Social & Leisure ideas for single film goers. Whats on, latest deals, your nearest cinema, everything you need to know

In our humble opinion, there’s still nothing quite like seeing a brilliant movie on a big screen. With the on/off holiday situation and COVID safety measures in place this could be a good time to think about supporting the leisure industry by treating yourself to a cinema ticket and maybe even one of those enormous tubs of popcorn. With all sorts of offers springing up now, some cinemas like the Odeon are offering  midweek tickets from £6.  

Backed by the strict safety measures that all cinemas have put in place since they were allowed to open in July, UK cinema box office takings in the month since restrictions were lifted have grown to half of their pre-pandemic level. Cinemas said they were “very pleased” with the figures and “pretty confident” they will get back to previous levels.

Safety measures introduced by cinemas across the UK when they reopened in May are still in place across most cinemas. These include measures like hand sanitisers, contactless transactions, advance cleaning protocols, continuous air ventilation & unless you’re eating or drinking, face masks encouraged.

Missing that  big film feeling? What’s On Now & Coming Soon

If you’re a Bond fan and up for some much-needed escapism and haven’t yet seen it No Time to Die is still on at the Cinema with fantastic reviews. The latest Tom Cruise films Top Gun: Maverick and Mission: Impossible 7 have now pushed forward to May & September next year. So, a while to wait for that fix.

Our pick mix for the week ahead

THE ETERNALS
Cited as the ‘mother of all superhero origin stories’ the Eternals is about a race of immortal beings with superhuman powers who have secretly lived on Earth for thousands of years who reunite to battle the evil Deviants. Film cast includes Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kit Harington, Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek with mixed reviews from different critics.

HOUSE OF GUCCI – in UK cinemas from 26th November
‘Inspired by a true story, ‘a star-studded true-crime tale of lies, greed, betrayal and murder, Ridley Scott’s House Of Gucci movie proves that nobody does dysfunctional families like the fashion industry’ The story of how Patrizia Reggiani, the ex-wife of Maurizio Gucci, plotted to kill her husband, the grandson of renown fashion designer Guccio Gucci.

THE POWER OF THE DOG
“A five star slow-burning gothic melodrama” featuring one of Benedict Cumberbatch’s “most remarkable transformations”,
Charismatic rancher Phil Burbank inspires fear and awe in those around him. When his brother brings home a new wife and her son, Phil torments them until he finds himself exposed to the possibility of love. Directed by Jane Campion with a cast that includes Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst & Jesse Plemons

WHICH CINEMAS ARE OPEN? FIND A CINEMA NEAR YOU

POPULAR CINEMA CHAINS LOCATIONS
VUE 91 state of the art cinemas with over 870 screens throughout the UK and Ireland
SHOWCASE  18 state of the art cinemas across England, Scotland & Wales
EVERYMAN  35 Cinemas in England, Scotland  Wales
CURZON  12 Cinema complexes in England
CINEWORLD  More than 90 cinemas in England, Scotland & Wales
PICTUREHOUSE  Group of 26 neighbourhood cinemas across England – plus one in Scotland
ODEON  More than 120 cinemas with over 950 screens in the UK & Ireland
INDEPENDENT CINEMAS  A flourishing network of more than 100 independent cinemas up & down the land with unique history’s, characters  & design quirks, some staffed by volunteers, but all needing every bean to keep going!