was stunned when 50 arrived. The number rose to more than 90 at a screening last month.

"I keep thinking it's going to peter out, but it just keeps getting bigger," LeMay said. "The biggest response has been with moms of zero- to 3-month babies. They normally can't get out their door. They are the ones who are most excited."

LeMay tries to choose movies that are current, have broad appeal and are fairly easy to follow — in case parents become temporarily distracted. Offerings so far have included "Alex and Emma," "Bend It Like Beckham" and "Finding Nemo."

Some theaters install "cry rooms," but the idea of moms taking over the cinema is unusual, LeMay said, and works better.

Deep seats at the recently remodeled Kirkland cinema provide a comfortable setting, she added.

Moms take strollers and backpacks into the theater, and some lay their babies on blankets. Coffee seems more popular than soda or popcorn. Afterward, some stay and chat outside in the hot summer sun.

Tami Zapata of Kirkland said she and baby Jordan, age 4 months, found it soothing to watch "Charlie's Angels."

"I think he liked the peace and quiet, and the dark room," Zapata said. "He slept through the whole movie."

Nick Perry: 206-515-5639 or nperry@seattletimes.com