Comments from BradE41

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BradE41
BradE41 commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on May 27, 2011 at 6:49 am

The new website is live:

They have this listed under events. It does not seem it will be Studio 54, BUT they may cease film exhibition in the future.

Coming Soon
The Chinese Theatre will feature various events including comedy shows, concerts, festivals, and so much more!

BradE41
BradE41 commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on May 25, 2011 at 9:10 am

Mann has removed the showtime listings for the Chinese from their site. Currently there is nothing listed on either MOVIE TICKETS.COM or FANDANGO for this weekend. But yes, they do have X MEN booked for next week which is probably a Mann booking. My guess they will run the theatre(s) as usual for the summer and fill the Mann bookings. After the summer who knows. Maybe I am cynical but I do not think these guys bought the theatre out of the goodness of their hearts. They are movie producers, and as producers they are only out to make money. Hopefully the rumors of Studio 54 are false. But I am going to patronize the theatre as much as I can this summer.

BradE41
BradE41 commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on May 25, 2011 at 6:50 am

Now I am sad, this is the end of Mann Theatres. I grew up with this theatre chain. My first job was in 1980 at the Village in Westwood where I worked for over 2 years.

The new owners are going with business as usual for now. But I am not holding breath for a positive future for the Chinese.

BradE41
BradE41 commented about UCLA Nimoy Theatre on May 10, 2011 at 5:08 pm

I drove by Saturday, it looks like a fake theatre set up as a movie prop. They are still showing Big Foot’s Deep Gold in 3D, probably to empty showings.

I think the Crest has had the most lives and changes of all the theatres in Westwood over the years, but it keeps on going.

BradE41
BradE41 commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on May 10, 2011 at 5:00 pm

I’m not sure, but I think Mann has booked KUNG FU PANDA 2 into the Chinese first run on May 26. It is not showing up on Arclight Hollywood for pre-sale but is at the other Arclight venues. Mann has some premieres booked for June already also. The new owners will probably keep it as business as usual, at least through the summer since Mann has bookings set in place.

BradE41
BradE41 commented about Regency Commerce on May 10, 2011 at 4:57 pm

Regency has taken over this theatre as of now. It is newly posted on thier website.

BradE41
BradE41 commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Apr 29, 2011 at 7:45 pm

Was it sold out? I hoping to see The Outlaw Josey Wales tomorrow.

I just looked at Mann site. There are premieres for Hangover 2 and Green Lantern booked past May 20. So it looks like these guys will keep as is for a while at least. They still probably will not have top films this Summer. Mann probably has films booked already. Still, I am NOT breathing a sigh of relief.

BradE41
BradE41 commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Apr 29, 2011 at 7:27 pm

I hope I am wrong. But everything about these guys does not say “we love film preservation.” These days I have to expect the worst and hope for the best. IF the Chinese goes we will only have the El Capitan as a first run theatre on Hollywood Blvd and Egyptian for retros. There was a time when I was a child/teenager you could start on Hollywood Blvd at the Chinese walk east past the Paramount, Hollywood, Egyptian, Pussycat, Vogue, Holly, Fox, Hollywood Pacific, Vine, Pantages, World and end at the Pix. Trust me, I HOPE you are wrong. Tomorrow I am going to try to see Josey Wales at the TCM Festival.

BradE41
BradE41 commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Apr 29, 2011 at 5:37 pm

Just a really bad hunch. Everything I read and hear tends to make the nightclub more likely than a movie theatre.

View link

These guys are money hounds and NOT film lovers.

BradE41
BradE41 commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Apr 29, 2011 at 5:28 pm

Everyone has about 3 weeks to see a film at the Chinese ever again. :–(

BradE41
BradE41 commented about Grauman's Chinese Theatre sold on Apr 29, 2011 at 5:02 pm

The new owners truly seem to not give a damn. They are evil trolls who want to just make hot cash. Sad…and pathetic. We all better get to the Chinese fast, take pics and see a film. These people are going to destroy it.

BradE41
BradE41 commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Apr 28, 2011 at 6:42 pm

Sadly, I think even the most beloved large screens are always in jeopardy these days. Sometimes I wonder how long Disney will hold the El Capitan; granted they are one of the higher grossing theatres when a new Pixar opens. But they also charge through the butt force you to pay more for a show, even more if the kid wants a happy meal deal. But what about the off months? the 6 weeks of showing Mars Needs Moms to empty audiences? The cost to run the theatre must be murder, electricity alone when they run the marquee 24/7.

Honestly, I hope I am wrong about the intentions of the Chinese. But this smells like something bad more than good to me. But hey, I could be wrong. Let’s hope so.

BradE41
BradE41 commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Apr 28, 2011 at 5:31 pm

Maybe I am just cynical, but I have a difficult time believing they are purchasing this theatre to show films when it has not been a moneymaker for quite a few years. A large venue like the Chinese seems prime for a successful “pretentious’ nightclub. God forbid, I hope I am wrong. But these people really sound like the kind of sleezeballs that do not have integrity and just want to make a lot of cash.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce will fight it if it is true. But I would try to visit it as much as you can. Because a year from now it could be a distant memory of what was once great, and yet another L.A. instutition gone forever.

BradE41
BradE41 commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Apr 28, 2011 at 5:04 pm

View link

Several Hollywood sources said they had heard that the new owners are considering turning the theater, which has 1,152 seats, into a nightclub. It’s worth noting that Samaha has interests in two historic Hollywood Boulevard movie theaters that have recently be turned into nightlife venues: the Fox Theatre and Vogue Theatre.

Leron Gubler, CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, and Nicole Mihalka, a commercial real estate broker at Cushman & Wakefield, both said they had heard talk about the Chinese Theatre being converted to a nightclub. However, Tronson said he doesn’t expect that to occur, adding that the new owners had not mentioned such a potential change to him.

“That would kill all the interest from people who are interested in coming there,” Tronson said.

BradE41
BradE41 commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Apr 28, 2011 at 4:25 pm

Have you all read the full article? There is speculation of the Chinese being converted into a nightclub. WTF!?!?

Mann probably does not own any of the properties, they really have not actually owned any of the theatres for a while. Mann sold off much of what they did own and continued to lease them from the poeple who bought them. These are all probably leases.

BradE41
BradE41 commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Apr 28, 2011 at 4:00 pm

I’m wondering if they will have a theatre chain like AMC or Pacific book the theatre for them like GECCI GORI did with the Fine Arts.

With Glendale closing down by years end, Mann will have Van Nuys, Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks left to unload. Regency perhaps? I understand that Van Nuys dopes quite well.

BradE41
BradE41 commented about Regency Village Theatre on Apr 28, 2011 at 9:30 am

I was wondering the same about the Village and 3D. It would be nice if they showed HARRY POTTER in 2D, 3D will probably NOT enhance the film.

They have not posted Bruin yet, but going with the Warner bookings that make up most of what shows at the 2 theatres I would guess GREEN LANTERN (WB) in 3D June 17, HORRIBLE BOSSES (NL/Warner) July 8 and CRAZY STUPID LOVE (WB) July 29.

BradE41
BradE41 commented about Regency Village Theatre on Apr 27, 2011 at 11:23 am

REGENCY website already has posted early Summer bookings for Village on the website.

5/26 HANGOVER 2

6/8 SUPER 8

7/15 HARRY POTTER AND DEATHLY HOLLOWS PART 2

BradE41
BradE41 commented about Pacific 1-2-3 on Apr 26, 2011 at 5:01 pm

Sad that this theatre has become a church. It would have been a beautiful theatre to restore.

BradE41
BradE41 commented about National Theatre on Apr 26, 2011 at 1:53 pm

It is still not the same driving into Westwood and not seeing the National. I’m sure sure it would be doing business these days, but it would be nice it have it around still. Westwood is so sad these days. It breaks my heart.

BradE41
BradE41 commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Apr 26, 2011 at 1:45 pm

TCM Film Festival starts this Thursday through Sunday. Cool stuff showing. Mann is booking a film called THERE BE DRAGONS in the Chinese 6 the following week. I’m curious to see if they will open anything with box office appeal this Summer.

BradE41
BradE41 commented about UCLA Nimoy Theatre on Apr 26, 2011 at 1:40 pm

I guess we should be happy Regency took over the Village and Bruin. I’m happy the Crest is still in business; if they want to be dorks and call it the Bigfoot Crest it is still better than driving by a boarded up shell (like the Festival).

BradE41
BradE41 commented about Music Hall 3 on Mar 1, 2011 at 12:47 pm

This was posted on Facebook today:

Good news, everyone! We finalized a one-year (minimum) extension of operation for the Music Hall in Beverly Hills!
Now we need your advice. Only increased support by the community surrounding the Music Hall will keep it open. What would make you more likely to attend the theater? Extended hours? Changes in programming?… Leave your wish list in the comments below or on our website: http://laemmle.com/generalinfo.php

BradE41
BradE41 commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Feb 15, 2011 at 10:06 am

The Chinese appears to be getting the Liam Neeson thriller UNKNOWN on Friday.

BradE41
BradE41 commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Jan 25, 2011 at 1:44 pm

I have IP MAN II on Blu ray, a Hong Kong import. Not sure if the Chinese showing will be dubbed or subtitled.