Cineworld preparing to file for bankruptcy

Higher Than Average said:
Funny exact opposite experience for me with odeon and cine world.

Odeon feels like the same cinema I went to as a kid 20 years ago. Cine world however has lovely seats, teared seats ffs which odeon doesn't have that well, they did have those moving seats, and even the 4dx in some screens.

I think it just depends how new a cinema is. Odeon was built 30 odd years ago. Cine world less than 10. But when odeon is ever redone, then it'll feel much nicer than cine world for 10 years, until cine world then refresh and that feels better etc.
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I'm not sure how accurate that is, although it may be regional.

The Cineworld near me was meant to be one of their newest and greatest (brand new, as one of the key features of a new shopping/experience complex), it felt uncared for (in the technical department) after just a few months, the Odeon which is now probably 10 years old still felt "new" in terms of maintenance when I went to see Dune.
I wonder if it's partly down to regional management, or even the on site manager, as from memory the Cineworld near one of my friends is in a converted Music Hall/Theatre, complete with the original floor layout for seating, but they had the electric adjustable, really comfy seating as part of a refit that was done.
 
Werewolf said:
I'm not sure how accurate that is, although it may be regional.
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obviously can only speak from experience, but it could also be a post-covid thing that you're experiencing. cineworld have consistently been better cinema by a long shot compared to the 3 odeons nearish to me.

but perhaps there's been the writing on the wall for a while since covid, if they're letting a new cinema go uncared for, it's not something you'd expect that quickly.
 
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That's my point the odean in Derby was a dump then the manager of the time put his neck on the line and convinced the higher ups for a refit, electric chairs etc and it's never been busier.
 
StriderX said:
Why would anyone bother buying it with the running costs about to skyrocket while demand plummets?

Does Cineworld even own the land their buildings are on?
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This is the problem. I can't imagine Odeon are doing any better. Although I don't know where this $5bn debt has accumulated from - Odeons finances might be in better shape.

Most of the cinemas I know of tend to be in retail outlets where they only rent the space rather than own it.
 
Higher Than Average said:
Funny exact opposite experience for me with odeon and cine world.

Odeon feels like the same cinema I went to as a kid 20 years ago. Cine world however has lovely seats, teared seats ffs which odeon doesn't have that well, they did have those moving seats, and even the 4dx in some screens.

I think it just depends how new a cinema is. Odeon was built 30 odd years ago. Cine world less than 10. But when odeon is ever redone, then it'll feel much nicer than cine world for 10 years, until cine world then refresh and that feels better etc.
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Same where I am. The Odeon where I live was famed for being a place The Beatles played at back in the day, and I don't think it's been refurbished more than two or three times since.

Our Cineworld is brand spanking new.
 
The main ones I visit are Stevenage, MK and Bedford, all have had a "refit" within the last 5 years to freshen them up but they're all feeling worn out already with the work done. Milton Keynes kept their original seats and just painted the foyer and darkened the screens slightly, Bedford they did the same but finally added surround sound to the screens (it was that long overdue), but didn't fit the tiered seating they were planning to do as VUE opened up in the town and they had to halve the pricing to compete. Stevenage got completely gutted including new tiered seats, carpet and paint as it was still the original furniture from when it opened 25 years ago.

Even though Stevenage has had the most spent on it for the refurb it's looking worn and tatty already to the point I'd rather go to MK or even Bedford. I only go because of the unlimited card but the quality of the screens doesn't represent fair value for the ticket price. Since going digital there's very little for the staff to do or trained to do if there are issues with the projection, sound or other film issues.
 
Steeps said:
Since going digital there's very little for the staff to do or trained to do if there are issues with the projection, sound or other film issues.
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It's an interesting point this. Especially with the self-service ticket kiosks, the staff are now only there to check your ticket on the way in, make food/drinks, and do a quick cleanup at the end of the film.

I'm actually surprised the food counters haven't moved more towards vending machines, leaving an almost staff-less setup.
 
The old pyramid building in Milton Keynes used to be an "Easy Cinema", everything bright orange back in early 2000's. They tried to operate a non-staffed model where entry was by barcode and turnstyle, bring your own food and vending machines but it wasn't profitable. Stevenage used to be popcorn freshly popped on site but that went during the refurbishment.

The issue with concessions currently is how slow the queues move. Just a couple wanting 2 seats, and icee/coffee and a bag of popcorn can take 5 minutes for a single person to serve. Customers are trusted to handle their own pick and mix so why not split out other food dispensers and reduce queue times? I don't mind paying £3.45 for a large bucket of drink to have with the film as it's comparable to having a drink with a meal or at a pub, but I'm not going to buy one if I have to queue for 15 minutes to get one.
 
Same never had a massive queue to all the ones i went to. It depends on the city as well. If its Edinburgh or Glasgow then of course its bound to be busier. Whereas Dundee will be less depending on the time and day.
 
I have not visited a cinema since 2018. Why?

. Expensive. I don't bother with their food. Even brought my own sweets in (in a clear bag) as these are special sweets for my allergies. I'm only allergic to their prices...
. Get idiots who don't get off their phones (screens lit up distract me)
. The smell of cinema popcorn makes me feel sick
. If its a kid's film, get a child who needs to visit the loo three times in an 1 hour 40 min film. Yes they have to sit in front of me or the same row....
. Films are lacking originality - taking Marvel etc to tedious levels. 99% of modern remakes are rubbish (Cape Fear and Casino Royale are exceptions)


Watching films at home - no distractions from other people, no stinking popcorn. Plus if I need the loo, I can pause it.
 
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cheesefest said:
. Get idiots who don't get off their phones (screens lit up distract me)
. The smell of cinema popcorn makes me feel sick
. If its a kid's film, get a child who needs to visit the loo three times in an 1 hour 40 min film. Yes they have to sit in front of me or the same row....
. Films are lacking originality - taking Marvel etc to tedious levels. 99% of modern remakes are rubbish (Cape Fear and Casino Royale are exceptions
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Have you thought about not going on opening night?

Kids films have kids in them at the start, but after a film is 1.5 weeks old, you'll find screens 15 percent capacity, so plenty space to be away from others.

It's been a long time since I saw a film less than a week after release for the reasons you list above.
 
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cheesefest said:
I have not visited a cinema since 2018. Why?

. Expensive. I don't bother with their food. Even brought my own sweets in (in a clear bag) as these are special sweets for my allergies. I'm only allergic to their prices...
. Get idiots who don't get off their phones (screens lit up distract me)
. The smell of cinema popcorn makes me feel sick
. If its a kid's film, get a child who needs to visit the loo three times in an 1 hour 40 min film. Yes they have to sit in front of me or the same row....
. Films are lacking originality - taking Marvel etc to tedious levels. 99% of modern remakes are rubbish (Cape Fear and Casino Royale are exceptions)


Watching films at home - no distractions from other people, no stinking popcorn. Plus if I need the loo, I can pause it.
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I dont disagree with you but perhaps your missing one major point, the immersion and movie experience, yes there can be folk who are annoying talking, and phones etc but for the majority of people they follow the rules and normally the pros easily outweighs the cons. I dont tend to eat there either but IMAX is definitely worth it imo particularly for a good movie. It doesnt sound like your a fan of the cinema so not going to convince you otherwise.

Also so many negative comments about bad films. you choose the movie you want, they obviously need to have a wide selection to please most so dont see how thats the cinema fault, its your choice at the end of the day.
 
Can't remember every really enjoying watching a movie at the cinema to be honest - saw one of the Bond movies with people from work which was a blast but we'd spent a couple of hours at the pub first...

About 2/3rd of the movies I've watched in the last few years I'd probably have walked out if I'd watched at the cinema which doesn't help either.

Much prefer my home cinema setup.
 
Kyo said:
Also so many negative comments about bad films. you choose the movie you want, they obviously need to have a wide selection to please most so dont see how thats the cinema fault, its your choice at the end of the day.
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I think I agree with this to an extent.

People often moan about there being no good TV either, but I actually wonder if that's a factor too. The money they are putting into some TV shows now and the production quality of some are insane. Let's not discuss the last two seasons, but look at Game of Thrones. In those first few seasons, the next episode really felt like an event to look forward to. Draw the curtains, turn the volume up, get a drink and something to eat and enjoy for an hour. Everyone's spare time is a finite resource, if we use more of it on great TV, we are less likely to go to the cinema I guess?
 
Topgun : Maverick was the last movie I saw in the cinema as that was absolutely one to see on the big screen.

Tickets and drinks snacks are considerably cheaper here than our local Odeon was 5 years ago. The priceless bonus is that people put their phones away before the film starts and don‘t cause any disturbances.
 
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