AMC Loews Uptown 1 in Washington is a theater that, despite its classy art-deco exterior, makes you miss the modern touches found in cookie-cutter movie theaters. You don’t have any handy Fandango check-in kiosks — all ticket purchases and pick-ups are handled through the tiny box office directly in front of the theater.

The warm wallpaper and carpet hues stand in stark contrast to the modern, sleek palette employed by most theaters. In this case, it makes the theater feel old, not classy. The framed posters that adorn the walls are a bit cheesy and out of place.

Props to the management, though, for labeling the somewhat dingy restrooms “lounges.”

And the concession stand? Better to save your money for a pre- or post-movie meal. Even by low AMC/Regal standards, the popcorn at Uptown 1 is bad. Stale, gritty and flavorless — it’s like the equivalent of eating popcorn synthesized from cardboard.

But once you enter the auditorium and the movie starts rolling, you forget about all the little quibbles and annoyances.

OK, there are still a few caveats. The two brand-spanking new, 3-D-ready digital 2K projectors don’t quite project to the curved screen properly. It’s only a little distracting in most circumstances, but it has the nasty habit of chopping off subtitles (as it did during Contagion).

The seats are quite cramped, and the armrests are stationary.

Aside from that, Uptown 1’s mammoth screen is everything you can hope for in a mainstream theater. The screen is massive (probably bigger than most of the digital Imax installations around the area). The sound system deafens while still pumping out crisp and clear sound.

Uptown 1’s single screen means the theater misses out on almost any movie that isn’t a blockbuster. Still, if you just have to watch the latest Michael Bay movie in three glorious dimensions, there’s no better place to do it in Washington.

Popcorn: Small – $5.75, Medium – $6.75, Large – $7.75

Fountain Drinks: Small – $4.25, Medium – $4.75, Large – $5.25

Tickets: Regular – $11.00, Matinee – $9.00

Transportation: Limited paid parking. Very close to Cleveland Park Metro Station (Red Line).

chzhang@umdbk.com