Small WI didn't have a meeting with speaker in August, instead last week we went to the Regal cinema in Stowmarket to see Mamma Mia - Here we go again. Lots of folk in blogland have been to see this already so I won't write much about it here. I enjoyed it despite not being a huge fan of Abba music. The screenplay is written to fit with the music and goes back and forwards between the 1970s - before the original film, and up to date. A few tears may have been shed - after all, it is about recent loss of a partner. Someone in blogworld had said stay to the end of the credits, so we did and it was a short off screen moment with Alexei Sayle.(edited in to say I've been corrected and it isn't Alexei Sayle but Omad Djalali - oops!)
What was more interesting to me was being in the cinema where I spent so many Saturday nights when I was 14, 15 and 16. We used to go whatever was showing..........and often a short film as well as the main film, it was 3 shillings (15p) down the front and then in the interval (yes, lady with ice creams on a tray) we would sneakily move up the back to any empty seats...... it was 5 shillings at the back. Last week we went to a 5 o'clock showing which is classed as a matinee so it was £5.95..........from 3 shillings to £6!
The cinema has been modernized several times since the 1970's and a few years ago it had a big rebuild at the back of the stage to make it better for live theatre shows.
Colin wasn't a film fan so I think we only went to the cinema a couple of times since we married.
My sister in law and her husband have a Loyalty card pass (£90 for a year each) so they go to quite a lot of films without having to pay any extra...........might be an idea for winter afternoons if I need entertaining. (Just done maths.......would need to go to 15+ afternoon films to save any money - doubt there would be 15 I'd want to see in a one screen cinema)
The cinema hasn't really changed much, it's still small, independent and local with car parking adjoining.
After Mamma Mia we walked across the car park to what was once a pub called the Dukes Head now it's a Prezzos. I'd not been to a Prezzos before and might not bother again! The food was OK but 4 un-spicy prawns in what was supposed to be a "Spicy Prawn and Basil Pesto Penne" was a bit disappointing. Nice for a change from cooking but quite expensive.
A good evening out.
Back Tomorrow
Sue
Such a nice building, good they had it modernised and extended.
ReplyDeleteI am still not sure to watch the film, not a huge Abba fan either.
You must have a good memory, I really don't know any costs of cinema tickets in former times.
I'm glad you enjoyed the film, like you I'm not a big fan of Abba but found it very enjoyable. Er - in the interest of accuracy, I think the 'out-take' features Omad Djalili, not Alexei Sayle although they do look very similar.
ReplyDeleteI used to think a trip to the cinema was a cheap night out, but not any more. Tickets here in Greater London at a large 'chain' are £12 or more.
OOPs
DeleteIt's really expensive round here and a family trip to the cinema really hurts! I shall wait until the DVD comes out, I think.
ReplyDeletexx
Sometimes Sue in our circumstances the idea of a night out with friends - and the company - is more important than what we see and what we eat isn't it?
ReplyDeleteGood to get out and about though. I rarely go to the cinema, I prefer to wait until something comes out on DVD. The last film I saw in the cinema was The Devil Wears Prada. Bill looked after Violet who was about 4 months old, and I sat in there alone. Nearly 12 years ago now, so I wouldn't get my moneys worth out of a yearly pass either! x
ReplyDeleteI like Abba but not Cher, but will wait for the DVD also. Old cinemas, Odeon, Gaumont and Regent, once prime spots in town now relegated to a bleak future because of those enormous tvs you can buy and watch Netflix!
ReplyDeleteCher only appears for a few minutes at the end and really needn't appear at all!
DeleteThe Regent in Stowmarket sounds like a gem, a step back in time and a rarity in a cinema today. I am glad you enjoyed yourself. There is always few good films in a year and worth looking out for and a good way to spend a morning or an afternoon. Silver Screen showings here are £6. I expect to go to over 25 films a year but as these are spread between different cinemas I have yet to purchase any memberships. When chatting about films one day a lady asked me which cinema I attend, expecting a reply of one name. I said it is not the cinema that is important, it is the film, so therefore I go to all three of our local ones. My preference is actually the Odeon Multiplex because it is a whole experience and feels like a proper outing. The tickets are about £10 for over 65s.
ReplyDeleteCher's part in Mamma Mia is minuscule, almost just a walk on so no worries there Thelma.
Glad you enjoyed the film, Sue. My DH refuses to go now so I have started going with a group or,
ReplyDeleteIke Sadie, by myself. I didn't think you would like Prezzo as it always seems ready made to me on the few times I have visited with the cinema group. I am deep cleaning and decluttering the kitchen and it’s not going to do itself if I’m blog hopping!
I'm waiting for the DVD on this one Sue. I have to really want to see a film to go to the cinema these days although I did used to go regularly.
ReplyDeleteThe Regal looks lovely. I do like old cinemas.
Sorry the meal was disappointing.
Hugs-x-
Great that you are able to go to an independent cinema. We have one in our nearest town and tickets are £3.50 which is a bargain - it means families might be able to afford it. People are very fond of it and when an Odeon opened in town everyone boycotted it so they had to reduce their ticket prices to get any custom - I think they are £7 but I don't go there on principle. People power!
ReplyDeleteGreat that you are able to go to an independent cinema. We have one in our nearest town and tickets are £3.50 which is a bargain - it means families might be able to afford it. People are very fond of it and when an Odeon opened in town everyone boycotted it so they had to reduce their ticket prices to get any custom - I think they are £7 but I don't go there on principle. People power!
ReplyDeleteHappy you had an enjoyable time at the movie, even if not such an enjoyable meal. Think the last movie I went to see was Cars with my grandson. So no movie aficionado here.
ReplyDeleteI used to love going to the cinema but its quite an expensive treat now though i do use the meerkat movies offer whenever possible x
ReplyDeleteI used to love going to the cinema but its quite an expensive treat now though i do use the meerkat movies offer whenever possible x
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the film ... if not the meal. We find our yearly cinema passes brilliant. In the interest of getting much more than our moneys worth we go to see all sorts of films. I can honestly say that some completely out of our usual type of films have been well worth seeing ... although Incredibles 2 was dire 🤣🤣
ReplyDeleteTo save even more money we take our own drinks and snacks.
Like you I do not go to the cinema very often. A few years have passed since last time.It is good to get out and do different things though. Glad you enjoyed it. Listening to ABBA songs remind me of my youth:)
ReplyDeleteI don't bother going to the cinema anymore. Everyone makes such a row, chatting, slurping drinks, munching on food, it spoils the experience for me. I like to be involved in the film. Eating out is equally disappointing, food just re-heated generally. Gosh what a grump I sound!!!!
ReplyDeleteOur cinema is old for Canada, 100yrs in continuous operation. Beautiful art deco building. Well attended because it offers a feeling of an occasion along with the movie. Run by a mother and son and their lovely helper. Helper is so patient with the children buying popcorn etc. Cheap prices and you are free after age eighty.
ReplyDeleteSounds really nice.
DeleteI must admit I don't go to the cinema very much. I find having lots of people around while I'm trying to watch a film is just really irritating. It's been years since I went and then it was the earliest showing Sunday morning so there weren't many people around. Now the cinema around here is really fancy. They serve food too which I would find really, really irritating. You even have to tell them what seat you're sitting in, so no moving if you get stuck near someone irritating.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy going to the movies and we often go to our small town theater built in 1906 that has been refurbished and updated. It is run by volunteers and they play many independent films along with only good (no blow them ups) popular movies. We joined for a small fee and pay half price to have a nice evening out. Their popcorn is also much cheaper.
ReplyDeleteI have not seen the new Mama Mia yet, but it is in my list.
I'm with you there, totally unnecessary, looked like she was afraid to move....weird.
ReplyDeleteRe. Cher's appearance.
ReplyDeleteI too was a "wait for the dvd" until I saw a movie I loved then showed my Mum on dvd....very ordinary! Really disappointing.
ReplyDeleteSo now if I think the movie will be better in cinema ( music, dancing, great scenery, action etc.) I make a pont of going.
We have special senior cost tickets too.
I haven't seen that movie as of yet, but hope to very soon. Thanks for the review. Harvey really likes Abba, me not so much.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I love going to the cinema and even more if it is a retro or vintage cinema. In some of the outback towns of Australia you can still see olf derelict wooden cinemas with signs flapping in the breeze that say things like "Talkies" (back when sound was first introduced to movies). I love the old cinema pipe organs too. Running a vintage cinema is a costly business I am told.
ReplyDeleteI must admit I am not really a cinema fan preferring to watch a film at home but I do like to eat out ocassionally. Such a shame when the food is disappointing.
ReplyDeleteWe have $5 Tuesdays at our local multiplex. We got senior citizen discounts a couple of Saturdays ago when we went to see The Spy Who Dumped Me. Laughed so hard. Needed it. I'll wait to see Mamma Mia 2 when it hits Amazon or cable. I do like Cher and heard her version of Fernando is great. The theater we go to has a cafe and a bar and they bring your order to your seats which are like a recliner. Nice.
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