Well, it’s only the third week of me doing this blog and
already I’m about to break my golden rule, but frankly, my dear, I don’t give a
damn. I set out to make this site all
about promoting independent and unique places in Exeter, and not to cover large
chains and brands that you can find in most other cities. So what we’ve got
here is, a failure to communicate, but I’m going to make you an offer you can’t
refuse, and I hope you will all agree that Exeter’s Picturehouse Cinema is worthy
enough to have the rules bent just a little bit on this occasion. So fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a
bumpy night.
To give you some background; Picturehouse Cinemas first
started in Oxford in 1989 and over the years has acquired 20 other independent
cinemas across England and Scotland. The cinemas maintain a degree of independence distinct from cinema chains
and multiplexes, and most of their promotional material is specific to
individual cinemas rather than to the network as a whole. Their range of films
caters to less mainstream tastes than most commercial cinemas and there is an
emphasis on independent, cult and foreign language films as well as local
events. However this shouldn’t put you off. I’m as
partial as the next fella to big explosions and superheroes, but it’s good to
watch something different and thought provoking now and again.
Exeter’s Picturehouse (located on Bartholomew St. near the
bottom of Fore St.) is no exception. There’s no place like home when it’s wet
and miserable outside but if you can brave the elements you’ll find a cosy,
modern, glass walled bar upstairs with a nice wine selection and bottles of
local beer, that serves fresh, handmade pizzas from their own pizza oven as
well as a wide range of vegetarian and vegan snacks which will have you saying
I’ll have what she’s having. They also
regularly have live music which, unfortunately, can sometimes be heard in the
theatres below. It’s not the most atmospheric and tense of moments when the
male lead is torn between saving his brother and being with the women he loves,
and all you can hear is someone doing a bad cover of Mumford & Sons. This
is rare though and all adds to the character of the place.
When it comes to the googolplexes’ and cinema chains that
infest the edge of our cities I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore.
You’re in, you’re out, there’s no
character or passion for the movies, and don’t even get me started on the sheer
swindle that is 3D. Films are pieces of art that have taken a lot of people a
lot of time and love to create, and so should be enjoyed and contemplated on in
an environment that promotes such things. At the Picturehouse they put on Kids
clubs during the weekends and holidays, Autism friendly screenings, baby welcoming
shows for parents and minders, as well as discount clubs for the over 60s and
students. With strong connections to the University their Screen Talks program
can also give you the chance to discus certain films with experts after the
screenings. But the best thing is; you
can walk into a movie theater in Amsterdam and buy a beer. And I don't mean
just like in no paper cup; I'm talking about a glass of beer, and you can do
the same here. Take your wine, ale, or cocktail into the screen with you. I
used to sneak cans of larger into the Odeon when I was younger. The only
problem was waiting for a noisy bit of the film to cover the sound of opening
the tin!
With the Christmas period fast approaching their current
season of films (running alongside the latest releases) has a distinctive
festive feel to it with features including It’s a Wonderful Life, White Christmas
and The Wizard of Oz. Plus, with a now long running relationship with such revered
groups as The National Theatre, Metropolitan Opera and Bolshoi Ballet, you can
go and watch live performances of The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Falstaff
from all over the world. The bar also hosts a Film Quiz on alternative Sundays
at 8pm, but be warned; this is a tough quiz and there are some very knowledgeable
(geeky) people that will be there. So if you win you will go ahead and make my
day but if you can’t handle the truth, then maybe give it a miss.
I’ll be back, to support a still independently minded and community
based cinema, but also to just have a drink in the bar and pretend I know a lot
about 1950s French cinema. So pick up one of their programs and I’ll guarantee there
will be something in there that will pique your interest. I think this is the
beginning of a beautiful friendship.
How many famous film quotes did you notice me shoehorn into
this then?
Opening Times:
15 minutes before the first screening of the day – 11pm
Contact:
Phone- 0871
902 5730
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