Comments from Danny Baldwin

Showing 176 - 200 of 301 comments

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas La Costa Paseo Real on May 1, 2011 at 1:55 pm

I think I’ve got it now… As many of you know, Cinépolis has a luxury concept in Mexico… It would make sense, given the upscale mall, that they would do a similar U.S. version a la Gold Class with $25 tickets and alcohol service.

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Apr 29, 2011 at 8:30 pm

Did you read another article, or is this further speculation? Even though the deal closes in three weeks, the likelihood that they would just shut it down right away is close to nothing, IMO.

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Apr 28, 2011 at 8:52 pm

I think that’s being WAY cynical. A lot of people would have a lot to say about eliminating what is perhaps the most iconic symbol of Hollywood after to the sign…

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about Regency Village Theatre on Apr 28, 2011 at 12:22 pm

Mark, what I meant was move it on a permanent basis. It would make more sense to be in the Village, given I’m sure there are 3D premieres they’d want there.

The Village used to have a digital projector with REAL D in the Mann days. Last movie to be seen that way, IIRC, was “The Final Destination.”

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about Regency Village Theatre on Apr 27, 2011 at 11:30 pm

It is listed as Harry Potter 3D… wonder if that means they’ll be installing a new digital projector in the Village, or maybe moving the Bruin’s.

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas La Costa Paseo Real on Apr 27, 2011 at 3:43 pm

I am now being told that Cinépolis will be the new exhibitor… in what would appear their first U.S. location!?!? Will it be a Spanish subbed/dubbed site? While there are plenty of Spanish-speakers in the area, the mall is such an upscale / elderly Caucasian type of place that that would be weird. But it might just work.

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas La Costa Paseo Real on Apr 26, 2011 at 1:19 pm

I have just been informed that UltraStar has given the location up (YES!!!). A new, unidentified company plans to come in and remodel. No details on the timeline. Who will it be? With pushes for a new theater in the former Home Depot Expo lot not five miles away, one wonders if the La Costa 6 will become an indie theater or perhaps a discount house under a Starplex-like operator.

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about LOOK Dine-In Cinemas Glendale on Mar 27, 2011 at 7:20 pm

Last day is June 30, according to this article. It may become a night-club. View link

A shame — one of the better older multiplexes, the bulk of them THX certified.

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Jan 25, 2011 at 4:34 pm

The Chinese is getting FOUR new movies this weekend! Too bad they are THE RITE, THE MECHANIC, FROM PRADA TO NADA, and IP MAN II, but these should at least get SOME attendance (especially THE RITE in Grauman’s).

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about Village Theatre on Jan 5, 2011 at 8:25 pm

This has several pictures of the completely rundown theater inside before renovations: View link

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about Cinépolis Del Mar on Jan 2, 2011 at 3:21 am

I have e-mailed UltraStar’s feedback address, VP Damon Rubio directly, and sent their central office a certified letter about problems of their locations. No response, ever, and the list of simple things they could fix is lengthy. For instance, the La Costa 6’s masking automation in every auditorium is supposedly broken, and the staff has no plans on fixing it, so Flat movies have empty space on the sides. Screen 4 at Flower Hill has a sizable tear and Screen 1 prints are always scratched at the same place. The list goes on. They don’t care in the least—really a terrible operator.

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about Music Hall 3 on Dec 29, 2010 at 5:57 pm

I had hoped the one good thing that would come out of the Beverly Center 13 and the Fairfax closing would be the Music Hall doing better second-run business. Guess not.

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about Music Hall 3 on Dec 29, 2010 at 5:56 pm

The Beverly Hills Patch reports the Music Hall will likely close in early 2011 if Laemmle isn’t provided cheaper lease terms, even though their current lease is under market value. Doesn’t look good: View link

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about Edwards Atlantic Palace 10 on Dec 9, 2010 at 8:15 pm

“Buried” is playing this week at the Atlantic Palace after raking up several critics' awards this past… a good option to catch up with a flick that demands the theatrical experience, at $3 no less. Compared to the often unattractive lineup of third-run product they’ve had lately, this is a refreshing booking. I’ll be going, for sure.

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Dec 9, 2010 at 8:08 pm

If the full vertical height was used, the film could not be any wider, so as to maintain the film’s correct aspect ratio — it’s simple geometry… 78.7% of the available width would have been used.

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Dec 9, 2010 at 7:39 pm

So you are saying the full vertical height of the screen was not used? In that case, I would assume the movie was projected from some sort of LCD projector off of a DVD or Blu-Ray, and that format would be the fault of the program’s organizers, not the ArcLight.

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about Highland Theatres on Nov 25, 2010 at 12:11 am

The main house (#2) is pretty big—definitely in the 300 seat realm—but the other two are very small. All have fixed aspect ratios, so yes, it’s a place for Flat movies only really. The price pretty much reflects what you get.

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about Regency Village Theatre on Nov 24, 2010 at 7:49 pm

True, although it’s safe to say that audience disruptions are a large part of what’s keeping them away and are very much a part of the grander problem of an homogenized exhibition environment.

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about Regency Village Theatre on Nov 24, 2010 at 6:25 pm

The difference is that now, home viewing is an alternative. As majestic as the Village’s screen is, I’d rather stay at home than put up with a bunch of un-policed texting and Internet browsing during a film. Such behavior is downright disrespectful to the medium. Ironically, your comment “theaters need to survive” supports our point. Adults have bailed on traditional moviegoing because they have to put up with audience disruptions like this; attendance among younger audiences, especially at the suburban megaplex, has never been higher percentage-wise.

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about AMC Burbank 16 on Nov 24, 2010 at 6:19 pm

While the Burbank 16 has long been my favorite generic chain megaplex in LA, I was very put off when seeing “Red” last Thursday. Apparently, they’ve decided to include bottled water in AMC’s no outside food policy—ludicrous! I was told that if I didn’t want to pay for water, I would have to pour my bottle out and fill it up at the drinking fountain. While I loved AMC’s prior policy allowing outside food, I didn’t mind the introduction of a ban given theaters increasingly rely on concessions for profitability. But WATER!? Sheesh. I’ll consider a different theater next time.

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Nov 24, 2010 at 6:15 pm

“Unless you are a projectionist or have Toscanini’s ear, almost all theaters have acceptable presentation and sound.” — dctrig, you must be the luckiest regular theatergoer alive… While the other locations you cited—Burbank and the Vista—generally have solid presentation, I would contend that there is SOME presentation problem at least 20% of the time I see 35mm film in greater Los Angeles. In other areas—I split my time between LA and San Diego—that number approaches 50%.

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about Regency Village Theatre on Nov 22, 2010 at 8:29 pm

dctrig, are you saying that Regency is now actively allowing electronic devices on the balcony? The front row of the balcony is my favorite place to watch a movie at the Village and I’ve never spotted anybody up there using such things. (That said, the past two times, I’ve been the lone person up there.)

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about Regency Bruin Theatre on Nov 18, 2010 at 1:31 pm

Caught HEREAFTER last night — the bulb was flickering pretty bad for a location with such typically pristine presentation. Hopefully they change it out before POTTER tonight.

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about Edwards Atlantic Palace 10 on Nov 16, 2010 at 9:36 pm

False alarm! Showtimes through Tuesday have been added (Wednesday will have moveovers)! Looks like those of us who wanted to check the place out will have some more time.

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin commented about Edwards Atlantic Palace 10 on Nov 16, 2010 at 4:39 pm

Looks like the Atlantic Palace 10 will be put to rest this weekend. Showtimes are only posted through Sunday, which is usually the clear sign a location will close.