Feature films are often released in LA months (or years) before they play anywhere else in the world. Short seasons of foreign-language films are screened at the eight Laemmle Theaters. If you're after a golden-age atmosphere, head for one of the historic downtown movie palaces along Broadway, where the delirious furnishings may hold your attention longer than the all-action double bills. You can catch mainstream new releases in one of the many mall-based multiplexes, like the Beverly Center Cineplex, 8500 Beverly Blvd, West LA (phone 310/652-7760), AMC Century 14, 10250 Santa Monica Bld, Century City (phone 310/553-8900) or the Unviersal City 18, at Universal Studios' CityWalk, San Fernando alley (phone 818/508-0588).

Bing Theater at the LA County Art Museum, 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Mid-Wilshire phone 323/857-6010. Afternoon screenings of many neglected Hollywood classics. Matinees cost just $2, evening shows $8.

Chinese Theatre 6925 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood phone 323/464-8186. Landmark cinema with stylish decor, giant screen and six-track stereo sound - absolutely the best place to see a big-budget flick; on opening weekends draws a cheering crowd.

Egyptian Theater 6712 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood phone 323/466-FILM. Renovated showcase for classic and foreign films, in the middle of Hollywood, offering a wild design and frequent film Festivals with an eclectic selection.

El Capitan Theater 6834 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood phone 323/467-7674. Another legendary Hollywood venue, restored to full glory and recently renovated for a second time. Expect to see plenty of animated and lie-action Disney fare.

New Beverly Cinema 7165 Beverly Blvd, Mid-Wilshire phone 323/938-4038. Imaginative double bills for cult, art and classic films.

Nuart Theater 11272 Santa Monica Blvd, West LA phone 310/478-6379. Rare classics, foreign films and documentaries. Often the December screening room of choice for Oscar hopefuls, so be prepared for a lengthy line outside.

Orpheum 842 S Broadway, downtown phone 213/239-0939. The grandest of the remaining downtown movie palaces open to the public. The action-oriented fare may be insipid, but the French Renaissance and Baroque decor is not.

Rialto 1023 Fair Oaks Ave, South Pasadena phone 626/799-9567. Aging Moorish and pre-Columbian royal palace, famed as the spot where Tim Robbins tracks down and kills a screenwriter in The Player .

Silent movie 611 N Fairfax Ave, West LA phone 323/655-2510. As its name suggests, showings of silent Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, Ramon Navarro thrillers and so on. every show is accompanied by an organist.

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