Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
280
The World's Most Private Public Theater
Part of the culture of L.A. is to always avoid standing in line because y ou're far
too important and busy. So it was only a matter of time before someone came
up with the idea of treating everyone like a VIP at the movie theater.
ArcLight
Cinemas
(
&
323/464-4226;
w ww.arclightcinemas.com) is specifically
designed for anyone who abhors rude patrons (ushers keep it quiet), late arriv-
als (forbidden), searching for seats (r eserved in advanc e by customer prefer-
ence), uncomfortable chairs (think La-Z-Boy), neck strain (the first rows start 25
ft. from the screen), pimply teenage employees (most of the staff are struggling
actors or film students), crappy popcorn (real butter and freshly made caramel
popcorn), and pa ying for parking (4 fr ee hrs. are included in the ticket pric e).
And it only gets bett er: There's a full bar and a g roovy lounge where themed
cocktails such as the Mordor are served with appetizers.
The ArcLight shows a mix of indie and Holly wood films, and ticket prices—
as you would expect—are higher than the industr y average: $11 for an af ter-
noon sho w and $14 on w eekend nights . But the r ewards ar e w orth the
occasional splurge. The sound and picture quality are so good that filmmakers
come here to host Q and A sessions, and celebrities such as Brad Pitt and Leon-
ardo DiCaprio prefer the ArcLight's reserved seating system. Be sure to review
the “Now Playing” and “Coming Soon” sections at the ArcLight's website to see
what movies and Q and A sessions are scheduled. It's located at 6360 W. Sunset
Blvd., between Vine and Ivar streets.
10
Despite being a multiplex in a bright outdoor mall,
Laemmle's Sunset 5,
8000 Sunset
Blvd., West H ollywood (
&
323/848-3500;
www .laemmle.com), featur es films that
most theaters of its ilk won 't ev en touch. This is the place to come to see inter
esting
independent art films. There's often a selection of gay-themed mo vies as well.
The N uart Theater,
11272 S anta M onica B lvd., Los Angeles (
&
310/281-8223;
www.landmarktheatres.com/market/losangeles/nuarttheatre.htm), digs deep into its
archives for real classics, ranging from campy to cool. They also feature frequent in-per-
son appearances and Q and A sessions fr om stars and filmmakers, and scr een
The Rocky
Horror Picture Show
(yes, still!) every Saturday at midnight.
Although it 's only open for social ev ents and once-a-month mo vies when the ne w
owner fancies, fans of silent-movie classics will enjoy the
Silent Movie Theatre,
611 N.
Fairfax Ave. (
1
/
2
block south of Melrose Ave.), near the Miracle Mile (
&
323/655-2520
for r ecorded pr ogram information, or 323/655-2510 for the main office; www
.silent
movietheatre.com).
If TV's more your thing, the
Paley Center for M edia,
465 N. B everly Dr., Beverly
Hills (
&
310/786-1025;
www.mtr.org), celebrates this countr y's long relationship with
the tube. The museum often features a movie of the month, and it also shows free selec-
tions from past television programs (p. 165).
