30 minutes of adverts before a film??!!

My BF and I went to the cinema for the first time last night to see Harry Potter.  We paid 22 quid, were only let into the theater 5 min before the start time, and then sat through over  20 min of adverts!  It was ridiculous- they weren't even coming attractions, just car and mobile commercials. 

After 20 min we walked out, asked an employee how long it would be and he said another 10 min!!!  We talked for the manager a while and ended up getting our money back. 

I wanted to see Harry Potter, but couldn't take it anymore.  I don't think we'll be frequenting the cinema, and will never forget to bring an ipod and a book.  Ridiculous!!

My BF and I went to the cinema for the first time last night to see Harry Potter.  We paid 22 quid, were only let into the theater 5 min before the start time, and then sat through over  20 min of adverts!  It was ridiculous- they weren't even coming attractions, just car and mobile commercials. 

After 20 min we walked out, asked an employee how long it would be and he said another 10 min!!!  We talked for the manager a while and ended up getting our money back. 

I wanted to see Harry Potter, but couldn't take it anymore.  I don't think we'll be frequenting the cinema, and will never forget to bring an ipod and a book.  Ridiculous!!

Ads are irritating, but you aren't going to be able to get away from them.  Here is what we do...we buy our tickets before, usually online.  The great thing is you pick out your seats when you purchase them, so you needn't get there early to stake out where you want to sit.  Then we show up 20 minutes after the start time.  I like to see the previews, so that gets us there in time for that. 

Yes, this is a big issue for me.  I usually show up late.  At least in the US the ads are usually still slides before the room gets dark so you can settle.

It isn't a new thing though; it was like this when I was here for uni in 1996.

The great thing is you pick out your seats when you purchase them, so you needn't get there early to stake out where you want to sit.  Then we show up 20 minutes after the start time. 

I don't remember being asked to select seats, but I like that idea for sure!  Will have to tell my BF as he has declared he probably won't go to the movies at all while in the UK. 

I don't remember being asked to select seats, but I like that idea for sure!  Will have to tell my BF as he has declared he probably won't go to the movies at all while in the UK. 

Usually you only select seats if you pay for the higher premium seating.

Usually you only select seats if you pay for the higher premium seating.

Pay more?!  Ugh.  It is already $5 per more than we would pay in the US. 

I don't think I'll be going to the cinema very often.  Probably only to use the complimentary tickets we received from ditching Harry.

Its illegal to show commericals before the film (ie make it apart of the film time) in the US, which is why you have the coca cola twenty or whatever it is back home, and it isnt here

It winds me up that I pay to be advertised to :/ Which is a big reason why we only go to the cinema once or twice a year..

Usually you only select seats if you pay for the higher premium seating.

I think it must depend on the cinema.  We usually go to an Odeon, and regardless of the price, you still choose your seat.  There is a surcharge for the online booking, though. 

It depends on the cinema. The big chains are worse about it, but they do state on their websites (in small print) how much advert and preview time there is so you could choose to come in a bit later. Our local wee cinema, on the other hand, often shows no adverts or previews at all on its main screen, at least in the first week of a new film being out, and it costs £6.50. You might want to check out smaller/independent cinemas instead of the Odeons and Cineworlds.

ETA: Also, if it was the 3D that costs more. Usually Odeon and Cineworld the tickets are around £8 for an adult evening ticket. The last time I went to the cinema in the US it cost $8 for the matinee and $12.50 for the evening, so that isn't so different.

I think it depends on the cinema and how long the film has been open for. We usually go the the CineWorld near Meadowhall and if its opening weekend, we'll be asked to pick seats. If its been open for a couple of weeks, no seat selection is available.

We went to the Odeon in Manchester (IMAX) and only got to chose premium seating (which we were okay with)

The cinema near me has just started making everyone choose a section.  Front, back, middle.  Then they seat everyone in the same row even if there is no one else there.

ETA: Also, if it was the 3D that costs more. Usually Odeon and Cineworld the tickets are around £8 for an adult evening ticket. The last time I went to the cinema in the US it cost $8 for the matinee and $12.50 for the evening, so that isn't so different.

Eh, we were at Cineworld and paid £11 for an adult evening 3D ticket.  It's only $13 for Imax 3D in Maryland.

Wondering if there are any small independent theaters in Cheltenham or Gloucester...

Eh, we were at Cineworld and paid £11 for an adult evening 3D ticket.  It's only $13 for Imax 3D in Maryland.

Wondering if there are any small independent theaters in Cheltenham or Gloucester...

We have the Showroom in Sheffield, which is independent but uses Europa Cinemas for distribution
http://www.europa-cinemas.org/en/cinema/ville.php?IdPays=GB&IdPeriode=99
Is a list of all UK locations..

Eh, we were at Cineworld and paid £11 for an adult evening 3D ticket.  It's only $13 for Imax 3D in Maryland.

They charge you about £2 extra for the 3D on top of the normal ticket price. If you go to the cinema at off-peak times (usually before 5 pm on weekdays), it's usually cheaper... just looking at the Cineworld website, it looks like adult tickets (not 3D) after 5pm are £8.20, before 5pm it costs £6.80 and Bargain Tuesdays are £4.80 all day .

Also, if you/your BF gets a mobile phone with the Orange network, they have Orange Wednesdays... you just text FILM to 241 and get a number which gives you 2-for-1 cinema tickets on Wednesdays (there's a reason I usually only go to the cinema on Wednesdays) .

I used to think the cinema in the US was really cheap compared to the UK... well, it was when I first visited in the 90's, but when I was in the US last month, it cost about $40 for 1 adult, 2 kids and a senior (over 60) when we went!

My local cinema here is just slightly cheaper than the one I used to go to in the US. I've just checked prices and the US one is $10.50 (£6.45) while the UK one is £6. So virtually the same, really. Are tickets a lot more expensive in other parts of the country??

Its illegal to show commericals before the film (ie make it apart of the film time) in the US,

The smaller cinemas I used to go to in the US used to show commercials before the movie all the time! Local car dealers, carpet stores, etc. Maybe they've stopped now. It wasn't all that long ago! Is it a new law?