We used to say, “What’s on at the pictures?” meaning the cinema. That was before we could watch moving pictures anywhere, on our laptops, I-pads and even on mobile phones. But there’s still something special about sitting in the dark watching the big screen with amplified sound.
It takes us into another world for an hour and a half or so, and it still feels like a special night out. I guess that’s why, in spite of all the viewing options available, cinema survives.
For a long time Abergavenny was without a cinema, and when local people were asked what they wanted for the town, it always came up high on the list of priorities. So it’s great that we now have the Baker Street Cinema, with its swish red and blue screens, showing the latest movie releases.
In the week ahead we have Steven Spielberg’s stunning epic War Horse, for example, and the week after that brings us Meryl Streep in her acclaimed performance as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. I, for one, am really looking forward to that one.
Check out all the film start times on The Best of Abergavenny site- just click on the Baker Street cinema icon at the bottom right hand corner of the home page.
If you have a preference for so-called “art house” films rather than mainstream cinema, we have a thriving local film society. In fact, it’s so popular that the membership is full, but don’t let that put you off.
Turn up at the Melville Theatre at 6.45pm on a film night and you’re almost certain to get in. The next film is Me and Orson Wells by cult US film-maker Linklater and it's showing on Wednesday 18th January. Full details of The Abergavenny Film Society’s programme are at www.abergavennyfilmsociety.com. See you there!