(Lucia Marquez-Uppman • The Student Life)
“What just happened in there?”
As we emerged from the dark confines of the theater and out into the bright sunlight, my friend and I laughed together. We’d just watched “Poor Things” and were trying to wrap our heads around the last two hours spent following its crazy narrative.
Founded in 2007, the Laemmle Claremont 5 theater is a classic place to visit in the heart of the Village. Whether you’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of a movie or you just want to browse what’s showing, the Laemmle is the perfect spot to spend a Friday evening or free afternoon.
I remember first visiting the theater in October, when my friends and I decided to watch “Bottoms.” As we filed into the theater, we noted how small and unassuming it seemed. The Laemmle certainly isn’t comparable in scale to large, sweeping AMCs or Regals. It’s small with only 5 auditoriums.
However, what the Laemmle lacks in grandiosity, it certainly makes up for in spunk. A table near the entrance lists the theater chain’s expansive history. There are various Pedro Almodóvar film posters scattered around the walls in the bathrooms. A bulletin board advertises upcoming local events about cinema.
The Laemmle Theatre group was first established in 1938 by Max and Kurt Laemmle, the nephews of Universal Pictures founder Carl Laemmle. There are seven locations in total around Southern California and in Washington State, including Santa Monica, West Los Angeles and North Hollywood.
The Laemmle’s historical focus as an arthouse means that its theaters often host anniversary screenings of acclaimed movies. Whenever I pass by the theater, they’re usually showing a classic film or two. “Spirited Away” and “Amelie” are a couple of recent films that have been showcased.
Not only is the Laemmle a staple local business serving the surrounding community, it’s also a durable reminder of the power of cinema-going.
College streaming culture is all-encompassing: We’re hardwired to immediately go to Netflix or Hulu to watch a movie. We’re so used to simply streaming content on our phones and computers, which is understandable due to its ease and accessibility.
At the risk of sounding like an insufferable film bro, however, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of watching a movie on the big screen. The only thing you can focus on is what’s directly in front of you and you’re not as tempted to check your phone, mindlessly open a social media app or fruitlessly try to multitask on a reading for class.
“Not only is the Laemmle a staple local business serving the surrounding community, it’s also a durable reminder of the power of cinema-going.”
Watching a movie in a theater with friends serves as a space for connection. Everyone’s schedules are immensely busy and it can be difficult to find time to spend together outside of classes or clubs. Taking the time to disconnect from everything around us and simply spend a couple hours in a dark room watching a movie can be meaningful.
It’s also important to recognize the impact of streaming services on the cinema space. Our very own Laemmle theater has undergone the threat of closure in the past few years: A buyer wanted to tear down the property and convert the theater into a hotel, restaurants and a lounge.
Even though chain president Greg Laemmle called off the sale of the theater in January 2023, stating that it would stay off the market, the larger challenge of theater closures continues to loom large. Just last month, SoCal’s historic Highland Theater in Highland Park closed for good despite it being a staple in the community for over 100 years; following the pandemic, it just couldn’t compete with other entertainment outlets.
The next time you plan on watching a movie, rather than immediately heading to streaming platforms, see if it’s showing in the cinema.
Indeed, the cost of going to the movies itself isn’t always sustainable or feasible for everyone. However, 5C students can purchase discounted tickets for the Laemmle and all Regal theaters for $7 at the Associated Students of Pomona College office.
Whether it be at the Laemmle Theater or another local cinema, it’s critical to be intentional about where and how you consume media.
So, go watch a movie on the big screen! You just might find, like my friends and I, that you enjoy the experience more.
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