Having seen almost fifty films on the big screen so far this year, I feel like I'm doing my bit to keep the lights on at the cinema. This week, it was announced selected Cineworld outlets have scrapped their 'VIP Lounge' offer,
Anecdotally, I still don't feel as though audience numbers have returned to pre-pandemic levels, although I've not got the figures to corroborate this theory. Admittedly, I often go to see films at strange times, but I don't think the cinema is as packed as it used to be.
I'm not a big fan of three course meals being served to your sofa, as happened at a swanky venue in Harrogate we visited last year. An adjacent lady spent most of the movie quaffing red wine, scoffing pizza and I think she might have even had a cheeseburger during the end credits. No judgement from me, but I prefer to concentrate on the film, Although I won't say no to a small salted popcorn topped with M&Ms if you're buying.
One factor that hasn't helped is the speed at which films reach streaming services. The window between cinema release and on demand has been significantly narrowed. The pandemic didn't help either, with folk getting used to watching films on their sofa whilst scrolling through social media. CIneworld closed for a torturous 32 weeks!
There have been exceptions to the narrow streaming window, with Matilda not hitting Netflix as anticipated in time for Christmas 2022, sparking a flurry of indignant tweets. Some Disney films like Soul recently got a belated cinema release, after missing out during lockdown. But generally, the pattern seems to be that films are available to watch at home pretty quickly, compared to the days of Blockbuster Video. Be kind, rewind!
So what can be done? The axing of the VIP service at Cineworld suggests customers don't want to shell out £25 for unlimited food and drink, yet the venue we went to in Harrogate with swanky sofas seemed to be flourishing. I'd bring back the intermission for one thing. Cinemas got ticked off for adding one during Killers Of The Flower Moon without prior permission, as it violated the distributor's strict terms. When you get to a certain age, a comfort break is very welcome, frankly.
Perhaps more classics could be shown? I'd also love big cinema chains to be bolder with their programming, and take a chance on smaller movies, rather than just showing big sequels and endless superhero films In addition, not a lot seems to be coming out at the moment, which might be a delayed effect of the writers' strike.
What would tempt you back? A phone ban? Cheaper prices? I'll have reviews of Garfield and Sting next week.
Alex B Cann weekly film column
