23 Comments
User's avatar
Joseph K.'s avatar

Psyched for the microcinema list. New Bev is in the correct position, as is Braindead. Every like 4 months I succumb to Braindead programming and then remember why I don’t go there. It was fun to see Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within on 35 with 13 other sickos.

I’d also be interested in a first-run theaters who do rep list if you’ve got the time. I want the take on the DTLA Alamo!

Expand full comment
Peter Labuza's avatar

Academy Museum does like at least 4-5 shows a week. Depends on the programming series (which like New Bev def tries to split between "millennial nostalgia" and "actually interesting" — best programming is usually Toscano's monthly experimental show. Sadly they've cut back on anything pre-1960 but that's pretty much every rep house in LA), but I've hit it up 2-3 times in a week. There's also often free tickets if you look around. Helps that it's right next to my place but wife and I go there often.

Expand full comment
Eddie Averill's avatar

I feel like they've definitely gotten a lot more consistent over the last year, but there's also more lulls than any of the beverly, AC, vidiots, etc. I need to check out the experimental program for sure!

Expand full comment
Peter Labuza's avatar

They're showing all of Les Vampires this Sunday and next, and that's not nothing!

Expand full comment
Tidbits's avatar

A thoughtful and painfully accurate ranking.

Expand full comment
Elissa Suh's avatar

bookmarking for the next time i visit

Expand full comment
Jack's avatar

Shit talking the vista is unacceptable but I accept your reportage and commitment. So mean to Vidiots lol and correct amount of shade on Braindead while also honestly admitting they do schedule a hidden banger every once in a while

Expand full comment
Ryan's avatar

Nice list. I personally dislike QTs taste, and the pervasive 80s/90s Hollywood nostalgia that clogs up other theaters, along with the hype beast clothing interests that dilute brain-dead’s potential, ultimately calling into question the reasons I choose to stay in this city, but at least it’s good to have options :)

Expand full comment
Dane Benko's avatar

Shit I've been thinking I'd doing a list / ranking like this for NYC.

Expand full comment
Charlie Kruse's avatar

Fantastic list. Finally someone who recognizes the excellence of the Peanut Chews.

Expand full comment
andie's avatar

braindead is hell on earth

Expand full comment
Jonah Tauber's avatar

I can't lie, I'm feeling some New York superiority here. The snacks and decorations seem better overall there, but neither of those are particularly important to me

Expand full comment
Peter Avellino's avatar

I still haven't gone out to Vidiots and reading this makes me think I somehow know that I shouldn't.

Expand full comment
…?'s avatar

If Egyptian had better parking or the New Bev had comfier seats they would both skyrocket on my personal list </3 (if you have an Egyptian parking hack… let the world know!!)

Expand full comment
Larry Clark's avatar

For the Egyptian (cheapish paid parking right across the street): "Parking for Hollywood and Highland Center", as Google Maps put it. Validate at the top floor where the TCL 1-6 theaters are, the validation machine is just past the entrance to the right. Think it's like $3 for four hours. Best I've ever come up with in 9 years. My friend swears by street parking around the closest church, but he's also far too 'into' Wes Craven for me to ever take that advice.

Expand full comment
Eddie Averill's avatar

LOL @ the last line

Expand full comment
…?'s avatar

thank you for saving my life

Expand full comment
Henry Begler's avatar

I have literally nothing to quibble about with this list. I love the 10pm weeknight screenings at LF3. I dislike the Egyptian for doing faux "double features" that you can't buy one ticket for and the whole place has the vibe of a colonial palace decorated with the artifacts of the culture it conquered, but being a book guy first and a film guy a distant second I don't mind that the programming is basic bc there are many very famous and canonical movies I still haven't seen.

I wish Vidiots was good bc it's the closest rep theater to me but I went once and the cringe millennial vibes were overpowering. When Baudelaire coined the phrase "an oasis of horror in a desert of boredom" he was thinking about several businesses on Eagle Rock Boulevard, inc. Vidiots, Walt's, Capri Club, and the execrable Solarc Brewing.

Expand full comment
Eddie Averill's avatar

Baudelaire on the Eagle Rock/Highland Park Fake Brooklyn Cultural Economy: i hate it here!

Expand full comment
dan's avatar

during my last year in LA i'm pretty certain i only went to vidiots or brain dead when mezzanine had an event there. i'd ding them all for having terrible parking options but that's life, wonderful list.

Expand full comment
Adrian's avatar

I have eaten a hot pretzel at the Aero before

Expand full comment
Jeremy's avatar

"If a screening of Daisies is completely sold-out and a majority of the audience looks under 25, social media point-scoring is the only answer." Oh brother

Expand full comment