Cinema Standards Declining..?

[Vern1961]

Been a while since we went to the cinema but wife and I decided to go and see Halloween at our local Cineworld this afternoon.

Okay movie but the cinema and presentation very poor. £18.40 for two of us on a Tuesday afternoon. No Box Office anymore, you have to buy tickets from an automatic machine - so no cash purchase, card only.

Once in the screen very uncomfortable low seats, felt like we were sitting on the floor. Movie started and was projected on the screen with black bars all around the picture, almost as if watching an old DVD on a modern large screen TV. The picture within the "bars" was not exactly sharp. In fact we wondered if this even projected from celluloid or they are now using digital media. Sound was mediocre, over loud and tinny with no subtlety at all.

Is this typical or were we just unlucky? Not surprising apart from us there were only two or three other people in the screening. If this is how far the cinema has fallen compared to years ago, we will stay at home and watch movies on our large screen TV, Dolby Atmos and from the La-Z-Boy recliner.

 

[Vern1961]

Well there's an Empire cinema over at Greenbridge, we may try that - though last time we were there fairly certain the projection was off and I had to go out into the foyer to get someone to fix it. The only advantage of Cineworld is that it's only a 5 min walk from where we live.

So if it's all automated/digital does that mean they are in fact "projecting" the movies off a disc rather than traditional celluloid reels?

With "Halloween" I had wondered if the black bars were to add a retro feel but it does sound more though the staff CBA to adjust the shutters.

 

[Vern1961]

So basically cinema today is an upmarket Netflix... great. Long suspected celluloid was no longer in use but at least they could match the shutters to the borders on the screen.

 

[Vern1961]

The problem with Cineworld in West Swindon is that it seems to be the poor relation to the Empire at Greenbridge and their own new sister screen just off the town centre. It wouldn't surprise me if they weren't quietly running the venue down with a view to closure. Not sure how busy they get in the evening, but including me and the wife there was only 5 or 6 people in the auditorium for the screening. Can't be making any money on that I would have thought.

 

[Vern1961]

By the way, I don't know how you missed the death of celluloid exhibition but err.. that happened a long time ago

Did say it was a while since we'd been, though not that long - a bit of digging seems to indicate use of celluloid died out around 2011/2012.

Regardless of the projection system then, when the show is well presented I agree the experience can be better than at home. We often found the cinemas in the US and Canada to be better. We saw Revenge Of the Sith in Calgary back in 2005 - screen was floor to ceiling and the width of the auditorium. It was almost as good as an Imax display, really felt in the action!

"Hey mate, don't be a dick"

Probably a relief not to feel the battery acid outside the building later on, always the risk when you remonstrate with oafs like that.

 

[Vern1961]

Didn't a new cinema open in town? Where the old regent circus college used to be? You might find that one a bit nicer.

As noted the new cinema in town is also a Cineworld hence my musing about trying to deter usage at the West Swindon location. Would be okay for a matinee showing but Swindon after dark is even less savoury than the day time - just walking from work to the car park after late turn you are watching your back constantly.

 

[Vern1961]

The out of town shopping centres aren't much better. West Swindon dominated by ChAvsda, both banks and the estate agent have gone. North Swindon used to have a few quality shops, decent bookshop (Barnes & Noble ISTR) but gone.

Back OT, definitely thinking of a drive up the M4 to Winnersh and sample the cinema there - missus wants to see the new Fantastic Beasts in a few weeks time.