Jul 06, 2005 10:52 PM
43954 Views
(Updated Jul 06, 2005 10:53 PM)
I wasn't a movie buff till I went to Calcutta; partly because I used to stay in a city where there are no good movie halls and partly because I was busy with my studies. But Calcutta was an eye opener for me with good theatres, good movies, good crowd and more. Over the last year I've seen numerous movies in various cinema halls of Calcutta. This review is a tribute to my favourite hall....New Empire Cinema
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A view around....
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If you take the first narrow lane beside Oberoi Grand Hotel in Esplanade towards New Market, you will find a nondescript building named New Empire Cinema on your right. A first look will probably make you think what is so very ''empiric'' about this structure. But beauty is not always skin deep.
Let me first describe the ambience around the hall. Located in the heart of the city....the Esplanade...New Empire is arguably the best movie hall in that zone. To it's right stands another cinema hall....unfortunately out of business...The Lighthouse. It now houses a garment mall named City Mart. In front of the hall is another shopping mall....Shreeram Arcade. The famed New Market of Calcutta lies a few steps ahead. The lane is lined with eateries and vendors selling fruit juice and ice-creams. In short it's a happening place in Calcutta.
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The structure itself....
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The ground floor of the New Empire building houses not just a cinema hall. It has many things to offer. Hold your breath while I state them one by one.
Barista: the famous coffee shop.
A bar and restaurant.
A video and internet gaming parlour
Sify-Iway: the broadband cyber cafe.
Isn't this place just great. No other movie hall, except the multiplexes houses so many things under one roof.
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The movie viewing experience.....
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The movie hall is the usual two tier system, stall and balcony. In addition there are categories such as box, dress circle etc. The seating in the stall area, unlike the other halls is sloping arrangement in contrast to the flat ground in most halls. This ensures proper viewing of the film without any visual obstacles(....read people's backside).
The hall is air conditioned. The seats are comfortable and it does not hav paan stains all over the walls.
New Empire generally have shows of english movies only. If at all hindi movies are shown, cross over cinema is given precedence. In short it is not a place where paan chewing junta can clap at the usual song and dance sequence. It is certainly not a place for the masses. You may treat this as a negative point, but I definitely think that's it's a huge positive step because it keeps the hall ''clean''.
The screen and the sound system is good, if not the best.
The ticket cost are the usual Rs40, Rs.80 denominations prevalent almost all over Calcutta.
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Movies I've viewed there...
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Over The last few months I've watched three movies in New Empire. Constantine, The Aviator and Page 3. This is just to register the fact that this is a first hand review.
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How dare you say bad about the Emperor...
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My esteemed co-reviewer DELTA72 writes bad about this hall which I really don't think have any solid ground. Let me refute his statements one by one.
Firstly, the staff is not at all involved in black marketing of tickets. In fact, I've never seen people blacking tickets here. And for God's sake, the last place on earth where Hollywood movies will be blacked would be Calcutta.
Secondly, tickets are not priced whimsically. The tickets cost what they cost at any other hall in Calcutta.
Thirdly, The air conditioning system is still in place and works great. probably loosening one's tie while watching the movie a bit would have some cooling effect.
Finally, if you expect doormen to come and open the door of your car so that His Highness can step onto the road in front of the hall......Then God alone can save you.
Finally I would Like to state that New Empire Cinema remains one of my favourite hangouts in Calcutta and nobody can deny the fact that it is rightfully the KING
