Top Independent Movie Theaters in Atlanta
LEFONT GARDEN HILLS CINEMA
2835 PEACHTREE RD. / BUCKHEAD
A trek through Atlanta’s ritzy Buckhead area will afford you the opportunity to visit Lefont Garden Hills Cinema. Don’t expect rows and rows of brightly lit counters laden with reprocessed, reheated treats. At this theater, you’ll only get the basic movie-going fare with perhaps a few odds and ends thrown in for good measure. As a matter of fact, that is not the only thing that Lefont is limited in. Buckhead’s Lefont Garden Hills Cinema is also lacking in movie screens. This however, is not necessarily a bad thing. This theater, which has just one screen, is one of the most cozy, most charming movie houses in Atlanta. With such an exclusive offering in cinematic choices, there is just one ticket booth, and one cashier. You get the feeling as you enter the movie house, that you’ve stepped back in time. While there are plenty of advertisements hanging about the walls, the general dÃ?©cor has virtually remained untouched. In the actual theater, sets of long draperies adorn the walls, lending the room an intimate, cocoon-like feeling. Even the seats, upholstered in similar fabric have the same vintage appeal. The theater was built in 1940. And much of that appeal remains to this day.
As for the films, you can expect the most avante garde documentaries, to extremely innovative pieces of cinematic direction. Foreign and independent films such as “Gabrielle” and “Personal Velocity” have been known to attract a more intellectual crowd. You won’t find the typical rambunctious groups of teenagers or children in this theater. Buckhead’s Lefont Garden Hills movie house is strictly for discriminating adults.
TARA CINEMAS
2345 CHESHIRE BRIDGE RD./ BUCKHEAD
For a more comprehensive movie-going experience, it’s likely that you’ll want to have a little variety in movie choices. The Tara Cinema is the perfect place to indulge a “cinematic sweet tooth.” Located in Buckhead’s “seedier” section of town, the movie theater is situated off Cheshire Bridge Road-the street known for its string of adult novelty shops and exotic dance venues. The Tara Cinema has long been one of Atlanta’s most popular movie-watching venues due to it’s off-center location in Atlanta, and its penchant for showing little advertised independent films.
Tara Cinemas is a United Artists theater. Therefore, larger groups of people will probably prefer this movie house because of the fact that it offers a few blockbuster major releases in addition to its visual fare of independent selections. The building itself is fairly unassuming, positioned towards the rear of the parking lot in a shopping plaza. The lobby, however, is bright and inviting, with a checkerboard floor, and plenty of nostalgic posters and movie advertisements. Snacks at the concessions stand are fairly standard in selection. Prices are comparable to other major theaters in the area. The real draw to this movie house off Cheshire Bridge Road, is the eclectic mix of theater-goers. Because the Tara is known for its tasty variety of independent films, you can expect a colorful, yet somewhat dignified group of patrons sitting along next to you.
MIDTOWN ART CINEMA
931 MONROE DRIVE. / MIDTOWN ATLANTA
Perhaps the most inviting independent film-watching experience will be had at Atlanta’s Midtown Art Cinema. This particular theater is located off 10th street, right near the city’s Piedmont Park. This movie house is centrally located in a shopping plaza with plenty of free parking. The main attraction to the theater is in its very avante garde selection of films that run daily. Though there are eight screens, one of the most entertaining things about Midtown Art Cinema, is its proximity to quite a few trendy eateries and restaurants right there in the plaza. Moviegoers can even enjoy a cool sweet treat at the nearby Bruster’s ice cream shop.
As far as the theater itself, several renovations have taken place over the years. No longer will you find simple snack counters and ticket-takers. Atlanta’s Midtown Art Cinema has taken the comfy liberty of providing gourmet candy, an espresso bar, and even baked goods for their distinguished patrons. The eight screens at the movie house provide virtual canvases for creative films that would never be shown in mainstream theaters. The Midtown Art Cinema is really a great theater to visit if you are seeking an evening of lively entertainment in part of town with lots of activity. There is plenty to do before and after the show.
