Review: Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse

Posted by Blake the Megalomaniac (Follow Me)- Blake the Megalomaniac is a graduate of Virginia Tech and now lives the Adams Morgan section of Washington DC. - To see more posts by this author click here

I attribute my first conception of AC/DH [2903 Columbia Pike Arlington, VA 22204 (703) 486-2345] to what I heard from listening to the Big O and Dukes radio program (middays from 10-3 on 106.7 WJFK).  The midday boys have held several movie screenings at the Arlington venue and spoken highly of the conditions and service.

Chad Dukes made a good case as to why everyone should head down to AC/DH.  Apparently the Washingtonian and WAPO have also shilled for it too but while all that’s impressive, none of them ever drew me out of my normal routine of Adams Morgan or Mister Days to try it out.  Even as the Friday workday came to a close I didn’t think my night would lead me to Columbia Pike.  It was my girl’s idea, in all honesty, so to her I’m grateful.

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From the outside AC/DH resembles just another throwback movie theater.  Not a high speed, low drag theater that you might catch in the newer suburbs but one that breeds a sense of history and tradition in a neighborhood.  After you pay your fare at the cash-only ticket booth awaiting you just inside the doors, you’re pleasantly surprised at the modern look and feel.  Seating for hundreds, over-sized individual lounge chairs placed either at small inconspicuous tables or short counters all in the name of tableside beer and food service.  The AC/DH offers a full assortment of cocktails, highballs, and bottle/draft beers along with a full menu by the way, so imagine watching I love you Man, Beerfest, or the Dark Knight on the big screen with a jack and coke . . . serenity now.

AC/DH is known for it’s affinity to show movies, but also offers live music, wine tastings, and stand-up comedy.  Yesterday, we saw a comic by the name of TJ Miller.  You might know TJ as the guy from the ABC show Carpoolers, appearances on David Letterman and Chelsea Lately and as the guy who held the camera in Cloverfield (I didn’t see it).  What you may not know about TJ is that like most artists, he doesn’t take to kindly to audience members with bad attitudes looking down their nose at him.

When TJ asks if anyone has seen Cloverfield (the movie for which he exclaimed has allowed him to make, 5,000 times more money than the salty audience member), and someone yells out, “I saw it, it sucked and I didn’t pay for it,”  then you’ve just provided ammo in an improvising comedian’s M2 Browning machine gun.  TJ barade on the poor sap was relentless and just when she thought he’d forgotten about her insult, he crept back to it weaving it into whatever he was discussing at the time (I won’t get into how comedic actors never get the same credence as clssical actors do).   It’s to be expected though because as I’m sure everyone is entitled to their opinion when you begin to throw dirt around you then become fair game.

TJ’s hour-set was hilarious but the other two local comics were amusing too. Check out the Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse when you get a chance, I encourage it.

udothedishes . . .

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