Mister Bump UK

Back to Black

Had this really good experience this weekend at the cinema, so good I thought I’d mention it.

I was at an Everyman cinema for the first time. Weirdly, when I went in off the street, rather than finding a ticket kiosk, I was in this bar area, and bought my ticket from the “barman”. They were just finishing cleaning the screen, but if I wanted to order some food, I could look at a menu while I waited.

“Just” burgers, fries, pizzas etc. But although it was lunchtime, I didn’t, because the advertised start of the movie was only ten minutes away. This was a bar, so I presume I could’ve had a beer too.

When the screen was ready, another strange thing. An usher actually escorted me. I can’t imagine they do this when they’re busy, but even so… Was that because they saw I was disabled? (I almost fell down the stairs to get into the place!) A nice touch, anyway, and hey, it was pretty dark!

Once actually at the screen, another pleasant surprise. A room full of two-seater sofas! In rows, like a traditional cinema, but sofas nonetheless! And each arm had a tray on it, all becomming clear when the usher explained, “I’ll be on hand if you want to order any food during the film.” So, eating in here was not a problem? I don’t eat out much these days, so I ordered lunch straight away. Arrived well presented, and took just long enough for me to know it had been cooked to order. It turned out that there were only three people in the room, so I claimed a sofa and stretched out.

The movie itself? Back to Black, the Amy Winehouse biopic. I loved her voice, though I wasn’t listening to chart music by then so heard her mostly through my daughter. I’ve listened far more since her death – anybody who cited Dinah Washington as an idol has got to be worth a closer look! My impression was that the movie was unflattering about the guy she married, similarly showed her father in a nothing-but-good light. Maybe that was how it actually was? But I also read that the father now owns all her rights, so maybe he had some input? I’m not interested enough to find out. Overal, great music, listening to it through the cinema’s Dolby-god-knows-what system was far better than waiting for it to stream to my twenty-year-old tv.

The final nice touch, as I left the cinema, the “barman”was standing by the exit and asked what I’d thought about the movie. I’m under no illusion that he actually cared what I said, but it was pleasant way to end the trip out.

I was impressed. If there was any “downside”, you do pay for all this comfort. I went to the Bob Marley movie a few months back in a regular cinema, and this was about four times the price. With the food, maybe ten. But, so what? It’s the same argument as camping versus five-star. I’m in my fifties now and want to enjoy the overall experience, rather than the sticky carpets of the flea-pits I visited as a teen.

16 comments

    • You never know. The list of cinemas was quite long. The one is Salisbury, it was originally a cinema, then a bingo hall, then disused for a while… So I;m guessing there must be plenty of places like that around.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      • Yeah, I had a look and deffo Glasgow / Edinburgh for an Everyman. The one independent cinema we have in Aberdeen has been closed for sometime now – perhpas that may get snapped up soon enough 👍🖤

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

        • Never realised you were there. That’s a long way. Do you follow Ruth? She posts some stonking photos from thereabouts. Just looks scenic place to be. Apart from the oil rigs I guess.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply

          • Ach, the rigs have their charms I suppose. But yes, even with (what I see as) a lack of culture in comparison to bigger cities it’s not a bad place to live. I’m not sure I follow anyone from the North East – or at least who admits to it anyway! 😉🖤

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply

Leave a comment