[delta]

Do you prefer to see a film in a traditional single-screen cinema or in a shoe-box featureless screen in a multiplex? Going to the cinema is no longer an event, the magic has gone, thanks to chatter, phones, rustling popcorn, etc. That is unless you are lucky enough to have a traditional cinema in your area.

[Smeagol]

Oh given the chance of course The Liester Square Odeon in 70mm anytime!!! Or a good Imax presentation!

By sadly that isn't commericially viable in smaller towns.

So, yes the first one, but then the sencond one is the only thing you are going to get nowadays and that largely is our fault as we don't go in numbers to the cinema anymore!

Given the choice, I would watch a film at the Whiteladies Road Picture House. Sadly, along with so many other things, it closed a few years ago and now it's en route to becoming a trendy wine bar....

[Tony Techno]

We used to have the Odeon here in Newcastle. It was originally a theatre when it opened in 1931, but was converted to a cinema in the 1960's when Paramount bought it-by the end of the decade it became the Odeon. It's main screen was huge, given the fact it was once a thetre, and, sadly, it closed in November 2002, Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets being the last film I saw there, four days before its closure. It is, at present, still derilict, and is a fine example of classic architecture. The Odeon, meanwhile, moved across town to a new, purpose built leisure complex called The Gate. I preferred the old charm of the old Odeon, but the new one's good, all the same. The Jesmond Cinema, in Newcastle's most upmarket area, closed in September 1993-it's still vacant, can you believe! The multiplex has won, although the Wanrer Village one closed recently, due to the new Odeon nabbing its custom, and title as Newcastle's most modern cinema! As for the popcorn debate, someone said that in an e-mail to the Metro newspaper the other day, too. If people want to eat in a cinema, let them! I always do! They tell you to switch moblies off before the film starts, so I've only experinced it a couple of times in recent years since the emergence of them.

[paulbrock]

Sorry, but I'm a multiplex fan!!

Adore having the choice, and they seem to be much better, in particular UGC West India Quay (except for the queues) and filmworks Greenwich. Wouldn't want them to sacrifice space by having lots of tiny screens (e.g Trocadero!) but 8 or 10 decent screens means you get the blockbusters plus the indie flicks. Decent choice of food, VERY comfy seats, top sound, amazing experience. (Also a tenner a month for unlimited films at UGC).

I used to love the Odeon in Holloway, it still had a very traditional 'theatre' foyer very well decked out, but still managed 6 screens I think.

[Pretinama]

Well, *that* isn't a loaded question at all... no siree!

In my opinion:

Traditional (or old fashioned and out of date) cinemas - small seats; bad sound; no air conditioning; crappy shop; no other entertainments or café; one choice of movie.

Multiplex - choice; meeting places; café; better seats; air conditioning; good sound; nicer surroundings.

I am a fan of the multiplex. If it wasn't for the whining teens etc!

Have a nice day!

[dave25285]

It has to be multiplexes, a much nicer environment than any tatty old cinema. Plus there’s somewhere to park!!
In Blackpool, where I live, they turned the two old in town cinemas into the countries biggest nightclub and the other into a massive camp cabaret show.
There’s now a huge Odeon multiplex just down the road. So I would say that in my area the building of the multiplex has turned two tatty old buildings into thriving businesses, and given us a great cinema.

[thms]

went to a bafta special screening of troy at the ugc multiplex, glasgow
must say all the 'luvvies' were well behaved