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Friars Walk and Steve Jobs

Back a couple of weeks ago Soosie Wales contacted me and asked if I'd be interested in going to the opening of the new Cineworld cinema in Newport. I was, and so last night Anthony and I went to the pictures for the first time since Marianna was born. (The last time was to see Get Santa when I was a week overdue.)

The Cineworld is part of the new Friars Walk complex, a £90m development which has been many years in the coming but will hopefully turn the fortunes of Newport City Centre around. (They might have a H&M, but Cwmbran Shopping still has free parking, so I can say this with genuine feeling!) To be fair to Newport, it looks great, and there was certainly a good turnout for its opening night. 

The new development wasn't without its martyrs. The 1978 chartist mural, unloved by all but those drunks who used it as a convenient urinal, suddenly became everybody's favourite piece of history when it was slated for demolition...

As for the cinema itself, it was everything you expect from a brand new multiplex. The wonderful Nidus Children's Choir performed, free bubbly flowed, and the Mayor cut the coolest film reel ribbon. Everyone got a bottle of water and a bag of Thomas Tucker gourmet popcorn for the showing too, which I thought was a really nice touch. We got to see a preview of the new Steve Jobs biopic, which opens nationally today.

Picture from Wales Online. It was dark when we got there and with all the lights on it looked very cool.

The film has been a box office flop in the US, and a few people got up and walked out halfway through last night, but I enjoyed it. I really love the kind of time shift approach they used, and - as usual - I cried when they got to the (almost) present day section and regret for all those things you can never go back and change surfaced. Anthony thought it was rubbish, of course. (In his own words: So Steve Jobs... overrated, poorly made and ended leaving you think there should have been something more... the film wasn't the best either.)

It's inspired me to read up on computer evolution in general and the history of Apple in particular. I've been relying on the Epic Rap Battles of History version for far too long...

What was the last film you saw at the cinema?

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Comments

  1. Tubbs13 November 2015 at 12:54

    It's weird how everybody hates something until it's taken away and then it's the best thing ever!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jessica Powell13 November 2015 at 13:03

      I know, right? It's like when something's closing because it doesn't get enough visitors or whatever, then people complain that it's being taken away from the community... You just kind of think, well if you'd used it!

      Delete
  2. Unknown13 November 2015 at 20:42

    It has been a long time since I watched film as it's difficult to arrange childcare with 2 kids... Most of the time, we just watch film available on Netflix. At least, you did enjoy the film... Great post! #binkylinky

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jessica Powell13 November 2015 at 22:32

      I can imagine! Our local cinema does a baby friendly showing in the day, which you can bring young kids along to - but I haven't been brave enough to try it yet!

      Delete
  3. Emily Twin Mummy and Daddy14 November 2015 at 20:47

    The last film I saw was Maya the Bee! I took my girls about two weeks ago! I'm planning on taking them again to see the good dinosaur when it comes out. Thanks for linking up to the #BinkyLinky

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jessica Powell15 November 2015 at 01:09

      I can't wait until Marianna is old enough to go and see all the kids films - so I have an excuse to go myself. ;)

      Delete
  4. Nigel15 November 2015 at 14:26

    I can't remember the last I went to the cinema lol glad you enjoyed thanks for linking to the Binkylinky

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jessica Powell15 November 2015 at 16:52

      It's definitely getting like that here - I can't believe that a few years ago I'd gone so often there was nothing showing I hadn't already seen!

      Delete

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