Regal University Town Center — Attraction in Irvine

Ok, lets start by judging a book by it's cover (The review of the charm of this place comes after). This is a small theater that is really starting to show its age. Walking in kind of took me back in time to when I would go to movies as a kid. Smallish lobby but with an interesting upper level where the bathrooms are located. There is also a lounge up here but I don't know what this is used for as there is not free wifi or tvs or an extensive food selection which would merit spending alot of extra time here.

The cosmetics of this place aside, I like this theater because it feels like your own private theater. Almost like the whole place is there just for you. I love coming here on Sunday's when I want a little time away from others. The smaller crowds and friendly and prompt staff are perfect for this. Also, whoever chooses the movies that are played here deserves an award. Twice recently I have found titles playing here when the next closest theater playing them was more than 10-15 miles away. If you don't know, there is no shortage of theaters in the Costa Mesa/Newport/Irvine area. So, great film picks, and a quiet private atmosphere and friendly staff makes up for the dated interior of this...

We trying to go to the Edwards University Theaters but the parking was really terrible. They have the whole area in front of the theaters zoned off for Target and Trader Joe's. We had to go all the way around to the other side of the complex to find parking so we wouldn't have to worry about being towed away during our movie.

I'd like to add a PostScript to this ranting complaint. Nobody was going to this Target so they were like 100 unused 45-minute spaces in front of the store. If you go further east, there were another 100 unused spaces for Trader Joe's. And if you go even further east there are probably 200 unused spaces for the Tower office building. And as we left, we saw a fleet of about 5 security patrol cars whose sole Duty was probably to ticket cars for...

I remain hopeful. This underperforming Cineplex has been the local arthouse for more than a decade, becoming ever more run down and unwelcoming. Parking is difficult, most of the lot near the theater is marked "45 minutes only" to discourage UCI students from parking here to attend class. Security doesn't seem to enforce that unless they see someone crossing the street to the University. The facade of the building has been under remodel construction for a year, so the entrance is a lab rat maze with little helpful signage. The theaters have been updated s bit with newer seating and better sound. I enjoy seeing the type of films that are booked here, so I'll keep my fingers crossed that when the remodel is thru it'll be a more...