Forum Topic

Will we finally get a new cinema?

Empire have a new planning application in force.Watching Thorne on Sky1 this week, I heard that a woman had been stabbed outside 'a' cinema in Ealing. Good luck with that!Why does a town the size of Ealing not have a cinema?

Susan Kelly ● 5804d24 Comments

Perhaps there is no need bearing in mind you can get films on demand,get them on Sky / Cable as well as get them for next to nothing from Lovefilm. The cinema is way too expensive and to be honest has lost its attraction.

J Smith ● 5804d

Nah, I disagree. Going to the cinema is a unique experience, which simply cannot be replicated at home, no matter how fancy your 100-inch screen with super surround sound or whatever may be. I went to see "Another Year" (the new Mike Leigh film - brilliant) at the Curzon in Richmond yesterday, and the whole experience was utterly relaxing. A propos of the current developments in Ealing, I read that Empire have now got three years to get started on the project, which presumably means that they WILL take three years to get started on the project. Why don't they just flippin' get on with it?

Alex Weel ● 5803d

I went to the cinema earlier this year for the first time in 4 years. Grossly overpriced and full of people who were more interested in talking and throwing popcorn than actually what was being shown. I agree tht you don't get the same experience at home, but at least you can go and make a cuppa without missing anything, plus it is cheaper in the long run and you don't have to put up with antisocial people sitting next to you.

J Smith ● 5803d

Cinema goinmg is someting that people did last century, it's passé.It's been discussed on here before and some people claim audiences are at an all time high but if there was any money to be made from this project, Empire or some other company would be cracking on with it.  The fact is, they are not.

G Lord ● 5803d

I agree with Alex; films are made to be seen in a big screen, in the dark, not on a telly at home, being paused every ten minutes because somebody wants to make a cup of tea, thus interrupting the flow.

Susan Kelly ● 5803d

And certainly better watching where phone, email and doorbell cannot intervene.i also loved Another Year and though it was partly financed by Film 4 and is on a small scale, the fabulous camerawork makes this a great film for the big screen.I love the overwhelmedness of the cinema - a TV is a small screen in a room - even if it can be quite a big small screen (if you see what I mean) but a cinema is an experience, an outing, a treat and, with luck, an audio as well as a visual experience.

Sara Nathan ● 5803d

"... make a cup of tea, thus interrupting the flow."Perhaps this is due to the absence of blackout blinds and discipline. :)I made my family sit through GWTW the other week with the threat of restarting the film if there was any interruption. It worked! My children are now familiar with the David O Selznick studio chimes, the introduction and the cast list! All this thanks to my wife who eventually went to bed so we could enjoy the rest of the film without let or hindrance.

Alan Brainsby ● 5803d

I'm not disputing that some of you enjoy the cinema, my point is that not enough of you go on a regular basis to make it worthwhile for it to be rebuilt in Ealing.

G Lord ● 5803d

Problem is that although I go a lot - it's never been to Ealing.If I want block-busters it's Park Royale which has a good range, is inexpensive and I can park.For arthouse - well Ealing never showed those so it's Screens or Curzons or Richmond or maybe WatermansIn the screening season - BAFTAAnd two film clubs - one in Acton the other in W1.No USP of advantage to Ealing anywhere.

Sara Nathan ● 5803d

I used to go regularly as it was the only one in walking distance. It was often pretty busy.

Susan Kelly ● 5803d

Sorry if I sound like a killjoy, but the last time I went to the cinema the experience was awful - the majority of people they were more interested in talking to each other and throwing popcorn. I used to like to go when I was younger (not that I am old now)as it wa a treat etc, but nowadays it is a bit expensive for the actual experience you get.

J Smith ● 5803d

Yes you do seem to get that more and more of that kind of inconsiderate behaviour these days, especially at the multiplexes. Trouble is, there's nowt you can do about it. If you politely ask the popcorn-throwing hoodie to shush, at best you'll be ignored and at worst you'll get stabbed.

Alex Weel ● 5803d

"...more and more of that kind of inconsiderate behaviour..."Maybe that's why some people go to the cinema because it is part of the experience and perhaps they wish to be part of it. We don't throw popcorn at home but at least smoking is permitted!Another advantage of home is the presence of subtitles* as most cinemas seem unaware of the T-loop system or at least its ON switch. * I refer to English/English subtitling, not that used for translation purposes.

Alan Brainsby ● 5803d

I usually go in the afternoons when the popcorn munchers/ mobile chatterers are at school or possibly work. My special bugbear is the way the kids traipse in and out all through the film. They can't all have ADHD.

Susan Kelly ● 5802d

Why don't you ey on an E8 or a 65 bus and go to Waterman's at Brentford?No popcorn but you are allowed to take your tipple in with you.I go regularly and I have nothing but good to say of it because the people who go actually go to watch the film.It is small and perfectly formed too.You can phone them up and ask to get on the mailing list.Come on down...!

Keith Iddon ● 5802d

I have found that when other users, generally kids but not always, are noisy and I ask them to be quieter, they generally do pipe down.Doesn't happen very often though and I like the sensation of being in a full cinema of people watching the same thing and responding - mark you, that doesn't happen very often either.

Sara Nathan ● 5801d

I'll vouch for Watermans; it's a little treasure.  Their kids productions are brilliant too. My only gripe is their website, not sure what platform it's built on but it is so slow (and it's not my internet connection!)

Diane Gill ● 5801d

The Waterman's has revamped its website lately to allow online booking, though at the moment it doesn't deal with concessions or discounts for members.I'm worried about the future of the Waterman's; they almost closed a couple of years ago when the Arts Council withdrew their grant. Luckily, the AC relented, but can they survive the Cuts?

Susan Kelly ● 5801d

All the more reason to use it..

Keith Iddon ● 5801d

I use it several times a month, but it doesn't show the same films as a local fleapit. You're not comparing like with like.What I don't understand, Keith, is why you're so opposed to Ealing having a cinema. How about we have one for the rest of us and you just don't go?

Susan Kelly ● 5801d

For Pete's sake Susan where in my post does it state,or even imply,that I am against a cinema in Ealing?Why are you so damn rude?I was high lighting that there is a good cinema in Brentford and as there isn't one currently in Ealing why not go there.How about you wait until one opens in Ealing and don't go to Waterman's in the meantime?

Keith Iddon ● 5801d

I didn't think I was being rude. Don't be so touchy. I've already told you that I'm a regular at the Waterman's; in fact, I'm a member.

Susan Kelly ● 5800d

'Don't be so touchy'...well don't be so rude then.If you can't see the rudeness in your reply well you really are in need of some manners.

Keith Iddon ● 5800d

This was Keith's original post. I thought it was a good post that highlighted the benefits of Waterman's.  I think a cinema at Ealing and Waterman's (that provides lots of other activities too) can quite easily survive side-by-side, providing Waterman's can continue that is.Why don't you ey on an E8 or a 65 bus and go to Waterman's at Brentford?No popcorn but you are allowed to take your tipple in with you.I go regularly and I have nothing but good to say of it because the people who go actually go to watch the film.It is small and perfectly formed too.You can phone them up and ask to get on the mailing list.Come on down...!

Diane Gill ● 5800d