Lately it seems like the drama surrounding local movie theaters is every bit as interesting as the plot of the average movie that plays on their screens. The latest bit of news spools out of two movie houses owned by Landmark Theatres: The Harvard Exit Theatre will close down in January 2015, according to Capitol Hill Seattle, and Varsity Theater, will begin operating under new ownership in the new year, according to the Seattle Times. “We’re sad to say goodbye to our loyal customers,” Landmark CEO Ted Mundroff said in a statement released to CHS.

Seriously, though, what's with all of movie house shakeups over the last couple years? There was the Cinerama renovation, which was, unquestionably, a good thing. In summer 2013, there was the shuttering of the Egyptian (another one-time Landmark site), which just reopened in October under SIFF ownership.

Also last summer was the launch of Sundance Cinemas at the old Metro Cinemas spot in the University District. And before that the Columbia City Cinema reopened as Ark Lodge Cinemas in January 2013, after having shut down for more than a year.

So as 2014 comes to a close, maybe the more interesting question than Who are the Academy Award frontrunners? is Which Seattle theater will close next?