Another Saturday Night...

 ...and I ain't got no movie.  

Or however that song goes.

The five year anniversary of the official COVID lockdown happened this last weekend and it was a grim reminder of one of the major losses we endured as movie fans in Hollywood.

That would be the demise of the Arclight Hollywood movie complex anchored by the legendary Cinerama Dome as seen above.  The theater got boarded up with the first revelation of facial masks and, despite some optimistic rumors on-line, it remains shuttered to this day.

So sad.

I mean, it wasn't that long ago when, on any given Saturday night, you could find a movie to go see.  And usually it was playing at my theater of choice...as seen above.

This was a place to go with its lobby that resembled an airport terminal which told you which "gate" your film was leaving from.  This place was not your typical shopping mall multiplex like the dreaded AMC with its endless array of pre-feature trailers.   Nope, this is where the industry preferred to see their movies. No bells and/or whistles.  Comfortable seating and wonderful snacks.   The caramel popcorn, made on the premises, was to die for.

If you went to the Arclight Hollywood during Christmas week, you would be guaranteed of at least two celebrity sightings every time.   I saw Teri Hatcher on the concession line.   Richard Chamberlain and Pierce Brosnan in the terrific on-site restaurant that had the best French Dip sandwich in town. 

Back in 2015 when I had some health issues and then fractured my kneecap to boot, my best bud Leo came over to entertain me.   And what did I want to do on that Saturday night? We saw the latest James Bond film at the Arclight.   And I was alive again. 

Yep, it was the place to be and they did movies right.

And now it still languishes as an eye sore with plywood boards on the windows left over from the George Floyd Black Lives Matter riots.  There are rumors that a new owner has gotten a liquor license and then new in-theater restaurants are planned.   

Yet, it still sits like another example of urban plight.   True, the movie business has changed and people are more comfortable watching Oscar buzz on their sofas.  But, still, there is nothing like the anticipation of a big blockbuster playing at the historic Dome.

Movies like they ought to be.  Sadly, it's like the policeman at the site of an auto accident on the 405.

"Keep on moving.  There is nothing to see here."

Dinner last night:  Salad.