Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [158]
New Beverly Cinema (Map; 323-938-4038; www.newbevcinema.com; 7165 W Beverly Blvd, Mid-City; adult/child/senior $7/6/4) Serious filmophiles and megaplex foes put up with the worn seats and musty smell of this beloved double-feature revival house that started out as a vaudeville theater in the ’20s and went porno in the ’70s. In 2007, Quentin Tarantino held the world premier of Grindhouse here, shortly before the cinema’s longtime owner passed away suddenly. His wife and son have promised to keep the reels rolling.
Pacific Theatres at the Grove (Map; 323-692-0829; www.thegrovela.com; 189 The Grove Dr, Mid-City; adult/senior/child $11.50/7.75/8.25) This is a fancy all-stadium, 14-screen multiplex with comfy reclining seats, wall-to-wall screens and superb sound. The Monday Morning Mommy Movies series (11am) gives the diaper-bag brigade a chance to catch a flick with their tot but without hostile stares from nonbreeding moviegoers.
Nuart Theatre (off Map; 310-478-6379; www.landmarktheaters.com; 11272 Santa Monica Blvd, near Westwood; adult/senior & child $9.50/7.25) This hip art house presents the best in offbeat and cult flicks, including a highly interactive screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show supported by an outrageous live cast at midnight on Saturdays. Bring glow sticks and toilet paper.
Landmark Theatres (off Map; showtimes 310-281-8233, information 310-470-0492; www.landmarktheatres.com; 10850 W Pico Blvd, West LA; adult/child/senior $11/8/9) ‘Art-house multiplex’ may seem like an oxymoron, but the Landmark is betting the bank that it can fill its dozen deluxe stadium-style screening rooms with fans of indie and foreign films. The supremely comfortable leather chairs, gourmet snack menu, wine bar and free parking may just do the trick.
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TOP FIVE FILM FESTIVALS
In SoCal, it’s not love or money but movies that make the world go round. Besides churning out blockbuster productions, the region hosts dozens of film festivals, including such highly specialized ones as the Festival of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror and the Pan African Film & Art Festival. We’ve picked through the pile for our faves. Check the websites for lineups and ticket information.
AFI Fest ( 866-234-3378; www.afi.com) This LA festival, held in November, is one of the most influential in the country and presents top-notch films by newbies and masters from around the world. Monster, The Cider House Rules and other Academy Award winners premiered here.
Los Angeles Film Festival ( 866-345-6337; www.lafilmfest.com) Headquartered in Westwood, this June festival corrals the best in indie movies from around the world – shorts to music videos, documentaries to features. In 2006 it held the US premiere of The Devil Wears Prada.
Outfest ( 213-480-7088; www.outfest.org) The largest continuous film fest in SoCal, this GLBT celebration has been held every July in Los Angeles for over a quarter-century. It features more than 200 shorts, films and videos by and about the community.
Palm Springs International Film Festival ( 760-322-2930, 800-898-7256; www.psfilmfest.org) Founded in 1990 by Sonny Bono, this balmy January festival is getting more glam every year. It’s an intimate yet star-studded affair with more than 200 films from dozens of countries.
Newport Beach Film Festival ( 949-253-2880; www.newportbeachfilmfest.org) The buzz surrounding this April competition has been increasing steadily since Oscar-winner Crash premiered here in 2005. It’s still small enough to be bumping into filmmakers and actors attending screenings or workshops.
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Silent Movie Theatre (Map; 323-655-2520; www.silentmovietheatre.com; 611 N Fairfax Ave, Mid-City; tickets $10)