Ah, the grand movie palaces of yore! | Photo courtesy of mrarteest via flickr
If you've got under a hundred dollars in your bank account, a date at the movies is usually out of the question. You stare longingly at LAist's film calendar every week: the Arclight's obviously a fortune, but even AMCs & revival houses run $15-$20 for two tickets. Add popcorn & soda? Ugh. This is news to no one, but if you're in the South Bay? WOW! The Warner Grand Theatre is looking out for you! Even if you're not - it's probably still cheaper to drive to San Pedro, plunk down a Hamilton and enjoy 2 tickets, 2 sodas & 2 popcorns (single tickets are a whopping $3 - cheaper than a DVD rental).
Warner On Wednesdays, running every week through September, is a film series designed to bring Jack Warner's "Castle of Dreams" out of the Ivory Tower and into the community. Earlier screenings in the series pulled in over 600 people, and if that success continues, it may continue year round. Most of the films are family fare, but to be fair, not everyone's parents & grandparents go for subtitles or cross-dressing sing-a-longs (and for some draconian reason they won't let me bring my kids). Warner also gets extra eerie prescience points for booking The Wiz before Michael Jackson died. Before the snootier readers turn up their noses, remember that the Warner is a truly grand movie palace - the art-deco restoration (an ongoing community effort since 1995) is gorgeous! You've got your money's worth before you even walk in the door.
Full list appears below. See you at the movies!
More movie theaters like this, less stadium-seating cookie-cutter crap | Photo courtesy of mrarteest via flickr
7/15
Fast & Furious (2009, PG-13)
7/22
The Dark Knight(2008, PG-13)
7/29
Bedtime Stories (2008, PG)
8/5
The Sandlot (1993, PG)
8/12
Marley & Me (2008, PG-13)
8/19
The Wiz (1978, G)
8/26
Secret Life of Bees (2008, PG-13)
9/2
Tyler Perry's Madea Goes To Jail(2006 original version, PG-13)
9/9
Coraline 2D (2008)
Warner on Wednesdays is a neighborhood project brought to you by Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council, Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council, The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Sacred Grounds Coffee House & The Relevant Stage Theatre Company. More information can be found at the Warner Grand Theatre website. Support local landmarks & culture!
Article by Edward Yerke-Robins
