Cinearts Palo Alto Square
Palo Alto, CA 94306 (650) 493-3456
40 Reviews for Cinearts Palo Alto Square
This is a really good theater in terms of comfort and cleanliness, as well as showing some good movies you may not find at more mainstream theaters. The seats are comfortable, there's a lot of space between rows, and it's always clean (none of that creepy floor stickiness). Just don't get confused by the numerous doors in their lobby that are locked; I had the embarrassing experience of trying to doors right by the ticket counter, only to discover they were locked. The doors on the far right have always worked for me. I just wish they showed more variety of movies; they only seem to be showing one or two titles at a time. I guess that's the downside of a small theater.
I've seen a few films here, including one of my fave films Murderball, and it's always a good experience. The place is comfortable, even when it's really crowded, which has gotten rare. I love the seats, the projection is solid (and for a CineArts, that's rare) and the sound system is great.
To paraphrase Bart Simpson, I come for the convenience, but stay for the legroom. They've put great big aisles in and that's a really good thing. I've found myself stretched out and it really helps the viewing experience.
The drawbacks are three: it's a CineArts so it's kinda pricey (still cheaper than most AMC screens, though), the parking is rarely a problem, but the day shows might require a walk, and concession stand isn't staffed to the level where the waits are short during the busy times. The last two visits I made I waited a lot longer than I expected and missed valuable previews!
So I came here this past Sunday to see "Brideshead Revisited"-- the fact that I didn't have to drive to the city to see this movie was awesome. This place is so hidden, but it's great!! I COULD NOT believe how much leg room there was... that in itself is a huge plus. If someone needs to pass you, you don't have to scrunch yourself in a little ball, or do that half sitting/half standing awkward stance that you would in one of the other theatres. Also, the seats are staggered so you don't have to worry about someone sitting infront of you. These seats are super comfortable- headrests too!
Another plus-- it was only $7! Beats $10.50 or whatever.
This place has the roomiest seating ever! You will never have to move your knees so someone can pass by. I was in the theater on the left - there are only two screens one right and one left. I'm not sure if the right theater is the same sized. The screen I experienced is huge and the seats are staggered to you won't have someone's head in your way. The seats are cushy and have the cupholder and moveable armrest. The bathrooms are clean too. There is not way you aren't going to like this theater unless you want throngs of teenagers being loud around you like at Mercado.
This is one of the best secrets in Palo Alto. Easy parking usually, nice lobby with a chess set, nice seating (if not stadium - haven't found the seating to be a problem), good screen and sound quality. Best yet, use those discounted tickets for the Century Theaters that you buy at Costco here - same chain, which makes this $7 for indie films.
Many a great memory at this place.
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I met up with some friends to watch "Stop-Loss" and was sure that I had made a wrong turn and gotten myself lost. The theater is small and isn't visible from the main road, but it's the perfect place to see a movie if you want to avoid large crowds and busy parking lots. Inside, the theater was clean, the seats comfortable, and the sound/picture on the screen perfect.
Sure the big, flashy, fancy megaplexes are fun to go to, but every now and then you just want to go somewhere to escape it all and relax. This is definitely one of those places. It looks like they show some classics and indie flicks at this theater, which only add to its appeal. I don't know what the theater will be playing next, but I would return in a heartbeat.
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This is a great place to see indie films. The first time I went here was to take my sisters to the opening of the Blair Witch project... for you youngsters, that was back in the 90s... before Yelp. =)
I recently went here to see No Country for Old Men with some friends. We had a great time and the screen was just the right size.
Great little theater. Saw Darjeeling Limited here. Nice comfy new seats. Quite cushy. No stadium seating though. Easy parking, but I've never been when it's crowded. Will definitely be back!
Sometimes I feel like driving south...
Sometimes I feel like visiting a climate that is not frigid...
Sometimes I like to see foreign films...with a bunch of elderly people.
If you're feeling old, go south young man! There is nothing like holding the door open for a stream of walkers and canes to make you feel like an unhatched spring chicky. (Please note: I love old people, and I carry an AARP card, and these people deserve to have the door held, because simply, they rock!)
And if you're feeling like a homogenized piece of American cheese, and you want to feel as cultured as Cave Aged Gruyere, watch a movie at Palo Alto Square (hehe, that rhymes *Kara D. has patted herself on the back*)
They renovated the interior by adding plushy electric blue velveteen seats. Parking is always abundant. They only screen two films at a time, but they are usually the ones you want to see. Too bad they're no longer showing "Teeth" the movie about the whoo-whoo with dentures. I really wanted to see what that was all about, especially since it was une comedie.
*Note to Walmart who pushes promotional pamphlets at the ticket booth: I do not want to buy a pink mini skirt emblazoned with Hanna Montana, or a Hanna Montana g-string. Please review your demographic research for this theater ('cause you're making me, and the geri's feel old)
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This is a small theatre; they usually only show two independent films at a time, but they are always good ones. Some of the movies I have seen here are l'Auberge Espagnole, Monsoon Wedding, and most recently, "Teeth". The candy selection is decent, I only ever look for Sour Patch Kids and they had these, so I was happy, but they had the entire standard selection of movie snacks as well. It's really too bad that this place only shows one or two independent films at a time, because they have the nicest royal blue plush seating, with high back rests (so you can't see the head in front of you, just the seat back) and armrests that fold up so you can snuggle with your date if the movie is scary :) If only Century Park theatres or the AMC Mercado had seats like these...
If ever there is a movie playing here that you want to see, definitely try to see it here rather than anywhere else! You need to experience these wonderfully squishy five-star seats. Also, this is one of the cleanest theatres I have been to. It didn't smell like nasty popcorn butter anywhere in the theatre, and not once did my shoes stick to the floor! Either no one spills their soda here, or they're just really good at keeping the place clean. Either way, a very nice place to see a movie, and seeing as every movie I have seen here has been good, it has always been a lovely experience.
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I almost hyperventilated when I found out this theater was showing "The Kite Runner."
It's one of my all time favorite books, and I was disappointed when the movie theaters near my house didn't show it. But, then again, maybe it was too classy of a movie to play in my town..ha ha!
It was opening night, and I was amongst the most artsy of *farts* (i mean this as a compliment--i consider myself one) in line in Palo Alto. I was a bit nervous because the building looked so small but was stupefied at how actually big the theater was inside!
The movie was great, the seats were comfortable, and the experience was divine!
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This is an adult movie theater, and by adult movie theater I don't mean Adult Movie Theater. It shows movies by grownups for grownups, not movies of grownups doing grownup things, if you get my drift.
This means that when you attend a showing here, you will not have to deal with a vapid, clueless mouth-breather who will take 3 minutes to key in your Fandango confirmation number while the entirety of the line that formed behind you streams past taking all the decent seats because she can't type with her Corn Chip Nail Tips, as happened last night to us at Century's downtown San Mateo cinemalopolis.
Neither will you have to deal with an automaton who, when you order popcorn, hears "Kettle Corn" and hands you a bag of essentially kandykorn.
Speaking of corn, the seats around you will not be filled with the Children of the Corn out for a laugh.
It's so nice to go out to a good movie (like 3 or 4 of them are released every year! honest!) and sit in a nice theater with a good but modest snack bar and see films surrounded by people who shut off their cell phones, don't talk through the film, don't carry in elaborate stinky gushy-sounding takeout meals to eat off the back of your neck, and aren't endlessly amused by their prepaid cellphones such that they need to flip open the lid and flip through their SMS messages to find out if their buddy talked that chick from school into giving him...nevermind.
Just suffice it to say, it is nice to watch a real movie with real grownups all around.
I agree with the impeccable KQN that they often leave films up for too long and I wonder what the economic factor is that encourages them to do so. It seems like The Queen was at this theatre for months and months. Don't get me wrong, Helen Mirren deserves the screen time, but it was a bit much.
Civilization can be so rewarding.
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I tried this theater today because it was showing a film that hasn't been rolled out to many theaters yet, and I have to say that it exceeded my expectations.
Call me a sell-out to corporate America, but I like the modern fancy-schmancy megaplex experience. I'm a bit leery going to a small theater (although this one is owned by Cinemark) and not knowing what I might find there. Bad sound, bad screen, bad focus, crappy chairs...I've seen it all. Cinearts had none of this. In fact, the seats were of the most comfortable I've experienced with a ridiculously big aisle in between rows. The screen was humongous and crisp, and the sound was great. Also, you don't have delinquent teeny boppers here which is a big plus in my book.
One star off for the lack of stadium seating, but I'll definitely be back for more $7 matinees to see quality films.
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Back before they remodeled this place, the hallways from the foyer to the theater were quite dark, and the walls dark too.
So there I am with a large container of popcorn and 2 sodas, and I hear the previews starting, so I book it into the theater. And by the theater, I mean the dark wall next to the door to the theater. Arms fly up, food/drink shower down-- it was beautiful. Life imitating art. Or maybe I just ran into a wall and tossed popcorn and soda all over myself (and a couple bystanders). But it's cool because Rushmore was so good I didn't even want popcorn.
And now it's a very nice theater with good sound. And it's well lit, which is good.
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Hurray! A clean, spacious theater that plays great, non-mainstream films with comfy seats PLUS free parking! CineArts is just about everything I want in a movie theater. I want to give this place an additional star, but it just simply isn't a spectacular place so much as it is just an exceptional business. I'm probably really spoiled by having the Del Mar and Nick theaters in Santa Cruz, but the CineArts is just sort of a blah building with blah service.
Still, a definite breath of fresh air in the midst of hundreds of cineplexes with no character.
It's interesting how his is a seemingly artsy-fartsy theater, two screens only, but owned by Cinemax.
We stopped by last night to see "In the Shadow of the Moon". Awesome film. I like this theater because I like small theaters in general- I like how they seem to receive more personal attention- not as dirty, loud, and generally more pleasant than your larger mainstream theater.
My boyfriend points out that there wasn't stadium seating, which made the people's heads in front of us part of our viewing experience. Also, it was apparently a smaller screen. Otherwise... a good time for all!
Came here last night to catch a late film (Curse of the Golden Flower) and it was pleasantly empty. It was a pretty big theater with really comfortable, but low seats. PLenty of room to stretch out. Very expensive food as usual theaters go ($4 bottle of water, $5 bucket of popcorn, $3 pack of candy, etc). TIckets aren't cheap either (~$9.75 no student discounts.) Tucked away in a little plaza and shows good films.....I don't suspect annoying teeny boppers to show up anytime soon and that's always a good sign.
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Art house theater? In my mind, that meant a dinky, run-down theater that you simply put up with since they were showing the lesser-known films that the mega-gigaplexes won't make money on. Having seen my share of indie films at the Palm in San Luis Obispo and the Aquarius in Palo Alto, this is what I was accustomed to.
We went to the Palo Alto Cinearts and the word that kept coming to mind was "wow."
They still offer matinee pricing - even on weekends? Wow.
They take plastic or Fandango? Wow.
Hand dipped Haagen-Dazs ice cream at the snack bar? Wow.
Reclining seats with hinged arms in an art theater? Wow.
Full-sized auditoriums? Wow.
For me the best part was the audience. Art house crowds aren't your typical movie-going morons. They don't bring their kids to age-inappropriate films and they go to the movie to savor the experience - which means that this is the first time in YEARS I've seen a whole movie in a theater without hearing a cell phone!
And not that I do this on a regular basis, but it's close enough to my work that I could sneak in a movie in the afternoon ... :)
This is definitely my current favorite movie theater and I can't wait to find out what's playing there next!
You can finally watch your indie (ish) films in a theatre that doesn't smell like hippie. Things to love: wide aisles between the seats, a damn fine hot 4 dollar hot dog, and milkshakes that are *nearly solid*. The staff is generally very cheerful and friendly.
This place seems to be on the "limited engagement" map; I saw Curse of the Golden Flower near a month before it hit main screens. Sweetness.
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Good indie movies, good prices. The theatre is spacious and has good sound, compared to other places that show independent films (though it's affiliated with Century Cinemas so it's not an independent venue).
For Pan's Labarynth, the screen was very dark -- is it their projector, or just that film?
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This is a very small theatre and if you are thinking of going a little late to watch your movie, forget it!!! The lines are very long and by the time you find parking, you won't have made it to your movie. We had wanted to watch Waitress.....but with the long lines and the over-sell of the tickets, we ended up watching something else!!
One thing I didn't like bout this theatre is the back of the seats are really high. I don't understand why they made it so high...kinda hard to see over them....
The old Landmark theater this used to be, was dying and Century's Cinearts division came in, took over, and remodeled everything. Gone are the crazy small flip out chairs, creaky sound system and faded facade. Fortunately they're still playing lots of independent and not so Hollywood flicks. My only qualm is sometimes the showings of a film stay too long (like the English Patient being here for like 6+ months) or is just too short and I've yet to figure out how they determine how long a movie stays. Otherwise, it's one of the few gems in the south bay that doesn't get megaplex syndrome.
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One star for the selection of movies and one for finally having a late enough start time that I could go to a movie after working until 10:15 pm on a Sunday. I'd love to give them 5 stars, but......no soap in the women's bathroom, no toilet paper (at least in my stall - wasn't going to start going door to door when all I wanted to do was get back to the movie), and even though there were four people working the concession stand, they made me wait to spend $10.75 until they were done farting around, even though I was the only customer. Very annoying. I also don't care for the seating here. We are so spoiled by stadium seating these days that it makes places like these a drag.
This is a great place to catch films like Pan's Labyrinth, The Queen and other such films that major theaters don't usually run. If you have a refined cinematic palette, this place is for you. The actual theater rooms themselves are mid-sized and often empty (except for when I saw an Inconvenient Truth opening night--that place was PACKED). They even recently started accepting credit cards for payment, which is awesome as it sucks to have to carry around tons of cash just to watch an interesting flick.
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This used to be an independent cinema, and Century Theatres saved it from going out of business. Fortunately, they have kept it independent, showing such great films as Transamerica, the Quiet American, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. One of the many great small theatres showing foreign and independent films in Shallow Alto.
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They always have a great selection of films, but more importantly it is near and dear to my heart since it was here that I first saw Amelie. As for the actual theatre itself, I love that they still have a good student and matinee discount, so I never have to pay $10 like I do at the Aquarius. Also better than the Aquarius because the seats are brand new; well, practically brand new since they were put in about two years ago.
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Good movies, but they don't have student ticket prices. What the hell? Adult tickets are $9.75. At least the matinee is $6.75.
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Everything was renovated a few years ago, so the theater is beautiful, with comfy clean seats, decently sized screens, a huge concessions selection, and nice bathrooms. And even better, they play a great mix of movies! This is my favorite movie theater - they've got the Century discounts, cleanliness, and ease of parking with the independent theater movie selection.
All of the benefits of a theatre chain like online ticketing and the breadth of movie choices you would expect at an independent or second-run cinema.
There was only one snag: our online Fandango tickets didn't show up on the theatre's computer system. I'm not sure if this was just our bad luck or systemic. I would suggest just getting your tickets there unless you expect it to sell out.
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So this isn't the true "independent theater" that I had hoped it would be... it is owned by Century Theaters and tickets are $9.75. However, I am OK with big companies catering to those of us whose tastes aren't always mainstream. And what makes the place great is that it has all the comforts of the huge movie theaters, but just has better movies. Just because I am a freak who likes depressing movies that make you question how the human race hasn't killed itself off yet, doesn't mean that I don't appreciate buttery popcorn, wide aisle, seats where the arm rests go up and down, and clean, comfy seats.
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4/08 update:
Wish they would update their food signs, they don't offer the kid movie package anymore, what a switch and bait! $4.75.
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Even though the theater is older, it has excellent spacing of chairs and rows, you don't feel cramped. It is huge inside the two theaters. The snacks are limited, so I sometimes sneak in a sandwich and just buy a drink. Like the matinee price, if I get off of work early, like to see a 4pmish show. Enjoy the artsy movies, not as many art houses in the South Bay, only SJ and SF...tons in Berkeley. So pretty lucky to have it so close in Palo Alto. Laid back atmosphere, never the mad rush like main stream theaters.
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The movies they play are non-mainstream, I'll give them an extra star. Actually, I like the fact they show older movies including foreign classic flicks. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual, perfect for a second or third date. The seating arrangement is not the best - I took off one star - shorter folks have to strain their necks not to see a head in front. The location is good - downtown is close, you can get something to eat before the movie and skip their pricey concessions.
If I am going to pay nearly 10 bucks to watch a movie, it had better be a good movie and the theater had better be worthy. This place is definitely worthy (so was last film we saw there...The Queen).
Reasons why....
- Only 2 BIG theaters, with BIG screens, no hordes of people
- No tacky video games in the lobby
- Easy parking
- Great seats and TONS of leg room
- Fantastic headphones for people with impaired hearing
- Decent choices at the concessions.
- Attracts a nice clientele who keep quiet during the film.
It is pricey but so are the other big box theaters with 20 screens that seat about 60 people each, broken seats, sticky floors and thin walls.
I'd never been to this cinema before even though we don't live far away. However, because it was showing a movie I wanted to bring my son to see, we decided to go there. It was really nice! A small and cozy cinema, it has a full concessions filled with your regular stuff as well as other things such as gourmet cookies and other sweet items so you're not subjected to just consuming the typical cinema fare. It looks like that is only one 'screening room' which explains why only 2 movies are offered at any given time. Still, it's really comforting to know that such places still exist and you do not have to go to one of those megaplexes to watch a movie.
a nice little theatre, though its kind of hidden. we went here to see the Science of Sleep and there was something really charming about being in an ultra small Century theatre. I wish I knew they had student discounts ahead of time though.
Often has great indie films and a lot of hidden gems that you can't find anywhere else. Worth checking out what they playing. Tickets are also a little bit cheaper than mainstream theaters, usually around $7.50
A nice big theater that also plays lots of smaller films, Sundance films, and other off the beaten path movies. One thing I love about this place is the wide aisles in the theater. You can have your legs crossed and someone can walk by you with room to spare. Like an airline, legroom is critical.
Great theaters, easy access, usually not too crowded. By far the best part is that they have bulk candy, and not just gummy shit either. No, no, they have a fine selection of chocolates as well, including malted milk balls, Dutch mints, and chocolate covered almonds. That's what I'm talking about.
Lovely art-house theater with a big screen, very comfortable seats, and intelligent ticket sales and crowd handling for sell-out shows.
This appears to be a very positive sign of what a deep-pockets theater chain can do with keeping the spirit of a formerly independent theater.
I'll be keeping it on my roster to check what's playing.
So, I have been going to this little (when I say little I mean LITTLE i.e. two screens) theater ever since I was little. I of course have not been in what feels like a REALLY REALLY long time and yesterday decided I wanted to see a the Namesake (great movie) and this is where it was playing. They have STUDENT discounts and they have definitely upgraded their popcorn and candy selection since the last time I was there. (I don't know about anyone else but good popcorn and good candy is a must for me at ANY theater) Also, the seating is nice because for someone who is short I could see over the chair in front of me (due to the fact that they have stadium style seats now and they are angled as such so that people like me i.e. short, can see over the seat in front of us). Surprisingly the place was packed on a Sunday at 4:30 (good thing I got there at 4). there is PLENTY of parking and even though this looks like an office park... the theater is worth checking out! however, if you are somewhat uncomfortable with a lot of the "older" crowds surrounding you then this is not the place to be. So, hip and happening? NO! but still worth it? TOTALLY (one more thing.. they take credit cards!!!!)
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