Well, where are you guys calling from? I'm going to London this weekend (from Thursday to Sunday) and I'd be pleased to receive some first-hand tips about DVD shops, good cinemas and screenings. Have you got any ideas, pals? Is there any event I shouldn't miss...? Thanks beforehand!
― juan manuel freire, Tuesday, 12 April 2005 23:20 (twenty years ago)
http://www.bfi.org.uk/showing/nft/index.html (best repertory theater)
http://www.ica.org.uk/ (Cool arty theater - full disclosure: I project there)
http://www.princecharlescinema.com/ (Cheap West End 2nd run theatre - four different films every day, good concessions, nice spacious sofa seating in the back.)
http://www.cine-lumiere.org.uk/ (should be doing a Truffaut season right now)
http://www.riversidestudios.co.uk/ (good affordable double features almost everyday, with a different theme each day)
Most of the "best" screens are in the West End, but they are usually very expensive and range from moderately to completely crappy first-run programming. Curzon have decent Saturday morning/afternoon rep. screenings, usually. The BFI has an IMAX right near the NFT, but I can't really say that I find the current fare too diggable. The Science Museum also has one, which looks like it might have better screenings.
Occasional screening places:
http://www.lux.org.uk/ (underground stuff)
http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/ (doing a Caravaggio-themed schedule at the moment...looks like La Reine Margot this Saturday, which I totally recommend)
http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/eventseducation/film/default.htm (varies)
Theatres to avoid at all costs:
The Ritzy (when projectionists are universally dissing this place, it can't be good...)
suburban mall-ish multiplexes
Grab a copy of Time Out magazine for the week, since that will have listings and one-offs, and I think there are a lot of good shops around the Soho/Covent Garden/Leicester Square area. Dunno about DVDs, though...
― Girolamo Savonarola, Tuesday, 12 April 2005 23:58 (twenty years ago)
DVDs :
The best places for Region 2 stuff are the big megastores. HMV (there are 5 big stores in the West end) and Virgin (2 big stores) in particular. Both are running sales at the moment and HMV have a good World Cinema sale on.
If you want Region 1 stuff, the Cinema Store on St Martins Lane (Covent Garden or Leicester Square tube) is the best place but its quite pricey. They do have decent soundtrack, book and merchandise sections though.
There are a few discount stores about around Charing Cross Road.
Best place for Second-hand bargains is Stage & Screen in Notting Hill Gate. also good for soundtracks, posters etc.
You looking for Asian Dvds : Many shops in Chinatown selling dvds, vcds and pirates.
― David N (David N.), Wednesday, 13 April 2005 23:02 (twenty years ago)
cant believe you didnt mention the renoir! its my favourite place in all of london!
― ambrose (ambrose), Monday, 18 April 2005 03:28 (twenty years ago)
Never been there. Why didn't you say something, then?
― Girolamo Savonarola, Monday, 18 April 2005 17:53 (twenty years ago)
oh sorry,. didnt mean to soudn antagonistic. i only look at ILF when i have coursework to do....so every 3 months or so
― ambrose (ambrose), Monday, 18 April 2005 22:08 (twenty years ago)