Vista Theatre
- Good for Kids: Yes
145 Reviews for Vista Theatre
Remember when you were a kid and your parents would take you to the movies? The smell of the old theater, the popcorn. The days before we were inundated with advertisements while waiting for the show to begin.
The Vista is simply classic and beautiful. I go out of my way to come here. Even though the theater is old, the sound is state of art and the chairs are comfortable. There is always a great crowd which makes going to the movies so much fun.
Like the old days.
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One of the best place to see a movie in Jollywood. Beautiful Vintage theater, lotsa room, never had talkie idiots at a show. Don't be chump and spend 30$ at a MEGA CRAPPA PLEX. Go Here. They more times then not have a great show playin.
Word.
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OMG, my favorite movie theater in Los Angeles. Cheap, old school, classic. They only show one movie at a time, but it's usually the big movie of the weekend. It's just such a treasure.
I don't get up here often but have worked a few movie events. The place as you can see gets rave reviews as it's retained it old-style movie palace feel. The owner who bought the place has invested heavily and installed digital sound which makes for a great showing. In the front of they have a sidewalk of fame which some indie-film stars have put there hand and foot prints into. Jack Black put his buttprint there too!
The Vista shows first-run movies and usually picks the best release for that month. Can't beat the price and the employees do a top job of keeping the place looking good and working well.
Beautiful theatre with ticket prices that take you back to the good ol' days.
Ok, maybe not that far, but I saw the Dark Knight for $9.50... and matinee's are around $5.
The popcorn is some of the best in town and did I mention the theatre is cool and clean?
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Silverlake's Neighborhood Treasure and one of the best in L.A.. Lavishly restored, Egyptian-themed historic movie house. Great sound and picture, insane amounts of leg room, fresh popcorn, and first run movies programmed to the tastes of Los Feliz/Silverlake residents. Best of all, they still offer weekend matinee's for less than 5 bucks! For a movie grand opening you'll have to wait in line. This is right up there with the Arclight and the Egyptian as one of the top places to see a movie in L.A.
Came here last night for the Garden Party Premiere
This theater definitely makes for a great movie experience
Great leg room
Comfortable seating
LOUD sound system
Good stuff
It's also pretty cool watching a movie in a historic single screen theater
I actually found the Egyptian theme to be a bit gimmicky, but still great
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An oldie but goodie. This is a one screen theater that has the interior design of a set from Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. It isn't stadium seating so if you are the shortest person you know you may not enjoy your experience as much as the giant in font of you, but that is usually only a problem on opening weekends. But the awesome thing about the seating is the fact that you have enough leg room to park your car in. Honestly I love the Vista. (Assuming its showing the movie you want). It has a great atmosphere for watching movies and the price can't be beat at $6.50 for a Matinee or $9.50 for an evening show. Yes there is often a line that stretches around the block to get in, but don't worry that's normal and the Vista is like a clown car or a porn star's Vagina... Either way you will be amazed at what will fit in there. Parking I will say can be a bit of a bitch as its only street, but just go down to Commonwealth and there is usually something. One of the best things about the Vista though is the crowd. People are excited, cheer, and occasionally applaud. It makes for a fun experience. This is great theater that I can't recommend enough. Just get there early as you have to buy your tickets BEFORE you get in line.
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Tall people will love Vista. This theater has removed every other seating row. People over 6 feel will love it. Tickets are $5 for afternoons, plus popcorn and drink, but to have all that space is a pleasure. Only thing next they need is to have moveable arm rests to cuddle :)
The Vista theater is one of those not-so-hidden jewels of Hollywood. It's a classic type movie theater that have never fallen behind on the times. The place is a definite throwback to the old theater days, with a huge old school movie marquee, and the fact that it only plays one move!
The venue is completely up to date, with a huge screen, a kick ass sound system, and not to mention amounts of leg room unheard of in the conventional movie theater chains most of us frequent now a days. All that, plus the fact that it's so much cheaper than hitting up one of those big chains, makes the Vista Theater a win-win no matter what!
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What a beautiful theatre-- 1920s art deco, completely restored-- and huge aisles! Perfect. I went here for the first time last night for the premiere of Garden Party (no, I didn't realize it was also a Yelp event, I was invited for someone else) and after some hassle of looking for parking (luckily I was able to turn around and park in the KCET lot for the event, but I think street parking would be a chore when that lot isn't open) I entered the theatre and was very impressed. The seats are comfortable and the aisles are huge, I couldn't touch the seats in front of me even if I stretched my legs out all the way. I want to return and bring my film guy.
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Love this place! Movies for less than $10 and a great date place. Classic movie theatre and the manager who dresses up as characters for some of the movies is BRILLIANT!!!!
The Vista is by far the best theatre in Hollywood to catch a movie. Friends and I have been here in the past to catch some great comedies such as Borat, Superbad, and The Love Guru. Parking can be scarce and it usually takes several trips around the block to look for a spot which usually ends up being a block or two away. Matinees are a good steal at $6.50 unlike others that charge double. Once you step inside you will definitely be surprised at the size of the place. With good amount of seating, ample leg room, and no loud mouths to ruin the movie... it makes the experience just that much better.
The Vista rules without fail. Not to mention you can stretch your legs out and people can still walk in front of you. That comes in pretty handy for those Paul Thomas Anderson epics. The popcorn is fresh and the manager dresses up like the main character in the movie. So basically Batman was taking my ticket last week. What more do you need?
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Vista Theater is a true Los Angeles landmark. It's the best movie experience you'll have in LA. I can't recommend it highly enough. I wish there was an option for 6 stars!
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Everything about the Vista is tip-top. The seats are comfortable, and the isles are wide (I think they took out every other row).
Parking is street, but not too much else to complain about.
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I adore the Vista. Been going there for 20 years. When they ripped out every other row of chairs to increase the leg room I was so happy. It's beautiful, the matinee prices are low, and there's plenty of free parking down the street. This is my favorite movie theater in Los Angeles. I like it even more than the Chinese.
One bit of trivia, Ed Wood's office used to be upstairs. You can see the Vista as a location in several movies including "Throw Mama From The Train".
They really crank up the air conditioning so you might want to have your date bring a sweater.
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My favorite place to watch a movie as of late...my only regret is that I wish I started watching movies here years ago and not just last year; I've lived in LA for most of my life and I feel like a total dud for having missed out on this wonderful movie theater for so long.
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The Vista Theatre simply rocks. It is beautiful inside with rockin Egyptian decor. The screen is huge, and it's an "uno-plex", only one screen!! The sound and picture are of high quality and you are guaranteed to have an enjoyable movie going experience here, no matter what movie you see. Additionally, it is the only theatre I have been to w/ so much aisle space. That means you can stay seated as other patrons get up 3/4 of the way through the movie to charge the bathroom since they ordered a large sprite and didn't pace themselves. I have to stay on this aisle space point just a touch longer: In this day and age when squeezing every last dollar out of a space is not just the norm, but a rule for business owners, it is refreshing to see a fine establishment leave so much room in between the rows of seats. They could probably add %25 more seating, but don't because respecting your patrons does matter here, and providing a comfortable movie going experience matters here, and the prices are waaaayyyyy cheaper than Arc-light. Additionally, the decor is beautiful.
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I know everyone is raving about the ample leg room, but I'm a tall girl and that's a lot of freakin' leg room! As my friend said - I always enjoy resting my feet on the back of the chair in front of me...but I guess I shouldn't complain. More is better than being cramped.
Also, is it just me - or do all the statues surrounding the theatre look like the Virgin Mary??? Yes, I understand that there is an Egyptian motif going on...but tell me I'm not the only one that has that thought!
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I wish everything played at the Vista! I've lived walking distance (uh, when I'm not being lazy) for more than four years and I've seen several films here. The theatre has a cool Egyptian theme and holy leg room! If you're like me and you have to pee often (hey, I'm a girl!), you don't have to worry about stepping on people in your row. I have actually scrunched down in my seat before and stretched my legs forward as far as they'd go - and I still didn't touch the seat in front of me.
Best of all, they still have matinee pricing for the first show of the day, and you've got to love a theatre where a costumed superhero (or Jack Sparrow) greets you at the door.
Things to remember:
* The Vista is cash only.
* Parking will be a challenge, but I've always found spots on Hillhurst.
* If you're seeing a big, sure to be sold-out movie opening weekend, you'll want to get there pretty early, because people start lining up about 45 minutes ahead of the show.
And if you're hungry after your movie, walk across the street to Il Capriccio's woodfire pizza restaurant on Hollywood. Tasty!
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The most leg room of any movie theater. The Egyptian theme is kinda weird, cuz it makes you feel like you should be watching The Mummy every time you're there. It's not stadium seating, so if the person in front of you happens to be Shaq, enjoy his shiny bald head for the rest of the movie. Also, the seats are a little old school, not exactly those crazy automotive seats at modern theaters. Other than that, there is just something about this place that is really cool. I especially like how there is only one theater, because it makes the place really dedicated to that one show much like an opera or play. Kind of an artsy fartsy place, if you're more of a tech geek or yuppy j.crew person, maybe not the best place.
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I love the Vista, but I haven't been in a while. I used to live down the street and would walk up there all the time to catch a movie. Now I live farther away and the parking is a problem. Last time I went we got a ticket ($45!) for parking in a permit only zone.
It's a beautiful theater, though and the prices are great. If you go make sure you read the street signs carefully, the permit only signs look almost identical to the signs that say you can only park 2 hours from 9-6.
yea its got a great feel to it.. the sound and screen are quite right..
its no arclight.. but the interior design makes up for it.
they take credit cards.. i seem to remember they didnt used to.. but i may be wrong.. either way its cool.. cause the ATM at Vons or whatever grocery store is across from it( it maybe a Ralphs) is close but oh so far...
that crazy intersection makes it feel like a year before you even get to the parking lot..
speaking of parking.. its street parking.. i just take the subway from noho..
and then of course walk the rest of the way from sunset/vermont...
ive had some good experiences here...
go to go to..
i freakin love the vista. watched pirates of the caribbean and indiana jones here (and some other movies) but seriously...this is the best theatre to watch fun movies at. the aisles are huge, lots of leg room. and i dunno why but i like how this is just a one screen theatre, it makes a movie night just um special...haha wuteva. go here, its fun, its fantastic, its pretty inside :D
The best theater in the city. Tons of leg room. Cheap tickets. Real butter on the popcorn.
Done and done.
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Living a couple blocks away, I pass by the theatre all the time. I finally decided to take the plunge and go see the new Indy flick there. I was a little apprehensive because good sound and picture quality are a must for my viewing pleasure, but this venue gets 5 stars easy. Not only was the picture and sound quality great, admission was only $5! I think the last time I paid $5 for a matinee was in the mid 90's (Admission after 6 is only $8). So below is a break down of the pro's and con's
PRO
--Great admission price
--Plenty of leg room, more than enough to have people comfortably walk in front of you. You also don't have to worry about people kicking the back of your seat!
--Soft cushioned chairs (they don't recline though)
--Great lighting
--Cool old Hollywood Egyptian style interior (see photos)
--Nifty blue walkway lights
--Best of all, they have Kit-Kats at the concession stand!
CONS
--Scarce parking
--Cash only
Overall, I LOVED this theatre. It is my new favorite theatre by far and would recommend it to anyone.
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Not a bad seat in the house. Ample leg room. LOVE this theater. Sooo glad it's in my hood. Great place for concerts too. We saw Spiritualized here and I don't think I've ever been to more comfortable concert.
Try to walk if you can and read the parking signs carefully if you park a couple blocks toward Commonwealth. Definitely gotten a couple tickets here.
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i love love loveeeee this theatre. Its a one show theatre. Egyptian theme d. Great sound & picture. The audience are more locals. Silverlake, Los Feliz, Downtowners Yay!! and its cheaper than most theaters!
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A wonderful place to watch a movie! It has a wonderful interior and I also love the fact that the rows are so far apart, lots of leg room!
I can't wait til Indy takes my ticket at the door on Wednesday!
LOVE this theater.
Note: Cash only!
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yes, the folks from grey's anatomy show up all over los feliz. get over it, please, people. as devo would have said, are we not men? show some dignity!
on to the vista! the vista is one of my favorite theaters in all of h-wood and its environs. a $5 matinee can't be beat and the fact that I can walk there makes it all the more appealing.
the egyptian decor is stunning and another little-known fact that most people don't seem to be aware of is the tidbit that where the vista stands now is where part of the giant white elephant set for d.w. griffith's intolerance once stood, before it fell into total disrepair. i love hollywood history!
anyhow, as everyone's mentioned, there's tons of legroom, a big, bright screen, and a terrific sound system. the popcorn is suitably yummy but i wish they had sno-caps!
lots of great and quirky movies open at the vista and there's always a horde of movie-loving geeks hanging out waiting to get in.
all in all, a superlative cinematic funhouse.
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My favorite place to catch a flick in the city for several reason.
1. Only true movie fans come here to actually watch the movie, mostly adults with no obnoxious teens and childrenhanging out talking and complaing about the movie they are watching.
2. Huge screen with sound to rival the arclight.
3. Foot room!
4. It's about 5 bucks cheaper than just about anywhere else.
5. True neighborhood feel, you feel safe to know your money isn't going to some bullshit corporate force.
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This is absolutely my favorite place for movies! Reasons:
1. Good quality picture/sound (could be better, but look at the other PROS)
2. Excellent Atmosphere/ Building and Decorations show lots of history and culture
3. The Audience consists of hipsters, yes....but they are a positive movie going component to the experience. They positively respond to the films. They want to be there and are not disruptive.
4. The pre-movie trailers and notices. So nostalgic!
5. The legroom of the seats! U can live there!
6. The manager! He's super cool and often dresses up as the movie characters (Spider-man, Indiana Jones, etc.)
7. $8 movie tickets ($5 for matinee)
CONS:
1. Poor parking (my friend and I once got a ticket. Very inconspicuous signs.
2. Relatively small.
3. Not the best picture/sound.
I can't judge this place as a movie theater, but it's a great little concert hall (when to see She & Him, to which Tony G. is ever so jealous since I got to see M. Ward live and he didn't). I didn't mind that they put folding chairs in between the uber wide aisles, because I was sitting in one of those folding chairs and felt like I got a way better view of the stage since I wasn't sinking in the chair. Yes, it might have been better for my bum, but I wanted to see.
Happy to see that Spaceland Events did a fine job with this one. The sound quality was great, especially considering the week before I was at the Nokia Theater and the sound there was horrid. Also, we weren't waiting 2 hours outside the theater like the crowd for She & Him the night before. Sucked to be that crowd. Plus, Zooey Deschannel and M. Ward rocked my world. And Jason Schwartzman/Max Fisher/that guy that looks like my friend Eddie made a cameo too... rocked my work.
(Yea, in your face, Tony. In your face.)
(By the way, Tony leaves mean messages for me, but they're in the strange spirit of fun. Who's laughing now, huh?)
***update 6/9/08***
Yes, I've now been to the Vista to see a movie and it was all that it was cracked up to be and more. I saw one of the worst pieces of flaming poop to be put out as a theatrical release--Indiana Jones--but the atmosphere (snakes in relief) more than made up for that whole mess. The sound is so good and the popcorn is great!
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after reading so many great good yelp reviews, decided to go here to see the new batman movie (rather than drive all the way over to the grove and spend 50% more on tickets there, plus parking). i dont think ive spent $9.50 for a nite-time movie ticket since titanic or sixth sense maybe.
the spaces btwn the rows were pretty wide, but i feel like it encouraged ppl to get up during the movie and head out for snacks/bathroom. also, the seats werent that comfortable (no lifting arm rests, no rocking, no head support) and after 200+ minutes of caped crusading i had a bad crick in my neck.
on the plus side, it was clean and the crowd really got in to the movie (but not in a bad way). and as i said the prices cant be beat.
The hipsters in silverlake have probably the best theater in all of Los Angeles. It's not the typical AMC type places, its 1 single theater with 1 screen showing only 1 movie at a time. If they have something you've been wanting to see, I strongly recommend you see it here. The prices are good and the leg room rocks!!! I'm 6'2 and I don't think Ive ever been more comfy in a theater.
GO DO IT!
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I finally went to the Vista this weekend, and I love it! It's an old school theater that has one screen and was packed with folks for a Sunday matinee. A fun, cool place to catch a movie. Inadvertent or not, the lotsa legroom situation is a serious plus.
You don't find theaters like this anymore. With the Egyptian art and pharoahs lining the walls... you get more than just a movie. The cafe next door serves some really good teas, coffee, and pastries to warm you up on those chilly LA nights.
The Vista is a great movie theater and if the marquee has a movie you want to see, do yourself a favor and see it at the Vista.
Yeah, its tough to find parking and you have to read more parking signs than usual to make sure you won't get a citation but the reason there's no parking in the neighborhood is because all that space has been reserved for your legs once you sit down. Comfy stuff!!
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