Monica Cherrie
Welcome to the film section of The Badger! For those of you who consider yourselves to be cinephiles, I would like to give you the 411 on how to get your cinema fix now that you’ve moved into Brighton. There is so much for you to get from living in Brighton and attending Sussex. If you don’t do Film Studies but still have an avid interest in film that you would like to pursue, I highly recommend attending some first year film lectures. You can find out when the times for those lectures are by posting on the Sussex Freshers page. Hey, did I just come up with a great way for you to meet new friends? You’re welcome.
If you don’t really care about the theory behind film then Brighton still has a lot to offer. As an example, the cinema is an awkward first date staple – sometimes you really do need that hour and a half of silence to break the ice. In recent years, cinema going has been in decline, because why pay when you can just stay in and stream on your laptop? Or if you really don’t care, ignore the contemporary art of your time entirely by shunning new releases all together and binge watch all four seasons of Arrested Development on Netflix for the seventh time. But face it, when you do eventually go to the cinema, you are left feeling wowed. So why not make an effort to go more often?
Brighton has four official cinemas, though I’ll talk a bit about screenings in other venues and other film related events a little later on. So here are our MVPs in order of my least favourite to most:
4. Cineworld
So just because this is my least favourite doesn’t mean it has no value. Cineworld does have its pros. Mainly, that it gets all the major blockbuster releases. It has eight screens so if for some reason you have an aching desire to see the Angry Birds movie and the other cinemas in town are wasting their screen space on something far less deserving, Cineworld has your back. It’s your reliable grimy cinema and with student tickets at £7.70 for 2D films and £9.30 for 3D films (excluding 3D glasses, which are £1), I guess it isn’t totally unreasonable. If you really want to scrimp that good old government money, go before 5pm to save £1 any day of the week.
The main disadvantage Cineworld has is that it’s in The Marina, which is an eerie shopping centre with that soulless late capitalist air about it. If you dig that vibe by all means go, but it is also the furthest cinema from campus so I really just don’t think it’s worth the effort.
3. Odeon
Much like Cineworld this lovably tacky cinema shows all the major box office hits. It’s your run-of-the-mill overpriced popcorn and questionable hot dog staple and it’s bang on the seafront but much closer to the centre of town. Student tickets are £6.25 off peak and £7.25 peak. And f you also love cheesy clubs, Brighton’s biggest, most beautifully tragic club is part of the same building. So if you want an extra special evening, visit this cinema before having your quintessential freshers night out in Pryzm.
2. The Duke’s @ Komedia
It is a wonderfully quirky cinema in Brighton’s North Laines. The décor is exactly what you would expect from this trendy part of Brighton, with red and white striped can-can legs, which can be seen on the building’s roof. This cinema serves alcohol, so there’s no need to sneak in your own. Duke’s @ Komedia has two screens and shows a wide range of films and although it’s a little more expensive at £9.50 for a student ticket, those of you who will inevitably fall in love with the Duke of York franchise and get yourself a membership, tickets will only cost you £7.50.
1. Duke of York
Situated in the quieter London Road area we have the Duke of York. Dating back to 1910, this is the oldest cinema in Britain and that alone is reason to visit. The Duke of York is the Duke @ Komedia’s older sister. The ticket pricing is the same and it even has the iconic can-can legs hanging off the roof. Aside from being a historical landmark, The Duke of York shows more obscure films alongside some of the big releases. The entire place has a very warm feel to it, and just like it’s little sister, it too sells booze making it the perfect location to hang with friends.
What to look out for
The Ocean World Film Festival: This is coming to Brighton this September and seems like a fine way to celebrate living by nature’s most fascinating habitats. “Brought to you by the producers of the Banff Film Festival UK Tour, this year’s programme is filled with incredible cinematography, touching interviews and insightful narrations that will captivate and mesmerise audiences.”
The Brighton Film Party Society
This collective puts on outrageous fancy dress parties themed around your favourite movies. This makes for a fun and aesthetically pleasing night out, for those who love going to the extremes when getting into costume.
The University of Sussex
Documentary Film Society
Featuring some of the best documentaries ever made, with a discussion afterwards. You can find these free regular documentary film screenings somewhere in the Fulton building on the University of Sussex campus
Cinecity the 14th Brighton Film Festival 2016, 11 – 27 November
After 14 very successful years, Brighton’s very own film festival kicks off just as you begin to settle in. If you’re want a little culture after all the intensity of Fresher’s week and as you begin to finally nestle into Sussex, this is for you!
Brighton’s Big Screen
Every summer, a screen gets put up on the beach and the good people of Brighton gather together to watch classics, cult films and popular modern films. You will not want to miss this!