London's Picturehouses
Grabbing a film in many parts of Britain is usually a thankless task. Rushed into the local multiplex, overpriced tickets and lousy popcorn. Added to that the fact that what is on the screen is usually a worthless promotion of pop culture brainwashing you into buying more. Zzz...
Thankfully in London, we have a little more choice in what we venture to when we choose the cinema as the mode of entertainment for the day (or night).
The repertory cinemas give us a breath of fresh air when it comes to the choice on screen. Subtitles no longer become an obscure art form, but a staple diet of the avid London cinema goer. the Genesis in Mile End the Rio in Dalston and the Ritzy in Brixton all pump out great films from across the world, expanding our tastes and sometimes, messing with our heads. And of course, the grandaddy of the Rep, the NFT on the South Bank. What a place to catch great films. There are many more fine cinemas, spread throughout the capital giving us a taste of something far more exciting than ‘Bugman 3’.
But I also have to commend the free market. London’s cosmopolitan population means that even the dreary multiplexes in the less glamorous parts of the capital will get a sprinkling of something other than LA. From Feltham to Wandsworth, the big cinemas will often serve up Indian fare from Bollywood, Kollywood and Tollywood, keeping the masses and their diaspora entertained. And let us not forget the Boleyn Cinema in Upton Park which specialises in Indian films everyday.
And it is the little quirky cinemas like the Boleyn that can make a cinema outing in London fun. The Gate Picture House in Notting Hill is a beautiful place in which to watch films and before the smoking ban was one of the last few places in London where you could spark up and watch a film. The outdoor exhibitions at Somerset House where a cushion is all that separates you from the stone floor is a great way to spend an evening. And my personal favourite, nestled away in Leicester Square, the Prince Charles Cinema. Probably the greatest cinema in all of London, this little picture house serves up great films and rock bottom prices.
Who ever said London was a rip off?
Thankfully in London, we have a little more choice in what we venture to when we choose the cinema as the mode of entertainment for the day (or night).
The repertory cinemas give us a breath of fresh air when it comes to the choice on screen. Subtitles no longer become an obscure art form, but a staple diet of the avid London cinema goer. the Genesis in Mile End the Rio in Dalston and the Ritzy in Brixton all pump out great films from across the world, expanding our tastes and sometimes, messing with our heads. And of course, the grandaddy of the Rep, the NFT on the South Bank. What a place to catch great films. There are many more fine cinemas, spread throughout the capital giving us a taste of something far more exciting than ‘Bugman 3’.
But I also have to commend the free market. London’s cosmopolitan population means that even the dreary multiplexes in the less glamorous parts of the capital will get a sprinkling of something other than LA. From Feltham to Wandsworth, the big cinemas will often serve up Indian fare from Bollywood, Kollywood and Tollywood, keeping the masses and their diaspora entertained. And let us not forget the Boleyn Cinema in Upton Park which specialises in Indian films everyday.
And it is the little quirky cinemas like the Boleyn that can make a cinema outing in London fun. The Gate Picture House in Notting Hill is a beautiful place in which to watch films and before the smoking ban was one of the last few places in London where you could spark up and watch a film. The outdoor exhibitions at Somerset House where a cushion is all that separates you from the stone floor is a great way to spend an evening. And my personal favourite, nestled away in Leicester Square, the Prince Charles Cinema. Probably the greatest cinema in all of London, this little picture house serves up great films and rock bottom prices.
Who ever said London was a rip off?
posted by MTaylor @ 12:28 PM
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