Here is a movie theater that’s excited to be a movie theater. For each film series, for each major screening event, the Frida revamps the lobby with film-specific props and decorations. For the David Lynch film series, theater staff arranged stacks of free doughnuts (à la Twin Peaks) on tables along the room; for a screening of The Room, they hosted a costume contest so one of the patrons could be crowned “favorite customer.” For especially spooky films, the Frida even rents out Sunnyside Cemetery for a screening under the stars. It’s this sense of community that makes the Frida feel like we’re in high-school film club all over again.
305 E. Fourth St., Santa Ana, (714) 285-9422; thefridacinema.org.
Readers’ Choice: The Frida Cinema
