A film-goers dream! (Filmworks Cinema (Manchester))

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Product:	Filmworks Cinema (Manchester)
Date:	02/09/01 (135 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The screens, massive, the staff, helpful, the sound- amazing

Disadvantages: None

The Filmworks is one of the best things to happen in Manchester. Along with The Lowry and the resurgence of the Quays, it has put the town back on the map as an entertainment mecca.

LIFE BEFORE THE FILM WORKS

I moved up to Manchester last Summer. My local cinema then was the UGC in Salford which I have to say turned film going into an absolute nightmare. You could hear the film next door whatever you were watching always ended up being a remix. I remember watching Stuart Little but hearing snippets of The Perfect Storm! Also the cinema would attract hoardes of kids on their own who would sit down, start sending text messages, ringing their mates and generally being abusive to anyone in the cinema! The final straw came during a screening of What Lies Beneath. About an hour into the film, 12 kids wandered in and started running up and down in front of the screen. The staff did nothing as they seemed scared of these 'mini Damiens' running riot! Sadly (tongue in cheek) this cinema closed last Feb! But out of the ashes of bad filmgoing experiences, something wonderful has emerged..........

THE FILMWORKS

The filmworks is a UCI cinema. At the moment there are two of these complexes. The other being in Greenwich. "A cinema is a cinema!" I hear you cry. So what is unique about this one?

THE BLACKOUT SCREENS

Each screen has black decor. This is so that your eyes end up looking at nothing but the screen. You must remember sat in your local Odeon clocking the stains on the curtain! Those days are gone now! Each row of seats are in a stadium format so however big someone's hair is yu can always see. The screens are all huge. The Filmworks do not punish you for seeing a film that has been out for six weeks. You know the nightmare- you arrive at the cinema to see Shrek. It's been on for ages - so it's been relegated to screen 28- you walk in there and hit you nose in the screen! Your TV is bigger
than the screen! Not here, all the screens do the films justice.

THE SOUND

The sound in the Printworks is amzing. I recently saw a preview of Moulin Rouge there and the sound was so crisp and clear that if a character whispered it sounded like someone was behind me. The screens are spaced apart so the experience of the remix in Salford cannot be repeated!

THE GALLERY

The Gallery is a movie buff's dream really. The idea is that some cinemas have a gallery within them. The Gallery is upstairs. It's basically a balcony with only a few rows of seats- but not ordinary seats- couches. There is a bar behind you and staff serve you in your seats. You pay about £15 for this luxury but it's ideal for a birthday or to see a big film like Moulin Rouge and make it an event. And it is only available to over 18's so no Mini Me's running up and down.

THE STAFF

The staff are generally really helpful. I have seen them deal with children talking non stop through films by simply entering the cinema after a complaint has been made and removing them. They handle complaints very seriously and really do seem to recognise you if you frequent the cinema alot.

CHOICE OF FILMS

As well as the usual blockbusters like Planet Of The Apes (which I think is in three screens!) The Filmworks caters for all. Recently they held the Lesbian and Gay Film Festival there. The Director's Chair seasons are usually very good- classic like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Taxi Driver were in the last list of screenings. Art house movies also get a look in. The Filmworks has screened Malena, Memento, When Brendan Met Trudy and many more non commercial films.

FOOD AND DRINKS

Food and drink is available on all the levels. You can get everything from a quick coffee to sandwiches or cakes. Also there is a great deal of choice in the Printworks pubs and restaurants outside the cinema.

TH
E IMAX EXPERIENCE

I have always been a bit sceptical about IMAX. I always thought it was just a gimmick. But at the Printworks there is such good choice. For the kids there are 3D cartoons which have everyone ducking and diving and dropping their popcorn. For adults there is a great documentary called The Living Sea. You are see what lies beneath the water and the scenery is stunning. The film has a voice-over by Meryl Streep and it's an excellent film. The IMAX screen is huge and the seating reminds you of being in a mini stadium.

SUMMARY

I think you can tell that I like this fairly new cinema! It has been opened in Manchester for nearly a year now. Every time I go it feels like an event. If you love movies and live in the area- you gotta go!

The website is:

www.thefilmworks.co.uk

or there is more info at:

www.uci-cinemas.co.uk

The filmworks site is a bit slow- but staff are always friendly when you go there and you can nip in there and pick up leaflets.

I gotta go. I'm off to the cinema!

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