I remember going to see “Evita” expecting to see it on the 86 x 34 ft. screen, boy was I shocked. Apparently Alan Parker, the director, did not want that deeply curved screen. He shot the film to be shown on a flat screen (what a disappointment), and I read that he was very insistant that a flat screen be installed. With the deep curvature of the wall behind, the screen could not be made very wide. Although the screen was moved forward a little, I guess to allow more room for width, you could only go so far because of the seats in front. In my opinion, this did not look so good when sitting in the back balcony. It was really designed for the curved Cinerama screen. If you want a flat screen, show it at the Chinese or even the Village in Westwood, both are big theatres with big screens.
We do have to remember however, that the Arclight exceeds THX Certifaction standards. The Grove is not even THX Certified (in any auditorium). I’ve been to both theatres many times and the presentation at Arclight is much better than the Grove hands down. Technically speaking the Arclight is superior to the Grove in sight & sound presentation. The picture is always razor sharp & there is never any dirt or scratches even after a film has played for a week or so. The sound system is from JBL: Projecting this immersive sound throughout each auditorium are custom-designed JBL systems that feature technology honored by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences with a technical achievement Oscar, March 2002. Their two largest auditoriums are equiped with Dolby Digital SRD 6 channel, Dolby EX & SDDS 8 channel and have 3 stage speakers, 2 subwoofers and 9 surrounds, all JBL., the other auditoriums have Dolby Digital SRD 6 channel, Dolby EX & DTS ES. The two largest auditoriums have 70mm projectors & all auditoriums have scope screens with sizes ranging from 40 – 60 ft. The Grove may be more luxurious looking but I am going to see the film not the architecture or uniforms. The front row in all auditoriums (except the dome) is as far back from the screen as it is wide so that patrons are not forced to look up or turn their heads to see the entire screen. People will not be seated 5 min after the movie start time so as not to disrupt those already seated and watching the movie. Each movie is introduced by an arclight employee who gives a brief synopsis & lists the cast. On a comfort note, the arm rests are double width so you don’t bump arms with your neighbor and they are 3 inches wider than other stadium seats. There is no better theatre in LA.
I remember going to see “Evita” expecting to see it on the 86 x 34 ft. screen, boy was I shocked. Apparently Alan Parker, the director, did not want that deeply curved screen. He shot the film to be shown on a flat screen (what a disappointment), and I read that he was very insistant that a flat screen be installed. With the deep curvature of the wall behind, the screen could not be made very wide. Although the screen was moved forward a little, I guess to allow more room for width, you could only go so far because of the seats in front. In my opinion, this did not look so good when sitting in the back balcony. It was really designed for the curved Cinerama screen. If you want a flat screen, show it at the Chinese or even the Village in Westwood, both are big theatres with big screens.
We do have to remember however, that the Arclight exceeds THX Certifaction standards. The Grove is not even THX Certified (in any auditorium). I’ve been to both theatres many times and the presentation at Arclight is much better than the Grove hands down. Technically speaking the Arclight is superior to the Grove in sight & sound presentation. The picture is always razor sharp & there is never any dirt or scratches even after a film has played for a week or so. The sound system is from JBL: Projecting this immersive sound throughout each auditorium are custom-designed JBL systems that feature technology honored by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences with a technical achievement Oscar, March 2002. Their two largest auditoriums are equiped with Dolby Digital SRD 6 channel, Dolby EX & SDDS 8 channel and have 3 stage speakers, 2 subwoofers and 9 surrounds, all JBL., the other auditoriums have Dolby Digital SRD 6 channel, Dolby EX & DTS ES. The two largest auditoriums have 70mm projectors & all auditoriums have scope screens with sizes ranging from 40 – 60 ft. The Grove may be more luxurious looking but I am going to see the film not the architecture or uniforms. The front row in all auditoriums (except the dome) is as far back from the screen as it is wide so that patrons are not forced to look up or turn their heads to see the entire screen. People will not be seated 5 min after the movie start time so as not to disrupt those already seated and watching the movie. Each movie is introduced by an arclight employee who gives a brief synopsis & lists the cast. On a comfort note, the arm rests are double width so you don’t bump arms with your neighbor and they are 3 inches wider than other stadium seats. There is no better theatre in LA.