It is official. I can't see a movie anywhere else now. Nowhere in the city can you get a "civilized "movie-going experience like you can at Arclight Hollywood. I went to the Grove and Chinese 6 recently to see films that weren't screening at Arclight and the experience there was horrid -- patrons either wouldn't stop talking, they'd keep getting up and down during the "slow parts" of the film and at the Chinese 6 there was almost an altercation because one patron told another to "shhhh" and the offender shouted back "no body tells me what to do" until security finally came in to remove the offender. The Grove bathrooms, while nice are one big P*ss Fest during weekends -- it is just gross in there -- the staff can't mop and wipe fast enough.
99.99% of the time my experience at Arclight is great --- the patrons are more respectful of each other, there are NO frigggin commercials(and no lame Coke Film Quizzes), the seats are comfy -- reserved seats are the best thing ever, the sound and picture top notch. Even my favorite old school neighborhood theatre, the Vista -- which I love -- can't compete -- the Arclight Hollywood brings out a more "educated" crowd (in general, not always) than most places and I think with that comes a bit more respect for your fellow movie-goers that I'm finding doesn't happen at other theatres. It is more akin to going to a play in some respects. I ran into parking issues during the AFI Fest - the garage was full much earlier than normal-- I just circled around and parked at the shopping center across the street (Borders). As for other negative comments regarding parking -- hey that's life in LA -- you got a show to go to leave early to get parking, you come late, don't be surprized there's no room. Also -- the garage is run by the city of LA, not Arclight (Pacific Theatres).
Pros: Reserved Seating, Best Sound and Picture, Civilized Patrons
Cons: Garage can get full on weekends -- just come early!
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