Jerome V.
Yelp
Apparently, we caught this location of Arena Cinemalounge at a bad time: it was their opening day.
...let that sink in for a second.
Yeah, I didn't think that was a good sign either, but their ticket sales are final (a policy made explicitly clear, mind you, so I'm not dinging points for that) so there we were, more or less at peace with the bed we made.
And what is this bed, you ask? It's apparently the third (?) of a chain of theaters here in LA. One review on their website states, "Offers one of the most unique moviewatching experiences in town." TIFU by realizing that's never necessarily a good thing.
I'm worried about being vague, so, lest I inadvertently slander those other locations, I want to make explicit that I am only directing this strong review to this Sunset location.
The best way I can describe it to cinephiles is that it's like, in some ways, a more 'modern' version of The Cinefamily. This one's found in a building's lobby, so consummately downtown though: clean, white/beige, and minimal. Their signage falls in line with that last aesthetic, making it very easy to miss (at night at least).
The ticketing lobby is tiny, with their meager concession stand grafted onto it. The employees were great, clearly doing their best for their first day, but, especially with a line of people in that tiny space, it can get pretty cramped just getting your ticket.
One of the neat things (depending on your perspective) is that they seemed to wait till most everyone got there before starting their movie. We got their late, but - possibly because a handful of seats were left - they only started playing it about seven to ten minutes after the actual showtime. It was a tiny detail, but it made it feel really intimate, like watching a movie with friends at home.
But maybe it feels too intimate because everything about the actual, single auditorium looked like something cobbled together as a last minute location for a screening. Think about screenings in small rooms at some comic conventions and that should get you 95% there. They have 7.1 sound, and I presume they screened a DCP, but that's where the good stuff ends.
A little over or under fifty seats is probably generous. The screen is tiny. The seats are "stadium seating," with each row a bit lower than the one behind it, but the difference is it's not big enough to prevent taller people from ruining your view. I mean, jesus - a couple 'choice' seats have a pillar right in front of them, obscuring the view of some unfortunate patrons. Toss in some black curtains all around and that's about it. It just feels like a barebones, DIY sort of thing.
The difference between this and the affordable Cinefamily is that the tickets there aren't $16. That's right. For that kind of money, I'd rather walk to the Arclight Hollywood and its gorgeous facilities.
If I had known, I would have just seen the movie on VOD at home. I learned the hard way - but you don't have to. Maybe they'll improve and address some of these things (if that's possible for them - I understand some matters may be more challenging to handle than they seem to an outsider), but, for now, I won't be back.
