South Pasadena scores points for having a movie theater as cool as the Rialto. It's an old theater, but it bears the weight of its years gracefully. (Check out the lobby display for info on the theater's history). The seats aren't particlularly comfortable, but there's something inescapably grand about coming to a one-screen movie palace. Perhaps because you're not seeing a movie--you're seeing THE movie. In any case, the Rialto doesn't play the usual selection of films, so keep the schedule handy--you'll almost certainly find something you'll want to see.
Pros: cool ambience, offbeat selection
Cons: uncomfortable seats
more