Yes. The Arclight Hollywood screens are truly exceptional. I usually hate multiplexes, but all the screens are worthy of praise…even the small ones. I guess I should have read what you a bit closer.
I think Regency will treat the Village and Bruin like Royalty. They seem hungry to be exhibitionists and they could really make a name with these theatres. Mann really lost interest in Westwood, but I will give them props for maintaining them. They still look great, and the presentations never suffered.
The Dome has 14 theatres adjacent to it. As much as I like the Dome I have to disagree about it being the greatest movie experience. Personally, I always hope that a film is showing at one of the Arclight theatres also. To me the Dome does not always provide the best experience. It was not designed for alot of films. The curved screen sometimes hides information, once it hid subtitled dialog from view when I was watching a film. But that is my opinion. To me The Village is still the best overall movie viewing experience of the L.A. BIG SCREENS.
I have to say I do like the regular Arclight screens. The high ceilings, the perfect distance from the screen and the overall layout if quite pleasing for a multiplex. It obviously was designed for ‘the experience’ and not to just fill seats. Unlike The Grove and the AMC Century 15, which I find both just flat out terrible places to watch films.
It somewhat makes sense. Regency seems to want to be a player. They have taken over a few Mann theatres already. My guess is they will take more…or what is remaining. Yes, end of an era. The Village was my first job in 1980. Mann has always been a big part of Westwood. But hey, the theatres are staying open and Regency is anxious to make a name.
I think it has pretty much been established that they are staying open on a month to month, with Mann as the operator. I’m not holding my breath for anything else at this point. But I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will get a few more years from them.
I’m not sure how much they get for premieres. It must be good enough money to help them with the operation costs of the theatre. When I worked at the Village in 1980-1982, they did not book premieres. They had an American Film Market screening of S.O.B., but that was about the only thing close to a premiere I remember. The premieres seem to become more frequent as the attendence began to slide in the 1990’s.
These leases are around $1 million each a year. I’m kind of wondering if Mann is now getting a break on this month to month. I’d be interested in knowing if there was some kind of incentive to keep them running longer.
Even though the Village is able to get most of the Blockbuster Product, the films do not make a killing like they used to. Back in the day blockbuster films would approach 100 grand on a opening weekend. Now films like the Harry Potters, Spiderman, etc. probably make 10% of that on a opening weekend. Pretty much Mann has to count on premieres to help break even. Now with really no move over houses they are truly stuck with a film until the next booking. The Festival allowed them to have additional film product on hand just in case.
AMC appears to have added Digital Projection to the Avco. Or I guess for the big screen. How To Train Your Dragon opens Friday Mar 26th with a Digital Presentation, but not in 3D.
I truly think in the long run only one of the two could survive. That is “If” someone stepped in and did a multiplex adjacent to it. At this point I do not think it will happen anytime soon. They may lay vacant (like everything else in Westwood) for a long while. Somewhere down the line someone may get the idea to jump start Westwood; but I really do not think it is on any agenda, it would have been initiated by now.
One has to feel the Avco will not last once the lease lapses. The Wilshire Blvd. property seems like it would be a valuable snatch for offices, condos, or an expansion of the cementary. Doubtful Landmark will renew the Regent with the lease comes up for renewal. Westwood seems headed towards the same fate as Beverly Hills for movie exhibition.
We have to all give in and admit that Westwood is dying out. No exhibitors have shown interest in the area, yet there has been (for a long time) ample opportunity to move in. Currently with the loss of the National, Festival, Plaza, United Artists and Mann’s Westwood there is the allotted number of empty seats to actually break ground on a new complex. This is without closing existing theatres the in the area. It has been no secret that Mann wants out, but exhibitors do not see Westwood as a major market any longer. Mann will probably operate the Village and Bruin on a month to month through the end of the year, but I think it will end with them finally pulling life support sometime next year.
I’ve never been to the Arclight cafe. Generally I just go see a film when I go there.
I do not think there is any chance Arclight Westwood will ever happen. The problem is that nobody had interest in film exhibition in Westwood these days.
Westwood does not need more restuarant space. The seat number of the Village is not the issue. Whoever leases the theatre will still be paying for the space. It would probably cost more to make it a restuarant than it would to account for empty seats.
If the owners leased the theatres separately, the Bruin would probably be attractive enough for a theatre chain to invest in. A Bruin 9 or 10 plex in a marketplace setting would work. The Village is less practical in the long run…unfortunately. I worry about the Village as a movie theatre in the future. If they broke down the bacl wall extended the backstage, it could be utilized as a performing arts center of some sort. Otherwise, who knows what it will turn into. Hopefully not a church! I’d rather it become a gym.
William is right about how the Bruin and Village will last. They need a adject Multiplex for move overs. That tactic saved the Cinerama Dome and is pretty much the only way single big screens can survive in today’s market. Back in 1980 – 1982 when I worked at the Village there were big dead lulls in business. I really could only imagine how it is now. Mann will probably keep them for a month to month. But that would be short term and eventually will lead us back to these discussions about the pending closures. That is unless a major project is announced.
Is Mann really keeping it open past April 1? Clash of the Titans tickets on Sale at Chinese and other Mann theatres, but no Village. It would be a Village booking since it is a major Warner release.
The bad part for me is I would see CLASH at the Chinese but have no interest in seeing it in 3D. I’m in the small minority these days who does not want to see 3D films. I am content seeing films in good old fashion 2D. So it looks like I will be seeing CLASH elsewhere.
Clash of the Titans in 3D at both and DBOX @ Chinese 6 opens April 1. It looks like they may be getting Repo Men and Diary of a Whimpy Kid next week. My Arclight e-mail did not list those as opening at Hollywood. But, 9 weeks for Eli is silly in the day and age.
Everything for March 19, The Bounty Hunter, Greenberg, Diary of A Whimpy Kid, The Runaways, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo are opening at Arclight. The only film they do not list is Repo Men. Could the Chinese be getting a new movie? Is it a DBOX title? I know Mann does book Universal into the Chinese from time to time. Is it too much to ask for something new at the World’s Most Famous Movie Theatre?
When UA ran it, they booked alot of eclectic films like The Man Who Fell To Earth, 3 Women, Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother, etc. The best era of that theatre was during the 70’s when they had it. But the 70’s was the coolest time for film in general. Westwood was the perfect location for the type of films produced during that time period.
I have a feeling this theatre will stay vacant or eventually turn into retail or a resturant space. It is a shame, because this is a nice theatre. But at this point there is really no way to turn it into a money maker.
I’m happy it is staying open for now. But the month to month makes it vulnerable opposed to someone taking over and be obligated to a lease. There a big films coming this spring and Summer and through the Fall. I would guess Mann will keep running it though the end of the year at least.
I am talking about the early – Mid 70’s when Westwood had shopping, eating and films. The 80’s things really exploded and it became too big for its britches. Westwood needs to get people interested in coming there again. I do agree about a new adjoining multiplex. The Arclight Cinemas pretty much saved the Cinerama Dome.
Whoever takes over the leases will probably be locked into a 4 or 5 year commitment. It is premature to speculate, but I would imagine the talk of a new nearby multiplex is being brought back to the table. With the loss of the National, Festival, Plaza, Mann Westwood 4 Plex and United Artists they have the ‘Seats’ now for something new. The Village and Bruin could play a film for one to three weeks and move it over to the multiplex. Both theatres along with the Regent have the great location, they are essentially the heart of Westwood.
Westwood itself is really the problem, CPR needs to happen in order to get people back into movie theatres. It need to go back to the Westwood of the 70’s and not the MONSTER it became in the 80’s before it emploded. It is going to be interesting to see what goes down.
Yes. The Arclight Hollywood screens are truly exceptional. I usually hate multiplexes, but all the screens are worthy of praise…even the small ones. I guess I should have read what you a bit closer.
I think Regency will treat the Village and Bruin like Royalty. They seem hungry to be exhibitionists and they could really make a name with these theatres. Mann really lost interest in Westwood, but I will give them props for maintaining them. They still look great, and the presentations never suffered.
The Dome has 14 theatres adjacent to it. As much as I like the Dome I have to disagree about it being the greatest movie experience. Personally, I always hope that a film is showing at one of the Arclight theatres also. To me the Dome does not always provide the best experience. It was not designed for alot of films. The curved screen sometimes hides information, once it hid subtitled dialog from view when I was watching a film. But that is my opinion. To me The Village is still the best overall movie viewing experience of the L.A. BIG SCREENS.
I have to say I do like the regular Arclight screens. The high ceilings, the perfect distance from the screen and the overall layout if quite pleasing for a multiplex. It obviously was designed for ‘the experience’ and not to just fill seats. Unlike The Grove and the AMC Century 15, which I find both just flat out terrible places to watch films.
Very nice! I posted this press release on my Facebook page with my own personal forward to my friends.
It somewhat makes sense. Regency seems to want to be a player. They have taken over a few Mann theatres already. My guess is they will take more…or what is remaining. Yes, end of an era. The Village was my first job in 1980. Mann has always been a big part of Westwood. But hey, the theatres are staying open and Regency is anxious to make a name.
I think it has pretty much been established that they are staying open on a month to month, with Mann as the operator. I’m not holding my breath for anything else at this point. But I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will get a few more years from them.
I’m not sure how much they get for premieres. It must be good enough money to help them with the operation costs of the theatre. When I worked at the Village in 1980-1982, they did not book premieres. They had an American Film Market screening of S.O.B., but that was about the only thing close to a premiere I remember. The premieres seem to become more frequent as the attendence began to slide in the 1990’s.
These leases are around $1 million each a year. I’m kind of wondering if Mann is now getting a break on this month to month. I’d be interested in knowing if there was some kind of incentive to keep them running longer.
Even though the Village is able to get most of the Blockbuster Product, the films do not make a killing like they used to. Back in the day blockbuster films would approach 100 grand on a opening weekend. Now films like the Harry Potters, Spiderman, etc. probably make 10% of that on a opening weekend. Pretty much Mann has to count on premieres to help break even. Now with really no move over houses they are truly stuck with a film until the next booking. The Festival allowed them to have additional film product on hand just in case.
Premieres for Furry Vengeance Apr 18 @ Bruin and Back Up Plan Apr 21 @ Village have been added. Looks like business as usual for these theatres.
Clash of the Titans @ Bruin in 3D April 1st, day before opens officially.
AMC appears to have added Digital Projection to the Avco. Or I guess for the big screen. How To Train Your Dragon opens Friday Mar 26th with a Digital Presentation, but not in 3D.
I truly think in the long run only one of the two could survive. That is “If” someone stepped in and did a multiplex adjacent to it. At this point I do not think it will happen anytime soon. They may lay vacant (like everything else in Westwood) for a long while. Somewhere down the line someone may get the idea to jump start Westwood; but I really do not think it is on any agenda, it would have been initiated by now.
One has to feel the Avco will not last once the lease lapses. The Wilshire Blvd. property seems like it would be a valuable snatch for offices, condos, or an expansion of the cementary. Doubtful Landmark will renew the Regent with the lease comes up for renewal. Westwood seems headed towards the same fate as Beverly Hills for movie exhibition.
We have to all give in and admit that Westwood is dying out. No exhibitors have shown interest in the area, yet there has been (for a long time) ample opportunity to move in. Currently with the loss of the National, Festival, Plaza, United Artists and Mann’s Westwood there is the allotted number of empty seats to actually break ground on a new complex. This is without closing existing theatres the in the area. It has been no secret that Mann wants out, but exhibitors do not see Westwood as a major market any longer. Mann will probably operate the Village and Bruin on a month to month through the end of the year, but I think it will end with them finally pulling life support sometime next year.
I’ve never been to the Arclight cafe. Generally I just go see a film when I go there.
I do not think there is any chance Arclight Westwood will ever happen. The problem is that nobody had interest in film exhibition in Westwood these days.
Westwood does not need more restuarant space. The seat number of the Village is not the issue. Whoever leases the theatre will still be paying for the space. It would probably cost more to make it a restuarant than it would to account for empty seats.
If the owners leased the theatres separately, the Bruin would probably be attractive enough for a theatre chain to invest in. A Bruin 9 or 10 plex in a marketplace setting would work. The Village is less practical in the long run…unfortunately. I worry about the Village as a movie theatre in the future. If they broke down the bacl wall extended the backstage, it could be utilized as a performing arts center of some sort. Otherwise, who knows what it will turn into. Hopefully not a church! I’d rather it become a gym.
William is right about how the Bruin and Village will last. They need a adject Multiplex for move overs. That tactic saved the Cinerama Dome and is pretty much the only way single big screens can survive in today’s market. Back in 1980 – 1982 when I worked at the Village there were big dead lulls in business. I really could only imagine how it is now. Mann will probably keep them for a month to month. But that would be short term and eventually will lead us back to these discussions about the pending closures. That is unless a major project is announced.
Is Mann really keeping it open past April 1? Clash of the Titans tickets on Sale at Chinese and other Mann theatres, but no Village. It would be a Village booking since it is a major Warner release.
The bad part for me is I would see CLASH at the Chinese but have no interest in seeing it in 3D. I’m in the small minority these days who does not want to see 3D films. I am content seeing films in good old fashion 2D. So it looks like I will be seeing CLASH elsewhere.
Clash of the Titans in 3D at both and DBOX @ Chinese 6 opens April 1. It looks like they may be getting Repo Men and Diary of a Whimpy Kid next week. My Arclight e-mail did not list those as opening at Hollywood. But, 9 weeks for Eli is silly in the day and age.
Everything for March 19, The Bounty Hunter, Greenberg, Diary of A Whimpy Kid, The Runaways, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo are opening at Arclight. The only film they do not list is Repo Men. Could the Chinese be getting a new movie? Is it a DBOX title? I know Mann does book Universal into the Chinese from time to time. Is it too much to ask for something new at the World’s Most Famous Movie Theatre?
When UA ran it, they booked alot of eclectic films like The Man Who Fell To Earth, 3 Women, Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother, etc. The best era of that theatre was during the 70’s when they had it. But the 70’s was the coolest time for film in general. Westwood was the perfect location for the type of films produced during that time period.
I have a feeling this theatre will stay vacant or eventually turn into retail or a resturant space. It is a shame, because this is a nice theatre. But at this point there is really no way to turn it into a money maker.
I’m happy it is staying open for now. But the month to month makes it vulnerable opposed to someone taking over and be obligated to a lease. There a big films coming this spring and Summer and through the Fall. I would guess Mann will keep running it though the end of the year at least.
You beat me to it Mark. The April Fool’s Joke is that Mann is going to continue to lease on a month to month.
Then suddenly close it?
I am talking about the early – Mid 70’s when Westwood had shopping, eating and films. The 80’s things really exploded and it became too big for its britches. Westwood needs to get people interested in coming there again. I do agree about a new adjoining multiplex. The Arclight Cinemas pretty much saved the Cinerama Dome.
Whoever takes over the leases will probably be locked into a 4 or 5 year commitment. It is premature to speculate, but I would imagine the talk of a new nearby multiplex is being brought back to the table. With the loss of the National, Festival, Plaza, Mann Westwood 4 Plex and United Artists they have the ‘Seats’ now for something new. The Village and Bruin could play a film for one to three weeks and move it over to the multiplex. Both theatres along with the Regent have the great location, they are essentially the heart of Westwood.
Westwood itself is really the problem, CPR needs to happen in order to get people back into movie theatres. It need to go back to the Westwood of the 70’s and not the MONSTER it became in the 80’s before it emploded. It is going to be interesting to see what goes down.