For as much as I pay to see a film at Arclight ($14 on Fridays) I expect to watch my film in a pristine setting. I pay this much because I am serious about the film I am about to watch. Unfortunately, Arclight staff are either unwilling or unable to provide me with the "luxury experience" they promise. I went to a showing of BU G last Friday night where phones were ringing, people were talking at full volume, and babies were crying ( why are infants even allowed in an 11 PM screening of a horror film on a Friday night????). I even went so far as to miss a large section of the film while I tracked down several ushers and then BEGGED them to come in and shush some of the talkers. That helped for exactly five minutes before the people went right back to their loud conversations. The ushers never bothered to check in again.
This was only one of many bad experiences I have had at Arclight. If I want to be around rude people, I'll visit my local AMC. But when I visit the most high tech, luxury theater in Los Angeles (possibly in the country) I expect to be able to enjoy my film in a suitable environment.
Arclight needs to find a way to deal with these problems. A simple request for quiet at the beginning of the movie is not enough. Ushers need to be in the theaters, handling the talkers IMMEDIATLY. And unless it's a kiddie film, they need to follow the example of most other high priced theaters in the country, and ban infants.
Pros: Reserved Seating, Pristine Prints, Great Sound
Cons: For this price, it should be SILENT in there. Or at least quiet.
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