[Closed] Vue Cinemas - a rant

Fill your pockets before you go. Schoolboy error, I knew that in the 80s.

(though, yes I agree, it's shit, should've claimed discrimination)

Take half a dozen bottles of beer next time

Do they not have a tap in the toilet?

Oil local cinema is above an Aldi. 3 cans of coke for 99p and a bag of sweets and away you go!

Our local cinema is on a big complex with a tesco. I always fill a bag with drinks, ice cream and bags of pop corn before the film.

Only on cheap tuesdays or orange wednesdays!

Robbing bastards.... the Mark up is crazy!

The Vue we (used to) go to was always bloody freezing. Never, ever, ever, ever bought anything other than the ticket to get in, in the fear of being ripped right off!

Cougar - Moderator
Fill your pockets before you go. Schoolboy error, I knew that in the 80s.
(though, yes I agree, it's shit, should've claimed discrimination)
POSTED 8 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST

I long for the day when new releases can be streamed at home at the same time as they come out at the cinema.

I long for the day when new releases can be streamed at home at the same time as they come out at the cinema.

I'm surprised the film industry hasn't pushed for this, if they charged a similar price to a cinema ticket it might not affect their opening week figures too badly but may increase the pirating somewhat.

We were in one a few weeks ago, now I don't feel the cold but I was bloody freezing.

We didn't buy anything either, other than tickets.

Can't help wondering when they will change their business model to price their goodies more competitively.

I hate Vue cinemas: complete rip off.

Ended up at one yesterday with the boys - I'd promised them an end-of-holiday treat, not realising that the movie we wanted wasn't on at the local uni cinema.

1) 75p booking fee on each ticket
2) couldn't book seats in the middle because it left a single seat spare.
3) 30 mins of adverts before the main film
4) spoilt brats slurping on juice all through the movie. One kid even had his head in the popcorn box.
And breathe....
Macrobert cinema for us from now on.

Seriously? Well #{{%^ed off - get shafted even more than I expected simply because of some stupid jobsworth.

As an ex "stupid jobsworth" of Vue, this is exactly why most folk hate working there. Minimum wage and long shifts and you're expected take it on the chin from every customer who doesn't like the prices, but think it's your fault. Do you think each "stupid jobsworth" actually enjoys charging you for a full bottle of water? No, we/they hate it. It's embarrassing. Something like not being able to sell you a wee bottle of water because it's part of a combo is because there's no button for it on the till, so what can you do? That's a decision taken by management, not by the "stupid jobsworth". You ignorant ****.

Point taken, wasn't the jobsworth's fault, although he could have tried being understanding rather than arrogant and condescending towards me when I challenged him on the issue.

Wait until it's available to rent on Bluray, rack up the volume on the surround sound, sit back and enjoy on a comfy sofa in front of a big screen.

For me it's those dustbin sized popcorn buckets and the vat of fizzy drink they sell. No normal person needs that much popcorn or drink.

My approach to cinemas now is that I buy something to eat and drink on the way there and arrive 20 minutes after the 'start' of the film although I've noticed they've started arguing about issuing tickets after the film has started.

I like Vue cinemas, the experience is great & now that you can reserve all seats online you can arrive 20 minutes after the 'start time' & walk straight into your seats, turfing out the oik who now has to sit down the front.

Why do people feel the need to eat and drink in cinemas? I thought the dining room or the restaurant were for eating and drinking.

Globalti, one thing I've always wondered about your name.
Are you a glow in the dark curry or do you ride a titanium bike all over the world?

^^^^ this local odeon is getting snotty about this too, we had hassle last time we went and so did quite a lot of others who were dodging the adverts (don't mind the trailers) ... Looks like their advertising client are complaining.

Our local cinema (Empire) has a *very* strict policy about not letting you take in so much as the fluffy toffee at the bottom of your pocket.

Anything you take in must be bought from their overpriced concession. Bastards.

We were at showcase yesterday. £7.35 for popcorn and a drink 😯
Needless to say as I'm a tight bastard I'd sent the mrs to sainsburys whilst I bought the tickets. I only like to get bent over once a day!

Our local cinema (Empire) has a *very* strict policy about not letting you take in so much as the fluffy toffee at the bottom of your pocket.
Anything you take in must be bought from their overpriced concession. Bastards.

They can't do this, if they try and search you or a bag, then it constitutes an assault, scream blue murder.

They can't do this, if they try and search you or a bag, then it constitutes an assault, scream blue murder.

I don't think they should --- but is the above opinion or fact?

Be good to know for when the Tesco supplied Butterkist are discovered, it all kicks off and the Rozzers are on scene 🙂

Might get some cards or Tshirts printed stating my rights!

They can certainly refuse you entry if you don't let them rake about in your belongings 🙁 Seen a few teenyboppers getting their Haribo taken off them.

If I ever want to have a bloody good argument, i'll go to a "mainstream" cinema.

Haven't been in 3 years and won't be going this year either.

Filmhouse/Cameo for arty-farty stuff and specials seasons only.

I believe you are not a regular cinema viewer.... I always bring a bagfull food of my choice ..even my kid do it ..(coca cola in can, popcorn, chocolate..you name it.) rather than buying in the cinema .. You get odd looks now and then peeling a banana before the movie starts though 😉 but you get used to it

Our local cinema (Empire) has a *very* strict policy about not letting you take in so much as the fluffy toffee at the bottom of your pocket.

"Fine, I'll have a refund then."

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Food and drink????

Out local showcase is fairly good but I did once complain to them that, ml for ml, their bottled water was more expensive than their coffee.

The Mayo and Kermode 'rules' summarise why cinemas are hell on earth these days. I'd love to watch stuff on the big screen more often, but having to do it alongside a pack of vile, indisciplined, smelly, chatty, munching morons just ruins the experience.

Do they still have ushers anywhere that go around telling people to STFU?

And as for handing over cash to a cinema that wants to search your bag for contraband minstrels, have you no self-respect?

I believe you are not a regular cinema viewer.... I always bring a bagfull food of my choice ..even my kid do it ..(coca cola in can, popcorn, chocolate..you name it.) rather than buying in the cinema .. You get odd looks now and then peeling a banana before the movie starts though but you get used to it

I covered that yesterday...

johndoh - Member
Cougar - Moderator
Fill your pockets before you go. Schoolboy error, I knew that in the 80s.
(though, yes I agree, it's shit, should've claimed discrimination)
POSTED 8 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST

[b]We did that - kids had tubs of sweets from home etc, but we'd been out shopping (in an industrial estate so nowhere to buy from, rushing to get to the film on time) and had run out of drinks for us all.[/b]

😉

Globalti, one thing I've always wondered about your name.
Are you a glow in the dark curry or do you ride a titanium bike all over the world?

My mountain bike is a Global titanium.

The Virgin Cinema at Spytty in Newport used to let people take pizzas in 😯 I thought I was being dareing and subversive by sneaking a coke and crisps in 😆 hell no Two Pizza Hut boxes and not an eyelid was batted.

I now adhere to the Code as well.

i visit a vue every week, only beacuse I get a free ticket through a pruhealth scheme. i have never bought any consumables from the counter. was behind a couple in the queue recently (because you collect tickets from the counter now so they can try and sell you stuff) and they bought two tickets, some popcorn, drink and some nacho's i think, their bill was about £45 notes!!! ****in nora.

However, I do enjoy the experience of the cinema and many films deserve to be seen in that environment. Regards home streaming new releases tho - 'simultaneous release' is a new concept where by a film opens at the cinema, and becomes available on DVD & itunes all on the same day. 'A Field In England' was one last year. good idea i reckon. still to take off tho really...

A cinema near us (Rex in Elland) doesn't charge much for a ticket (ok it's a very old cinema with ancient sound system so not great for action films) and sells sweets and cups of tea at normal prices. They ask you not to bring stuff in yourself as they don't overcharge for snacks which helps pay to keep the place going - but you don't mind as it's so cheap!
They also have an interval and sometimes have a Wurlitzer/organ thing on too during it.

It's not the latest Dolby whatever or mega ultra HD Picture but it's a great experience and it's the only cinema I've been to in recent years - they are often full too!

I really miss the interval. When films are running at two and a half hours plus it's nice to be able to stretch your legs and get rid of the two pints of flat Coke you've just drunk. (I'm looking at you, Peter Jackson)

I never buy food in the cinema. Best ever was 'sneaking' in several pizza hut pizzas... Although I think the staff just don't care as red hot rucksack trailing clouds of garlic flavoured steam is hardly the last word in covert.

Someone should see if you can get a pizza joint to deliver to an actual cinema seat...

Someone should see if you can a pizza joint to deliver to an actual cinema seat...

I long for the day when new releases can be streamed at home at the same time as they come out at the cinema.

don't tell anyone, but you can. Not legally, but it can be done, fairly easily and cheaply.

don't tell anyone, but you can. Not legally, but it can be done, fairly easily and cheaply.

It can be done but they're generally terrible cam copies that come out a couple of days after with terrible colour and no chance of decent sound let alone a full 5.1 sound track.

The Mayo and Kermode 'rules' summarise why cinemas are hell on earth these days. I'd love to watch stuff on the big screen more often, but having to do it alongside a pack of vile, indisciplined, smelly, chatty, munching morons just ruins the experience

Sod their rules. I take my bloody shoes off in the cinema and put my feet up. If I've just paid the equivalent of a month's mortgage so my family can watch a film then the auditorium's my living room.

but considering a blu ray film comes in at around 8gb, even compressing it to maintain 5.1 sound and decent pic quality you will still be above 2.5gb at the least. So streaming in that quality isn't really practical yet, it might be in a few years but not yet.

The cinema experience when it's good is still great, though I much prefer it when there are less than 10 people in the cinema, and they had better all be following the code. I will explain to a few people I'm not being rude just don't talk to me during the film, I don't care who was in what previously or if you guessed the plot twist yet.

The last couple of times I went to the cinema I had to sit through HALF AN HOUR of adverts. If that's the norm these days it's sadly one more reason not to go.

I've always been a big fan of going to the piccies - albeit a rare occurrence - but I'm finding it harder to justify compared to just renting it on iTunes for a fraction of the price. There are some films I'm glad I saw at the cinema - Avatar and Gravity to name two - but I reckon my viewing tastes have changed so much that the big screen doesn't need to be as big and loud anymore.

slugwash - Member
Sod their rules. I take my bloody shoes off in the cinema and put my feet up. If I've just paid the equivalent of a month's mortgage so my family can watch a film then the auditorium's my living room.

Everyone else has paid as well, try being a bit more considerate.

don't tell anyone, but you can. Not legally, but it can be done, fairly easily and cheaply.
It can be done but they're generally terrible cam copies that come out a couple of days after with terrible colour and no chance of decent sound let alone a full 5.1 sound track.

Nah, I watched dallas buyers club in full hd at a friends house before it was out over here. you need a cracked apple tv or android tv box, but no dodgy cam copies...

Everyone else has paid as well, try being a bit more considerate.

I might have had been making a comment on the price of admission and talking tongue in cheek 🙂

(I do take my shoes off though)

Nah, I watched dallas buyers club in full hd at a friends house before it was out over here. you need a cracked apple tv or android tv box, but no dodgy cam copies...

I have a Raspberry Pi running XBMC the same as a cracked apple TV will be running and reasonable copies are rare to come buy. It's normally if the film is released in the US first then a good copy will appear here before it's released in UK cinemas. As most films now go for a global release date there are getting rarer and rarer.

yep and try finding anything with 5.1 before the blu ray comes out, and if you want that then you will be heading up on the file size too. If people want to offer a DL/streaming service I want Blu Ray quality not compressed and scaled back

I saw Gravity at the IMAX in Braehead and it was so cold I thought they were simulating outer space.

Stuff like that is annoying when you are paying £15 a ticket but I still enjoy seeing a good film on the big screen.

I very rarely buy food though, a small (ie bloody massive) popcorn once in a blue moon

And, I just wanted to check, if you go in with a normal ticket and the VIP seats are empty, you all sit there, right?

Worst eating experience I've witnessed in a cinema was in the achingly trendy Cornerhouse in Manchester. Woman in front of use opens her sandwiches and starts chomping.

It wasn't the sound or the smell.

It was the film we were watching: Steve McQueen's Hunger.

We use the Vue cinema in New Brighton and think its great!
Cheaper than most of its rivals, and some very pleasant staff.

Edited: Doh!! No we don't, it's apparently a Light cinema. It's great. Please ignore my ramblings.

The cinemas make almost no profit from the ticket price for new films, despite it being pretty high, because the film distribution companies rip them off. This is why a) the food and drink is so ridiculously expensive (that and the fact pepole buy it) and b) why they treat their staff so badly and have the heating off.

If you go to a small local cinema, chances are they are showing older films. The distribution companies charge much less for older films, so they can afford to lease them and then charge more reasonable sums.

what's wrong with taking your shoes off, my feet and socks are clean!
We go to the cinema once every 2 months or so and really find that most people are quiet and respectful to others and we usually have a good time.
I miss the days when people would cheer or clap when the BBFC cert came up. I distinctly remember going to see Ghostbusters when this happened, maybe it was just in Scotland?!

I like going to the cinema, but don't buy any food or drink once I am there....
Although, saying that - the Showcase in Peterboghorror has recently been re-decorated (well, the foyer has at least) and threre's now a Costa in there so we did buy a coffee each, last time we went.

The thing that does my head in is mobile phones. People getting them out of their pocket every 15 mins to see if anyone has put anything important on Facebook or twitter, like a photo of their lunch or their new baby puking up.
The bright screens are really distracting.

When we went to see Gravity, there was a group of scrotes in front of us who spent the whole time giggling amongst themselves, making sarcastic comments and being generally annoying. I sat getting more and more wound up and eventually hissed at them the 'shut the effing jeff up'. I was awaiting a torrent of abuse along the lines of 'shut up old man' and an escalating of the generally crap behaviour. But they went deathly quiet and I then felt a bit guilty that I'd spoiled their fun...! 🙄

We're tight. We make popcorn before we go and take a drink in. I do think the markup is pretty obscene.

Haven't been to the cinema in years. Last time I went was to a little place in Wanaka NZ. Bloody brill. Interval 1/2 way through. Sat in a sofa and was distracted by smell of home baked cookies before the interval.

Could take wine and beer in too.

Not really a film buff but just can't be bothered going to the cinema here. Seems over priced and very poor service.

I have written an email complaint to Vue - I shall post up if I get a response...

The last couple of times I went to the cinema I had to sit through HALF AN HOUR of adverts. If that's the norm these days it's sadly one more reason not to go.

It was ever thus. I don't think I've ever been to a cinema where the adverts / trailers preamble was under 20 minutes, it was the same when I used to go to the old Unit 4 fleapit to watch brand new films like The Empire Strikes Back.

what's wrong with taking your shoes off, my feet and socks are clean!

I'm struggling to think of many places I'd be less inclined to take my shoes off in. A student nightclub, maybe? You'd have to boil-wash your socks afterwards.

I have written an email complaint to Vue - I shall post up if I get a response...

Jesus! Really? They couldn't sell you something as it's part of package deal, you get pissy when they refuse and a day later you are sending emails. Life's too short.

I suppose that they've done some sort of analysis to workout that they'll make more money from selling less and hugely inflated prices instead of selling more at reasonable prices.
The price for the ticket itself is a rip off nowadays, the film distribution companies are soon going to price themselves out compares with downloads and Blueray.

I have written an email complaint to Vue - I shall post up if I get a response...

Good luck with that.

Anecdotally, in a past life I used to work in a bowling alley. The biggest markup in the building was on soft drinks. The huge cups that you pay North of three quid for in the early 90s costed the bowl about eight pence. That's less than it cost (per unit) for us to buy those individual little pots of ketchup that everyone always pissed and moaned about having to pay a few pence for.

Best covert food/drink sneakage I saw was with group of mates, we all sat down and one of the girls reaches into her (trendy, ridiculously massive) handbag and pulls out first a wine glass, followed by a bottle of red and a corkscrew! She left with the glass and corkscrew.

it was ever thus. I don't think I've ever been to a cinema where the adverts / trailers preamble was under 20 minutes

I don't mind 20 minutes of film trailers; I quite enjoy the trailers. What I object to is half an hour of the kind of adverts I thought I'd left behind on ITV.

Jesus! Really? They couldn't sell you something as it's part of package deal, you get pissy when they refuse and a day later you are sending emails. Life's too short.

there is a Chilango's near the Vue in Islington. i often pic up a burrito from there to neck while the adverts are on.

My local cinema is a Vue, their terms and conditions say you can take your own food if you want

Think I might take the barbecue next time

Nachos have always seemed an odd choice of cinema food.

If you're sitting in the dark, surrounded by people who want you to be quiet, why would you choose messy, noisy, smelly nachos?

At least pizza is quiet!

Can you write emails in green biro?

richmtb - Member
I saw Gravity at the IMAX in Braehead and it was so cold I thought they were simulating outer space.

Your mistake there was going to the Braehead IMAX. Science Centre IMAX >> Odeon IMAX

I have written an email complaint to Vue - I shall post up if I get a response...

I hope it was [s]ridiculously sarcastic and employed surreal and over-extended similes[/s] terribly witty, it's the modern way with consumer complaints.

old Unit 4 fleapit

Outside Shipley?! Takes me back to my yoof.

I hope it was ridiculously sarcastic and employed surreal and over-extended similes terribly witty, it's the modern way with consumer complaints.

The Virgin Cinema at Spytty in Newport used to let people take pizzas in I thought I was being dareing and subversive by sneaking a coke and crisps in hell no Two Pizza Hut boxes and not an eyelid was batted.
I now adhere to the Code as well.
POSTED 13 HOURS AGO # REPORT-POST

Virgin cinema was that in the 90's when megabowl was next door?!

Been about 10 different cinemas since then.

The only Cinema I go to is The Electric in Birmingham.

It's not the nearest by 25 miles but it's lovely.

If you book seats on the leather sofas you can text the bar during the film and they will bring you beer, g&t, snacks etc. straight away.