Cinemas: Good, Bad or Ugly?

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 15 Jan 2007, 19:37

I have a cineworld card which works out great value. Stress free cinema trips.

The most amount of films I've ever seen at the cinema in a single day is maybe 3 or 4 - but that was at the EIFF so I think I can be excused.

It is draining though. I just watch one or two films maximum at the cinema in a single day... but do try and go Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 15 Jan 2007, 19:48

The cineworld card is a brilliant thing, BUT you cannot book in advance over the net! and if you do it over the phone you get charged cash! morons!

So a lot of the time when I go we cannot get seats!! as its sold out, which makes me very, very angry at them french scumbags! even when we can get in, we dont get the seats we want as they are always taken!

gets on my tits to be honest.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 15 Jan 2007, 19:55

BiscLimpkit wrote:I have a cineworld card which works out great value. Stress free cinema trips.

Cool. I tend to go to my Odean now a days but try and get to my Arthouse too. The Odean doesn't show stuff like Pan's Labyrinth, surely Cineworld doesn't?

BiscLimpkit wrote:It is draining though. I just watch one or two films maximum at the cinema in a single day... but do try and go Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

I could handle that if I managed to find 3 films at the same time I'd want to see, that doesn't happen often.

BiscLimpkit wrote:Stress free cinema trips.

In that you've got no cash?

romerojpg wrote:So a lot of the time when I go we cannot get seats!! as its sold out, which makes me very, very angry at them french scumbags! even when we can get in, we dont get the seats we want as they are always taken!

Only you'd risk not seeing a film for a 50p/£1 admin fee

. A wasted evening or 50p/£1 hmmm a hard one. You're such a skin-flint

I try and book (I forget sometimes) for opening weekend showings. I've been caught out to many times.

romerojpg wrote:BUT you cannot book in advance over the net!

That's rubbish, you can with the Odean cinemas. Not that I've tried using an members card.

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 15 Jan 2007, 20:14

So do you guys with a cinema card which gives you unlimited access to movies, bring your own food/snacks to the cinema, or will they keep an eye on you so you'll have to buy their overpriced snacks?

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 15 Jan 2007, 20:34

How much does one of those cost?

My Arthouse does one for £18-20 a year which I used to get as it gets you 2 cinema tickets plus £1 off all tickets. I've not for a while now.

As for free food as long as it doesn't stink just take a bag with you, problem solved. I've even managed to smuggle in hamburgers before, no idea how as they stank

My Odean serves beer which is bloody great. A beer at the cinema, it should be the law!

Shingster · Post by **Shingster** » 15 Jan 2007, 20:39

bradavon wrote:Cool. I tend to go to my Odean now a days but try and get to my Arthouse too. The Odean doesn't show stuff like Pan's Labyrinth, surely Cineworld doesn't?

I watched Pan's Labyrinth at my local Cineworld, it was a surprise to find they were the only major chain near me showing the fucker.

Yi-Long wrote:So do you guys with a cinema card which gives you unlimited access to movies, bring your own food/snacks to the cinema, or will they keep an eye on you so you'll have to buy their overpriced snacks?

Well, at the end of the day you're buying a service they're offering with these cinema passes so you should be treated like a regular customer, but I'm interested that you'd ask this question. I assume it's because you don't get deals like these in Holland, but could it be that Dutch cinemas are clamping down on that sort of thing?

From a logistic point of view it's just impractical for the staff to be paying closer attention to certain members of the audience. Here in the UK most cinemas have a policy of not allowing outside food/drink to be brought in, but again the logistic problems of actually strictly enforcing this means you can bring your food in anyway; so long as you don't blatantly sit there with your packed lunch right next to the usher

.

Mind you saying that, when I was 16 I remember sitting on the end of an aisle swigging from a large bottle of thunderbirds during a special preview of The Mask that was packed with cinema staff decked out in special Mask clothing, no oe said a word to me!

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 15 Jan 2007, 20:46

Shingster wrote:I watched Pan's Labyrinth at my local Cineworld, it was a surprise to find they were the only major chain near me showing the fucker.

I wonder if it's my local Odean or some shit policy, they only ever show non-English language films if some big star is behind them like Mel Gibson or they're martial arts.

Shingster wrote:I assume it's because you don't get deals like these in Holland

I was able to get a beer "left in the bottle" in Amsterdam.

Shingster wrote:so long as you don't blatantly sit there with your packed lunch right next to the usher .

I doubt the ushers at most multiplexes would say anything, they're usually only about 16 anyway.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 15 Jan 2007, 20:50

No way in hell will I pay a few pound on top of my card fees to maybe get better seats or a sold out showing. Its a joke they charge at all, and people paying them booking fees are the idiots ruining it for everyone else.

They should change it so we can book online! Cineworld were changing to do that (well UGC were), but UGC sold out and became Cineworld and the french muppets stopped the online bookings! they in fact have now stopped many things and seem to want to change everything for the worst.

But I take food in sometimes, they dont stop anyone really, I dont really like eating or drinking in cnemas, as you go to watch a film, not to make noise and stink the place out with food. BAN food and drink in cinemas I say, it ruins many films I go to.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 15 Jan 2007, 21:12

romerojpg wrote:No way in hell will I pay a few pound on top of my card fees to maybe get better seats or a sold out showing. Its a joke they charge at all, and people paying them booking fees are the idiots ruining it for everyone else.

Agreed it's a joke but IMO it's better than getting there to only be sold out and get all annoyed. Still you're a skin-flint

. The way you penny pinch every penny.

romerojpg wrote:BAN food and drink in cinemas I say, it ruins many films I go to.

It depends what you eat.

The art house I've mention doesn't allow popcorn or smelly food, except Wednesday which people know so don't go unless they want popcorn.

Sure you go to watch the film but a beer during a film makes it an even better experience. Beer is silent

. Agreed most do go well overboard spending more on food than the ticket but then we are in a multiplexes built for only one reason: to make money.

If you want a proper film experience you wouldn't go to a multiplex.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 16 Jan 2007, 00:35

I can't believe any UK cinema actually allows alcohol to be drunk in the theatre. WTF? Like we don't have enough problem with noisy yobs in public?

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 16 Jan 2007, 01:18

Markgway wrote:I can't believe any UK cinema actually allows alcohol to be drunk in the theatre. WTF? Like we don't have enough problem with noisy yobs in public?

So I can't enjoy a beer because some people abuse it? Great thanks Mr. Puritanical.

Granted some do cause trouble but that's the minority, except on a Friday/Saturday night but do you really they'll be in a bloody cinema? Of all the places to get drunk it's got to be one of the most impracticable . To have to leave the cinema just to buy a beer, yep I can see a lot of people doing that one.

You can only by 1-2 not a crateful. If you really think 1 beer is any different from 1 coke you're completely wrong. You can't get drunk on 1 beer. It's £2.80 a bottle no idiot is going to buy more than 1-2 anyway.

Talk about assuming the worst without anything to back it up. How is it any different from buying alcohol in a restaurant? It's not.

Oh btw you've been able to buy alcohol in the theatre for years. How is that any different from the cinema? Again it's not.

I appreciate some here don't like to drink but sorry some of us do, it DOESN'T mean we're all drunken yobs who start fights and drink far to much on a Friday/Saturday then act like a twat. I probably get drunk twice a year tops. My average beer consumption when I do drink is 1-2 pints, it's unlikely anyway can get drunk on that.

I can't believe your immediate reaction to selling alcohol is it causes problems.

And to think I get accused of being clueless. Sorry my rant is probably a bit over the top but jeez talk about overreacting.

p.s - They do in France and Holland too, deal with it.

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 16 Jan 2007, 01:52

And he's not talking about no paper cup, he means a glass of beer. And in Paris, you can buy a beer in McDonald's.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 16 Jan 2007, 05:50

bradavon wrote:So I can't enjoy a beer because some people abuse it? Great thanks Mr. Puritanical.

The British public has a problem with alcohol, these European countries you mention obviously don't. Our culture has become one of excess and irresponsibility. Where a French family enjoys a glass of wine with a meal, Brits consume as much beer as they can and then barf it up all over the pavement - that's after they've pissed in the street and tried to headbutt an ambulance crew. And this is not - I'm sorry to say - a minority act. It happens regularly (though perhaps less where you live?). I honestly believe that the British public shouldn't be allowed that privilage granted to Europeans. So yeah, Brad, if it means a safer society, you can do without. If you wanna drink a beer whilst watching a movie... there's always DVD.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 16 Jan 2007, 05:52

Kurgan wrote:And he's not talking about no paper cup, he means a glass of beer.

You must be joking!

I can just see the headlines now: hyped-up yob glasses patron after being told to quiten down.

Man known only as "Romero" involved.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 16 Jan 2007, 09:09

You can buy a beer at a cinema I've been to called the "Rex" a couple of times, which is a restored 1920's cinema.

I never buy cinema food. £2.40 (£3 in Watford) for a bag of sweets? Fuck off :shock:

Shingster · Post by **Shingster** » 16 Jan 2007, 11:16

Markgway wrote:The British public has a problem with alcohol, these European countries you mention obviously don't. Our culture has become one of excess and irresponsibility. Where a French family enjoys a glass of wine with a meal, Brits consume as much beer as they can and then barf it up all over the pavement - that's after they've pissed in the street and tried to headbutt an ambulance crew. And this is not - I'm sorry to say - a minority act. It happens regularly (though perhaps less where you live?). I honestly believe that the British public shouldn't be allowed that privilage granted to Europeans. So yeah, Brad, if it means a safer society, you can do without. If you wanna drink a beer whilst watching a movie... there's always DVD.

Sometimes I read your comments on society and I wonder if you ever leave your house and experience the real world first hand at all Mark!

Cinemas that sell alcohol during a screening do it via the loftily priced Gold Class (or whatever fancy name each chain gives it) auditoriums. As such, the "yobbos" are nowhere to be seen and everyone drinks within moderation. Just because Britain as a nation has a problem with binge drinking does not mean that every alcoholic outlet in the country is frequented by disruptive drunks - Brad has already given the perfectly valid example of theatre as a perfectly safe environment where alcohol is consumed.

Ironically, you're far more likely to bump into a drunken yob in a regular showing at a regular cinema that doesn't permit the consumation of alcohol on the premises, as teenagers are prone to getting pished before going to the cinema on the weekend.

Anyway, we're getting way off topic here, perhaps it might be best for Brad/Tom to move all the cinema chat into its own thread in the general or debate forum?

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 16 Jan 2007, 17:44

I have seen and expeirnced wayy to many Drunks in cinemas to know any alcohol is wrong in cinemas, but its not the alcohol sold in the cinemas thats the problem.

Its the tossers who get drunk then go to the cinema

they are real SCUM. Theres nothing at all you can do, I have tried and fights have broken out a few times in the cinema, last time it was with a big group of drunken Chav scumbags

It doesnt happen too often, maybe once a year, but thats too much for me and anyone who has had drink should be told to sod off and not allowed in. When someone sick in a film your watching, beleve me you could kill them, as the smells appauling!

NO FOOD at all or drink should be allowed in cinemas, nothing at all I say, I have seen people splashing and throwing water at the screen, so it doesnt have to be alcohol.

I go to watch a film, not to smell, feel and experience food and drink all over the place. Nice people may well take in the odd bottle of pop, or a snack, but its the scumbags who ruin it for everyone, so ban it all. If you do ruin the film for anyone, lock em up in jail for the night I say

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 16 Jan 2007, 18:13

Why should decent people have to suffer because of a few idiots?

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 16 Jan 2007, 18:26

Because you are not Suffering by not eating in a cinema, others ARE suffereing by having to watch you eat, listen to you eat, smell you eat and sit in your shitty food after you throw and spill it everywhere. Most eaters spoil films for others.

If its suposed to be the way, then add a dickhead eating behind you like a tosser sound track on all dvds.

Popcorn and crisps and nachos are the loudest foods in the world, yet some prick thought they would be great in a cinema, during a film

they need a smack.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 16 Jan 2007, 18:31

SMOKERS suffer by not being allowed to smoke in cinemas, so should we let them back in to ruin the films? dont think so.

The idiots who go for Smoke breaks every 10 minutes during films are true idiots, who pay then go outsiode to smoke and miss the film, becuase your a twat and you like to ruin films for others.

Shen · Post by **Shen** » 16 Jan 2007, 18:38

you need to chill out. so what if people eat in cinemas, if you have a problem with it...thats your fault, no-one elses. get over it. yeah you get the pricks ocassionally who throw food, and if it happens so often where you go...try going somehwere else yinstead of bitching about it and going well over the top.
the idea that the many should be punished for the few is very very skewed logic. many people enjoy eating popcorn and such during films, i know i do. thats the cinematic experience. not sitting in some dark room like zombies, next you'll be saying that people who get up to go to the toilet shouldnt be allowed in, or maybe that people shouldnt be allowed to move once in the theatre.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 16 Jan 2007, 18:42

You must go to perfect cinemas and never have problems ever. If you did you wouldnt be talking like that.

and the many should always be punished, if it makes life better for the good people of the world. Or the scum would run riot.

Shen · Post by **Shen** » 16 Jan 2007, 18:46

romerojpg wrote: You must go to perfect cinemas and never have problems ever. If you did you wouldnt be talking like that.

either that or you go to a right shithole of a cinema...i'd vote for the latter...

of course you encounter problems at every cinema, you just seem to have so many, maybe you should change cinema.

the only thing that bugs me is mobile phones going off, more so when people answer them. i put mine on silent, and leave the room to answer it if its important.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 16 Jan 2007, 18:50

I go to many cinemas, sadly every few months theres some real bother

ussually in the best films, if it were the bad film I wouldnbt mindtoo much

Mobile Phones are a majopr problem some people just dont turn them off, I personally hate people texting and reading them as the bright glow of them really is ditracting. I have told many poeple to please stop and put them away, sadly some people go mental if you say anything like that to them, but I have to when someone had it on since the credits for 30 minutes waving it about.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 16 Jan 2007, 19:14

Markgway wrote:The British public has a problem with alcohol, these European countries you mention obviously don't. Our culture has become one of excess and irresponsibility.

I completely agree but the answer you seem to think is to ban it? What the fuck.

So a certain percentage abuse their legal right and you want to take liberty and freedom away from everyone? How is that right?

Like I said you can't even get drunk and act like a knob in the cinema anyway so your point doesn't even make any sense. Yes agreed the government should be doing considerably more to stop the yob culture but to ban drink in a cinema of all places will do absolutely nothing to stop the problem. Do you honestly think people who go out to get drunk go to the cinema to do it?

The answered isn't to ban it, did it work in America? Not in the slightest. The government should make it illegal to sell alcohol so cheaply and ban blatant advertising to the youngsters. That would do for starters.

It needs to be made socially unacceptable to drink to excess just like it's become socially unacceptable to drink and drive, it's not that long ago it was common place.

Like I said agreed the government needs to do more but to ban it would not stop the problem in the slightest, it would just drive it underground.

It's also btw a problem in Ireland.

So yeah, Brad, if it means a safer society, you can do without. If you wanna drink a beer whilst watching a movie... there's always DVD.

Last time I checked I couldn't watch a DVD in the cinema.

This strikes me more of a problem "you've" got with alcohol generally than anything else.

Shingster wrote:Sometimes I read your comments on society and I wonder if you ever leave your house and experience the real world first hand at all Mark! . Brad has already given the perfectly valid example of theatre as a perfectly safe environment where alcohol is consumed.

Exactly.

What's going on I'm agreeing with you

. It had to happen eventually