A Night At The New Beverly, In My Capacity As A Los Angeles Native
My Night at The New Beverly Cinema
I was extremely excited as I leaped out of the Ace Hotel's elevator on the night of July 15th, 2021. Making my way to my shiny Toyota Camry rental car, I put my destination into my iPhone's Maps app. My fingers scanned across the touch screen for the correct numerals as I punched in the address: 7165 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
The New Beverly Cinema is a movie theatre in Los Angeles, California. It is owned by director and filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, and is one of the few revival houses in the area which still shows movies on actual film rather than digitally.
This was my first time back in the "city of angels" since my family and I left in the early 1990s. I have always felt a connection with the area and a pull to return. As a film buff and Quentin Tarantino fan, I had been taken up in the frenzy and excitement that his 2019 film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood had brought to the world.
I decided that I would go to Tarantino's theatre, The New Beverly Cinema. Purchased by Tarantino in 2007, the 300-seat theatre was built in 1929. It served a variety of purposes over its next hundred years, even being used for pornographic movie premieres in the late 1960s.
My wife and infant son were sound asleep atop the stylish structure, known as The Ace Hotel, which is housed in the former United Artists building. Started by Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks as a safe haven for creatives, the building was still adorned with the massive "United Artists" sign all done up in neon.
The Toyota made a light chirp as the new tires pounded over the pavement of the speed bump, and just like that, I was on my way to the movies via the obscene traffic of downtown Los Angeles. I was nervous to be out there, but my goal was clear: to make it in time for the 7:30 showing of Gunpowder Milkshake at Quentin Tarantino's New Beverly Cinema.
What is the New Beverly Cinema Like For a Tarantino Fan?
In a word, it is awesome to be at the New Beverly Cinema as a Tarantino fan. After you grab your ticket from the kind and sociable box office attendant, you head on over to concessions to gaze through the collectibles and wares that the famous movie house has to offer.
There is plenty on display for the Tarantino fan, and many folks have made the trek to this special location. After chatting with some fellow film buffs, I approached the register and proceeded to point at basically every item I saw.
Once I added a large coke and some popcorn to my order, the cashier suggested I take a separate shiny yellow popcorn bag to gather my various collectibles in. Among them included a Once Upon a Time in Hollywood t-shirt, four collectible buttons for Tarantino's new novelization of the film, four glossy bookmarks from the same book, a poster for tonight's feature film Gunpowder Milkshake, and a promotional magazine featuring Leonardo DiCaprio as Rick Dalton.
I was like a kid in a candy store, and so I felt a bit silly. I soon realized that everyone there had either met or exceeded my level of enthusiasm for the occasion. The theatre was packed and hot, with everyone rejoicing and introducing themselves while sharing their favorite Quentin Tarantino movie with one another.
There was no gatekeeping or elitism in the air. Everyone was welcome, and I felt happy to be included among the real LA people as well. After a brief speech from one of the employees, a classic Road Runner cartoon was played on the screen. The audience responded to every comic insinuation in the clip and the hype for the premiere of Navot Papushado's Gunpowder Milkshake was palpable.
Enjoying a Gunpowder Milkshake
The feature was the premiere of a new action film handled by Netflix. It stars Game of Thrones mainstay Lena Headey as the expert assassin mother of Karen Gillan from Doctor Who. They are threatened by a sinister group known as "The Firm", with Paul Giamatti as its leader.
Luckily, Gillan's character has followed in her mother's footsteps and is herself a skilled assassin and martial artist. Utilizing her mother's core group of friends (and you guessed it, also assassins), which includes Carla Gugino, Angela Bassett, and Michelle Yeoh, the two women take on The Firm with deadly efficiency.
What follows is basically a Tarantino-esque bloodbath featuring the themes of women empowerment, as well as a particular penchant for stylistic and fetishized violence. It is a loud and bombastic film that has a less-than-great story but is fully engaging on a visual level.
Since that is likely what the studio envisioned for this action film, they are probably happy with the 64% rating they earned on Rottentomatoes. The website responded to the film by saying that it "runs dangerously close to being a pure sugar rush with no substance." They go on to say that "Gunpowder Milkshake is a brutal blast that will absorb audiences into its neon-infused universe."
It was wholly fun and every violent crescendo was applauded and commented on by the audience. After all, we film buffs were getting to see a brand new movie repurposed for the actual film. This was actually a pretty cool movie to do this to, and the color was spectacular.
The End of My Night at The New Beverly Cinema
When the film was over, I was sad to have to leave this place. However, the theatre itself lacks parking, a common problem that plagues other LA landmarks as well. I was forced to leave my sparkling new rental car on the side of Formosa Street in front of a power transformer.
The signs in the area all indicated that this was a no-parking area. However, the other Tarantino fans had assured me that a short two-hour park on a residential street is usually tolerated by the local parking enforcement, if for no other reason than decreased staffing on the night shift.
When I finally got back to Formosa Street, the cool night air carried a coalescence of smog and Pacific Ocean dew that was fragrant. I was elated to see the car which I did not own, yet had driven to this exact location, had not been stolen or towed.
I switched the headlamps on and my iPhone chirped in recognition of the Bluetooth capabilities. I scrolled over to the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood soundtrack and let the sonic landscapes of Los Angeles course over me as I drove home on La Brea.
Opinions and Perspectives
Nice to hear about a place that values both history and accessibility.
Its great that Tarantino is using his success to preserve cinema history.
That shared excitement among strangers is what movie-going should be about.
Fascinating to see how they blend old school projection with modern movies.
The community aspect really makes it special. We need more places like this.
Kind of cool how they turned a Netflix movie into a theatrical experience.
Really appreciate how they maintain the historical aspects while staying current.
Love that they balance being a museum-like space while still showing new films.
That feeling of being welcomed into a community of film lovers is priceless.
Its great that places like this still exist in our streaming-dominated world.
Those little details like the Road Runner cartoon really make the experience special.
Interesting how they mixed a new Netflix film with traditional projection methods.
The parking situation is tough but honestly worth it for such a unique experience.
That mix of old and new LA the author describes is exactly what makes the city special.
The no gatekeeping atmosphere is so important. Film should be accessible to everyone.
Love that they're keeping the tradition of film projection alive. Digital just isnt the same.
Its wild to think about all the different purposes that building has served over nearly 100 years.
The atmosphere sounds electric. Nothing beats watching movies with passionate fans.
I actually enjoyed Gunpowder Milkshake more than the critics. Sometimes you just want stylish action.
That LA traffic description brought back memories. Some things never change!
The bit about everyone sharing their favorite Tarantino movies sounds fun. Love when strangers can connect over film.
Its refreshing to hear about a theater with friendly staff. Makes such a difference to the whole experience.
Anyone know how often they change their merchandise? Planning a visit and want to make sure I catch good stuff.
Pretty cool that they show both new and classic films. Keeps things fresh while honoring cinema history.
The communal aspect of watching movies seems to be dying out. Places like this are so important.
I find it fascinating how Tarantino is preserving film history through this theater.
Totally agree about the audience participation making it more fun. Those shared moments really enhance the experience.
The article captures that unique LA vibe perfectly. It's a city that somehow feels both nostalgic and current at the same time.
I'm curious about the film projection. Must take special expertise to maintain those old projectors.
Sometimes its less about the movie itself and more about the experience of watching it with other enthusiastic film lovers.
The comparison to a kid in a candy store is perfect. That's exactly how I felt during my first visit too!
Reading this makes me miss old school movie theaters. Everything is so corporate and streamlined now.
That cast for Gunpowder Milkshake is incredible on paper. Shame the movie didn't quite live up to its potential.
I think what makes the New Beverly special is how it balances being both a historical landmark and a living, breathing cinema.
Interesting to learn about its history as a porn theater in the 60s. LA has such a wild entertainment history.
The merchandise selection sounds fantastic. Wish they had an online store for those of us who can't make it to LA.
Love how they still show cartoons before the feature. Does anyone know if they do this for every screening?
The whole experience sounds amazing, but that parking situation would give me anxiety!
Actually been thinking of making a trip to LA just to visit the New Beverly. This article might have convinced me.
That 64% on Rotten Tomatoes seems generous. But I guess watching it at the New Beverly would make anything better.
Seeing the United Artists building repurposed as the Ace Hotel is kind of poetic. At least it wasn't torn down like so many other historic buildings.
I had no idea the building was from 1929! The history of these old theaters is incredible.
Wonder what Mary Pickford would think of her city now. The contrast between old and new Hollywood is fascinating.
The description of that LA night air with the mix of smog and ocean breeze is spot on. Anyone who's been there knows exactly that smell.
I respectfully disagree about Gunpowder Milkshake. Even in that setting, I found it pretty disappointing compared to similar action films.
The no gatekeeping part really resonated with me. Sometimes film buffs can be so elitist, but not at the New Beverly.
Really appreciate how the author captures that sense of community among movie fans. We need more of that these days.
Those merchandise prices are insane though. I spent way too much money on collectibles last time I was there.
I actually thought Gunpowder Milkshake was pretty mediocre, but seeing it in that setting probably made it way more enjoyable.
The Road Runner cartoon before the main feature is such a nice touch. Reminds me of how theaters used to show cartoons back in the day.
I went there last month and can confirm the staff is incredibly friendly. They really make you feel welcome, unlike some pretentious art house theaters.
That parking situation sounds stressful! Classic LA problem though, you're never quite sure if your car will be there when you get back.
I've been wanting to visit the New Beverly for years. The fact that Tarantino owns it and curates the programming makes it even more appealing.
Anyone else amazed by how they still project actual film? Digital is convenient but there's something magical about watching movies on real film.
Love how the author captures that authentic LA movie theater experience. The New Beverly is such a special place for film lovers!