Comments from dtrigubetz

Showing 51 - 75 of 83 comments

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about New Beverly Cinema on Nov 25, 2011 at 4:17 pm

Marcel, they still show the old trailers! Large ads ran in the L A Times at least three days for the 11/11-11/17 run of “Human Zoo”, an excellent movie by Rie Rasmussen who did a Q & A every night. The 11/18 and 11/21 screenings I attended were near capacity. Kudos for Quentin Tarantino for bringing in many directors and actors for appearances. The heavily leaning young crowd bodes well for the ongoing success of the Beverly.

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about Million Dollar Theatre on Nov 25, 2011 at 4:05 pm

Boxoffice report: About 75 attended the 11/16 screening of “Lawrence of Arabia” and about 70 for the 11/23 screening. According to a docent what looked like a barber shop on the balcony level actually was a working barber shop many years ago. UCLA plans to continue programming into early 2012.

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about Million Dollar Theatre on Nov 16, 2011 at 9:54 pm

Danny, I am going tonight to see “Lawrence of Arabia.” Where are all the patrons that pack the Last Remaing Seats program run by the L A Conservancy(they sold out three shows at the Rialto)?

On 11/2 I attended a live “Day of the Dead” show at the Million Dollar. It was great: three bands, a cast of 50 and great decorations on stage and on Broadway. All for only $10! About 850 were in attendance.

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Oct 20, 2011 at 8:12 pm

Went back to Grauman’s to see the costume exhibit which is great. Costumes worn by Barbara Stanwyck, Joan Fontaine, Judy Garland, Ingrid Bergman, Humphrey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe, Vivien Leigh, Arnold Schwartzenegger, Elizabeth Taylor. They even have jewelry worn by Liz in 1963’s Cleopatra and the actual Ten Commandment tablets from 1955!

Go as this lobby exhibit could be removed any day now. FYI, “The Thing” is a well made movie and the Antarctic vistas on the big screen are great, but these type of octapus type monsters are getting very redundant.

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about El Rey Theatre on Oct 13, 2011 at 8:54 am

Went to the El Rey tonight (10-12)for the first time in 25 years. Very few vestiges of the movie house, but it is a fairly attractive concert venue, in a utilitarian sort of way. Glad to see the street lobby box office is still being used for ticket pick up.

Glad I only paid $5.50 on Goldstar, as the two bands from Italy, Caparezza and Apres La Classe, were a loud and dangerous insult to the ears. It’s a joke: there were three sound engineers in the booth needed to produce garbage bass distortion. Even many young people fled to the outer lobby and street for relief. It was hard to tell if the guitarists had any talent as they mainly played mindless chords. The two drummers, however, were quite good.

The supreme irony from Apres La Classe was that they used taped big band intros of “Take the A Train”, “Caravan”, and the “Theme From the Godfather”, for three numbers. First taped class and then live trash.

The El Rey sign at night is positively gorgeous.

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about Trumbull Cinema 3 on Oct 7, 2011 at 7:07 pm

I remember seeing “Sound of Music” here and was very impressed with the theater. If anyone visits Southern California I would be happy to show them around our great remaining single screens(quite a few).

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about State Theater on Oct 7, 2011 at 6:54 pm

Correction: Mrs. Carosello died in 1988. Her brother-in-law, Joseph Carole, had a hit play on Broadway(1942-44), “Separate Rooms”. Alan Dinehart, Glenda Farrell and Lyle Talbot were in the cast and Charlie Chaplin and Paulette Goddard attended opening night. Joe Carole was a writer at Columbia, but got fired by Harry Cohn, as he defied him and went to NY for the play’s premiere.

Joe must have gotten back into Cohn’s good graces as he co-wrote Marilyn Monroe’s first movie, “Ladies of the Chorus.”

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about Egyptian Theatre on Oct 7, 2011 at 6:44 pm

Folks, as one who has paid 70 times to see movies at the Egptian in the last two years(including last night’s program)I have noticed an attendance slippage. Don’t just talk movies, PAY to see them.

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about Cinerama Hollywood on Oct 7, 2011 at 6:34 pm

The Dome will be hopping on November 7 for the John Wayne tribute. Patrick Wayne, Kim Darby and others will be there for the showing of “True Grit.” Tickets are $25, but Goldstar discounts them to $16.50.

Last year’s Steve McQueen tribute was fantastic and included the rare opening of the main Dome entrance and outside box offices.

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Oct 7, 2011 at 5:53 pm

Graumans Chinese has a great lobby exhibit of costumes worn by Marilyn Monroe, Vivian Leigh, Judy Garland, Elizabeth Taylor, Humphrey Bogart, and others. Check it out with a PAID admission.

It makes no sense that Grauman’s booted out high grossing “Dolphin Tale”, after only one week, to bring in the flop “What’s Your Number?”, and carry it over for a second week! It’s a terrible movie but at the costumes and gorgeous theater made my $9 senior admission worthwhile.

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about UCLA Nimoy Theatre on Oct 7, 2011 at 5:48 pm

I attended all three days of the Crest’s closing weekend, “Singafest Asian Film Festival.” Average screening attendance was only 30-50; however, the Saturday tribute to Sonny Chiba drew about 350.

Some scary moments for the delicate screen as martial arts demonstrations featured swords that almost touched the screen. Several hands did touch the screen.

Did anyone else attend? I contribute 20 paid movie admissions a month and hope you do likewise. FYI, Graumans Chinese has a great lobby exhibit of costumes worn by Marilyn Monroe, Vivian Leigh, Judy Garland, Elizabeth Taylor, Humphrey Bogart, and others. Check it out with a PAID admission.

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about UCLA Nimoy Theatre on Oct 1, 2011 at 1:27 am

Correction: The lady who holds the annual Phantom showing is Martha Boswell.

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Sep 28, 2011 at 1:10 am

The Wed 9/7, 7:30PM showing of “Apollo 18” drew only about 30 of us. A strange and obscure movie. I never tire of walking around the theater before and after a performance. What a national trasure.

I’ll try to attend the 3D Dolphin movie. The Chinese may pick up a little business as the Kodak is drawing many Cirque du Soleil fans who haven’t been to Hollywood Blvd in years.

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about New Beverly Cinema on Sep 28, 2011 at 12:59 am

I’ve attended 15 times so far this year. Parking on the side streets in the evening is unrestricted-a godsend. Veteran actor Clu Gulager is a fixture here(he always sits in the first row).

Admission for regualar shows is ultra reasonable at $5-7. When was the last time in a movie house you could buy a small candy bar for $1, small pocorn for $2, even Martinelli’s apple juice for $1.75? The hotdogs at $2.50 are the best I have ever had in a cinema and compare favorably to nearby Pink’s.

Sherman’s son Mike Torgan works all phases of the business and is a real gentleman. I come in from North Hollywood; if I lived in the neighborhood I would be at the Beverly 3-4 times a week.

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about New Beverly Cinema on Sep 28, 2011 at 12:58 am

I’ve attended 15 times so far this year. Parking on the side streets in the evening is unrestricted-a godsend. Veteran actor Clu Gulager is a fixture here(he always sits in the first row).

Admission for regualar shows is ultra reasonable at $5-7. When was the last time in a movie house you could buy a small candy bar for $1, small pocorn for $2, even Martinelli’s apple juice for $1.75? The hotdogs at $2.50 are the best I have ever had in a cinema and compare favorably to nearby Pink’s.

Sherman’s son Mike Torgan works all phases of the business and is a real gentleman. I come in from North Hollywood; if I lived in the neighborhood I would be at the Beverly 3-4 times a week.

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about El Capitan Theatre on Sep 28, 2011 at 12:46 am

This 65-year-old saw the “Lion King-3D”, for the first time last Friday at the 7:30 show. My ticket was only $11 and we had an enthusiastic crowd of about 750. The following night the line was around the block for a Conversation with Dr. Jane Goodall Featuring the Presentation of the 2011 Jane Goodall Global Leadership Awards.

I think both Graumans Chinese and the El Capitan will pick up a little more business as the new Cirque du Soleil show at the Kodak Theatre is drawing many patrons who have not visited Hollywood and Highland for years. That said, health inspectors need to cite illegal non-licensed food vendors that crowd the street and hurt brick and mortar tax paying businesses.

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about UCLA Nimoy Theatre on Sep 28, 2011 at 12:26 am

Was at the Vista for “Moneyball” last night and they had 100 patrons on a Monday! The outer lobby card advertised the annual midnight showing, Nov 5, for “Phantom of the Opera”, which I saw last Nov 6 at the Crest. Contact for tickets. Last year Mary indicated she was trying to get Gerard Butler to attend in 2011.

Let’s all attend as many Singafest movies as possible this Friday-Sunday. Students/Seniors/Cinemateque members pay only $8 per movie.

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about Los Feliz 3 Cinemas on Jul 28, 2011 at 12:45 am

If possible, avoid the main auditorium, but the 2 & 3 screening rooms are fine and add an intimacy. On Sunday 7/24, I caught the 9:45PM showing of “Beginners” and counted 47 moviegoers, near capacity. I appreciate the $5.50 senior rate($6.50 for everyone before 6)for first-run movie at half the ArcLight price.

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Jul 28, 2011 at 12:38 am

Attended the 7:20PM Harry Potter showing on 7/26 and was pleased to count about 200 moviegoers, including quite a few speaking foreign languages. 3D adds nothing to the movie and I will also see it in 2D at the Vista.

The new owners need to add more variety to the Chinese 6 as they are also mainly showing Harry Potter and it dilutes the attendance at Grauman’s.

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about CGV Cinemas LA on Jul 28, 2011 at 12:30 am

On 2/13/11 I was the only person attending an afternoon screening of “The Other Woman.” It’s sound and quality are comparable to ArcLight.

Natalie Portman gave an in depth performance. This is a sadly uoverlooked movie that got a mediocre L A Times review. I gave it four stars.

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about Valley Plaza 6 on Jul 28, 2011 at 12:17 am

I have been to the Valley 6 twelve times since 11/12/10. At first business was slow , but it has really picked up, even on weekdays, and of course on $1.50 Tuesdays. Some movies that falter at the box office quickly move to this theater, including “Larry Crowne.”

$1 hot dogs are a bargain and the kids combo(no age restriction)costs only $5 for a drink, popcorn and small candy. I agree that Regency knows how to run a bargain venue as I admire their running of the Academy.

I only live 1-½ miles from the Valley 6 and use it as a backstop to catch a missed movie or when I am too tired to go in to L A.

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Jul 6, 2011 at 6:52 am

I will be living at the Chinese July 9-14 to catch up on the first six Potter movies I have not seen. Got an email that they will be displaying Potter memorabilia in the theater lobby.

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about Vista Theater Hollywood on Jun 30, 2011 at 2:00 am

Attended the 9:45PM showing on 6/15 of “Super 8”. A great crowd a little over 200 in attendance. Many people in the industry go to the Vista. I just realized that the opening for Elvira’s weekend horror movie on KDOC was filmed here.

Parking note: I take the Red Line from North Hollywood and get off at the Sunset-Vermont station. The Vista is only two blocks east. If in need of a quick bite, stop at Von’s right on the way and pick up a sandwich and a Starbucks-they have seating.

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about Vine Theatre on Jun 30, 2011 at 1:47 am

I was suffering from a viral infection, but dragged myself to the Vine around 6:30 on 6/25. Wow, the seats are the worst(easily tops the gravity defying seats at the Beverly Cinema in the 80s-90s). No wonder Lazerium closed-you can’t have a tourist attraction with worn bedspring like seats. Some dim bulb decided to put slip covers over every seat(they now slip down to the floor); the seats are not torn and the covers do not add any comfort!

I liked the goth lady outside with a bullhorn trying to entice pedestrians to come in. A single movie was only $5 and the whole day with in-and-out privileges $10. Sadly, only about 65-70 were in attendance. The highlight was a panel discussion including horror meister Willam Lustig, who came in from New York. He was presented with an award in the form of a real looking machete. He joked “How do I get this past airport security!”

Fascinating item: According to Google, 56 year old Jewish Lustig ia a nephew of 89-year old Italian boxer Jake LaMotta(I would imagine through a marriage). Both are Bronx natives.

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz commented about Downtown Independent on Jun 1, 2011 at 8:31 pm

A good crowd attended the May 30 premier of an independent pic filmed in Chicago and two shorts. Admission is $10, but if you ask for the “Local” rate you only pay $5. Rates are not posted. Beer and wine are available to take into the theater and the Los Angeles Film Festival will have a number of screenings here.