The best places to see moviesI have...

The best places to see movies

I have to wonder whether Nancy Rommelmann has ever even been to Westwood, home to several fine movie houses unmentioned in her article listing the best places to see films in L.A. (“From ‘Plex to Palace: A Tour,” Dec. 26). The Village theater has an unsurpassed screen and sound system; the whimsical Crest is a great place to take the kids; and the James Bridges Theater, mining the vast treasures of the UCLA archives, shows hundreds of rare films every year in one of the world’s few venues that can safely project the beautiful old nitrate prints.

Chris Norlin

Los Angeles

*

Rommelmann’s was a fun survey as far as it went. Her next exploration of the unique L.A. moviegoing experience should tell us which theaters mix the ever-annoying commercials within the trailers now. As an average customer, I find this a covertly disturbing trend. If L.A. is, as she writes, “where movies as we know them were born,” it should be our birthright to throw things at the screen when it tries to sell us something we’ve already bought by paying for the ticket.

(Also, it would be nice to know which movie houses are showing which L.A. Times Calendar promo, which movie houses show which KCRW promo, etc.)

Hank Rosenfeld

Santa Monica

*

This article should make theater owners realize L.A. filmgoers appreciate their movie environment. I would rather drive 10 miles than see a movie at the nearby Sunset 5, where the exit signs next to the screen are so bright that it’s distracting. The New Beverly Cinema is downright depressing. I have dropped 6 bucks there for 20-plus years and have yet to see a dime spent on improvements. The screen and furnishings are dismal; the projector doesn’t even seem to have the right intensity lightbulb. I stopped taking friends there long before I stopped going myself. Perhaps this article will encourage theater owners to put themselves in the customer’s seat.

Mike Zaloudek

Los Angeles

*

Your movie survey mentioned every location except the one where I and many other cinephiles would love to spend money -- because it doesn’t exist. It’s the theater showing current releases with state-of-the-art technology, free from ads and deafening previews, enforcing a strict no-noise policy for all its patrons. I’d pay double the going ticket rate for those amenities. You can keep your fancy leather seats and real-buttered popcorn.

Bonnie Sloane

Los Angeles