Vue: National Minimum Wage and rising costs cuts cinema chain’s earnings November 29, 2024 The releases of Wonka, Kung Fu Panda 4 and Dune: Part 2 failed to boost sales at cinema chain Vue during the first half of its financial year while its earnings were slashed. The company said the falling admonitions and total revenue for the period were the result of coming up against the tough comparison [...]
The music of Louis Armstrong in this stirring Democratic Republic of Congo documentary November 18, 2024 Music, history, and politics intersect in this dense Democratic Republic of Congo documentary that informs as well as overwhelms. A Cold War-themed story of rebellion, espionage, and geopolitical intrigue, Soundtrack to a Coup D’etat is set during 1960 as the Republic elects its first independent leader. At the same time, the US begins to send [...]
Cinemas warn tax hikes may cause credits to roll November 15, 2024 The UK cinema industry has warned that higher taxes on employees’ wages announced in the Budget will be the final straw for some venues in what has become a core cultural industry. Chancellor Rachel Reeves increased the amount employers have to pay in NICs by 1.2 per cent, and lowered the wage threshold employers must start paying [...]
Arthouse cinema chain Curzon acquired by Fortress November 12, 2024 UK arthouse cinema chain Curzon has been acquired by US-based Fortress Investment Group The deal, which has been agreed for an undisclosed sum, includes the firm’s cinemas, film distribution company and online streaming service. It’s the latest acquisition of a UK company by a US buyer, with a strong dollar and low British valuations attracting [...]
Piece By Piece review: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson in soulless Christmas filler by Amazon November 8, 2024 Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson can’t save this soulless Christmas comedy It’s early November, which in Hollywood means the countdown to Christmas has begun. Hoping to kick start the cheer is action comedy Red One. Sadly, it’s as exciting as finding a lump of coal in your stocking. Dwayne Johnson – star of what feels like [...]
Paddington In Peru review: Ben Whishaw return can’t compete with Hugh Grant classic November 7, 2024 Seven years on from its release, Paddington 2 isn’t just one of the best family films of the 2010s, it’s one of the best films full-stop, having become an absolute modern classic. Building on the wholesome inaugural Paddington film released in 2014 to critical success, director Paul King established a film franchise stuffed full with [...]
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story: homage brings a tear to the eye November 5, 2024 Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story review: ★★★★ Next year sees a new version of Superman starring Twisters actor David Corenswet. His performance will inevitably be compared to Christopher Reeve’s, who became world famous for playing the superhero in the 1970s, embodying the role for a generation before a tragic horse-riding accident left him paralysed. Super/Man: [...]
Barbenheimer fails to drag Showcase Cinemas owner out of the red October 14, 2024 The popularity of films such as Barbie and Oppenheimer failed to drag the company behind Showcase Cinemas out of the red despite boosting its sales, it has been revealed. The UK arm of National Amusements has reported a pre-tax loss of £13m for the year to 4 January, 2024, according to newly-filed accounts with Companies [...]
The Light: Leisure and cinema chain backed by Luke Johnson October 10, 2024 Seasoned investor Luke Johnson has backed leisure and cinema company The Light in yet another sign that the competitive socialising sector is heating up. Revolution Bars’ newly-appointed chair has acquired The Light – which operates an entertainment model including bowling alleys, mini golf and cinemas – along with a co-investment from cinema and leisure investors Melcorpo. [...]
Pearl & Dean: Cinema advertising giant banking on Wicked and Gladiator 2 success after loss-making year October 2, 2024 Cinema advertising giant Pearl & Dean is hoping that the expected commercial success of Wicked and Gladiator 2 will help it return to the black. The London-headquartered business fell to a pre-tax loss of £1.7m in 2023 despite the boost provided by the popularity of films such as Barbie, Oppenheimer and Wonka. The loss came [...]