Have you ever wanted to immerse yourself in all the harrowing drama of a blockbuster movie or feel like you’re sitting as close to all the action on the court? Cosm Los Angeles might have exactly what you need.
Desert dwellers hoping to get a break from the heat this summer can experience something they can’t find in the Coachella Valley by heading to Cosm, an LA entertainment venue that opened last summer in Hollywood Park — adjacent to SoFi Stadium — offering immersive experiences in sports and arts programming.
A domed, 87-foot diameter wraparound LED screen and spatial audio (akin to Las Vegas’ Sphere) surrounds audiences at this futuristic venue, placing them extra close to whatever they’re watching — whether that be a movie, live sporting event or performance. Right now, the schedule includes everything from a screening of “The Matrix” in “shared reality” to a screening of a performance of “O” by Cirque du Soleil.
What makes Cosm unique?
Alexis Scalice, Cosm’s vice president of business development and entertainment, said in a recent interview that the company has a 75-year history of building industry-leading technology, which has led to a variety of immersive experiences at planetariums and marquee theme park attractions around the world. When plans for the Los Angeles venue first started (there’s another location in Dallas, with Atlanta and Detroit on the way), Scalice said the idea was to reinvigorate the way people watch sports.
Now, the event space is starting to show feature films, and it picked one of the most hair-raising and thrilling cinematic experiences to kick things off with.
In honor of the 25th anniversary of “The Matrix,” directed by the Wachowski sisters and starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss, fans can dive into the cyberpunk world that has one of the best twists of all time as computer hacker Neo (Reeves) discovers the truth behind his reality. With newly created images that enhance images and “place” you inside the film, this is one viewing experience you have to take the red pill to believe.
The red pill into ‘The Matrix’ wonderland
So how does it work? When you’re watching a movie at a theater or at home, everything you see is what’s on the screen. At Cosm, you’re watching the original film in front of you, but certain images and graphics are projected in the space around and above you to make it seem like you are watching all the action inside the film unfold in real life. It provides an even grander view compared to the ScreenX at the Cathedral City Mary Pickford Theatre, where you have a 270-degree panoramic viewing experience that extends the movie screen onto the surrounding walls of the auditorium.
I’ll say this right off the bat: If you have never seen “The Matrix,” this will likely be the craziest way to experience this film. It might even be a little too overwhelming — the story is mind-blowing as is, not to mention the massive imagery all around you. I’ve seen this film before, so I was eager to see what this version — which Cosm partnered with creative studio Little Cinema on — would be like.
Walking into the Cosm Dome (where the large screen is housed) was quite the experience in and of itself. As I waited for other attendees to arrive and for the film to start, crystal-clear projections of the Grand Canyon, a snowy wonderland and other sceneries quite literally took my breath away. The images are so large and lifelike that you have to do a double take and remember you’re not actually at those sites. I will admit, I was worried watching the film on this format would be a bit disorienting.
When it came to picking the right movie to screen at Cosm, Scalice said the team was looking for titles that have “action-packed moments” and plenty of “iconic scenes that we can enhance.” That’s exactly what you get with this 1999 classic: Neo dodging bullets in slow-motion, all the green computer code screens and the grand reveal of reality. What I was most worried about was if the enhanced images/graphics would look tacky or take away from the main event. When I saw a film in ScreenX, I wasn’t really enamored with the side projections, mainly because the colors were not as vibrant as the ones on the screen.
But all my worries quickly disappeared. It’s hard to describe just how cool it looks when a column of green computer code comes “toward” you to take you into the matrix. As Neo attempts to escape through a window from a bunch of agents, the tall building fills in the space above and below the screen, making you feel like you’re standing on the ledge with him. For the iconic red pill vs. blue pill scene, two glowing capsules appear next to Morpheus’s (Fishburne) hands. It was a bit too convincing that I had to stop myself from reaching out to grab one.
In many ways, the most effective moments with the Cosm technology were the most simple. When Morpheus explains the Construct to Neo, they’re in a blank, white space, and the Dome turned completely white to complement it. It was dizzying, disorienting and unnerving in the best way — which is exactly what “The Matrix” is all about. Scenes inside Morpheus’ hovercraft the Nebuchadnezzar also made for great graphic imagery on the walls with wires and knobs all around you.
As the film reaches its climax, the action on- and off-screen only gets more intense. As Neo and Trinity (Moss) prepare to take on the final bosses, the weapons room comes toward you at lightning speed, so it’s best to be seated so as not to lose your balance. Their iconic shootout is made even cooler when bullets that normally fly offscreen are projected onto the sides, showing just how much damage is being sustained to the building they’re in. Another scene featuring Trinity flying a helicopter is, at times, projected overhead, which adds a grand touch to the action.
Scalice said her favorite part of the experience is actually looking around and seeing audience members engrossed in the emotional rollercoaster ride the Wachowskis take them on.
“The best compliments we’ve gotten, whether it’s from fans or producers, is people feeling like they saw it for the first time again,” she said. “The best emotion is it got people excited to go to the movies.”
That’s another thing: Be prepared for lots of cheering, clapping and people taking photos during the movie. It’s all encouraged here, so if you’re a well-behaved theatergoer who doesn’t stand for talking, texting or disturbing others when watching movies, this might not be the spot for you. But if you are prepared to go with the flow and enjoy whatever the screening brings you, you might be surprised with how much fun you’ll have.
Because watching “The Matrix” in the Cosm is an experience, they have drinks and food to complete the package. Patrons can order specialty cocktails aptly named the red pill (featuring bourbon, Campari, sweet vermouth, orange and lemon juices and simple syrup) and blue pill (featuring gin, blue curacao, lemon juice, simple syrup orgeat, orange bitters and fee foam) for $18. There is also a tasting menu priced at $45 per person, which includes Really Good Noodles, Ignorance is Bliss steak medallions and an Oracle Cookie. Items are brought out to viewers so they sync up to pivotal moments in the film. There are other food options as well, such as burgers and sandwiches.
“The Matrix” will be playing at the Cosm through August, unless additional screenings are added, Scalice said. More films are expected to be shown at the Los Angeles venue, but fans will just have to stay tuned to find out what’s next.
Sporting events at Cosm Los Angeles
Sports fans can also see a little bit of everything at Cosm.
From soccer games to UFC fights to even bull riding competitions, Cosm gets you as close as possible to these athletes without having to pay hefty prices for it. Before the start of “The Matrix,” we got a peek at what it looks like to be watching a sporting event at the venue. In some shots, it looks like you’re on the field with the athletes, in others it’s like you’re watching two boxers from inside the ring. I can only imagine how crazy fans must go when their favorite teams score.
The upcoming schedule of sporting events can be found at www.cosm.com/los-angeles/events.
How to get tickets for Cosm Los Angeles
Tickets for Cosm LA can be purchased at www.cosm.com.
Prices depend on the type of entertainment you’re watching, where you’re watching it and the day/time. Tickets for “The Matrix” typically cost between $55-$100 per person, while sporting events have different price points (an upcoming FIFA Club World Cup semifinal game has general admission starting at $11, for example).
There are other entertainment options as well, such as “O” by Cirque du Soleil, “Double Feature – Orbital & Liquidverse” and “Big Wave: No Room For Error.”
If you go
What: Cosm Los Angeles
Where: 1252 District Drive, Inglewood
Cost: Prices vary depending on type of entertainment, seating and day/time
More info: cosm.com/los-angeles
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Move over, Sphere. LA now has the Cosm, offering immersive film and live sports screenings
Reporting by Ema Sasic, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
