The year began fairly disappointingly for UK cinemas, with box office takings down 9% compared to the previous year. That was until Barbenheimer came along, with revenue in August an impressive 67% higher than the same month in 2022.
I went to see both, and whilst they couldn't have been more different, both made for an excellent watch on the big screen.
Films reach streaming platforms more and more quickly these days, but going to the cinema can still be a grand social occasion. I saw Barbie at the Penistone Paramount, a charming old fashioned picturehouse about 45 minutes' drive from Tameside. They served pink and blue cocktails, most of the audience dressed up, and there was even an interval! I watched Oppenheimer at the Parkway cinema in Barnsley, who screened it on 70mm film on their original projector. There was even an introduction from the cinema's owner Rob!
Other trends this year included a debate about how long films should be. The distributors of Killers of the Flower Moon complained when the Vue cinema chain put an intermission into their film, but did the moviie really need to be almost three and a half hours long? A similar charge has been levelled at the new Netflix release Leave The World Behind, but it's still a good hour shorter than Scorcese's blockbuster.
I really enjoyed watching Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke in Leave The World Behind, as a couple on vacation with their children as technology begins to break down, emergency broadcast systems kick in, and all sorts of strange things happen involving deer and flamingo! It's tense, it's silly at times, and I found it a really entertaining watch. The cinematography is stunning at times, and the ending leaves unanswered questions, with a lot of subtle social commentary. Mahershala Ali and Myha'la Herrold are excellent as the couple who turn up on the doorstep late at night, just before planes start falling from the sky and wildlife go rogue. The film is produced by Barack and Michelle Obama, and for an end-of-the-world apocalyptic thriller, has a surprising amount of humour weaved into the script. An excellent watch.
Two from 2003 are back at the cinema, and are worthy of another look. Elf is still absolutely hilarious (the world's best cup of coffee is always a highlight), whilst Love Actually makes us wonder what might have happened if Hugh Grant had become PM instead of David Cameron. I can't honestly believe either movie is 20 years old.
One gripe about my cinema trips this year. I know a lot of profit is made from food and drink, but my goodness the prices are getting silly. How about making snacks a bit more affordable during the cost of living crisis? A cheese toastie and a coffee didn't gett me much change from a tenner the other day.
Next week, I'll be compiling my favourite ten films of the year. I've seen 80 at the cinema, so it's going to be a tough decision!
