Cineworld - the state of it

LuckyLloyd

I'm an Unlimited card holder and have frequented Cineworld multiple times a month for coming on 15 years now. It struck me on Friday as I queued for over 15 minutes for some popcorn (on account of a mere two checkout points being manned at a time of peak custom) that - leaving aside however bad the place is run in terms of process - it has barely received an upgrade of any services in that time.

The card machines don't facilitate tap payment. The dryers are ancient and under powered. If something breaks, like the escalators did last year, it can take months for it to be fixed.

I could complain about the staff but I won't - I'd imagine many of them fit work in around college, etc and if you have no problems (and the act of going to the cinema may not require interaction with any of the staff beyond them checking your ticket) it's fine. The management, I assume, are running the place like this on instruction from the parent company. And presumably they're making money inspite of the poor state of the building and the fact they can leave their security trying to snake those queuing for popcorn and coke around in such a way not to create a fire hazard at peak time on a Friday due to chronic under staffing of the tills.

/rant

Anyone else feel the same?

nix

Yeah my thoughts exactly, so much so i canceled my cineworld card at the end of 2017, after 5 years, not near as long as you but i had been going there years before i picked up the card. I got tired of price hikes, not just the food, but the addition of them making one pay a yearly fee just to avail of the discounted tickets, that arent even discount, they are just what the tickets used to be prior to them adding on this bull**** fee. Being a cineworld member it doesnt effect me directly but if i want a friend to join me they have to pay outrageous prices, and if im bringing the girl i have to pay the obscene amount for her ticket.

Plus as you said, the place is in serious need of a tidying/upgrading, the amount of time it took them to fix the escalators was insane, i dont mind the hike myself but on the grand scheme of things..

Plus on top of that, the 30minute adds, they were only 15mins when i started going there, they get longer each year. And the food can be woeful at times (popcorn), it went from being the nicest popcorn in any cinema all the time to being the saltiest crappiest popcorn most of the time. I guess when they inflate the price its because of all the added salt?

But yeah i wont be going back anytime soon, not unless they clean their **** up.

gmisk

I havent been id say in about a year..I used to go early on a Saturday or Sunday..nice and quiet big screens and cheap tickets...prices for tickets have shot up hugely - sticking to lighthouse and savoy at this stage

bullpost

nix wrote: »

Yeah my thoughts exactly, so much so i canceled my cineworld card at the end of 2017, after 5 years, not near as long as you but i had been going there years before i picked up the card. I got tired of price hikes, not just the food, but the addition of them making one pay a yearly fee just to avail of the discounted tickets, that arent even discount, they are just what the tickets used to be prior to them adding on this bull**** fee. Being a cineworld member it doesnt effect me directly but if i want a friend to join me they have to pay outrageous prices, and if im bringing the girl i have to pay the obscene amount for her ticket.

Plus as you said, the place is in serious need of a tidying/upgrading, the amount of time it took them to fix the escalators was insane, i dont mind the hike myself but on the grand scheme of things..

Plus on top of that, the 30minute adds, they were only 15mins when i started going there, they get longer each year. And the food can be woeful at times (popcorn), it went from being the nicest popcorn in any cinema all the time to being the saltiest crappiest popcorn most of the time. I guess when they inflate the price its because of all the added salt?

But yeah i wont be going back anytime soon, not unless they clean their **** up.

Have to agree about the ads. I went over Christmas and nearly forgot what film I had come to see by time ads. were over

Goodshape

Give up the Unlimited card, it's only stopping you going to better cinemas.

I had one for a few years and in that time it was the pretty much the only cinema I ever went to – sure why would you go anywhere else when you have the card!

Have barely set foot in the place since I gave that up, and I regret nothing. Some lovely cinemas around Dublin (Light House and IFI, for example) and plenty of cheaper multiplexes too.

ballyargus

It was a great Cinema back in the ugc/early cineworld says. I haven't been there in a long time. Sad to hear that it's gone downhill

Ohmeha

I reckon the cinema hasn't received any upgrade (or even a lick of paint) since about 2004/2005 when it transitioned from UGC to Cineworld, am I right?

I think it suffers that it is the only Cineworld here in Ireland and the UK management obviously don't give a toss once they see the place is still packed out at evenings & weekends profiting on €13+ tickets and €5+ for watered down cups of coke. Any Cineworld I've gone into in London appear to be proper run, clean, modern cinemas that maybe somewhat justify the premium prices they charge.

My unlimited card is due to expire next month and with the annual increasing prices, the cinema (literally) falling apart, endless supply of scrotes you have to share the cinema with and other home viewing 'alternatives' I was planning on cancelling it until I discovered I can get the unlimited card discounted through my employer so I'll reluctantly give it another year

Mad Benny

It's really dirty inside. I was there in December. I won't be going back.

want to disappear

Was in screen 2 a couple of days ago, and what struck me was the seats were caked in dirt and a number of seats were out of service. The cinema really looks uncared for compared to the Lighthouse and Odeon.

ixoy

I tend to go for showings around 18:00 when it's generally not too busy - rarely have any disruption, which I loathe.

The cinema though itself is looking shabby and in fact a couple of the screens have small tears in them, which can be distracting once you notice them. Seats aren't comfortable either and it could do with a good power hose.

It does however suit me a lot location wise and the unlimited card means it's better value. The convenience and cost means I'm continuing to go, despite places like The Lighthouse being far nicer (but too far away for me).

Too far? Aren't they, like a kilometre apart? I'd have thought it was only about a 10 minute walk

ixoy

Deleted User wrote: »

Too far? Aren't they, like a kilometre apart? I'd have thought it was only about a 10 minute walk

A kilometre in the wrong direction - so that's 2km. Adds up when you're walking quickly for a DART or rain/etc.
It's also far closer to work for me so I can time leaving the office to the film's "start" time (I plan to leave the office at 6 tomorrow to see a film that's advertised to begin at 6...).

johnny_ultimate

It has long been a mediocre to poor cinema IMO - crazy expensive compared to the competition (I guess this is eliminated when you have an Unlimited card, but it's never been handy for me to have one), non-masked screens (this drives me nuts and is basically a dealbreaker), mediocre screen & image quality generally, and just a general soullessness to the place compared to other cinemas around.

The only benefit it has is its number of screens means that it will often offer more convenient times compared to other nearby cinemas (especially when it comes early morning screenings). But while I sometimes end up there for that reason, I try to avoid it as often as I can as I really feel like I'm supporting a business I don't remotely like when I pay their inflated ticket prices.

homerun_homer

Had been booked in to a sold out midnight screening of The Last Jedi for three seats. We got in and there was no third seat. Not only was it broken but it was completely removed. How do they not update their system to show this?

The queues for food/drink and the bar are painfully slow, particularly now that they serve beer from a bottle that has to be poured into a plastic cup. On my last visit me and a friend both got a beer, same brand, ordered from same server at the same time, and he had considerably more beer than me. How does that even happen?

The standard is very poor but I still get great use out of the card. I only live 2 streets over from the cinema so it's handy to just decide at any point in an evening to go see something. at the same time, I'm equidistant to the Light House, which I'd much prefer to be going to more regularly.

Kiith

I don't think it's too bad, but i don't really go to other cinema's that often to compare. Screen quality is fine for a layman like me, and the seats are ok, with screen 17 having nice new ones. Prices for food/drink are crazy, but that's the same in any cinema. Never buy a drink there anyway, and just get popcorn. I do love overly salty popcorn though, so i'm right at home there :P

The Unlimited card makes any potential issue a non-issue though. 1 film a month pretty much covers the cost, and if you are a regular, it's a no brainer. When i worked shift i'd regularly go to see 10 movies a month. It'd cost a fortune anywhere else. More cinema's need to have an offer like that.

Goodshape

Kiith wrote: »

The Unlimited card makes any potential issue a non-issue though. 1 film a month pretty much covers the cost, and if you are a regular, it's a no brainer.

Tbh, anything less than 3 films a month, every month, and you're pretty much losing money with the Unlimited Card.

The card is around €23? Omniplex and Light House are around €8 before 6pm and €10 afterwards. Both have cheaper food/drink than Cineworld.

So if you're going to Cineworld twice a month with the card, you're still throwing money away. Even three times and you're potentially just about breaking even.


Plus Cineworld charge you more for any 3D viewing – and a lot more for the LieMAX – whether you have the card or not.

Sleepy

The Odeon Limitless card is surely starting to catch up with them?

ixoy

Goodshape wrote: »

Plus Cineworld charge you more for any 3D viewing – and a lot more for the LieMAX – whether you have the card or not.

No they don't : there's only a surcharge for IMAX.

Goodshape

They must have changed that recently then?

Don't mean to **** all over their business... just a bit bitter myself after having had the card for so long, thinking I was saving, then finally getting rid of it and realising there are so many better options. Hate to see other people handing over €23/month, whether they go or not, to what is a pretty sub-par cinema at this stage.

homerun_homer

Goodshape wrote: »

Plus Cineworld charge you more for any 3D viewing – and a lot more for the LieMAX – whether you have the card or not.

They may charge a little extra in first year for 3D, but 2nd year onwards there is no additional charge. Only IMAX requires a charge. I use my card on average once a week. Some months more, some months less depending on what is out, so I do still get great value from it, regardless of the issues.

Ohmeha

I think you need to use that Unlimited card close to an average once a week to get proper value out of it with

I've gone to about 65 films on the card in the past year and aside from the cinema's issues I don't think it's worth the current €268.80 annual price considering you are effectively ringfencing your cinema spend exclusively to one cinema and half the movies you probably wouldn't have gone to see anyway if it wasn't for having the card (though sometimes you will end up seeing movies that you unexpectly really like)

Someone I know who used to work in Cineworld said they make a profit off it because a good percentage barely use the card enough to cover the cost they paid and the people who use it a large amount of the time are just filling space in screens that weren't going to be filled anyway with some then buying more rip-off drinks/snacks

AMKC

I don't know as I have not been there in a couple of years. A pity as I used to love going there but there prices have gone up and are no longer good value. Even there bargain day is no longer a bargain anymore.

Sad Professor

As multiplexes go Cineworld is not that bad. Better presentation, times and selection of films than say Vue and most other suburban (and beyond) cinemas. People who live in Dublin city or close by are spoiled for choice.

wakka12

I wish there was a big south side cinema. Its funny how that worked out that Savoy, lighthouse and cineworld and odeon are all north side when the south side is where all the bars and restaurants and major social gathering areas are
A cinema in stephens green area would do amazing

gmisk

wakka12 wrote: »

I wish there was a big south side cinema. Its funny how that worked out that Savoy, lighthouse and cineworld and odeon are all north side when the south side is where all the bars and restaurants and major social gathering areas are
A cinema in stephens green area would do amazing

There was going to be one in stephens green centre...but planning turned down zzz
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/rooftop-cinema-for-stephen-s-green-centre-blocked-1.3104218

gmisk

sugarman wrote: »

Thats for a temporary outdoor cinema on the roof during the summer!

Permission was granted for a 12 screen Ominplex in 2010, see here

Then in 2014 there was a propsal to scale it back to 9 screens, see here

Havent heard or seen any update since. Was only wondering about it recently myself.

Oh I didnt know about the omniplex plans it would seem ideal location for a cinema.

wakka12

gmisk wrote: »

Oh I didnt know about the omniplex plans it would seem ideal location for a cinema.

It'd be great but I wonder if it would really hurt the business of the other 4 big cinemas on the northside. Stephens green is the point of entry into city centre for a huge number of people from southside who go to city centre so it'd pretty much immediately become more popular than the other 4

Sabre0001

Have had the Unlimited card for well over a year now and I find it great. Yes, you need to use it ~3 times a month for it to pay off, but that's not insurmountable. And it's very handy for things like Oscar season where you might go every couple of days. Plus, I like the Unlimited Screenings.

I tend not to buy food or drinks (sometimes pop into the bar for a pre-film drink, but I can stomach <€4 for a beer).

I did notice a screen tear the other night, but didn't impact my viewing. As for quality in general, I'd prob need two screens side-by-side to notice a difference...time to go to Specsavers!

AMKC

wakka12 wrote: »

I wish there was a big south side cinema. Its funny how that worked out that Savoy, lighthouse and cineworld and odeon are all north side when the south side is where all the bars and restaurants and major social gathering areas are
A cinema in stephens green area would do amazing

Well there was a small one on D'lear st wasn't there. Only ever went to it once.

gmisk wrote: »

There was going to be one in stephens green centre...but planning turned down zzz
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/rooftop-cinema-for-stephen-s-green-centre-blocked-1.3104218

sugarman wrote: »

Thats for a temporary outdoor cinema on the roof during the summer!

Permission was granted for a 12 screen Ominplex in 2010, see here

Then in 2014 there was a propsal to scale it back to 9 screens, see here

Havent heard or seen any update since. Was only wondering about it recently myself.

It should have been built and opened by now. Talk about not seeing the long term picture. It would have been doing quite well there now but at the rate they are going it might never happen or be to late when it does.

gmisk wrote: »

Oh I didnt know about the omniplex plans it would seem ideal location for a cinema.

It would if it ever happens.

wakka12 wrote: »

It'd be great but I wonder if it would really hurt the business of the other 4 big cinemas on the northside. Stephens green is the point of entry into city centre for a huge number of people from southside who go to city centre so it'd pretty much immediately become more popular than the other 4

Maybe maybe not.

Depends how well its run I would say as well as the frequency and times of the screenings as well.

Hector Savage

Its a shame to hear, I haven't been there since 2005 when I last lived in Ireland, but loved it.
I had that yearly pass - went to so many films.

LuckyLloyd

Sad Professor wrote: »

As multiplexes go Cineworld is not that bad. Better presentation, times and selection of films than say Vue and most other suburban (and beyond) cinemas. People who live in Dublin city or close by are spoiled for choice.

Cineworld's selection of films is better than Vue (but obviously not as good as say the Lighthouse or IFI), but not sure on the rest? Vue is cleaner; has better toilets; accepts tap payment from cards; isn't just generally as run down. And yes, as a major city, Dublin has plenty of choice on offer. That doesn't detract from complaints.

wakka12

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Cineworld's selection of films is better than Vue (but obviously not as good as say the Lighthouse or IFI), but not sure on the rest? Vue is cleaner; has better toilets; accepts tap payment from cards; isn't just generally as run down. And yes, as a major city, Dublin has plenty of choice on offer. That doesn't detract from complaints.

Yeh I only realised how many cinemas dublin had when I travelled abroad! We have loads really close together in the centre, and a good selection in suburban areas too. Which is great imo

Sad Professor

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Cineworld's selection of films is better than Vue (but obviously not as good as say the Lighthouse or IFI), but not sure on the rest? Vue is cleaner; has better toilets; accepts tap payment from cards; isn't just generally as run down. And yes, as a major city, Dublin has plenty of choice on offer. That doesn't detract from complaints.

I wouldn't agree that the IFI and Lighthouse have a better selection than Cineworld. They have far less screens and many mainstream films never screen there. Some foreign language films never screen in Cineworld but I'm generally impressed by the number of small and indie films that do screen there.

I agree about Cineworld being less clean, more run down, etc than Vue, but I'd still put presentation and selection over those issues. The most important thing when I go to the cinema is that the film is properly presented and that they are showing the film I want to see.

I'm not invalidating the complaints about Cineworld, just pointing out that it could be a lot worse. The multiplex experience is pretty poor these days no matter where you go.

nix

Sad Professor wrote: »

I'm not invalidating the complaints about Cineworld, just pointing out that it could be a lot worse. The multiplex experience is pretty poor these days no matter where you go.

Yeah I've no problem with the vast selection of movie times they offer, but with the amount of screens they have, i sure would like some extensive foreign movies shown and old films shown regularly, with the amount of screens they have, shouldnt be an issue.

I remember they showed Alien/Aliens when the anniversary came around, the cinema was packed and everybody was into it. Same with the original Jurassic park. So i dont know why they dont do things like that more, you dont need an anniversary for it to be a thing if ya ask me

I loved the place when i first started going, but that was years ago, the amount of money ya see getting pumped through it, the reflective upkeep is terrible, I'm baffled as to why they are so lackadaisical about it, you would think it would be a no brainer

wakka12

nix wrote: »

Yeah I've no problem with the vast selection of movie times they offer, but with the amount of screens they have, i sure would like some extensive foreign movies shown and old films shown regularly, with the amount of screens they have, shouldnt be an issue.

I remember they showed Alien/Aliens when the anniversary came around, the cinema was packed and everybody was into it. Same with the original Jurassic park. So i dont know why they dont do things like that more, you dont need an anniversary for it to be a thing if ya ask me

I loved the place when i first started going, but that was years ago, the amount of money ya see getting pumped through it, the reflective upkeep is terrible, I'm baffled as to why they are so lackadaisical about it, you would think it would be a no brainer

Well the no brainer to me if I were in their shoes would be why waste money on making the cinema look nice when your customers don't seem to mind and keep spending so much money regularly going to films here!

johnybean

Saw this thread pop up and thought I would ask a quick question? I am Galway based and was planning on travelling up to see Infinity war in the IMAX when its released in a couple of months time but comments in this thread are making me wary so would anyone be able to tell me if its worth the trip (for someone who has never experienced IMAX) or should I just stick to the old reliable Eye cinema in Galway city?

wakka12

johnybean wrote: »

Saw this thread pop up and thought I would ask a quick question? I am Galway based and was planning on travelling up to see Infinity war in the IMAX when its released in a couple of months time but comments in this thread are making me wary so would anyone be able to tell me if its worth the trip (for someone who has never experienced IMAX) or should I just stick to the old reliable Eye cinema in Galway city?

The cinemas fine imo, my favourite cinemas are IFI and lighthouse..btu cineworld is grand..nothing fancy..but I go for the movie not the surroundings so I barely even notice tbh

Goodshape

johnybean wrote: »

Saw this thread pop up and thought I would ask a quick question? I am Galway based and was planning on travelling up to see Infinity war in the IMAX when its released in a couple of months time but comments in this thread are making me wary so would anyone be able to tell me if its worth the trip (for someone who has never experienced IMAX) or should I just stick to the old reliable Eye cinema in Galway city?

The cinema is alright – probably better than this thread makes out – but, obviously, not great.

Important thing to note is that the IMAX isn't _really_ an IMAX. It's a "Digital IMAX" if you're being kind, and LieMAX if you're not. A good screen and sound, but a small fraction of the size of a proper 70mm IMAX and even a different aspect ratio.

When Christopher Nolan waxes lyrical about seeing Dunkirk in the IMAX, he's not talking about what you get in Dublin.

Article here shows the difference – http://www.slashfilm.com/qa-imax-theatre-real-imax-liemax/

johnybean

Thanks for the replies. Kinda had an idea about the LieMax but its the closest we have to IMAX on this island if I'm not mistaken?

Sad Professor

johnybean wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. Kinda had an idea about the LieMax but its the closest we have to IMAX on this island if I'm not mistaken?

Well it is IMAX and is the future of IMAX, it’s just not 70mm IMAX. The closest thing to that would be 70mm showings in the IFI

Goodshape

johnybean wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. Kinda had an idea about the LieMax but its the closest we have to IMAX on this island if I'm not mistaken?

Yeah. There's a couple of other screens in Dublin which are arguably as good as the Cineworld IMAX, but for a proper IMAX you'd need to head to Manchester or London.

Goodshape

Sad Professor wrote: »

Well it is IMAX and is the future of IMAX

It might be that but it's not what any of the advertisements, press, or hype is referring to when they talk about "SEE IT IN IMAX".

Not just the size of the screen but the actual aspect ratio is totally different. And they still charge the same premium price, or near enough, as the real deal.

nix

johnybean wrote: »

Saw this thread pop up and thought I would ask a quick question? I am Galway based and was planning on travelling up to see Infinity war in the IMAX when its released in a couple of months time but comments in this thread are making me wary so would anyone be able to tell me if its worth the trip (for someone who has never experienced IMAX) or should I just stick to the old reliable Eye cinema in Galway city?

Yeah if you're looking to put in the travel time to see Imax, you may aswell go to London. A big of gang of us made a trip over to london a few years back to see Avatar in the big IMAX there and it was mindblowing, i remember at one point there was ash falling from the sky in the movie, it was 3D, and i actually put my hand up to swipe it away out of instinct it was that good. Cineworld imax is nowhere near that level, its decent but not mindblowing.

wakka12 wrote: »

Well the no brainer to me if I were in their shoes would be why waste money on making the cinema look nice when your customers don't seem to mind and keep spending so much money regularly going to films here!

Ummm to compete with the others and retain their customers? :P

Call me weird, but when i donate alot of time and money to a business, and see many others doing the same, i like to see them make the effort to keep me coming back, I'm now looking elsewhere as the place is in aesthetic decline, comfort decline in comparison to competitors, and the food/drinks on offer are gone well below par.

Also, i dont know if im just unlucky lately or not, but the noise pollution from other patrons is on the rise, people chatting the entire way through movies. Its nearly a given I'm going to have to tell people in the movie to "Stop talking" and possibly soon after to "Shut the fuck up" when they don't stop.. But i suspect thats just everywhere anyway

Quackster

sugarman wrote: »

Same family group owns the Savoy anyway and previously the Screen. Was reading the initial hold up of the Stephens Green development was down to a dispute within the family (see here) but that was all settled in 2013.

Not any more. The Savoy (and previously the Screen) are part of the IMC group owned by the Ward family. The Omniplex group is owned by the Anderson family.

Quackster

johnybean wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. Kinda had an idea about the LieMax but its the closest we have to IMAX on this island if I'm not mistaken?

I don't think it's any different really from the 'big screen' offerings of the other multiplexes, like the Omniplex's OmniMaxx and Odeon's iSense, so I wouldn't be going out of my way to go there if you have an alternative nearby.

As other posters have said, the only thing in common with real 70mm film IMAX it shares is the name.

cursai

Hole of a place. Have it up when I see the same bloodstain on the side of one the toilets on about 3 occasions around 2015. The queues were ridiculous and the staff looked robotic and understandably apathetic. It's the Cinema of the living dead there every night.

The Black Oil

I don't know why cinemas can't introduce ticket machines like you get at a train station. Not just the collection ones from online bookings. Only thing might be seat selection, if you've someone at the ticket counter opting for the same one you're picking from a train station type machine then maybe that's an issue, but I would imagine there's a way around that.

Sad Professor

The Black Oil wrote: »

I don't know why cinemas can't introduce ticket machines like you get at a train station. Not just the collection ones from online bookings. Only thing might be seat selection, if you've someone at the ticket counter opting for the same one you're picking from a train station type machine then maybe that's an issue, but I would imagine there's a way around that.

Both Cineworld and Vue have these. You only need to queue for popcorn and drinks. Unless you are an unlimited card holder but afaik they changed this.

MilesMorales1

I really like the unlimited because it encourages me to see films I wouldn't see otherwise, and saves me money since I'm the kind of person who will go see a film they like more than once.

But yes, cineworld is a crap hole. The screens are cold, very cold. It's always dirty, the toilets are never cleaned, the escalators being broken for so long was an absolute farce, and the food they actually prepare in house is dire. Back in September at the beginning of a screening of Stratton the sound went completely and in the end they cut the film completely and gave us vouchers for a free hot dog and a drink as compensation, so I got the hot dog for the next film I went to see, and christ it was so awful, made me feel ill.

So its sort of a situation I don't know what the answer is. Since cineworld don't seem keen on fixing the place up themselves. Small mercy that they stopped putting the price of unlimited up every 12 months I suppose.

Goodshape

Seems they're putting in a "4DX" screen in the summer – https://lovindublin.com/news/a-whole-new-cinematic-experience-is-coming-to-dublin-next-year

:-/

ixoy

Goodshape wrote: »

Seems they're putting in a "4DX" screen in the summer – https://lovindublin.com/news/a-whole-new-cinematic-experience-is-coming-to-dublin-next-year

:-/

Ugh - that's the sort of rubbish I associate with Dr. Quirky's. I already generally avoid 3-D but "4D" is a definite miss. As a concept it sounds awful for a full length film.