Van East Cinema

What the heck happened to this cute little independant family owned and operated movie theatre???
Originally ran by an older couple, with the sweet little old man taking your tickets and showing you where to go just moments after selling you the tickets in the booth outside and his wife selling popcorn and candy for a way too decent price…
Then bought by another family who kept the business going with the teen/​adult kids working the tickets/​door and selling once again well priced candy.
THEN, not 2 months ago, another couple took over (and I know none of these families are the same due to obvious ethnicities) and the only movie they showed was The Social Network… I don’t think anyone went to it. It’s all been caged up since. The popcorn machine looks so sad through the window. And I look sad back at it just imagining my neighbourhood without this adorable gem of a theatre…

I’m a huge supporter of small theatres, but I am *very* reluctant to go to Van East because it is filthy and quite run down. Yes, it’s affordable – (not sure why they charge extra for the balcony seats — not worth it in my opinion) — but so is the Rio, which is around the corner and way, way nicer.

Great value, non — multiplex feel.
Bargain popcorn and snacks
Could use a good modern update décor

Though the neighborhood seems to enjoy supporting the local arts, this movie theater proves that residents are not too pretentious to appreciate the cheesier movies in life. The East Van Cinema has been around for ages; back when attending the movie in theater was the same price as renting it later.
Even while campy action and silly comedies get early runs, the cinema has also been known to unroll its silver screen for local movies by independent filmmakers.
The extra $ 1 charge for balcony seats is well worth it, if only to stretch your legs, whisper jokes, and hopefully make out with your date.