Last week, for the first time in a long time, I went to the cinema to watch the new Joker: Folie à Deux film. The showing was in the Avenue Cinema, which for anyone who hasn’t been, is a bit different to your traditional movie theatre – no rows of crimson velvet seats and sticky carpet at this venue. The Avenue, located in the space previously occupied by the Debenhams Department store in CastleCourt, has a more homely feel with sofas, side tables and soft lighting emanating from stylish shaded lamps.
The cinema features Art Deco style touches and offers the added luxury of being able to order food and drinks from an extensive menu which includes everything from bread and dips to burger and chips. The café and bar is fully licensed so there is also a varied drinks menu available ranging from cocktails to coffee – and all delivered conveniently to your seat.
The movie was disappointing but what I found more profoundly worrying is the fact that the cinema experience (no matter how exclusive) could be another long established pastime consigned to the annals of history.
I am aware, certainly in my grandparents’ era, the cinema provided a haven for people to briefly escape from the challenges of life, especially during the post-war period. The golden age of cinema peaked around the late 1940s/early 1950s but the movies of that bygone era are still remembered with great affection and nostalgia today. Films such as The Wizard of Oz (1939), It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) and Oliver Twist (1948) are still regular staples on Christmas TV schedules.
The cinema is another casualty of the digital generation – the time between the release of movies in film theatres to their availability on streaming services is minimal. So why pay for, what admittedly, can be an expensive visit to the cinema to see the latest film when you can view it in the comfort of your own home within a few weeks? Indeed, some movies are released straight to steaming and bypass the cinema altogether.
Television systems are also so advanced – with increasingly larger ultra-high-definition screens, surround-sound and smart TV functions, the ‘big screen’ experience no longer has the draw it once had.
However, the cinema thankfully remains a popular choice for dates, particularly those awkward early encounters, because it offers a relatively safe, warm and neutral environment for couples to relax and watch a film together without having to engage in what can often feel like forced or stilted conversation.
And although popular chain Cineworld announced its intention to close some cinemas as ‘part of major restructuring plans’ there isn’t any immediate threat to cinema goers just yet. However, it is true that the Covid pandemic triggered a drop in audiences which has never recovered.
But maybe the decline is down to the quality of films on offer too. Despite the Barbie/Oppenheimer hype which briefly ignited a resurgence of cinema goers in 2023, how many people would actually consider either of these movies to be their favourite film?
Read more: Life in plastic, it’s fantastic as the Bluffer enters the world of Barbie
I love all genres - thriller, comedy, romance, action-packed adventure - but the films which resonate the most with me are those which really touch the heart, such as 1997′s As Good as It Gets or 2018′s Green Book. And clearly it’s not just me; both these movies won a slew of Oscars including those for Best Picture/Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor.
Unfortunately, I have not seen anything of this calibre recently which is why I have high hopes for the forthcoming Gladiator II movie. The original Gladiator movie was an iconic, historical epic which ticked all the boxes and was a huge success (it also won Best Picture/Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor Oscars amongst 12 Academy Awards in total). So Paul Mescal – no pressure then – except perhaps the future fate of our cinemas…
