Okay, so after 5 years I decided to make a visit to The Landmark yesterday. I wanted to see Polisse and this was my only theatre choice. Overall, the service was good and the theatres look nice. I’m still going to say Arclight Hollywood is a stronger venue. The Landmark’s screens are way too close to the seating; Arclight Hollywood has more space between 1st row and the screens and overall has better sightlines. For the film I saw the Landmark was sufficient. But I do not see me going there unless totally necessary.
Nothing replaced the National. The Village and Bruin are well kept and still as wonderful as they have ever been. The Villag, Bruin and Landmark Regent are the only operating theatres in Westwood Village currently.
The new operators do feel the history of the Village and Bruin. I’d guess they knew they are not cash cows like they once were. But they are so iconic that I think they really helped legitimize Regency theatres. I would guess they are not exactly seeing huge profits.
I’ll try to check it out. It will be insane though. Hopefully people will go to appreciate the theatre and will sit back and absorb and appreciate the films.
The Chinese seems to be doing worse than better since Mann sold it. They have not had a big release since last Summer with Harry Potter. The Reserved Seating is silly considering there is no reason to expect a sell out. It seems like the Chinese is just a tourist attraction and a venue for premieres and nothing else.
The first row of the balcony was perfect. Back when it was the UA Westwood was when the theatre was the best. It along with the Regent and Plaza where were many indie and now Cult films opened with big, big crowds. I still remember seeing Robert Altman’s 3 Women there and coming out thinking WTF??? :–) I was 14 years only and just did not get it.
This theatre and the National being gone hurt more than the loss of the Avco in my opinion. Sadly this will never see the light of day again as a movie theatre.
The Avco officially Re-opened as a 4 plex in November 1993; Carlito’s Way on 2 screens, My Life and The Three Musketeers were the premiere films with the remodel. I went openening day to see Carlito’s Way.
Back in 2003 when Daredevil was released the The Landmark 12 did not exist, and the AMC Century City was 14 screens was only 3,800 seats (Not sure what seat count is for the 15 plex). The Village still did big business on new releases, heck even the National was near selling out in 2002/2003 with Spiderman (Selling Out), Sum of All Fears, Italian Job and a few other big titles. Patrons have moved on.
The Landmark 12 and AMC 15 along with the ever thriving Grove and Arclight really hit Westwood hard. 400 is about as big as the Village will get these days (Maybe more this Summer with Dark Knight Returns). This year Regency will probably make ther biggest b.o. from the theatre because of the Avco being closed and short one and two week bookings. I really do not see the Village and Bruin returning to the glory days the once had.
I think people are figity enough watching a film without having the interputions of a waiter taking pates and filling glasses. Movies should be movies and restuarants should be resturants. I’m just a old grouch who wants a good film with a great presentation. No 3D! No food service! No taking and texting! Just a quiet well mannered audience to watch a film with.
I do not understand the appeal of DINE-IN movies. Can’t we just have nice theatres with a nice presentation and comfy seats? What is the appeal oh having a steak brought to you while you are watching a film? There should be no distractions at all when watching a film. AMC is really a trashy theatre chain. They are wrecking film exhibition.
With the Avco temporarily closed Regency has been having short 1 and 2 week bookings for the Village. They have CHRONICLE (this Fri) STAR WARS PHANTOM MENACE 3D Re-issue (2/10) and GHOST RIDER 2 (2/17). With more product available they do not have to keep films longer than they should.
They will most likely just gut it out and start from scratch. The first floor has quite alot of space for those who remember when it was a large screen. I still have to think it will be somewhat awkward though. Not really sure if it will catch on unless the food is good because I would imagine the presentation of the film will be unimpressive.
It is a new era indeed. Up until recently studios craved having thier films in the Chinese. But the climate HAS changed; locals hate going there because it is wall to wall tourists. The Arclight presents a more attractive presentation and is stress free. I used to go quite often when Mann was booking it decently. Since the new owners took over I have not been.
I have the impression Sundance Cinemas are pricey. Not sure how much but they are a high-end theatre chain. It looks like WeHo, Hollywood area is getting to cost. The new owners have the nerve to charge $16.00 but cannot offer decent first run product. Arclight with Membership card and online purchases can run from $12.75 weekend and Saturday matinees and $15.00 evenings, holidays and all day SUnday. Still a better option than sitting in a stale AMC theatre with unruly patrons and endless advertising.
Closed
“MANN Theatres” has now sadly closed it’s doors. We would like to thank everyone for your patronage throughout the years. It has been our pleasure to serve your communities.
Maybe the new owners should focus of getting “A” films booked into the theatre instead. Perhaps share with Arclight as Mann did with Terminator a few years back. Instead they just want to turn the place into another Tourist Trap like the Hollywood wax museum, have “Rave” parties and hold premieres and hand/foot ceremonies so they can rub elbows with the Hollywood Elite. They really are not taking the place in the right direction. It is a movie theatre and should focus on getting people in the damn seats.
Maybe the new owners should focus of getting “A” films booked into the theatre instead. Perhaps share with Arclight as Mann did with Terminator a few years back. Instead they just want to turn the place into another Tourist Trap like the Hollywood wax museum, have “Rave” parties and hold premieres and hand/foot ceremonies so they can rub elbows with the Hollywood Elite. They really are not taking the place in the right direction. It is a movie theatre and should focus on getting people in the damn seats.
Chris is on the money. With no major chain behind it they do not get first stab at the big films. They lucked into Harry Potter Deatly Hollows 2 last Summer probably only because Arclight/Dome had to commit to 3 weeks of Transformers. Other than that the Chinese has not had any tentpole releases and will probably just continue to show what are essentially rejected films that Arclight did not want.
Too bad Mann (Cinemamerica) did not continue to own the Chinese and lease it out to a chain. I think since it was a SALE and not a LEASE the major chains did not want to touch it. If it were a lease then probably someone like Regal, AMC or maybe even Pacific would have taken over. As it stands it is a Landmark that is more interesting as a building than what it screens. Yes, the TCM and the AFI festivals are nice and are the highlights for the theatre.
Yeah. It is one thing charging alot, but when your big holiday film is The Darkest Hour and Alvin and the Chipmunks it seems wrong. At least Arclight you can accumulate points and have the best films available. The Chinese really offers nothing. Sadly, Mann theatres officially closed shop this week.
Arclight Hollywood has been having 9am showings this week. I went to We Bought a Zoo (Tues) and War Horse (Weds) Both showings I was the only person in the audience. I loved having my own private screenings, both of which I used points and had free popcorn from the scratchers they gave me. Wish it was that easy all time time. :–)
This should probably be changed to OPEN. They started showing films on December 21. It appears Laemmle is double booking with the Century theatres in No Hollywood. Only really artsy film on the schedule this week is The Artist.
Okay, so after 5 years I decided to make a visit to The Landmark yesterday. I wanted to see Polisse and this was my only theatre choice. Overall, the service was good and the theatres look nice. I’m still going to say Arclight Hollywood is a stronger venue. The Landmark’s screens are way too close to the seating; Arclight Hollywood has more space between 1st row and the screens and overall has better sightlines. For the film I saw the Landmark was sufficient. But I do not see me going there unless totally necessary.
Nothing replaced the National. The Village and Bruin are well kept and still as wonderful as they have ever been. The Villag, Bruin and Landmark Regent are the only operating theatres in Westwood Village currently.
The new operators do feel the history of the Village and Bruin. I’d guess they knew they are not cash cows like they once were. But they are so iconic that I think they really helped legitimize Regency theatres. I would guess they are not exactly seeing huge profits.
That is my take on it.
I’ll try to check it out. It will be insane though. Hopefully people will go to appreciate the theatre and will sit back and absorb and appreciate the films.
The Chinese seems to be doing worse than better since Mann sold it. They have not had a big release since last Summer with Harry Potter. The Reserved Seating is silly considering there is no reason to expect a sell out. It seems like the Chinese is just a tourist attraction and a venue for premieres and nothing else.
The first row of the balcony was perfect. Back when it was the UA Westwood was when the theatre was the best. It along with the Regent and Plaza where were many indie and now Cult films opened with big, big crowds. I still remember seeing Robert Altman’s 3 Women there and coming out thinking WTF??? :–) I was 14 years only and just did not get it.
This theatre and the National being gone hurt more than the loss of the Avco in my opinion. Sadly this will never see the light of day again as a movie theatre.
The Avco officially Re-opened as a 4 plex in November 1993; Carlito’s Way on 2 screens, My Life and The Three Musketeers were the premiere films with the remodel. I went openening day to see Carlito’s Way.
Back in 2003 when Daredevil was released the The Landmark 12 did not exist, and the AMC Century City was 14 screens was only 3,800 seats (Not sure what seat count is for the 15 plex). The Village still did big business on new releases, heck even the National was near selling out in 2002/2003 with Spiderman (Selling Out), Sum of All Fears, Italian Job and a few other big titles. Patrons have moved on.
The Landmark 12 and AMC 15 along with the ever thriving Grove and Arclight really hit Westwood hard. 400 is about as big as the Village will get these days (Maybe more this Summer with Dark Knight Returns). This year Regency will probably make ther biggest b.o. from the theatre because of the Avco being closed and short one and two week bookings. I really do not see the Village and Bruin returning to the glory days the once had.
I think people are figity enough watching a film without having the interputions of a waiter taking pates and filling glasses. Movies should be movies and restuarants should be resturants. I’m just a old grouch who wants a good film with a great presentation. No 3D! No food service! No taking and texting! Just a quiet well mannered audience to watch a film with.
I do not understand the appeal of DINE-IN movies. Can’t we just have nice theatres with a nice presentation and comfy seats? What is the appeal oh having a steak brought to you while you are watching a film? There should be no distractions at all when watching a film. AMC is really a trashy theatre chain. They are wrecking film exhibition.
With the Avco temporarily closed Regency has been having short 1 and 2 week bookings for the Village. They have CHRONICLE (this Fri) STAR WARS PHANTOM MENACE 3D Re-issue (2/10) and GHOST RIDER 2 (2/17). With more product available they do not have to keep films longer than they should.
They will most likely just gut it out and start from scratch. The first floor has quite alot of space for those who remember when it was a large screen. I still have to think it will be somewhat awkward though. Not really sure if it will catch on unless the food is good because I would imagine the presentation of the film will be unimpressive.
We’ll see when it opens I guess. I’ll patronize it quite often I’m sure. It is only a block away from my apartment.
It is a new era indeed. Up until recently studios craved having thier films in the Chinese. But the climate HAS changed; locals hate going there because it is wall to wall tourists. The Arclight presents a more attractive presentation and is stress free. I used to go quite often when Mann was booking it decently. Since the new owners took over I have not been.
I guess it is nice if it keeps films in Westwood. I’m not going to patronize it. The whole concept I find unappealing.
I have the impression Sundance Cinemas are pricey. Not sure how much but they are a high-end theatre chain. It looks like WeHo, Hollywood area is getting to cost. The new owners have the nerve to charge $16.00 but cannot offer decent first run product. Arclight with Membership card and online purchases can run from $12.75 weekend and Saturday matinees and $15.00 evenings, holidays and all day SUnday. Still a better option than sitting in a stale AMC theatre with unruly patrons and endless advertising.
Closed “MANN Theatres” has now sadly closed it’s doors. We would like to thank everyone for your patronage throughout the years. It has been our pleasure to serve your communities.
All inquiries may be sent to the link below.
Maybe the new owners should focus of getting “A” films booked into the theatre instead. Perhaps share with Arclight as Mann did with Terminator a few years back. Instead they just want to turn the place into another Tourist Trap like the Hollywood wax museum, have “Rave” parties and hold premieres and hand/foot ceremonies so they can rub elbows with the Hollywood Elite. They really are not taking the place in the right direction. It is a movie theatre and should focus on getting people in the damn seats.
I wish Mann still opearated it.
Maybe the new owners should focus of getting “A” films booked into the theatre instead. Perhaps share with Arclight as Mann did with Terminator a few years back. Instead they just want to turn the place into another Tourist Trap like the Hollywood wax museum, have “Rave” parties and hold premieres and hand/foot ceremonies so they can rub elbows with the Hollywood Elite. They really are not taking the place in the right direction. It is a movie theatre and should focus on getting people in the damn seats.
The article is not very encouraging. Did I miss the part where they are going to try to get good films booked?
Really? The Laemmle site shows may bookings for the Music Hall in the Coming Soon portion on thier Website.
Chris is on the money. With no major chain behind it they do not get first stab at the big films. They lucked into Harry Potter Deatly Hollows 2 last Summer probably only because Arclight/Dome had to commit to 3 weeks of Transformers. Other than that the Chinese has not had any tentpole releases and will probably just continue to show what are essentially rejected films that Arclight did not want.
Too bad Mann (Cinemamerica) did not continue to own the Chinese and lease it out to a chain. I think since it was a SALE and not a LEASE the major chains did not want to touch it. If it were a lease then probably someone like Regal, AMC or maybe even Pacific would have taken over. As it stands it is a Landmark that is more interesting as a building than what it screens. Yes, the TCM and the AFI festivals are nice and are the highlights for the theatre.
Yeah. It is one thing charging alot, but when your big holiday film is The Darkest Hour and Alvin and the Chipmunks it seems wrong. At least Arclight you can accumulate points and have the best films available. The Chinese really offers nothing. Sadly, Mann theatres officially closed shop this week.
Arclight Hollywood has been having 9am showings this week. I went to We Bought a Zoo (Tues) and War Horse (Weds) Both showings I was the only person in the audience. I loved having my own private screenings, both of which I used points and had free popcorn from the scratchers they gave me. Wish it was that easy all time time. :–)
This should probably be changed to OPEN. They started showing films on December 21. It appears Laemmle is double booking with the Century theatres in No Hollywood. Only really artsy film on the schedule this week is The Artist.