hella indy-film megaplex

i'm conflicted: as much as i hate the film presentation at certain local art-house theatres, i'm wary of this. landmark, who i think are now partially owned by billionaire mark cuban, will roll out this independent film megaplex theatre in '07. if it succeeds, which it no doubt will, expect more of the same in other california markets, including sacramento (perhaps—landmark left sacto in the '90s).

i'm a fan of the arclight theatre in west hollywood. it's a yuppie hellhole, fo sure, but the sound, projection, and overall presentation can't be beat. i'll gladly pay $11 to go there over, say, whatever the hell it costs to go to the mediocre laemmle's sunset.

of course, i don't like to see the pricing out cinema purists. again, i say we need a state-sponsored film society, a la france, where the government subsidizes small, one-screen art houses that show international films. this is the only way. you'd think a governor who owes so much to cinema might be open to such a plan ...