Comments from dctrig

Showing 1 - 25 of 103 comments

dctrig
dctrig commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Oct 3, 2013 at 10:52 am

The large ceiling light cover is new, as well as the lanterns against the sides of the auditorium. I never see a movie at Arclight when I can see “Gravity” at the Vista, $5.50 senior and $6.50 first show.

dctrig
dctrig commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Sep 27, 2013 at 8:51 pm

Went to the 10PM “Metallica” show on Thursday night with about 700 other people. Because of the glass box office partition I could not see the seat numbers the clerk showed me on the tablet. I pointed to one but ended up once inside with a much farther back seat. I moved up one or two rows to an aisle seat on the right aisle. It turned out fine as far as a viewing experience. If I go again I will buy at the upstairs box office where I can confirm my selection with no glass barrier. I noticed the two Chinese prints in the mens room foyer have been replaced by black and white celebrity photos. The seats are better than before but the seat cushion is a bit hard. I hope someone posts side by side before and after photos of the main ceiling and other areas, showing the various changes. The restoration gets an A- from me.

dctrig
dctrig commented about Del Mar Theatre on Apr 5, 2011 at 5:31 pm

It was beautiful to see the Delmar sign lit as I stood outside Theatre Theatre across the street yesterday waiting to go in and see a play, “Small Engine Repair.”

I try to use Metro from N Hollywood as much as possible and used the opportunity to walk Pico from Fairfax to La Brea. Not much business activity; however, there is an oasis around the Delmar(a comedy club, equity waiver theater, and Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles, where I had great scrambled eggs in a very business restaurant).

The Delmar sign is visible for a number of blocks and an anchor for the neighborhood.

dctrig
dctrig commented about Pacific 1-2-3 on Feb 14, 2011 at 6:14 pm

Movie alert! This grand old theatre will show “UP” at 2PM, Sunday 2/20/11. ALL are welcome and it is FREE.

Can you believe a church showing “La Dolce Vita”, as The Church in Hollywood did, on 1/31?

I attended the 11:15AM service yesterday and I could not believe I was the oldest one there(at 64). Something like 700 young singles, couples and babies(they have a day care center in the basement)breathing life and energy into the Pacific.

No strong-arm Scientology stuff. Kudos for Ecclesia church for partially lighting the Pacific sign.

View link

dctrig
dctrig commented about Regency Village Theatre on Dec 16, 2010 at 4:15 pm

Haines: I assume you are a guild member who rarely pays for his own tickets. In 2010 I spent around $1500 for 200 paid movie admissions, including 10 at the Village, 6 at the Bruin, 11 at the Crest, 5 at the Regent, 12 at the Billy Wilder and 2 at the AVCO.

Most guild members expect freebies and do not take money out of their own pockets to support their own industry. About 10 days ago I was at the Hollywood Arclight. A lady with a guild pass was complaining that she had to walk an extra 20 feet to validate her parking: “I’ve been coming here for years and this is the first time I’ve had this problem.” (What problem lady? Your ticket and parking were comped).

dctrig
dctrig commented about El Capitan Theatre on Dec 16, 2010 at 3:59 pm

Thanks for the great photos. I tried to buy a ticket online for tonight’s midnight show but it is sold out. May try to catch it at the Crest in Westwood. Wanted to make it a double feature as I’m going over to the Egyptian at 7:30 to see “Auntie Mame.”

FYI – Goldstar has discounted tickets for TRON. They usually have tix for all El Capitan attractions and occasional tix for the Egyptian, Aero, Silent Movie Theater.

dctrig
dctrig commented about Bijou Theatre on Dec 14, 2010 at 9:22 pm

I live in L.A. but have fond memories of patronizing the Rivoli in the 1950s and 1960s. One of the last movies I saw was “Mr Moses” in 1965. If I’m not mistaken we could hear bowling during the movie as there was an alley either adjacent or above the theater.

My mother remembered the upstairs ballroom as “Quilty’s”, in the 30s and 40s. It was a great location with Howlands, Sears, Barnum Hotel, Koenig’s Art Shop and a fresh food and meat market very close.

dctrig
dctrig commented about Beverly Theatre on Dec 14, 2010 at 9:06 pm

After a movie c.1959 the manager told me and a friend if we put all the seats back up he would give us passes, which he did. It was a very nice modern theater, not far from the Bullard factory.

dctrig
dctrig commented about State Theater on Dec 14, 2010 at 9:01 pm

Florence Stevenson Carosello (1898-1987)played the Wurlitzer at this theater from the late teens until talkies. I had many conversations with her in the 1980s in her home in Norwalk, California.

She remembered the Wurlitzer technician coming in by train from New York to attend to repairs and said a Mr Murphy was the theater manager. I believe she was in a union as she said Mr Murphy always made sure she took her mandated breaks.

It was fascinating to see her c.1917 Connecticut driver license embossed in aluminum.

dctrig
dctrig commented about Warner Theatre on Dec 14, 2010 at 8:39 pm

I remember seeing “The Ten Commandments” at the Warner-had to sit in the balcony it was so crowded. Also, for a Vincent Price thriller they strung a line from the balcony down to the orchestra with a skeleton moving up and down!

One of the last movies I saw there was “It Happened in Naples”, with Clark Gable and Sophia Loren.

dctrig
dctrig commented about Regency Village Theatre on Dec 11, 2010 at 2:53 pm

It’s encouraging that the Village still gets some movie premieres. On Friday Regency management mentioned that the new Jack Nicholson movie “How Do You Know” will premiere there.

dctrig
dctrig commented about Regency Village Theatre on Dec 11, 2010 at 2:50 pm

Only in L.A. Caught the sold out show yesterday at the Nuart with Halle Berry in person for her very good movie “Frankie and Alice.” Then went to the Village for the 10:20P screening of “The Tourist.” I don’t know if Angelina Jolie was on botox and valium, but her face seemed frozen and devoid of any expression-she also brought down the level of Johnny Depp’s performance. I counted about 60 in the audience.

Regency management gave a little speech and I’m glad they mentioned the historic Lido in Newport Beach(this week you can sit in their balcony and watch “It’s a Wonderful Life”. The closest you’ll come to time travel). The Village and Bruin today has a special screening for 2100 kids of “Yogi Bear”. As I left the Village after Midnight Broxton Avenue was buzzing with workers setting up Jellystone Park and a carnival arcade.

dctrig
dctrig commented about Nuart Theatre on Dec 11, 2010 at 2:36 pm

The Nuart sold out yesterday for the Halle Berry Q & A with Sam Rubin, for her independent movie “Frankie and Alice.” This is a very good movie and I hope it does well.

Cinefile video store next door had to be happy as it was quite busy with patrons looking over their stock.

dctrig
dctrig commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Dec 9, 2010 at 8:33 pm

I attended the 10:10P Saturday screening of “Warrior’s Way.” 20 of us in the most impressive and historic movie theater on the planet. How sad. I also support the Chinese 6: Nutcracker 3D and The Next Three days were better than the reviews. I appreciate that an indie film which I also saw there, “Cool It, was booked.

I don’t see a listing for the Chinese 6-can anyone set up a page? Thanks.

As one who contributes annually 200 paid admissions to L A movie theater economy please let me point out the Hollywood High School auditorium just a block south of Hollywood Blvd on Highland.

The auditorium is frozen in the 1950s-absolutely no updates, with all wood seats. Their open to the public productions are only $5 seniors $8 general. I am going tonight at 7PM to see their production of “Black Orpheus”, which runs through Sunday. I attended their November dance production three times; as a former dancer I found the choreography very good and entertaining. Disadvantaged students are giving a chance to perform. When was the last time you saw a 250 lb male dancer-he gamely perservered in many numbers.

For my money the Hollywood High productions are great value.

dctrig
dctrig commented about El Capitan Theatre on Dec 9, 2010 at 8:23 pm

Thanks for the nice photos. As one who contributes annually 200 paid admissions to L A movie theater economy please let me point out the Hollywood High School auditorium just a block south of Hollywood Blvd on Highland.

The auditorium is frozen in the 1950s-absolutely no updates, with all wood seats. Their open to the public productions are only $5 seniors $8 general. I am going tonight at 7PM to see their production of “Black Orpheus, which runs through Sunday. I attended their November dance production three times; as a former dancer I found the choreography very good and entertaining. Disadvantaged students are giving a chance to perform. When was the last time you saw a 250 lb male dancer-he gamely perservered in many numbers.

For my money the Hollywood High productions are great value.

dctrig
dctrig commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Dec 9, 2010 at 8:03 pm

Danny, the full vertical height was used, but only about 40% of the available width.

dctrig
dctrig commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Dec 9, 2010 at 7:48 pm

A retraction and my apologies to Brad: This week I saw “I Love You Phillip Morris” and “The Black Swan” in two different lower level auditoriums at Arclight Hollywood. The sound, presentation and comfort was everything you claimed. At 64 I am losing some hearing and fairly frequently miss dialogue at other theaters; however, at the Arclight I heard virtually every word of dialogue!

In the future I will visit the Hollywood and Sherman Oaks locations for hard to find movies. I hadn’t eaten, so the chicken sausage baguette at the concession counter was a welcome change from hotdogs and the Illy coffee was good. P.S. The Beverly has excellent Starbucks and the Silent Movie Thater the best coffee of all to go with their gourmet cupcakes.

dctrig
dctrig commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Dec 9, 2010 at 7:36 pm

Chas: At least half the Dome screen was not used. I’ve seen 1940s movies at the Aero, Egyptian,Beverlyand Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer that had more screen width than what “Bullitt” was projected. The movie was lost in the Dome’s dimensions.

dctrig
dctrig commented about UCLA Nimoy Theatre on Dec 9, 2010 at 7:29 pm

I was watching an episode of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” in which Larry David catches a movie at the Crest. The interior is clearly visible and Larry does mention the Crest by name.

dctrig
dctrig commented about Regency Bruin Theatre on Dec 9, 2010 at 7:11 pm

Speaking of special displays kudos for the El Capitan: They installed a Rapunzel like tower above the marquee for the run of “Tangled” and are giving out a gold coin to each patron as the movie is the 50th Disney animation.

dctrig
dctrig commented about Nuart Theatre on Dec 1, 2010 at 9:47 pm

The Nuart drew a crowd of over 200 to Saturday’s screening and Q & A of “Tiny Furniture.” I predict good things for young 25-year old director/actor Lena Dunham. See it before it closes Thursday night.

dctrig
dctrig commented about Mann Festival Theater on Dec 1, 2010 at 9:41 pm

One wonders about that block as a long established restaurant closed and also a Daphne’s Greek fast food place.

dctrig
dctrig commented about El Capitan Theatre on Dec 1, 2010 at 9:38 pm

The Thanksgiving 7PM show of “Tangled” was another Disney winner. The theater was about two-thirds filled and what value for $15 seniors, $18 regular: Each attendee gets a gold coin commemorating Disney’s 50th animated motion picture, an oversized ducat, and a great pre-show.

Organist Rob Richards played to an appreciate audience followed by a nice Disney characters live show. The curtain work is excellent. Folks, if you are ever going to introduce your kids, grandkids, whomever, what the golden age of cinema was like please support the El Capitan. For organ enthusiatists Rob Richards will be presenting a special film and music program on January 15, 2011.

dctrig
dctrig commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Dec 1, 2010 at 9:26 pm

Brad, the night of the Steve McQueen tribute at ArcLight Dome, the presentation was NOT flawless. Clips did not appear on cue and the organizers said this was the first time they ever had problems.

Also, I’m not sure why the movie “Bullitt” was projected only in the middle of the screen. I’m sure at the Chinese it would have been given the full screen effect.

dctrig
dctrig commented about Regency Bruin Theatre on Dec 1, 2010 at 9:19 pm

On its opening weekend caught the Saturday 10:20P show for “Burlesque.” There were only about 21 of us at the Bruin. Cher stood out and sang a good number. Christina Aguilera has a powerful voice, but her persona seems manufactured.

As one who has seen classic burlesque performers years ago in Chicago and Philly, the movie “Burlesque” had zero sex appeal. Rent or see “Beyond the Burly Q” for a much grittier and accurate take on this lost art form.