UCLA, Westwood offer variety of moviegoing opportunities
By Daily Bruin Staff
Aug. 11, 2002 9:00 p.m.
Daily Bruin Contributor
[email protected]
From the theaters on campus to the movie palaces in Westwood,
options are plentiful and prices are low (relatively) for UCLA
student moviegoers who want to save a buck or two when watching the
latest flick on the big screen.
With discounted movie tickets available from the Central Ticket
Office and campus organizations like the Campus Events Commission
and Melnitz Movies that screen new films for free, there usually
isn’t a week during the school year that UCLA students
don’t get the opportunity to watch movies for much less than
what people are paying everywhere else.
The Campus Events Commission, which works to bring free advance
screenings to UCLA students, screens most of its movies in the
Ackerman Grand Ballroom and Freud Playhouse, allowing students to
take a sneak peak at new movies sometimes even months before
they’re officially released. This past year, major films like
“Windtalkers” and “Insomnia” were screened
on campus to packed audiences who often waited for an hour or more
to get seats.
“We usually do eight every quarter, everything from really
huge films like “˜Scorpion King’ or “˜Bourne
Identity,’ to even the smaller ones” said Jenny
Jordan-Wong, the 2001-2002 Campus Events film staff director.
Sometimes, along with the screening, someone involved in the
production of the movie, usually an actor, producer or director,
will come to speak about the project after the film is shown. One
of the more popular guests this year, Adam Sandler, appeared after
a screening of “Mr. Deeds” to record the newest version
of his “Chanukah Song” to be released on his new album
later this year.
When an upcoming sneak preview comes to campus, students are
made aware through signboards on Bruin Walk and advertisements in
the Daily Bruin, which give details on when tickets will be
available at 319 Kerckhoff Hall. For screenings that include a
guest speaker or question-and-answer session, Jordan-Wong
recommends picking them up as soon as possible, as tickets are
limited.
In addition to film sneaks, the Campus Events Commission also
screens second-run movies for half the price of renting them,
usually showing films that are ending their run in theaters but not
yet released to video stores. A total of four screenings are shown
each week in the Ackerman Grand Ballroom, where tickets can be
purchased at the door.
“If you haven’t seen the movie yet, it’s a
good chance to see it still for the first time, and even if you
have seen the film already, you can see it again on the big screen
for only two dollars, really cheap,” Jordan-Wong said.
Another organization on campus, Melnitz Movies, funded by the
UCLA Graduate Students Association, screens movies on campus for
free in the James Bridges Theater. With films ranging from “Y
Tu Mama Tambien” to “A Rumor of Angels,”
there’s usually a unique offering of alternative and
independent films not necessarily available in mainstream
theaters.
“I think the most important thing about Melnitz Movies is
that we provide free film screenings that represent a variety of
cultures and inspire many different people. Although we do show an
occasional mainstream Hollywood film, we focus our programming on
positive and diverse representation of all people,” said
Victoria Irigoyen, director of Melnitz Movies.
For those who have a few extra dollars to spend around town,
Westwood is also well-known for its state-of-the-art movie
theaters, equipped with top quality sound systems and oversized
screens.
Designed in 1930 by P.P. Lewis, the Westwood Village
Theatre, a Mann theater recognized by its tall FOX tower, and
commonly known as the Fox, is one of many commercial theaters,
which include other Mann establishments as well as Avco and the new
Landmark theater. The Fox is located on Broxton Avenue, seats over
1,300 movie patrons and is THX-approved to play Dolby Digital, SRD,
SDDS and DTS soundtracks. Although tickets are $10, students get
discounted tickets of $7.50 at the box office and $5.25 at
UCLA’s Central Ticket Office.
According to Rana Matthes, Mann Theaters’ vice president
of film and marketing, anywhere from 40 to 50 films, including this
year’s “Ocean’s Eleven” and
“Spider-Man,” are premiered at the Westwood Village
each year. With stars coming out to walk the red carpet, star
gazing has become a favorite of UCLA students.
“It’s fun when you walk out of Starbucks from a long
day of studying only to find yourself in the middle of a humongous
movie premiere. One time, I looked up from my table and realized
that Ben Affleck and Morgan Freeman were less than 20 feet away
from me walking into the theater,” said Katherine Duncan, a
second-year undergraduate.
With the abundant amount of venues on campus and in town, UCLA
students have many options to choose from when they want to catch a
film. From free advance screenings to discounted tickets in town,
movies at UCLA are an affordable form of entertainment and often
prove to be a good alternative to a long night of studying.
