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| - I'm not sure if my first experience here is representative of every experience I might have here going forward, but first impressions are very positive. And perhaps that's at least a little skewed by the fact that I had admittedly realistic expectations about my visit. You don't go to a small locally owned and operated independent theatre expecting Dolby surround sound or a vast smorgasbord at the refreshment counter or reclining La-Z-Boy style seating. And not surprisingly, you'll find none of that here. What you will find is a fun, funky, relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere that is unique not only to the valley but to cinema in general.
I had been wanting to see "Life Itself", the documentary about legendary film critic Roger Ebert. It didn't last long as an indie film in the big theaters so to my delight, Filmbar was playing this flick on a Friday evening. The theatre is just walking distance from my apartment so I figured why not. The theatre is directly east of Angels Trumpet in a building that I think might've been an auto service shop at one point. When you walk in, you find a dimly lit bar area with a few stools, some lounge style seating near the bar, and a more expansive lounge seating area around the corner. The bar has some things you'd expect to find at a movie theatre (popcorn, peanuts, red vines, M&Ms, etc.) and some things you wouldn't (a bunch of wines and cocktails on the menu plus a dozen craft beers on tap plus many more by the bottle). I came here about 15 minutes before the movie began so I ordered my ticket and a beer up front. Ticket was $9, while the 16 oz. Kiltlifter was about $3.50. With tip and tax, total was $15. Some might understandably think $9 is outrageous for an indie theatre to charge about the same as a Friday night flick at Harkins or AMC. But in deference to supporting a local business, I'm okay with it as long as the experience measures up.
Remember my comment about it probably being a body shop in previous life? Well, when you walk into the theater you can see the garage door on the left as you enter. Fortunately the rest of the setup feels otherwise like a movie theatre (albeit a more crude version from what most are probably used to). The screen is plenty large and there's seating only about maybe 50-60 in there. Theres 5 or 6 rows of traditional theatre seating (which was quite comfortable by the way), or you can grab one of the cocktail tables in the back of the theater and watch with your friends while downing a cold one. There was only about 30 here for this showing so I had plenty of room to relax and enjoy. The sound system (while not Dolby), was surprisingly very good and the room was sound proof from the bar area so you couldn't hear the growing crowds next door. The film was excellent and getting out was super easy even with a packed bar and lounge area waiting for me when I was done.
So okay, this place isn't gonna show the next Marvel blockbuster or Oscar contender (at least not until its long gone from the Harkins & AMCs of the world). But Filmbar proves that going to the movies can be a different kind of event. In many ways Filmbar is about reliving the past, between the retro seating, the red carpet entrance to the theatre, and of course the old school and indie films they bring back to the big screen. Should that experience come at more of a discount? Maybe. But if my first try at Filmbar was any indication of the everyday experience here, even the late Roger Ebert would've found it to be money well spent.
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