Latest news with #Cinespia
Forbes
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Why Everyone In Los Angeles Is Dressing Up To See Movies In A Cemetery
In its 24th year screening movies at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Cinespia has become a must-do summer activity in Los Angeles. Cinespia/Kelly Lee Barrett Short of scoring a box at the Hollywood Bowl or primo seats at Dodger Stadium, there may be no outdoor experience more quintessentially Los Angeles than spreading out a blanket on the grass at Hollywood Forever Cemetery and watching a movie with 4,000 strangers at a Cinespia screening. Cinespia is L.A.'s longest running outdoor film series and has transformed the city's most famous resting place into one of the city's liveliest summer traditions. What began in 2002 with a modest screening of Strangers on a Train has grown into a 24-year cultural phenomenon, complete with pre-show DJs, vintage inspired photo booths, food trucks and cinematic cosplay that could make even the dearly departed celebs nearby (Rudolph Valentino, Judy Garland, Burt Reynolds, et al) do a double take. Set amid the graves and mausoleums of Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Cinespia draws a crowd of thousands on its movie screening nights. Cinespia/Kelly Lee Barrett I love the Cinespia atmosphere no matter what film is screening. On movie nights, Fairbanks Lawn is a combo of backyard movie night, fashion show and picnic party. This past weekend's screening of Romy & Michele's High School Reunion had moviegoers dressing up in blue and silver empire-waist minidresses and taking credit for inventing the Post-it note. This being Los Angeles, celebrities and filmmakers often show up to introduce the screenings, including Demi Moore, Cameron Crowe, Drew Barrymore, QuestLove and the late Paul Reubens. As Cinespia closes out the summer 2025 season, fans are looking ahead to Labor Day weekend and beyond with a roster of crowd-pleasing favorites. Here's what's coming up: Saturday, August 30: The Princess Bride Sunday, August 31 – The Silence of the Lambs Saturday, September 6 – This Is Spinal Tap (with Rob Reiner in person). Saturday, September 13 – Alien I'm always curious about the behind-the-scenes on successful ventures like this, so I checked in with Cinespia founder John Wyatt to ask a few burning questions. Cinespia continues through Labor Day and beyond with upcoming screenings of Princess Bride (August 30), Silence of the Lambs (August 31), This is Spinal Tap (September 6) and Alien (September 13). Cinespia/Kelly Lee Barrett David Hochman: When you started screening movies in a cemetery, did you think of it as a joke, an art project or something else completely? It was a an audacious move. John Wyatt: Originally, we were a film club. A group of us would go see classic movies in a traditional theater. Then I'd plan an after-party to make it more enticing. The club topped out at 100 people, so I started looking for our own place to screen films. Hollywood Forever Cemetery was perfect, with all the Hollywood history, a big open lawn and a mausoleum wall to project on. So, in most ways the original mission is the same as today—to create a fun experience that would lure people out to a classic film. That focus helped me shape the business model early on, with a clear directive for every season, and guidelines that my team could follow. Hochman: Was there one moment early on when you went, 'Whoa, this is a bigger success than I ever imagined?' Wyatt: Immediately it was a success, and when I heard the applause at the end of my first showing, I knew I was on to something. From there, word of mouth spread like wildfire. The dual features of the screenings being this exotic, special event in a wild location, plus a secret happening known only to a few, really fueled the fire. I did no traditional advertising and still haven't, and hearing about the events from friends proved to be so powerful that everyone wanted to join in. We still have that working for us. Even if people haven't been to Cinespia before, they've heard about it from all their friends. This phenomenon is the most compelling advertising, as any studio exec can tell you, and it was a large part of our success. So I'd say it was accidental at first, but I seized on it and made it part of our business. Early on we turned down the Today Show because we thought it would ruin our word of mouth mojo. They have never asked us back! Hochman: You don't need them! You've got a super loyal and super cool fan following. How do you balance the reverence for the past with staying relevant a young audience? Wyatt: I think building lots of extras around the movie helps sustain the appeal. Great DJs playing before the movie, popular restaurants serving food, stylish lighting — we bring over 70 individual lights per show — hosting A-list guests and surprise appearances by the stars of the movies. All that creates a very buzzy atmosphere. For the past 15 years we have built a bespoke photo studio, custom themed to each film, at every event. We have sets, props, professional lighting and photographers who print beautiful photo prints. It's free for all customers and is wildly popular. We see over a thousand guests pose per night. The photo studio encourages people to dress up, in costume or in fashion, and sets a standard on our audience's looks. People see our party photographer Kelly Lee Barrett's great pics on social media and our website and they want to join in. Hochman: And I've heard you screen movies, too. Wyatt: Ha. Yes. The movie has to play in an engaging way and feel fresh and modern. Identifying the films that can still work magic on an audience of 4,000 people is our 'secret sauce' that keeps people coming back with the excitement of the crowd bringing us over the finish line. One benefit of doing these screenings for 24 years is we have patrons who grew up coming to Cinespia. The movies their parents loved are now some of their favorites, I'm sure a few are already bringing their kids to the movies. Movies that debuted in your childhood hold a certain potency. We love turning the audience on to old classics, and adding recent great films they love to the canon. By always looking at our events from the customer's POV, we've been able to keep our screenings relevant, fun and inspiring, and that's what keeps us going. Hochman: What's ahead for Cinespia? New locations? Cinespia 3D? Wyatt: For many years, we have done Cinespia screenings at other historic locations, including Los Angeles State Historic Park, Griffith Park, the 1920s movie palaces of DTLA and now even The Rose Bowl. These are places with historic value and vintage appeal tied to L.A.'s history. Beyond that, we would love Cinespia to teach people in other cities and countries how to create unforgettable film events in their communities and keep the love of going out to the movies an enduring passion around the world. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes Why Everyone In Music Is Watching Blue Note's New Hollywood Club By David Hochman Forbes 'Jaws' Turns 50: The Summer Blockbuster That Still Dominates Pop Culture By David Hochman Forbes The Most Joyful Live Show In America Right Now Might Be Cory Henry's By David Hochman
Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
The Vegas Minute: Survive the Summer in Style
'It's … hot.' – 'It's always hot.' – 'It's incredibly hot.' – 'Why are we here?!' For the uninitiated Vegas traveler, yes, it can be quite warm in the summer (Koppen climate classification Bwh: Hot Desert, if you want to get specific) so expect temps to soar into the high 90s, if not 110s, during your summer stay. Of course, the city is fully aware of the sunshine and has many ways to cool off: A/C's pumping 24/7, frosty frozen drinks and treats around every corner and, of course, hundreds and hundreds of unique pools to soak in. But if you're getting pruny in the water, what to do? Here are three absolutely unconventional, 'only-in-Vegas' ways to beat the heat! Unless you're up at 5 a.m., you're not going to get 18 holes of golf in during your stay without some serious sunshine beating down. Instead, try your hand at golf in the miniature at Swingers. Located within Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, this wild take on mini golf features four 'crazy golf' courses, all surrounding a faux English country house. The courses feature familiar miniature golf trappings like windmills, as well as wilder challenges like jumps and loops. The family-friendly venue also features carnival games, Detroit-style pizza, delicious burgers and a delightful drink menu (and yes, some are frozen!). Best of all, the entire venue falls under the merciful layer of famed Vegas A/C, so you can wile out the heat of the day, having a blast and trying for that elusive hole-in-one. Of course, it's not just Vegas that is hot during the summer months – we all live within that extended dome of high temps that comprises the American Southwest. So, no matter where you go for a weekend escape, you'll be feeling some perspiration. Why not soar above it all? Flyover in Las Vegas, a unique movie-meets-ride-meets-experience, offers an immersive (and mercifully cool) way to see the splendor of our region. Hanging over a giant screen, you'll soar and move over stunning scenery from the West, including the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park and Lake Tahoe, all while feeling the mist, the breeze and the ups and downs of your adventure as your seat sways, swoops and caroms over the wraparound visuals. It's as close as you can come to being there, but one thing the designers edited out was the heat! Wait, what? L.A. has Cinespia. It's a very fun way to see a film outside – and L.A. gets cool at night. Why would you want to watch a movie outside in Las Vegas' summer? What if it's a 'Dive-In Movie'? At the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas' Pool District, fan-favorite movies will be projected on their enormous marquee screen overlooking the Boulevard Pool on Mondays during the summer season. As the sun goes down and the heat backs off a bit, you can settle in with your feet in the pool and a frozen cocktail to catch The Goonies (June 23), Despicable Me (July 7) or even Elf for a little 'Christmas in July' (on the 25th during a special Friday showing and a themed night with special cocktails and bites). You can even get fancy and rent a cabana for the all-ages event, but let's be real here – in the heat of the summer, why wouldn't you take in a fine feature film from the pool itself?
Time Out
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
L.A. is home to two of the most beautiful outdoor cinemas in the world, per ranking
Out of all of the beautiful places to catch an outdoor movie on this planet of ours, two are located in Los Angeles—or so says, uh, us. Yes, Time Out editors have recently ranked the best outdoor cinemas in the world, spanning Cannes to Cape Town to Cumbria to, yes, California. And in a movie-loving town like Los Angeles, few things bring Angelenos more joy than cozying up with fellow film lovers for a fun movie under the stars. But it certainly helps when that outdoor movie is enjoyed in a setting as sumptuous as what's onscreen. Out of 30 of the world's most stunning alfresco cinemas on Time Out's list, Los Angeles is home to two, and one cracked the top five worldwide. Coming in fourth place is Cinespia, a local favorite that hosts dazzling screenings around town at Rose Bowl Stadium, the Greek Theatre, Los Angeles State Historic Park and, arguably most stunning of them all, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Now, hanging out in a cemetery to watch Romy and Michele's High School Reunion might initially seem strange but set on the large Fairbanks Lawn and projected directly onto a mausoleum, it proves to be a truly picturesque spot to, well, catch a picture. Every summer, Cinespia shows classic movie favorites in the same resting places of hundreds of Hollywood stars and musicians including Judy Garland, Jayne Mansfield, Johnny Ramone, Bugsy Siegel, and Rudolph Valentino. Bring a picnic, including your favorite wine, or purchase food onsite before setting up camp with blankets, pillows, and low chairs. Stay for the live DJ set after the movie, a perfect wind-up experience inside this cemetery founded in 1899 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In the 23rd spot on Time Out's list sits Los Angeles' Rooftop Cinema Club, a flawless place to snap 'ussies' with your partner in front of the L.A. skyline before the movie starts. See cult classics as well as new releases at this outdoor venue that got its start in London and has evolved globally to rooftop locations all across the US. There's a bar and lounge, plenty of noshes and nibbles, and wireless headphones that deliver the best high-tech sound. You'll just have to choose between an Adirondack chair or loveseat.
Time Out
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
These are the most beautiful outdoor cinemas in the U.S., says new ranking
We all love watching a movie unfold on the big screen outside—whether perched on your picnic blanket with a bottle of wine or reclining in your car with popcorn and soda. And if it so happens that the place where the movie is shown features an incredible backdrop of its own—a wooded space or a beautiful city skyline—that just makes the experience all the more inviting. It's cinematography on a grand scale! And Time Out celebrated just that with its newly revealed list of the most beautiful outdoor cinemas in the U.S. Coming out on top in America (and No. 4 on the worldwide list) is Cinespia at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles. It may provide an eerie setting to watch a movie in a cemetery but don't worry; you'll be sitting on a grassy lawn and not a gravestone. Bring your blanket and your own snacks to watch the film projected onto the back of a mausoleum. Silver screen ghosts will radiate approval around you, like Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney and Cecil B DeMille, who are all buried here. This summer's remaining shows include Psycho, Zoolander, Point Break and The Addams Family (Anjelica Houston and Christina Ricci at their best!), as well as a double feature 'Full Moon Slumber Party' with An American Werewolf in London and The Lost Boys. The outdoor screenings include extras like themed photobooths and DJ fireworks sometimes. Second on our domestic list (No. 17 worldwide) is Red Rocks Amphitheatre just outside Denver, Colorado. While mainly known as a live concert venue nestled in (what else?) monolithic red rocks with spectacular views over the scrub brush dotted hillsides, the Film on the Rocks movie series opens when warm weather hits the Rockies. This summer, there are five showings total, with one left on August 18: Shrek 2. This extraordinary venue has to be seen to be believed; it's breathtaking. If you arrive early, it's fun to scramble over the rows of backless stone steps that provide seating. And coming in at No. 23 worldwide is the Rooftop Cinema Club in Los Angeles. (We can personally attest that this is a great place to see The Shining!) You'll arrive just as the sun sets to grab food and beverages from the rooftop snack bar—and to grab photos of the city seen from above. You'll get your own personal headphone set to ensure you dial up the volume you want while you sit back and take in a big-screen favorite. (RCC showcases new releases as well as cult classics.) The club has eight locations across the U.S., but only the downtown L.A. location puts you in the heart of movie-making country.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tom Holland Makes Surprise Appearance at Bero Pop-Up Bar in Los Angeles
Tom Holland surprised fans by serving them drinks at a Bero pop-up The Spider-Man actor is the co-founder of the non-alcoholic beer brand, which launched in October 2024 'Double Tasty West Coast Style IPA' joins Noon Wheat, Edgy Hill Hazy IPA and Kingston Golden Pils as Bero's lineupTom Holland's latest Bero flavor has officially arrived! On Saturday, June 7, the 29-year-old actor and non-alcoholic beer brand co-founder surprised fans at a Bero pop-up at Cinespia's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood screening at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles. As brand ambassadors provided Bero's lineup of non-alcoholic beers to a long line of attendees, Holland sneakily made his way to the bar and began serving drinks himself. Double Tasty West Coast Style IPA is the latest beverage to join the brand's three other flavors, which include Noon Wheat, Edgy Hill Hazy IPA and Kingston Golden Pils. All were available as crowds descended upon the easy-to-spot bar, adorned with orange, gold and green balloons to coordinate with Bero's branding. After making sure everyone was taken care of, Holland also said a few words to the crowd before Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was shown against the back of the cemetery's mausoleum from a projection screen. 'This is the coolest thing I've ever seen," the Spider-Man star said once he thanked Cinespia for having him. He continued, 'I am here tonight representing Bero and we are launching our new Double Tasty West Coast IPA, so I could not be prouder to be launching that here, in the West Coast, in my second home. So if you haven't already, go to our booth, the Beros are free, the drinks are on us tonight.' 'Enjoy this evening, enjoy this movie in arguably the coolest way possible. Stay safe, folks. Thank you for all the love and support. I love you all. This is so exciting, and have a great night,' Holland said as fans cheered him on. 'Thank you so much! It's f---ing Bero!' The most recent flavor was released just one day after Holland's June 1 birthday after the brand's official launch in October 2024. A press release Bero shared with PEOPLE calls Double Tasty 'a bold, hop-forward addition' to the portfolio. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'While the West Coast IPA is widely known for its Californian roots, its lineage traces back to Britain, where pale ales and IPAs first laid the groundwork for hop-centric brewing,' the release adds. 'Bero's version bridges these two traditions, honoring the precision of British technique and the unapologetic character of the American West.' Saturday's Once Upon a Time screening was presented by Cinespia, Amazon MGM Studios, Prime Video and Wondery. Read the original article on People
