Tag Archives: cinema

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KINO Rotterdam: A first look

KINO Rotterdam Gouvernestraat

When I entered the building located at Gouvernestraat, between Kruiskade and Nieuwe Binnenweg, a couple of weeks ago it becomes clear that a lot of work is taking place. You are welcomed by the smell of new paint, dust, scaffolding, bright lamps and workmen. And although not everything is finished yet, you can clearly see the first glimpses of what will soon open at this location, the fifth cinema in Rotterdam: KINO. A cinema which doesn’t only want to be different by showing films which normally aren’t shown in Rotterdam, but it also wants to be more than just a cinema. A place to eat, meet each other and to work as well. Continue reading →

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The Lost Cinemas of Rotterdam: Arena

Lost cinemas of Rotterdam Arena

Bioscoop Roxy bw2
Although most people in Rotterdam will know this location, on the Kruiskade, as the former stage Nighttown (where a lot of famous musicians have played, it was a cinema for a couple of decades before. It was also one of the few cinemas which survived the second world war.

After the success of his W.B.Theater located on Nieuwe Binnenweg Karl Weisbard decides in 1930 to open a second cinema: Roxy Theater. The building is designed by Jac Van Gelderen. It has a thousand seats and opens its door on May 31st. Besides movies some stage performances take place as well. Continue reading →

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The Lost Cinemas of Rotterdam: Capitol

Lost cinema rotterdam Capitol

In the past I have looked at various cinemas that are no longer around in Rotterdam, but since the city has had such a rich cinema history there are still a lot of them I have not written about. Enough reason to continue this series, now with a new look and an interactive implementation giving you control over looking into the past and present.

This time I take a look at one of the few cinemas which has managed to survive the bombing of Rotterdam during the second world war:
The West Cinema Theater / Capitol / Grand / Studio ’62 located at Nieuwe Binnenweg 326, close to the Heemraadssingel. Continue reading →

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The Lost Cinemas of Rotterdam: Cineac NRC

Lost Cinemas of Rotterdam: Cineac NRC history

In the past I have looked at several lost cinemas, but there are still a lot I had not touched upon yet. Time to continue with my journey to the past, this time with Cineac NRC cinema which was located at the Coolsingel, next to department store Bijenkorf. Pathé started the Cineac cinemas to show the latest news. It was shown constantly and visitors would be able to stay there as long as they wanted. With the slogan “A journey around the world in 50 minutes!” it tried to lure them in.

Continue reading →

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The Monday Question: Place!

Two weeks ago I asked you about the screen size in the cinema and if you would still go if it was small. I got some interesting answers and I have another question along those lines:

If each and every movie which came out was available both in the cinema and on demand (Netflix/iTunes etc) would you still go to the cinema? (and a small question, do you think instant availability at home will be realised in the future)?

Personally I don’t think I would be heading to the cinema much. The reality is that going means a lot of extra time to set apart. If I’d be single I know I’d visit the cinema a whole lot more, but time often does not allow it with three kids running round the house. I would love to have the choice available. I think the current state is very artificial.

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The Monday Question: Cinema screen size!

What is the reason you want to see movies at the cinema? I think a lot of people will give two possible answers. First of all because it is not available anywhere else and secondly because of seeing it on the big screen. The second answer made me wonder as there are many cinemas around which have small screens and where you get the feeling you are sitting in a big living room. Luckily almost all cinemas near me all have huge screens, but there is an older one which has a couple of very small screens. I have visited it a couple of times (usually if a movie wasn’t playing anywhere else anymore) and although I still enjoyed seeing it in the cinema I thought the impact would not have been that different compared to watching it at home.

My question to you:
Do you think a movie is worth seeing at the cinema if the screen is small?

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The Monday Question: Cinema visit!

Although you might not have noticed, I have been on holiday for the past three weeks (had scheduled quite some posts to keep you entertained though), so this week I will slowly start posting again and visiting your blogs (I’m afraid to see how many posts are waiting in my inbox). So as always let’s start the week again with a Monday question.

As much as I’d like to visit the cinema, time simply does not allow me to see every movie I want there. Looking at the type of movies I saw at the cinema this year I realised something: I actually only seem to watch the big effect heavy movies on the big screen. Which of course is not that surprising as those are the ones you will get the most out of seeing them on a big screen. I don’t mind seeing “smaller” movies at home as I don’t feel I am missing out on much.

This week’s question:
What type of movies do you go and see at the cinema?

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The Monday Question: Historic!

This past weekend I headed to Amsterdam for a nice day away to celebrate a special occasion. I normally do my movie watching in my own town, but had wanted to go to the Tuschinski theater for a while. The cinema opened in 1921 and still has the same style as it had back then. It’s a mix of styles and looks impressive. This is the entrance:

Which such a grand theater I thought Les Misérables would be the perfect movie to see in such a beautiful place. I was able to buy tickets for love seats in the stalles (where a drink and snack were brought to the seats) and had a great time watching it (still have to write up my thoughts about it). In the world of big multiplexes it’s not often that a cinema itself is as enjoyable to see as a movie and it’s a shame my own town doesn’t have a place like this anymore. One where there are still curtains that open when the movie starts, where you feel like you stepped back in time. It made me wonder:

Are there any old (and beautiful) old cinemas in your town? Continue reading →

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Cinemania (2002)

Review of the documentary Cinemania

As a movie blogger we all have a healthy “obsession” with movies. Most of us love reading about upcoming movies, checking out the latest trailers and discuss the latest movies we’ve seen. Movies are a big part of our lives, but there are people where that healthy “obsession” turns into something which takes over their entire lives. Cinemania looks at 5 of these people in New York who’s lives only revolve about going to the cinema. Continue reading →

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Disruptive behaviour at the cinema: Understandable?

Recently my friend Scott started his Midweek Mumble series about cinema etiquette and noise pollution.
It’s something most of us experience and get annoyed by. Chances are that if you are reading this you are a big fan of movies. You might talk about them a lot or even blog about them. Through the years your love for the medium has grown so much that it has become an experience you cherish. Movies have become sort of a religion where you silently want to experience every second the image is projected onto that big screen. You want to see the movie the way the director intended it to. I am like that as well. If I could I would love to buy all tickets for a screening and watch it alone, but unfortunately that would make it a very expensive hobby.

Fact is though that the annoyances exist and I started wondering why people would talk during movies and/or use their cell phones. So let’s get into the minds of the ones who cause so much distraction. Continue reading →