Previously under the banner of the "Festival" chain of cinemas which were about six or seven movie houses preserved in the original art deco design, the Bloor still represents the original movie going experience. The theatre shows its age and the cracks in the wall are hard to hide, but it makes the environment all the more visceral and real.
Since my early teen years I frequented all of the Rep Cinemas in Toronto when under the "Festival" banner, seeing greats on the big screen like "On The Waterfront", "Streetcar Named Desire", and a number of old Hitchcock movies. The choice in old films has diminished, as have number of old Rep cinemas in Toronto.
Luckily, we still have the Bloor and they have still kept the theatre in the relatively untouched sate of its initial glory.
The Bloor is unique, not only in its style but also in its playbill.
They often host small film festivals and also bring in talent from the films that they show.
This is one of the only places left that not only celebrates film, but also celebrates the movie going experience.