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ImaginAsian Center

ImaginAsian Center Makes Its Main Street Debut

By Ed Fuentes and Eric Richardson
Published: Sunday, December 02, 2007, at 09:21AM

Ed Fuentes []

Ed Fuentes []

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES —

Last night brought the ImaginAsian Center's Main street debut as a nearly full house turned out for the venue's introduction and ribbon-cutting. Elected officials and their representatives congratulated ImaginAsian President J. Edward Lee and Cinema Properties' President Sue Ann Kirst on bringing a modern movie house to the heart of Downtown.

In a very real way the ImaginAsian Center is a throwback to Hollywood days of old, when the studios controlled all three phases of moviemaking. Downtown was home to the United Artists theater on Broadway and the Warner theater on Hill, both opened to play content produced by their respective production arms. When asked if this was coincidence or strategy, ImaginAsian's Lee replied that these consolidated operations are the direction of today's market.

Though the venue doesn't hold its official opening until Friday's presentation of Midnight Eagle, Downtowners can get inside starting today, with the kickoff of the Fuji Television Movie Series. Shows run tonight through Thursday, and all are free to the public.

Photos by Ed Fuentes. More shots can be found .

Film listings for the Fuji Television Movie Series:

Shows begin at 7:00pm (doors at 6:30pm). All films have English subtitles. All descriptions from a flyer handed out last night.

Dec 2 - "Antarctica"

Tells the story of 15 dogs left behind by a scientific expedition in severe weather conditions for nearly one year in Antarctica. One of the dog handlers returns to bury his beloved dogs, only to be greeted, on his arrival, by two dogs, Taro and Jiro, so somehow managed to survive such an unpredictable climate.

Dec 3 - "Suite Dreams

The plot involves numerous characters, the different problems or situations they face in the run-up to midnight, and the ways that these different storylines interact and are resolved.

Dec 4 - "Umizaru2 Limit of Love"

Search and rescue diver Daisuke Sanzaki finds himself in a life-or-death rescue situation that not only tests his will and physical limits, but forces him to come to terms with personal issues of love, trust and redemption.

Dec 5 - "Waterboys"

A beautiful new swimming teacher starts work at a rural high school. Dozens of boys decide to join the swimming team, but when they realize that she teaches synchronized swimming all but five of them drop out. The teacher soon leaves work on maternity leave. However, when Suzuki watches a dolphin show he decides to ask the dolphin trainer to be their coach.

Dec 6 - "Bayside Shakedown 2"

Wangan Police Station now has its hands full with all manner of tourist related issues when a string of murders of company execs begins taking place. Will Aoshima be able to fight through the red tape of police bureaucracy in time to stop the killer before he strikes again?

Conversation

Guest 1

jeff on December 02, 2007, at 08:17PM – #1

it looks nice. i haven't been to an actual movie theater in about 6 years, but might check it out since it's so close. :}

Guest 2

Urban Bruin on December 04, 2007, at 09:36AM – #2

Went and watched "Suite Dreams" last night at the theater and had a great time. The theater was a good size (apprx. 200 people) and the seats were very comfortable. They even had free parking at the adjacent lot. Hopefully that lot will remain the same when they officially start.

Guest 2

Suburban Bruin on December 04, 2007, at 07:21PM – #3

I'm a Suburban Bruin, and I really loved the parking, hope they don't build another cool building next door, so i can continue to not be an Urban Bruin

Guest 2

Urban Bruin on December 05, 2007, at 12:38PM – #4

Suburban: Come visit anytime and feel free to stay awhile.

Guest 2

chica on December 07, 2007, at 01:01PM – #5

Wish I had seen this post earlier about the free films this week! I was hoping to go tonight.

If they're opening tonight, Dec 7, how come their telephone recording says that there are no shows or showtimes scheduled? If all of tonight's showtimes are sold out, it would have been good to post that on their web site, or have that info on their recording (for my sake and others, and for the PR for them).

Does anyone know if they are sold out tonight or through the weekend? Thanks.

[Check it out - ImaginAsian Center LA:]

Eric Richardson () on December 07, 2007, at 01:42PM – #6

I'd suspect someone just forgot to change the message. Check out their showtimes at:

Guest 2

chica on December 09, 2007, at 09:49AM – #7

Thanks, Eric!

A nice person from the ImaginAsian Center LA returned my telephone call and did say that there are tickets available all weekend, and that the showtimes shown on the web page are correct.

Bad News? I passed by and saw a $8. parking sign now at the lot to the north of the Smell and ImaginAsian Center LA. But, there was plenty of street parking and other parking close by.

Too bad there isn't a daytime showing on the weekends for those who may not want to be there after dark. (Break in the non-downtowners easy.)

Guest 2

Whitman Lam on December 09, 2007, at 10:08PM – #8

Yeah !!! I just came back from the ImaginAsian theater. What a wonderful place... friendly staff, cushy seats, a first-class experience. I went to go see " Midnight Eagle ", a superb Japanese Spy Thriller movie. I highly recommend it !!

I could not believe there were only about 6 people in the audience, but man, everyone else don't know what they're missing.

Thank you, ImaginAsian for bringing back the feature film experience.

Guest 2

Ahn on December 10, 2007, at 06:15PM – #9

We had a great movie experience at the new ImaginAsian movie theater last week and weekend. It's really open - what a treat.

The FREE Fuji film series was great and the currently showing 'Midnight Eagle' is action packed. Real cool staff and good popcorn too.

Hot pink decor in the very adequate women's restroom gets 4 stars in my book. Check out the bar seating and counter top in the lobby; one of the staff showed me a place to plug in and recharge in my cell phone that was on it's last seconds under the counter.....lots of outlets to use for laptops or cell phones.

Thanks ImaginAsian - great movie experience. I'm looking forward to the upcoming titles.

Guest 2

Rural Bruin on December 10, 2007, at 10:17PM – #10

For major consumers of movie theater/microwave popcorn, you have my sympathies; I'd hate to have to pay your future medical bills. For major consumers who pop their own with Olive Oil and avoid butter, you are smart. I envy your cardiovascular health and do walk, don't drive, to ImaginAsian Theater. Product idea: some sort of bag, (paper) (shopping bag sized) and insulated, to hold pop your own to take to ImaginAsian Theater, without butter. Must withstand salt. Don't get me started on salt; the American Dental Association will put out a contract on me.... You dentists KNOW what I'm talking about!

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