In Hollywood, there's only one place to see movies, The Arclight. The Arclight is located on Sunset Boulevard next to the Cinerama Dome which is actually open now by Arclight for certain movie showings. Inside the theater is where the magic happens:

The experience inside the cinema auditorium is ArcLight's focal point. Designed to exceed THX standards of presentation excellence, ArcLight Hollywood's 14 auditoriums begin with a "black box" design aesthetic which favors undistracted viewing over opulence, and feature the best in sight and sound technology, allowing films to be presented as the filmmakers intend. Auditorium comfort levels are unsurpassed. All cinema chairs are 3 inches wider than current megaplex standards, with 6 inches more legroom. Even the retractable armrests are "double-wide".

The theater also has all-reserved seating so there's no hassle over getting good seats and you can choose your seats if you order your tickets online.

Arclight also has a sit-down restaurant that works around your movie showtime,  a souvenir shop and a cafe/bar. What's cool about Arclight is that you're most likely to be sitting next to someone who worked on that film, is the film star's agent or perhaps the film star.  At the very least, there's a possibility that D-listers like Nicole Richie, Brandon Davis and reality TV stars will be there. That should give you something to blog home about.

[Photo: CourtneyP]

]]> juliana 2006-12-05T15:57:59-05:00 34.097582 -118.32809 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2006/11/14/171445/20

We pulled a total Hollywood tourist move by checking out Hollywood & Highland shopping center (it's where the Kodak theater is and is next to Mann's Chinese Theater.) We found the place to be surprisingly clean and crowd-free, although we did spy some European tourists wearing socks and sandals.

But the main event at H&H this week is the Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog. Essentially, Ocean Spray has been traveling the country with their very own cranberry bog which they set up and re-build in each location, filling with actual cranberries and line with 100-year-old cranberry vines. They then have bog people staff the bog which is nothing more than just educating people about the benefits of cranberries, dispensing free packets of Craisins and bottle of juice and every so often rake the knee-deep bog.

This traveling cranberry show, if you will, has been seen in New York, Chicago, London, Las Vegas (at the Bellagio's conservatory), Jamaica and even Puerto Rico. The bog usually lasts for about a week depending on the location. For instance, London's bog is set up in a conservatory and will be there through March. Puerto Rico and Jamaica only lasted two days.

Insider Tip: Ocean Spray is filming the bog people and posting the videos to their web site. So this could be your chance at internet fame.

Another photo of a very special bog guest after the jump.]]> juliana 2006-11-14T17:14:45-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2006/10/23/164336/17

The Magic Castle in Hollywood is a very apropro attraction for the Halloween season. Home to The Academy of Magical Arts, Inc. and a sort of golf club for professional magicians (minus of course, the golf club), the Magic Castle looks like a haunted house both inside and out.  A mansion built in 1908, the "castle" went through many incarnations, first as a multi-family home, then an elderly care home and a small maze of apartments before TV writer Milt Larsen turned it into a private club for magicians in 1963.

Today, the decor is dark, freaky and a bit gothic. But don't be too scared. There's all sort of hokey haunted tricks going on from a piano that mysteriously plays any song on request (we asked for "Oops I Did It Again" and we got that) to a chirping ghost bird to paintings that move to real-live magicians hanging around to do card tricks.

The castle however does feature live performances in proper theaters with stages, pretty assistants and oddball names like the Parlour of Prestidigation and the Palace of Mystery.

You can also dine there as the restaurant serves dinner each night and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, along with several bars.

However unlike most Haunted Houses, the Magic Castle is a members-only place. So you need to know someone to get in and when you do, you must abide by the castle's dress code which state coat and tie are required for men (no denim, no zippered jackets, sweatshirts or sneakers) and women should be in a cocktail dress , skirt or matching pantsuit.

This may sound stuffy but in a town where people still wear Uggs with jean skirts and Ryan Seacrest t-shirts, it's quite refreshing.

Insider Tip: If you go this weekend, that is if your Magic Castle connection lets you go this weekend, costumes are strongly encouraged.

[Photo: Comic Mummy]]]> juliana 2006-10-23T16:43:36-05:00 34.104560 -118.34181 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2006/9/7/14516/49561
Ben Affleck takes a break from fatherhood to return to the big screen in today's pick: Hollywoodland.  We've already heard raves about Diane Lane's performance in this one as well, as in it's Oscar-worthy.

The film, "a uniquely compelling exploration of fame and identity", centers around one of Tinseltown's most famous real-life murder mysteries: George Reeve, aka the original Superman. His mother seeks justice and gets a private investigator involved, promising dangerous situations aside from watching Ben Affleck try serious drama.

As the film was shot almost entirely in Canada (not again! yawn) we're offering up some fun things for you to check out in the real Hollywood!:

Where To Stay:
Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
See and be seen at one of town's hippest spots. Just redone last year, this hotel dates back to 1927 and has hosted everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Lindsay Lohan. The outdoor heated pool is the place to party, and be sure to catch the David Hockney mural that graces the pool's bottom. Guest rooms feature crazy amenities like Dean & DeLuca "pantries" and linens by Sferra. Hole up and watch the scandal unfold.

Where To Eat:
Empress
Hop on over to West Hollywood to check out Thomas Schoos' latest in the former crappy Sushi on Sunset space. Empress features a blue interior, with nice views, and lots of bamboo. Pan Asian menu items are great for sharing and snacking, so bring your favorite starlet.

Where To Visit:
The Hollywood Museum
We know, we know...sounds hokey, but worth it. Located in the historic Max Factor building, the Hollywood Museum has a plethora of old time photos and displays and is currently running a whole exhibit on Babs' Legacy Collection. A hilarious afternoon to get kitschy. Be sure to walk all over the "Walk of Fame" just outside.
]]> sedona 2006-09-08T07:04:04-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2006/1/10/12737/6975

Southern California is to good burgers what Seattle is to grunge music.

From Dick and Mac McDonald flipping away in San Bernardino to Harry and Esther Snyder serving millions at Baldwin Park--SoCal knows burgers.

Unfortunately, many of the old time burger stands have gone the way of the dinosaur, mostly to make room for condos and pre fab strip mall bullshit.

Luckily, West Hollywood's Irv's Burgers is still around.

More Tasty Irv's Post Break]]> markj 2006-01-10T12:07:37-05:00 34.090700 -118.37003 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/