THINGS TO CHECK OUT // LOS ANGELES FILM MECCAS
BY CASSASY DIXON
There are four primary movie houses in LA that I turn to for unconventional programming and revivals. There are the New Beverly and the Silent Movie Theatre, both of which serve up healthy doses of B-movie kitsch alongside underground foreign fare and forgotten gems of years past. For instance, until the end of the month director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) will be hosting several evenings of off-kilter double features. Upcoming lineups include Wild at Heart coupled with True Romance one night and 1970s troubled-youth pictures The Wanderers and The Warriors another. Special guests, on top of Mr. Wright himself, will be in attendance. To its credit, the Silent Movie Theatre will run a 20th anniversary screening of Whit Stillman’s brilliant debut Metropolitan on Sunday, January 30. The director will host a Q & A afterwards.
The other two theatres are the Aero and the Hollywood landmark Egyptian, both operated by the non-profit group American Cinematheque. Go here for more classic fare like double features of Roman Polanski, James Dean or Elvis movies (with songwriters Leiber and Stoller in person!). Prominent modern selections are given weight, too, such as an upcoming showing of The Fighter with David O. Russell on hand.
All of these places are treasures, and their consistently amazing selections are even more of a saving grace in this typically dull period of the year for new releases. Moreover, each is in its own distinct part of town, so you won’t get bored checking out your surroundings before a show. Go forth!