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| - Coming from Los Angeles where independent films were as easily accessible as a lady of the night on the streets of Reno, I was shocked when I found out that there weren't many theaters in the greater Phoenix area to watch the independent (but not super obscure) films that I was looking forward to seeing. Before there was FilmBar, most indie loving folks would make the trek from Phoenix to the anything-BUT-indie area of the Scottsdale Fashion Square so that they could catch a movie screening at the Harkins Camelview 5.
This older stand-alone theater is small and cozy. Very much like the more vintage theaters of the 70s, the Camelview, for the longest time, was the only place you could count on seeing a foreign film, documentaries like Food Inc., or even wide-release indie films like Little Miss Sunshine or Vicky Christina Barcelona. I remember times when a movie would be at every theater in L.A, but ONLY at the Camelview in AZ...luckily, things are slowly changing.
Movie prices aren't terribly expensive and parking is free. Concessions are average, staff are friendly (mostly high school kids), and the selections are pretty decent. While this place could use a little face-lift, it's definitely charming and has many dining options nearby. I'm not a big fan of the Harkins chain, but this theater is an exception to the rule.
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