The Vista is one of Los Angeles' very finest movie theaters,and one of my personal favorites, for a number of reasons:
The interior has a lavish fantasy cosmic “Egyptian”-style decor that stops just this side of camp with reassuringly subdued lighting before the flick rolls, making it a very visually appealing environment.
A number of alternating rows of seats have been removed, providing enormous legroom and a comfortable distance from the sounds of popcorn munching behind you. The seats are comfortable, but short of Starship Enterprise envelopment. Cup holder, of course.
Thoroughly revamped sound system usually amped up to visceral levels makes listening a treat. Someone programs in arcane “classical” music before the curtain goes up that is always a treat to get you ready. Quite the mellow vibe.
Crowd is usually remarkably civilized. Maybe it’s a reflection of the local film industry craftspeople and creatives in the area. Or maybe, because of the distances between seats, you don’t hear as may comments.
Food remains utterly indifferent, and the theater’s only negative in my mind. The usual assortment of overpriced and oversized candy bars and undersized hot dogs. Ask for lots of extra “butter,” however, and you’ll get it in sopping amounts (which is, I think, a good thing).
One parking hint: loads of room to the WEST on Hollywood Boulevard, on both side of the street. The North side in well-lighted. Watch the crossing signal carefully, though —– it’s a complex 3-way cross with very impatient drivers attempting to wait out the lights without killing someone in the suddenly ill-lit crosswalk.
The Vista is one of Los Angeles' very finest movie theaters,and one of my personal favorites, for a number of reasons:
The interior has a lavish fantasy cosmic “Egyptian”-style decor that stops just this side of camp with reassuringly subdued lighting before the flick rolls, making it a very visually appealing environment.
A number of alternating rows of seats have been removed, providing enormous legroom and a comfortable distance from the sounds of popcorn munching behind you. The seats are comfortable, but short of Starship Enterprise envelopment. Cup holder, of course.
Thoroughly revamped sound system usually amped up to visceral levels makes listening a treat. Someone programs in arcane “classical” music before the curtain goes up that is always a treat to get you ready. Quite the mellow vibe.
Crowd is usually remarkably civilized. Maybe it’s a reflection of the local film industry craftspeople and creatives in the area. Or maybe, because of the distances between seats, you don’t hear as may comments.
Food remains utterly indifferent, and the theater’s only negative in my mind. The usual assortment of overpriced and oversized candy bars and undersized hot dogs. Ask for lots of extra “butter,” however, and you’ll get it in sopping amounts (which is, I think, a good thing).
One parking hint: loads of room to the WEST on Hollywood Boulevard, on both side of the street. The North side in well-lighted. Watch the crossing signal carefully, though —– it’s a complex 3-way cross with very impatient drivers attempting to wait out the lights without killing someone in the suddenly ill-lit crosswalk.