If you want to sit in the first 2 rows, the ticket price is $19.
If you want to sit in the rest of the theatre, the ticket price is $29, but then you can also spend more money on ordering food + drinks from a waiter.
I can walk to this theater, but there is no chance I will ever go to it.
This is very much under construction right now. If you peer through boards, you can see that the entire place has been gutted. It doesn’t appear that they are keeping anything of the original Avco except the foundation and really just the shell of the building.
I walked past the theatre the other day, they were showing a free double feature of Three Amigos and Safe Men. If I weren’t busy, I would have stayed to watch it. But the lobby was open and cleaned up. The popcorn was popping. The marquee has been restored. I am so curious as to what’s going to happen here next.
I just walked past this theatre and it made me sad that they’re dicing it up further. With home theatres getting better and better, and with first run films appearing on VOD earlier and earlier – what is the difference between ordering fancy takeout at home, and going to a theatre like this?
I think we all agree here that the draw of the cinemagoing experience is the fact it’s playing on a huge screen with a packed audience of excited strangers. A crowd of 40 on a postage stamp screen is not what filmmakers would have ever intended.
Additionally, when iPic (how stupid of a name is that, by the way) inevitably goes out of business, it’s going to be that much harder to get it started again as a legit theatre because nobody is going to want to take over a theatre with tons of teeny screens (like the Beverly Center 13).
I just hope that these screens don’t force the larger scale films out of the Bruin or Village. Previously – the Avco would never book the same films; how pissed would you be if The Dark Knight Rises played at iPic, and the Village could only play something like The Watch.
This theatre is in such sad shape. During a rainy day, I recently went to see the film Milk. Unfortunately, it was also raining inside the theatre. 70% of the auditorium was caution taped off because of the rain. Partway through the film, a tile fell from the ceiling. The sound is really dreadful – especially the dialogue. Not crisp at all – we had to really strain to discern what was being said.
Even as a discount house – it’s not at all worth it. Head to the Academy in Pasadena.
you make a good point Mark. I think you’re right in that stadium seating has caused top masking – my question for everyone (and perhaps this is off topic)… how big is too big? personally, i really like how large the amc 15 screens are, though for instance IMAX screens are governed by the same principle (“lets blow them away with the most crazy-huge screen possible”). i don’t think amc means any disrespect towards filmmakers in the same way that the arclight uses top masking in their smaller two auditoriums. perhaps it’s merely trying to give the customers something as far from their tv as possible?
as long as the screen is as wide as it possibly can be given the room… if the height of the ceiling dictates that a 1.85 can indeed fit given that width, even though it’s then technically a larger screen than films shown in 2.35 in the same room i prefer that. people talk as if 2.35 movies are somewhat better than 1.85 films – in the 50’s this would be a valid argument, but nowadays it’s simply an artistic choice. let me put it this way, if you were going to see a film in 1.85, walked into an auditorium with a small screen, but saw that it could have been larger but was kept small so that it wouldn’t eclipse 2.35 films… wouldn’t you be disappointed?
I heard a rumor that Tarantino bought the New Beverly recently. Does anyone know if there’s any truth to this? They haven’t listed their programming past tonight…
I saw a preview screening of Spiderman 2 at the Avco, and the line was way around the block. Same when Moulin Rouge opened here exclusively.
Despite the fact that this theatre was once really amazing, the presentation today still isn’t all that bad. I saw the latest Bourne movie here, as well as The Bank Job, and was pretty surprised by how crowded it was and how good it looked. If you compare it to the Village— yeah, huge difference. But compare it to a place like The Landmark— I’d much rather see a film at the Avco.
I also really like that there’s no hassle, it’s easy to get to, you’ll get a good seat. Versus the Amc 15, which don’t get me wrong— it’s great— but it takes more effort which is sometimes not worth it.
Something that comes up on these messageboards constantly is the fact that going to the movies isn’t like how it used to be. The fact that the avco was once a real DESTINATION to see a movie, and now it’s 2nd rate. My question is this— what can be done to change that? When I saw Paris Je T'aime at the National before it closed, it was crowded and I felt that energy when you can see a crowd discovering something simultaneously, and in such a great place for presentation.
Part of me wonders what would happen if you took any of the huge summer blockbusters, and release them like they did back in the day. What if Indiana Jones 4 was released on 1 screen and after it finished there, they toured with it? It’s not feasible, but would create an even heightened sense of anticipation.
I heard a story that when Francis Ford Coppola was shooting Apocalypse Now that he was planning on having the film screen only at 1 theatre, somewhere in Iowa or Ohio or something like that. He would create a tourist destination based on the fact that the film would only be available there, and nowhere else. There’s something kind of rad about that.
I also just read on imdb that the mann chinese will be getting it too. Thought that would never happen, both Arclight and Chinese getting it at the same time. Crazy…
This is so exciting. Question for everyone. I know at the last minute they decided to add 8pm and 10pm showings of Iron Man the day before. Do you think they’ll do the same with Indy 4? Right now I’m planning on seeing it at whatever the first showing is at the Mann Village (for the crowd), and then going to the Dome to see it again on Thursday night (with a guaranteed good seat). But just want to make sure I plan right.
These rumors of 70mm are amazing too— though the only place I can find any confirmation of that is on in70mm.com and it looks like that print would solely be for the screening at Cannes. I would hope that if they were to send this print elsewhere, it’d be the Village or Dome… but as of right now, it’s not clear whether it is even going to exist.
I walked by the theatre today. There was a brand new standee for “the perfect holiday” outside the open doors, next to a sign directing people to a private screening. The interior hasn’t been touched… yet, at least.
what would be the difference between a multi-plex and what’s there right now? aside from the fact that all the screens aren’t in the same building (and you can’t movie hop). as it stands right now, there are still 10 screens within walking distance of each other. would putting them all under 1 roof actually bring in more money?
The manager wrote to me personally letting me know that they’ve brought the technician back in, and the sound is now back up to par! All is well at the Mann Festival. They even threw in a couple free passes to boot. Classy – I’ll continue to go there…
westwood’s quiet as is, but even more quiet while ucla is out. i hope they consider bringing it back in september, when their prospective audience has grown. put up flyers around the film school there— they’ll get people for sure. classic films can still sell definitely sell tickets! i saw earthquake as part of the la film festival, and it was sold out!
for moviesoundlover: yes, the dome has that— for any other questions about that theatre, you might want to move over to this thread: /theaters/33/
and i have confirmation that the midnight movies are cancelled effective today. i am so bummed! since i’ve lived in westwood (2002) there’s never been a theatre to program classic films. it’s a shame too just because i hadn’t seen it publicized anywhere! the only places to see midnight films now are the nuart and regency fairfax on fridays and the rialto, new bev, and sunset 5 on saturdays.
If you want to sit in the first 2 rows, the ticket price is $19.
If you want to sit in the rest of the theatre, the ticket price is $29, but then you can also spend more money on ordering food + drinks from a waiter.
I can walk to this theater, but there is no chance I will ever go to it.
This is very much under construction right now. If you peer through boards, you can see that the entire place has been gutted. It doesn’t appear that they are keeping anything of the original Avco except the foundation and really just the shell of the building.
I walked past the theatre the other day, they were showing a free double feature of Three Amigos and Safe Men. If I weren’t busy, I would have stayed to watch it. But the lobby was open and cleaned up. The popcorn was popping. The marquee has been restored. I am so curious as to what’s going to happen here next.
I just walked past this theatre and it made me sad that they’re dicing it up further. With home theatres getting better and better, and with first run films appearing on VOD earlier and earlier – what is the difference between ordering fancy takeout at home, and going to a theatre like this?
I think we all agree here that the draw of the cinemagoing experience is the fact it’s playing on a huge screen with a packed audience of excited strangers. A crowd of 40 on a postage stamp screen is not what filmmakers would have ever intended.
Additionally, when iPic (how stupid of a name is that, by the way) inevitably goes out of business, it’s going to be that much harder to get it started again as a legit theatre because nobody is going to want to take over a theatre with tons of teeny screens (like the Beverly Center 13).
I just hope that these screens don’t force the larger scale films out of the Bruin or Village. Previously – the Avco would never book the same films; how pissed would you be if The Dark Knight Rises played at iPic, and the Village could only play something like The Watch.
This theatre is in such sad shape. During a rainy day, I recently went to see the film Milk. Unfortunately, it was also raining inside the theatre. 70% of the auditorium was caution taped off because of the rain. Partway through the film, a tile fell from the ceiling. The sound is really dreadful – especially the dialogue. Not crisp at all – we had to really strain to discern what was being said.
Even as a discount house – it’s not at all worth it. Head to the Academy in Pasadena.
you make a good point Mark. I think you’re right in that stadium seating has caused top masking – my question for everyone (and perhaps this is off topic)… how big is too big? personally, i really like how large the amc 15 screens are, though for instance IMAX screens are governed by the same principle (“lets blow them away with the most crazy-huge screen possible”). i don’t think amc means any disrespect towards filmmakers in the same way that the arclight uses top masking in their smaller two auditoriums. perhaps it’s merely trying to give the customers something as far from their tv as possible?
as long as the screen is as wide as it possibly can be given the room… if the height of the ceiling dictates that a 1.85 can indeed fit given that width, even though it’s then technically a larger screen than films shown in 2.35 in the same room i prefer that. people talk as if 2.35 movies are somewhat better than 1.85 films – in the 50’s this would be a valid argument, but nowadays it’s simply an artistic choice. let me put it this way, if you were going to see a film in 1.85, walked into an auditorium with a small screen, but saw that it could have been larger but was kept small so that it wouldn’t eclipse 2.35 films… wouldn’t you be disappointed?
I heard a rumor that Tarantino bought the New Beverly recently. Does anyone know if there’s any truth to this? They haven’t listed their programming past tonight…
i just looked online – in between midnight and 1:01am tonight – Indy 4 is playing in 12 out of the 15 auditoriums. is that a record?
For anyone interested in seeing it at the Mann Village in Westwood – tickets just went on sale.
Just got ‘em. Can’t wait! What do you think the chances are of them pulling an Iron Man and adding an 8pm showing?
I saw a preview screening of Spiderman 2 at the Avco, and the line was way around the block. Same when Moulin Rouge opened here exclusively.
Despite the fact that this theatre was once really amazing, the presentation today still isn’t all that bad. I saw the latest Bourne movie here, as well as The Bank Job, and was pretty surprised by how crowded it was and how good it looked. If you compare it to the Village— yeah, huge difference. But compare it to a place like The Landmark— I’d much rather see a film at the Avco.
I also really like that there’s no hassle, it’s easy to get to, you’ll get a good seat. Versus the Amc 15, which don’t get me wrong— it’s great— but it takes more effort which is sometimes not worth it.
Something that comes up on these messageboards constantly is the fact that going to the movies isn’t like how it used to be. The fact that the avco was once a real DESTINATION to see a movie, and now it’s 2nd rate. My question is this— what can be done to change that? When I saw Paris Je T'aime at the National before it closed, it was crowded and I felt that energy when you can see a crowd discovering something simultaneously, and in such a great place for presentation.
Part of me wonders what would happen if you took any of the huge summer blockbusters, and release them like they did back in the day. What if Indiana Jones 4 was released on 1 screen and after it finished there, they toured with it? It’s not feasible, but would create an even heightened sense of anticipation.
I heard a story that when Francis Ford Coppola was shooting Apocalypse Now that he was planning on having the film screen only at 1 theatre, somewhere in Iowa or Ohio or something like that. He would create a tourist destination based on the fact that the film would only be available there, and nowhere else. There’s something kind of rad about that.
who knows how valid this info is, but here’s where I heard it:
View link
I also just read on imdb that the mann chinese will be getting it too. Thought that would never happen, both Arclight and Chinese getting it at the same time. Crazy…
This is so exciting. Question for everyone. I know at the last minute they decided to add 8pm and 10pm showings of Iron Man the day before. Do you think they’ll do the same with Indy 4? Right now I’m planning on seeing it at whatever the first showing is at the Mann Village (for the crowd), and then going to the Dome to see it again on Thursday night (with a guaranteed good seat). But just want to make sure I plan right.
These rumors of 70mm are amazing too— though the only place I can find any confirmation of that is on in70mm.com and it looks like that print would solely be for the screening at Cannes. I would hope that if they were to send this print elsewhere, it’d be the Village or Dome… but as of right now, it’s not clear whether it is even going to exist.
fyi everyone. indiana jones 4 tickets just went on sale this morning!
oh— I didn’t go upstairs, so I can only speak of the downstairs lobby.
I walked by the theatre today. There was a brand new standee for “the perfect holiday” outside the open doors, next to a sign directing people to a private screening. The interior hasn’t been touched… yet, at least.
what would be the difference between a multi-plex and what’s there right now? aside from the fact that all the screens aren’t in the same building (and you can’t movie hop). as it stands right now, there are still 10 screens within walking distance of each other. would putting them all under 1 roof actually bring in more money?
thank you so much D. that’s such great news. i’m going to try my best to make it.
does this happen every wednesday? is there a listing on any bulletins?! i wish i had known sooner…
what are these Black Abba screenings. I’ve heard about them… is it invite only? can other people attend?
The manager wrote to me personally letting me know that they’ve brought the technician back in, and the sound is now back up to par! All is well at the Mann Festival. They even threw in a couple free passes to boot. Classy – I’ll continue to go there…
westwood’s quiet as is, but even more quiet while ucla is out. i hope they consider bringing it back in september, when their prospective audience has grown. put up flyers around the film school there— they’ll get people for sure. classic films can still sell definitely sell tickets! i saw earthquake as part of the la film festival, and it was sold out!
for moviesoundlover: yes, the dome has that— for any other questions about that theatre, you might want to move over to this thread: /theaters/33/
and i have confirmation that the midnight movies are cancelled effective today. i am so bummed! since i’ve lived in westwood (2002) there’s never been a theatre to program classic films. it’s a shame too just because i hadn’t seen it publicized anywhere! the only places to see midnight films now are the nuart and regency fairfax on fridays and the rialto, new bev, and sunset 5 on saturdays.