Post by Capo on Oct 16, 2008 16:16:41 GMT
Sent an e-mail out to FilmSoc last night telling them in advance of our trip to see Burn After Reading next week. We're catching it at the multiplex; today I realised (or was reminded) that the local arthouse, our usual home, is on my mailing list. The manager's reply:
Hi,
I can’t believe you’re seeing “Burn after Reading” at the Odeon?
We give you memberships, tickets & drinks and this is the thanks?
Surely the natural home of a Coen film is here, I guess that means you’ll be watching Bond here then?
Jack
(Disappointed cinema manager)
Hi Jack,
Not sure whether you were half-joking or not (I hope so!), but there were a few reasons why we opted for the Odeon, all of which I feel are valid and fair. If you'll indulge me:
* To vary things; so it's not the same venue every week - I checked Vue too, but they're not screening it. I've said many times to people we have an honest tendency towards arthouse cinema, but also have a defiant stance against cultural snobbery. We've been to Cinema City twice now (to see the Fassbinder, and How to Lose Friends...); we're coming to see Gomorrah tonight, too. This will be the first time we've visited Odeon. And for what it's worth, I'm not making any plans in the coming weeks to make a habit out of it.
* The showing time at Cinema City is 8.50pm, which limits social stuff post-film; we could have gone with the earlier screening but Wednesdays are heavily filled with film screenings on campus (plus "sports day" events).
* I've noted Quantum of Solace, which would be a more welcome Halloween visit to Cinema City than the surprising (and very disappointing) return/retread of Creature from the Black Lagoon (Motel Hell didn't go down too well last year, then).
* I've got to maintain numbers, to be honest. As sad as it is, I know several people will be put off by the connotations visiting an arthouse has - the surrounding local pubs make your pockets all that more shallow, too. Think of this similar to the commercial decisions of showing a James Bond film at an arthouse cinema; you've got to do stuff like that so you can keep the other, more "serious" trips going.
* We're going next Wednesday because Monday and Tuesday are too short notice, I'm not free this weekend, and Thursday we're doing our second film quiz.
On that last note: I notice the CC film quiz has vanished along with its quizmaster (Glasgow, I think he said he was going to). Any plans for a return? I'd be happy to get involved; I'd organise and do it, too. We held our own, first quiz last week, and it was a huge success. I could send you the questions if you like; see if it's the sort of thing you'd like to get back into doing.
Oh, and unless Odeon's screening it, count us in for Ivan's Childhood! I love that film. Will give King Lear a miss, though (but will actually, actively promote it to the Literature Society at UEA; I'm not a fan of Kozintsev's version (I prefer Kurosawa's Ran), but they might gush).
Thanks for reading,
Michael
(Curious FilmSoc president)
Hi Michael,
That’s quite a comprehensive email, yes, it was just a joke you should be free to roam the cities less refined auditoria without risk of persecution from a disgruntled cinema manager. We have someone lined up for the new film quiz but if for some reason that doesn’t work out I will definitely bare you in mind.
All the best,
Jack
Hi,
I can’t believe you’re seeing “Burn after Reading” at the Odeon?
We give you memberships, tickets & drinks and this is the thanks?
Surely the natural home of a Coen film is here, I guess that means you’ll be watching Bond here then?
Jack
(Disappointed cinema manager)
Hi Jack,
Not sure whether you were half-joking or not (I hope so!), but there were a few reasons why we opted for the Odeon, all of which I feel are valid and fair. If you'll indulge me:
* To vary things; so it's not the same venue every week - I checked Vue too, but they're not screening it. I've said many times to people we have an honest tendency towards arthouse cinema, but also have a defiant stance against cultural snobbery. We've been to Cinema City twice now (to see the Fassbinder, and How to Lose Friends...); we're coming to see Gomorrah tonight, too. This will be the first time we've visited Odeon. And for what it's worth, I'm not making any plans in the coming weeks to make a habit out of it.
* The showing time at Cinema City is 8.50pm, which limits social stuff post-film; we could have gone with the earlier screening but Wednesdays are heavily filled with film screenings on campus (plus "sports day" events).
* I've noted Quantum of Solace, which would be a more welcome Halloween visit to Cinema City than the surprising (and very disappointing) return/retread of Creature from the Black Lagoon (Motel Hell didn't go down too well last year, then).
* I've got to maintain numbers, to be honest. As sad as it is, I know several people will be put off by the connotations visiting an arthouse has - the surrounding local pubs make your pockets all that more shallow, too. Think of this similar to the commercial decisions of showing a James Bond film at an arthouse cinema; you've got to do stuff like that so you can keep the other, more "serious" trips going.
* We're going next Wednesday because Monday and Tuesday are too short notice, I'm not free this weekend, and Thursday we're doing our second film quiz.
On that last note: I notice the CC film quiz has vanished along with its quizmaster (Glasgow, I think he said he was going to). Any plans for a return? I'd be happy to get involved; I'd organise and do it, too. We held our own, first quiz last week, and it was a huge success. I could send you the questions if you like; see if it's the sort of thing you'd like to get back into doing.
Oh, and unless Odeon's screening it, count us in for Ivan's Childhood! I love that film. Will give King Lear a miss, though (but will actually, actively promote it to the Literature Society at UEA; I'm not a fan of Kozintsev's version (I prefer Kurosawa's Ran), but they might gush).
Thanks for reading,
Michael
(Curious FilmSoc president)
Hi Michael,
That’s quite a comprehensive email, yes, it was just a joke you should be free to roam the cities less refined auditoria without risk of persecution from a disgruntled cinema manager. We have someone lined up for the new film quiz but if for some reason that doesn’t work out I will definitely bare you in mind.
All the best,
Jack
