I’m planning on watching the Matrix Reloaded during my trip to LA next week for E3 and I was curious how the ancient Grauman’s Chinese Theater is for watching movies? Is the screen and sound quality up to par with modern theaters? And how is the seating, does it have stadium seating? Thanks.
Grauman’s Chinese may be old, but it is a beautiful theater and huge. The sound is very state of the art. The seats are not stadium, but with the slant and sheer size of the screen, I’ve never had trouble with it. I’m an average heighted person.
One draw back with Grauman’s is the street traffic around the area. And since you’ll likely be waiting in a 3-hour line to see the movie, you will probably end up sitting on a slightly grimy sidewalk either next to some star or a parking lot. Bring something to sit on!
I’ve never been to the smaller (newer) theaters, but since Matrix will be at the original, I don’t think you have to worry about it.
If you’re concerned about seating or plain don’t want to wait in line, check out the nearby Arclight Theater. Chances are if they get Matrix, it’ll be shown in the dome theater. It’s not a super huge theater, plus The Arclight is more expensive than every other movie theater in the area, but the seats are pre-assigned. You can purchase in advance.
My wife and I saw “Spawn” there. Weekday matinee with less than a half dozen people in the theatre. Screen and sound were great and the rake is suffciently steep. Beautiful theatre.
Skateborder87, just found out that ArcLight isn’t carrying The Matrix. Yeah, I know. So, there goes that idea.
The Chinese is a great theatre. I’ve seen many big name science fiction films there, and it’s truly a wonderful movie-going experience. The atmosphere of the theatre is beautiful as well, but as Peg points out, be prepared to wait on a somewhat grubby sidewalk, etc. There is a parking garage nearby (or at least there was when I was last there), which I recommend rather than trying to find parking on the street. (Though it can be done. But still–use the parking garage if possible.)
I also love the paintings on the walls inside the Chinese threatre (not the lobby)–check 'em out!
The little theaters upstairs are a different matter–OK and all that, but they are not meant to compete with the “big” theatre.
The Egyptian is also very good, but I haven’t been to it since it’s been restored.
I agree, the Chinese is a great theater…as long as you’re in the main one (which you will be). Be prepared to find and pay for parking (there’s some right there at that new mall they made right next door) or you can take the subway (it goes right there…really easy). On a side note: I love the Egyption…it’s a beautiful theater and they play so many great weird and old films!
Well if you don’t want to fight Hollywood traffic, and wait on the sidewalk, you can drive over the hill to Loews Cineplex at Universal City.
They have an IMAX screen, I saw X2 there last week.
Grauman’s Chinese Theatre was renamed Mann’s Chinese Theatre when Ted Mann bought it in 1973. Its original name was restored in 2001.