Blade Runner 2049

[stairpost]

My great memories of going to the cinema are all from the '70s and '80s. One big screen, huge auditorium with a balcony. Always packed and a real atmosphere. Queuing to get in only heightened the tension.

First the adverts: Pearl and Dean. Smoke from the smoking section would already be hanging in the projector beam. Then the crackly commercial for the Indian Restaurant. There's a pube stuck on the camera lens in some shots, but what the hell, this was the '70s so they used them anyway. Then the lights go back up and they flog you ice creams. Then lights down again and time for the first feature. Usually this would be that film where they rescue the blind pit ponies, but occasionally they would put on the documentary on North Sea oil.

Lights go back up, more ice cream selling,

Finally it goes dark again. Everyone knows this is it so they scramble back to their seats, a hush descends. But no! First it is 'Coming Soon!' ' A U trailer advertising an X rated film'. Usually a horror or sci-fi horror you were too young to be able to go and see. But women would be screaming just from the trailer.

And so, at last, the 'British Board Of Film Censors' notice would come up for the film that you actually came to see. We are a couple of hours in now already. Cue dozens of cat calls and wolf-whistles and cheers. At last! Not only have you paid for this but by now you have fucking-well earned it.

Regardless of how good or bad the film was, coming out was like leaving a football match that you won: a huge crowd shuffling to the exits, everyone on a high. Getting back out onto the street was weird: you'd been in there for that long that the outside world now seemed a strange, alien place that you only barely remembered.

That was an event, easily surpassing what you can have at home, no matter how big your screen or how good the picture or sound. But going to the cinema today is not like that at all anymore.

Well, that was a real trip down memory lane. Reading that bought memories flooding back, I could feel the atmosphere. You have made me realise how sterile a trip to the cinema is these days.

[JimC]

Just had an email saying my Blu-Ray is on its way.

Excited !!!!!

Jim

[Ian7633]

My great memories of going to the cinema are all from the '70s and '80s. One big screen, huge auditorium with a balcony. Always packed and a real atmosphere. Queuing to get in only heightened the tension.

First the adverts: Pearl and Dean. Smoke from the smoking section would already be hanging in the projector beam. Then the crackly commercial for the Indian Restaurant. There's a pube stuck on the camera lens in some shots, but what the hell, this was the '70s so they used them anyway. Then the lights go back up and they flog you ice creams. Then lights down again and time for the first feature. Usually this would be that film where they rescue the blind pit ponies, but occasionally they would put on the documentary on North Sea oil.

Lights go back up, more ice cream selling,

Finally it goes dark again. Everyone knows this is it so they scramble back to their seats, a hush descends. But no! First it is 'Coming Soon!' ' A U trailer advertising an X rated film'. Usually a horror or sci-fi horror you were too young to be able to go and see. But women would be screaming just from the trailer.

And so, at last, the 'British Board Of Film Censors' notice would come up for the film that you actually came to see. We are a couple of hours in now already. Cue dozens of cat calls and wolf-whistles and cheers. At last! Not only have you paid for this but by now you have fucking-well earned it.

Regardless of how good or bad the film was, coming out was like leaving a football match that you won: a huge crowd shuffling to the exits, everyone on a high. Getting back out onto the street was weird: you'd been in there for that long that the outside world now seemed a strange, alien place that you only barely remembered.

That was an event, easily surpassing what you can have at home, no matter how big your screen or how good the picture or sound. But going to the cinema today is not like that at all anymore.

That really is as it was, we also had the bonus that the fire doors at the back of the local ABC cinema opened into the bus depot and people used them to leave rather than queue for the main doors. Those of us " in the know " would hang around waiting for the doors to open and in we'd go. I lost count of how many times I saw Jaws lol.

[struth]

One of our cinemas was called the flea pit for good reason.
We were always a cinematic family. My grandad had 3 silent movie cinemas.

Good post Martin. We had similar experiences

[Barry]

My great memories of going to the cinema are all from the '70s and '80s. One big screen, huge auditorium with a balcony. Always packed and a real atmosphere. Queuing to get in only heightened the tension.

First the adverts: Pearl and Dean. Smoke from the smoking section would already be hanging in the projector beam. Then the crackly commercial for the Indian Restaurant. There's a pube stuck on the camera lens in some shots, but what the hell, this was the '70s so they used them anyway. Then the lights go back up and they flog you ice creams. Then lights down again and time for the first feature. Usually this would be that film where they rescue the blind pit ponies, but occasionally they would put on the documentary on North Sea oil.

Lights go back up, more ice cream selling,

Finally it goes dark again. Everyone knows this is it so they scramble back to their seats, a hush descends. But no! First it is 'Coming Soon!' ' A U trailer advertising an X rated film'. Usually a horror or sci-fi horror you were too young to be able to go and see. But women would be screaming just from the trailer.

And so, at last, the 'British Board Of Film Censors' notice would come up for the film that you actually came to see. We are a couple of hours in now already. Cue dozens of cat calls and wolf-whistles and cheers. At last! Not only have you paid for this but by now you have fucking-well earned it.

Regardless of how good or bad the film was, coming out was like leaving a football match that you won: a huge crowd shuffling to the exits, everyone on a high. Getting back out onto the street was weird: you'd been in there for that long that the outside world now seemed a strange, alien place that you only barely remembered.

That was an event, easily surpassing what you can have at home, no matter how big your screen or how good the picture or sound. But going to the cinema today is not like that at all anymore.

Excellent and evocative post Martin.

Did you, as a youngster, go to the Saturday matinees? Starting with a 'sing-along' (which no-one did), then a cartoon or two, followed by a serial (Flash Gordon or Zorro), then the 'main feature'. All for the sum of 1s/6d (7.5p).

[Gazjam]

4K Bluray arriving today from Amazon.
Saving it for the Weekend, looking forward to it will be a treat.

[struth]

4K Bluray arriving today from Amazon.
Saving it for the Weekend, looking forward to it will be a treat.

son's bluray just through post. he will enjoy it i'm sure

[hornucopia]

"Regardless of how good or bad the film was, coming out was like leaving a football match that you won: a huge crowd shuffling to the exits, everyone on a high. Getting back out onto the street was weird: you'd been in there for that long that the outside world now seemed a strange, alien place that you only barely remembered."

I vividly recall coming out of a Fellini film -you aesthetes will know-they're WEIRD! - and there was a torrential storm outside-so it DID seem rather mind-blowing!


Was just talking about B-Runner2 this morning. Being 'careful with money', I've reserved it at Library!
Support your local library! Here in Bristol, Council aka, elected dictator-mayor, is trying to close HALF our libraries!

[rigger67]

I vividly recall coming out of a Fellini film -you aesthetes will know-they're WEIRD! - and there was a torrential storm outside-so it DID seem rather mind-blowing!

Funnily enough, I watched 8 1/2 on my own at the riverfront cinema in Bristol a couple of years ago and I know exactly what you mean.

There were times when I just wanted to walk out, thinking it was utter w@nkery but then it picked up again and towards the end I thought it was a masterpiece.
Need to sit through it again though as I'm sure it's one of those pictures where you miss lots of little nuggets first time round.

Oh, and purely for the lovely Ms Cardinale of course

[Ali Tait]

4K Bluray arriving today from Amazon.
Saving it for the Weekend, looking forward to it will be a treat.

You’ll love it mate.