Vue Rant

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great_badir -> Vue Rant (7/6/2012 7:52:10 AM)
I wasn't quite sure where to post this, but as it is basically about a building and not films, thought I'd post it here. The fact that it's about a popular multiplex cinema chain is neither here nor there... So yesterday me and the wife went to see Prometheus (for another thread but, briefly - very disappointing, very lightweight, yet another mediocre Scott film. Best thing about it was the trailer for Jaws before hand) at our local Vue cinema. Of the four 'plexes available to us as local cinemas (Vue, Cineworld, Showcase and Odeon), Vue was always the favourite because the screens, seating, sound quality and snack selection (heh) has always been much better than the others. Due to numerous circumstances (little lady Badir and stretching of disposable income being the main two), neither of us have really had the opportunity to frequent the flicks much in the last two and a half years (we used to go at least once a week) and the last thing we saw at Vue was Avatar. Anyway, we decided to see Prometheus in 3D and were pleased to find out that it would be in screen 1 - the daddy of screens in our Vue. As something of a nerd when it comes to cinema going, I would always sit in the middle and a few rows back from dead centre to the screen for that perfect widescreen and surround sound experience. Imagine my horror when we got in there when we discovered that that whole section was now reserved for VIP ticket holders only (I had no idea about this before booking and assumed that there was just a row or two of them right at the back like it used to be at Showcase). So, on top of the Ł9 plus I was already paying per ticket, I would have had to have spent another Ł1.70 just to sit in the fucking middle! Now, I totally appreciate that with Real 3D it doesn't really matter where you sit and the sound should be well mixed and balanced enough these days that your location shouldn't cause too much of a problem with the sounds coming from the rear speakers (unlike the old days of Showcase and Cineworld where if you found yourself sitting directly by/underneath the rears, much of the effect of a plane or helicopter flying over you was lost). But even so, the principal of the thing annoyed me, especially as how everyone was dotted around the edges of this section (NO ONE was sat in there, which looked a bit unusual when the lights went down), and, surely, your (/my) viewing would be slightly altered in any standard 2D screening, like watching the TV on an angle? (rhetorical) I'm making a point/complaining/being a general nuisance about it later on this morning, but is this set-up the case in all Vue screens, or is it just in the largest two or three? Because, as of now, Vue will no longer be getting our custom (unless someone tells me it's the same in the other 'plexes as well now). Not that they'll miss it, I know, but........bah. Harrumph! Rant over.

elab49 -> RE: Vue Rant (7/6/2012 7:58:35 AM)
So an additional pointlessness of most 3D films is the quality varies depending on where you sit? That's fairly shitty in itself. I find the pricing strategy fairly money-grabbing and dishonest as it is a core part of the cost but I bet won't be included in the headline price they advertise. I guess they're taking advice from airline websites.

jonson -> RE: Vue Rant (7/6/2012 8:00:52 AM)
Me and the missus booked to see it on Saturday, at our Vue in Leicester. We booked tickets first, superior seating, Ł21.00 or thereabouts. Like you have mentioned badir, the seats are in the middle. The cinema was empty. 6 guys who had booked superior seats in front of us moved further back to the standard seats because the view was slightly better. So they kind of paid extra for no reason (possible - like us - assuming the 8pm showing on the first Saturday would be a sell out) Again, like you, me and the missus used to cinema once a week, less so nowadays, so I don't mind the extra cost, but the principal of it sucks I agree. quote: ORIGINAL: great_badir Best thing about it was the trailer for Jaws before hand Fuck me, it was worth every penny you moaning sod [:D] For the record we got TDKR and Spiderman trailers, and in 3D I must say (as not a massive fan of it) they looked absolutely incredible. Spiderman was jaw-dropping. Jaws in 3D however would rock. [:D]

great_badir -> RE: Vue Rant (7/6/2012 8:08:23 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: jonson Jaws in 3D however would rock. [:D] Alas, jonson, it was "just" a 2D trailer. But, if that trailer is anything to go by, the work they've done on the print is amazing - it looks brand new! quote: ORIGINAL: elab49 So an additional pointlessness of most 3D films is the quality varies depending on where you sit? No - that's where my argument falls down. With RealD 3D (or whatever it's called), it (or, at least, it should) follow you like the eyes of a creepy painting, so it doesn't matter whether you're sat on the very far left/right of the front row or right at the very back, the 3D image should be exactly the same, just smaller or larger depending on how far away you are from the screen. Bit if we were seeing it in 2D, then we would have had the whole perspective thing going on (i.e. the left hand side of the screen would have appeared larger than the right hand side, if you get my meaning). I'm still complaining, though...

Hobbitonlass -> RE: Vue Rant (7/6/2012 8:19:25 AM)
As a special treat I go to the Vue in Westfield so I can go to the Vue Extreme screen (which is fucking massive [:D]) and the have the VIP seats about halfway (I think most Vue have had this for a while, certainly the newer ones). I always sit in the row in front of the VIP seats in the middle and it's just perfect, never have and never will pay extra just to sit in a bigger seat. Out of all the chains, for me, Vue is the best for comfort, leg room (in ordinary seats), screen size and sound quality (in this one everything vibrates with loud noises!). And I can use my nectar points so sometimes the film is free [:D]

elab49 -> RE: Vue Rant (7/6/2012 8:20:37 AM)
No, my bad - I didn't assume anything from what you wrote I just misread a 2D as a 3D. Sitting at the side doesn't seem to make much difference in most cinemas for 2D, I think - I had to do it for years because the back thing meant I needed to stretch out into the aisle and cinema seats were too cramped. Still doesn't make this make any less sense. I always thought cinemas preferred to seat from the centre out to improve the 'communal experience' - to the extent of one idiotic afternoon at the Odeon Leicester Square where they assigned seats as you went in and were putting people one by one along each row, so when the film started we were one huddled group in the centre of a massive mostly empty cinema!

great_badir -> RE: Vue Rant (7/6/2012 8:32:11 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: elab49 Sitting at the side doesn't seem to make much difference in most cinemas for 2D, I think For me it does, but that only comes (I think) from 25-odd years of being a stickler for the middle - I CAN tell the difference and it was really distracting for me when the non-3D stuff (including that Jaws trailer) was on. I honestly can't remember another time when I haven't been sat in the middle at least width wise (historically tending to give the biggest releases a miss for a week or so for the crowds to die down), but yesterday, during the 2D stuff, I really felt like Steve Martin in Bowfinger at the premier for Chubby Rain (front row, far left, whispers to person sat next to him "good seats" - the cinema screen is an extreme perspective shot).

benmharper -> RE: Vue Rant (7/6/2012 11:02:03 AM)
The only cinema round here is a vue. I'm lucky due to working shifts that I get to go on an aftrenoon so it's quiet. Never paid extra for the VIP seats, best place to sit is on the row behind the VIP seats and use the big wide arm rests those seats have as a footstool[:D]. That is if the seats in front are empty of course

Chief -> RE: Vue Rant (7/6/2012 11:22:09 AM)
The Odeon have them too, they call them 'Premier' seats and they're not as comfy as normal ones in my opinion. They are in the ideal seating position though. Also annoying is that they are sometimes the only seats you can book online, meaning paying extra for them and also a booking fee.

adambatman82 -> RE: Vue Rant (7/6/2012 12:23:33 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: jonson For the record we got TDKR and Spiderman trailers, and in 3D I must say (as not a massive fan of it) they looked absolutely incredible. Spiderman was jaw-dropping. TDKR isn't in 3D!

adambatman82 -> RE: Vue Rant (7/6/2012 12:25:55 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Chief The Odeon have them too, they call them 'Premier' seats and they're not as comfy as normal ones in my opinion. They are in the ideal seating position though. Also annoying is that they are sometimes the only seats you can book online, meaning paying extra for them and also a booking fee. The Odeon that I occasionally frequent (the town shithole, but only a brief walk from my flat) has had these things for as long as I can remember. In fact, I'm fairly sure the one I used to go to as a kid had them too. It's an odd practice really, but cinemas will try and scrape cash from whatever and wherever they can. I once went in a Vue that had beanbags on the floor! Beanbags! Booking fees at Odeon are little short of a disgrace, and an absolute rip off. Thankfully government legislation is coming in soon to prevent companies like this from charging over the odds for such things.

steffols -> RE: Vue Rant (7/6/2012 12:42:22 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: benmharper The only cinema round here is a vue. I'm lucky due to working shifts that I get to go on an aftrenoon so it's quiet. Never paid extra for the VIP seats, best place to sit is on the row behind the VIP seats and use the big wide arm rests those seats have as a footstool[:D]. That is if the seats in front are empty of course Ha I do that as well. Also the seats behind the VIP have extra wide leg room so you can get quite comfy in them. I was a bit annoyed that they had moved VIP down to the middle. It's like they cottoned on to us cinema geeks secret and decided to use it against us. However, I don't go to the cinema anywhere near enough to be too bothered about it though and as said, the seats behind VIP are the best.

great_badir -> RE: Vue Rant (7/6/2012 1:39:08 PM)
Glad to hear it's just me that thinks it's ridiculous, although I am preaching to the converted of course! Anyway, complaint sent, so we'll see what they have to say for themselves. I will report back if I hear owt...

jonson -> RE: Vue Rant (7/6/2012 3:09:57 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: adambatman82 quote: ORIGINAL: jonson For the record we got TDKR and Spiderman trailers, and in 3D I must say (as not a massive fan of it) they looked absolutely incredible. Spiderman was jaw-dropping. TDKR isn't in 3D! Well I was wearing the fucking glasses [:D] That sums up 3D then. Didn't notice it. [:D] Spiderman was definately 3D though, that DID look incredible.

adambatman82 -> RE: Vue Rant (7/6/2012 5:42:53 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: jonson quote: ORIGINAL: adambatman82 quote: ORIGINAL: jonson For the record we got TDKR and Spiderman trailers, and in 3D I must say (as not a massive fan of it) they looked absolutely incredible. Spiderman was jaw-dropping. TDKR isn't in 3D! Well I was wearing the fucking glasses [:D] That sums up 3D then. Didn't notice it. [:D] Spiderman was definately 3D though, that DID look incredible. Yeah, Spider-Man looks amazing, the city swinging stuff looks fantastic.

Filmfan 2 -> RE: Vue Rant (8/6/2012 2:04:59 PM)
Yes, the Edinburgh Vue (Omni centre at least) has had these for a while now. There used to be the premium screens where every seat was one of the 'luxury' ones and if you were under 18, you had to be accompanied by an adult to get into them. I gather it wasn't as lucrative as having premier seats spread throughout two rows of every screen, so they changed things. I've never paid for the luxury seats and I don't really intend to. You could get off with sitting in them during quieter times of the day when there wasn't many people about, but they seem to have ushers in enforcing things now (pity they can't spare ushers to make sure showings are quiet - shows you where the cinemas priorities lie). I now actively avoid sitting in the row in front of the luxury seats if it's a smaller screen. Those bigger seats have had the effect of pushing the row below them in to a more upright position, which is very uncomfortable for a long period of time.

Spaldron -> RE: Vue Rant (8/6/2012 2:18:58 PM)
I never go to Vue, Cineworld is my local and all the seats are the same there so things are more equal. For me the location of the seat is more important than the seat itself.

Filmfan 2 -> RE: Vue Rant (8/6/2012 2:30:04 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Spaldron I never go to Vue, Cineworld is my local and all the seats are the same there so things are more equal. For me the location of the seat is more important than the seat itself. True indeed. I tend to split my cinema going throughout Edinburgh, but the Vue and Cineworld are my two main haunts. Cineworld also has the advantage of a slightly lower ticket price when booking online (not to mention no booking fees). I try and sit near the middle or back; the only places I don't like sitting are right at the front or at the extreme sides of the screen.

SadFace -> RE: Vue Rant (8/6/2012 2:34:29 PM)
When I'm not at uni, I go to the Cineworld in Sheffield - I love it, it's huge (that's what she said). There, it doesn't matter what screen you're in, all the seats are comfy and come with yards of legroom.

porntrooper -> RE: Vue Rant (9/6/2012 7:48:19 PM)
There is a VUE at Meadowhall Sheffield (it used to be an older cinema chain, butcant remember which at the moment) but it is fucking terrible, the screens feel tiny compared to the Cineworld in Sheffield and the seating does feel as elevated, meaning more chance of an obscured view. For all it's faults, Cineworld Sheffield remains my cinema of choice. The screens are all pretty decent with decent sound. The seating is decent with plenty of room and I've never had my view blocked by some tall dude. The larger screens are great and with the Unlimited card it never really costs much. One thing that does annoy me about it though, is the lack of allocating seating for busy screenings. They need to bring that shit back - I'm all for it!

adambatman82 -> RE: Vue Rant (9/6/2012 9:33:14 PM)
Sheffield Cineworld is my cinema of choice. I live a two minute walk away from the Showroom, and not much further from the scummy Odeon, but I'll happily make the tram journey over to Cineworld if the film allows for it. Vue's biggest issue is its association with Meadowhell, and the type of clientele that brings in to the place.

great_badir -> RE: Vue Rant (9/6/2012 10:23:39 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: adambatman82 Sheffield Cineworld is my cinema of choice. I live a two minute walk away from the Showroom, and not much further from the scummy Odeon, but I'll happily make the tram journey over to Cineworld if the film allows for it. Vue's biggest issue is its association with Meadowhell, and the type of clientele that brings in to the place. Ironically that's the case with our Cineworld. And, whilst the Vue cinema in question upgrades/replace ALL of its seats and seating every few years (so no problem with tall people sitting in front of you even in the smallest screens), the seats in the smallest screens in our Cineworld have not been changed in about fifteen years. Strange how 'plexes, like the weather in the South West, are very localised in terms of quality.

great_badir -> RE: Vue Rant (9/6/2012 10:43:43 PM)
Well, the latest is I've had a response. Unfortunately it's something along the lines of "sorry, only the first few lines of your e-mail displayed - can you send the rest please?" Errrr, no - I typed it in, after long and considerable thought and three re-reads, to the available box in the complaints section of the Vue website, where I could find no trace of an actual e-mail address to copy and paste into my Yahoo "To" address box, so here's the basic gist of what I said, which is even more angry now you've asked me to do something which is impossible because your complaints box doesn't seem to be able to handle a verbose e-mail. ...is a paraphrase of what I responded with. I didn't use the C word. [8\|]

SadFace -> RE: Vue Rant (10/6/2012 3:32:28 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: adambatman82 Sheffield Cineworld is my cinema of choice. I live a two minute walk away from the Showroom, and not much further from the scummy Odeon, but I'll happily make the tram journey over to Cineworld if the film allows for it. Vue's biggest issue is its association with Meadowhell, and the type of clientele that brings in to the place. This. It's good to see some other forumites from Sheffield.

Phubbs -> RE: Vue Rant (10/6/2012 4:59:39 PM)
I used to go to that scummy Sheffield Odeon every week when I was in college and it only cost me Ł3 to see a film [:D] Sheffield's best cinema is easily Cineworld at the retail park, one of the best cinema's I've ever been to actually. Down here in Croydon its all Vue but they're OK. Personally I always sit right at the very back so no one can sit behind me and this gives you the best view also in my opinion. Never paid for the 'fancy' seats pfft! to hell with that, costs me Ł10 as it is for regular.

Greggieboy -> RE: Vue Rant (10/6/2012 7:20:41 PM)
On the Cineworld website they say that one cinema has VIP seats which are in a glass box (?) so you can control the sound level and press a button to call a waitress to bring you drinks. Where is this? I dont know if it sounds great or bloody awful. I thought it would be the Sky Screen at the O2 but Ive checked and it isnt. The last 2 times Ive been to an odean the sound really needed to be a lot louder. Was dreadful

jediwarrior -> RE: Vue Rant (11/6/2012 4:57:55 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Phubbs Down here in Croydon its all Vue but they're OK. Personally I always sit right at the very back so no one can sit behind me and this gives you the best view also in my opinion. Never paid for the 'fancy' seats pfft! to hell with that, costs me Ł10 as it is for regular. Ah I used to go to the Vue in Grants but as parking costs loads in Croydon, we've now changed to the Purley Way Vue as it's free parking.

Phubbs -> RE: Vue Rant (12/6/2012 4:46:01 AM)
^ I live about 7min walk from Croydon centre so its Grants for me [;)]

great_badir -> RE: Vue Rant (15/6/2012 12:23:34 PM)
The response: Thank you for your email and please accept my apologies for any disappointment caused to you by this matter. Please be advised that we offer VIP seats in all of our screens now, these are located in a prime position inside of the screen should guests wish to purchase them. I am sorry that you are disappointed with the decision to include VIP seats in this location and your comments have been brought to the attention of our senior management team for internal review. If you are ever unhappy with any aspect of your cinema visit please do speak with a member of staff for further assistance. Kind regards Soooooo they've pretty much just responded with the complaint I threw a them. Twats.

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