Comments from Chris Utley

Showing 251 - 275 of 948 comments

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Jan 6, 2012 at 12:09 pm

@BigJoe: Graumans & the Chinese 6 are independently owned now. They have no leverage to book major titles. Studios would rather work with large chains with enough screens to show their product. As a result, the owners are slowly transforming the theaters into mixed-use facilities where they’re adding nightclub events to compensate for the fact that they’re getting all the lower grade films.

The glory and luster of Grauman’s Chinese is over. Sad.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Dec 22, 2011 at 2:24 pm

According to the email I just received, the clubbin starts on New Years Eve! Sad.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Dec 21, 2011 at 11:58 am

They’ll be clubbin in there w/Lady Gaga videos projected on the big screen by the close of 2012. Mark my words!

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Majestic Crest for sale on Dec 21, 2011 at 11:55 am

AMC Century City is practically around the corner from Westwood itself. Big ticket films go to CC. High profile indie/arthouse & a few blockbusters go to The Landmark. I agree with Brad. UCLA or one of the Guilds should use it as a conservatory.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Dec 14, 2011 at 2:20 pm

Sadly, I have decided that I will attend the theatre one last time with my (almost) 6 year old son in 2012. I want to remember it – and him to see it – like it was before the inevitable happens.

The old days are gone, folks. Shoebox auditoriums, LieMax and Netflix rule the roost. Sigh…

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Lot Fashion Island on Dec 14, 2011 at 2:12 pm

Less than 100 seats an auditorium??? AND they’re getting Sherlock Holmes instead of Big Newport? Sheesh!

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Lot Fashion Island on Dec 12, 2011 at 6:59 pm

Still just 7 screens?

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Uptown Theatre on Nov 9, 2011 at 11:25 am

Pretty! I’ll try to see a flick here next time I’m in DC

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about SIFF Cinema Downtown on Nov 3, 2011 at 12:23 am

Dear ArcLight: Get a clue!

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Aerial Photo c. 1986 on Oct 6, 2011 at 4:38 pm

R.I.P.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Oct 5, 2011 at 6:34 pm

It’ll attract a lot of horror fans!

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Baldwin Theatre on Sep 29, 2011 at 12:47 pm

Nice pictures! Hope to see some interior pics from it’s final days as a 3 screener.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about NGC's Cypress Village Theatre auditorium on Sep 29, 2011 at 12:25 pm

Pretty! Too bad they split it.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Sep 29, 2011 at 11:37 am

Real Steel: Made by DreamWorks & distributed by Disney. Hence the El Capitan engagement.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Sep 28, 2011 at 1:57 pm

Chinese ain’t picking up JACK until they book some movies that people actually want to see! Then again, it’s not (entirely) their fault.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Sep 21, 2011 at 6:37 pm

I hit their Facebook page last week and asked them directly about their Fall booking plans.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Sep 21, 2011 at 12:34 pm

Dang…now I HAVE to spend that extra service charge on Movie Tickets! I liked the luxury of just walking to the box office and buying my Harry Potter 7.2 tickets the day of the show with no worries!

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Edge 14 on Sep 12, 2011 at 4:59 pm

Did they have trouble booking films because they were a minor player? Or was/is the neighborhood simply not ripe for moviegoing.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Scottsdale 6 Drive-In on Sep 9, 2011 at 1:30 pm

A concerted grassroots effort is underway to keep this drive-in open. Here is the official statement from the “Save The Scottsdale Six Drive-In” Facebook group:

“34 year old valley tradition appears to have come to a close…

While Harkins is celebrating its 78th anniversary with free movies, a beloved valley drive-in theater has had to close its doors after 34 years of operation.

The Scottsdale 6 drive-in first opened its gates at McKellips and Hayden roads Feb. 7, 1977. However, the current land lease with the Salt River Pima Maricopa community has expired. While negotiations and deliberations were still taking place, it appears that the possibility that Scottsdale 6 having their lease renewed is no longer an option.

The following statements and attached photo were taken from Scottsdale 6 Facebook page –

September 2, 2011 – “The following statement regarding the closure of the Scottsdale 6 Drive has been authorized by West Wind Drive Ins:

Unfortunately, we do not know when we will reopen. Our lease has expired but we are still in negotiations with the Salt River Pima Maricopa community to extend our lease. We will update our Facebook and Website when we know more. Thanks again for your email and please visit the Glendale 9 Drive In for your movie going experience!"

September 8, 2011 – “From the staff and management of the Scottsdale 6 Drive:

Thank you all for your passionate support. We are saddened by all that has happened in the last few days; however, no matter how deep our sadness, we ask you to please refrain from making this into a war of ugly words. Please be civil to each other, and to the members of the SRPMIC community, many of whom continue to support the drive-in. We miss you all, and hope one day we will get the chance to entertain you again."

A grassroots campaign was started on Facebook, “Save The Scottsdale 6 Drive-In”, to rally support. After 4 days of going live, the group has well over 200+ members. The community of drive-in moviegoers are saddened by the apparent closure.

Any light and public visibility that can be shed on this matter would be greatly appreciated!"

Link to Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/247438798603432/

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Scottsdale 6 Drive-In on Sep 7, 2011 at 2:47 pm

The 411 is West Wind is still negotiating a renewed lease with the Native American Reservation that owns the land that the D/I sits on.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Starlite Drive-In on Sep 6, 2011 at 5:59 pm

Allegedly, this place is ripe and ready for a rebirth. Nothing concrete, just rumblings…

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Cinerama Film Festival announced on Sep 6, 2011 at 11:43 am

Meanwhile in Hollywood, the 2nd of the 3 theatres equipped to show Cinerama treated it’s Labor Day Weekend patrons to “Shark Night 3D.” Pathetic!

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Holiday Drive-In on Sep 5, 2011 at 10:14 pm

I thought the concession/projection building was behind the MA building.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Regal Simpsonville 14 on Aug 30, 2011 at 1:45 pm

Is that the IMAX theatre or a regular auditorium? Whatever it is, it’s PRETTY!

Chris Utley
Chris Utley commented about Regal Simpsonville 14 on Aug 30, 2011 at 1:43 pm

OOOOH! NIIIIICE!!!