Well Worth The Price Of Admission

In my last post I mentioned that I went to the Arclight theatre in Hollywood to see There Will Be Blood. For a while I was debating whether or not I should go. Not because I had any doubt about seeing the movie. My main concern was the price. I was wondering if I could wait things out and hope that the movie would open to a wider release in the coming months (for now, the Arclight is the only theatre in Los Angeles showing There Will Be Blood). If I could catch the movie at any of the local theatres I could use a gift certificate or some cold hard cash at half the price. The Arclight charges $11 on the weekday and $14 on the weekend. Which granted, is expensive. But when I really got down to thinking about it, is so worth it.

You're really paying for peace of mind. The Arclight is a luxury theatre. It has all the amenities. But what I love most is the audience. They're all cinephiles. They've respect for the movie going experience. Which means I don't have to play nanny for the day. At the last movie I saw, No Country For Old Men, I had to tell some people to shut the fuck up 'cause they thought they were watching the movie in their own living room. That drives me up the fucking wall. For one, they show no respect for anyone else in the theatre. I can't stand that lack of respect within a communal space. Plus, I hate being the asshole telling people how they should act. I'd prefer not having to dress someone down. It's embarrassing for both of us. It's such a... ugh... I just hate the whole experience. It infuriates me, makes me anxious, nervous, etc. It's something I'd just as soon do without.

That more than anything made me more than happy to part with my $14. Sure, I could buy a DVD with that money, see the movie twice somewhere else, rent nine movies but nothing compares to a perfect movie going experience. And if you're looking for one of those, go no further than the Arclight. Prime location. Ambiance. Assigned seating. No commercials. The best digital projections. Top notch sound system. Exclusion from the theatre if you arrive late. It's the quintessence of elegance and decorum. I've never had a bad experience there. In fact, my best movie going experiences have all been at the Arclight. I love it, love it, love it. :D


DS333, in love.