the Landmark at the Westside Pavilion, the new, 12-screen flagship theater of the nation’s largest chain devoted exclusively to art house and independent releases. Apart from the surface shock of any development project that actually met its original launch date, I was impressed with the wide concourses and generally smart use of space.

I eschewed snapping photos (being the proud owner of a cell phone with no built-in camera), but did enjoy the view from the windows of the new theater, which span two stories. Granted, you’re still looking out at the intersection of Westwood and Pico Boulevards, at CompUSA, the Mattress Gallery and a string of mom-and-pop bodegas and ethnic cuisine joints, but to the east one can glimpse Century City, and at sunset it’s not a bad sight.

I have no idea what its prices will be, but the theater obviously nipped a few lessons in design, amenities and service from the ArcLight Cinema in Hollywood, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, either from an aesthetic point-of-view or one of practical, demographic catering. (The west side of Los Angeles, for those living in Nebraska, isn’t really the low-rent district.) The downstairs theaters are the bigger ones, with stadium-style, sloped seating and a flattened, even-level portion at the bottom. The upstairs screening rooms are a bit more intimate, with large, cushioned chairs and sofas that make it easier to mack on your date or sit together in groups. Of course, no armrests for separation could make it a bit uncomfortable in a crowded screening you’re attending alone, and those cushions are going to soon serve as catch-alls for the change, Chapstick and keys of shallow Westside pockets.

Numbering more than 3,000 free spaces, the Landmark‘s underground, wind-around parking seems to slightly mirror the Hollywood & Highland Complex, though (hopefully) with less orange cones in its future. Naturally, there’s a valet section, and Pizza Rustica and LaBrea Bakery serve as high-end concessions, among other offerings. (And yes, like the Arclight, beer is also apparently available for certain screenings of R-rated fare.) To get info on the Landmark‘s showtimes — it opens today, June 1 — or just investigate more and check out a few stock interior photos, click here.