Trip to the flicks shouldn't lead to so many gripes
Mrs B and I made a rare trip to the flicks recently – thanks to Granny Incorporated Babysitting Services – and it turned out to be quite an educational experience.
I generally try to support the various independent cinemas dotted around our area. In the past we have enjoyed visits to the New Park Cinema in Chichester and the Picturedrome in Bognor Regis. I also know the Leconfield Hall in Petworth screens the odd blockbuster, and more power to their elbow, I say.
But on this occasion we hauled ourselves off to Chichester Gate. Compared with the independent cinemas, your big chains tend to be a bit more expensive and I handed over the necessary cash, secure in the knowledge that at least I would enjoy air-conditioning and a reasonably comfortable seat.
But since when has making popcorn been such a dangerous activity that the person 'popping' has had to wear a faceguard?
The chap on this occasion was wearing headgear that would not have looked out of place on a Star Wars Stormtrooper or a welder in a Glasgow shipyard.
As well as learning popcorn making is now an extreme sport, the snacks queue also provided me with a major shock.
A combo popcorn-hotdog and drink deal costs almost the same as your ticket. Take a family of four to your local multiplex and feed and water them and you'll need to re-mortgage your home.
The expense, though, is justified by the size of the portions – even the smallest portions necessitate a bucket for the drink and a nosebag for the popcorn or sweeties.
The other illuminating aspect of our trip was the adverts screened before the film. One was a promotion for BBC Radio One. It seemed to last about two weeks, but in reality could have been no more than a minute or two. It featured various voices, including some chap called Westwood who appears to struggle with the English language.
I love the BBC for many reasons, mainly because it provides programmes the commercial sector would never produce, but I take a dim view of my licence fee being used to promote what is effectively a pop-music service.
As I get older I find life increasingly hard to fathom. Surely a simple trip to the cinema should not provide so many frustrations?
Mrs B assures me I'm simply becoming a Grumpy Old Git, but somehow I can't believe I'm on my own…
* Last week I mentioned London Marathon runner and local GP Mary Campbell. Raising money for the Myasthenia Gravis Association,
a rare illness her husband suffers from, I'm delighted to report the Dynamic Doc not only completed the course, but also achieved a
personal-best time.
Many congratulations, Mary. Here's hoping people will add to your sponsorship total by logging on to www.justgiving.com/marycampbell3
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Weather for Chichester
Tuesday 14 February 2012
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