The hill I will die on: Cinemas have been getting away with lies. Films should begin on time | Jeffrey Ingold

If cinemas must run 20 minutes of adverts before a feature, they could at least be honest about it.

Or, I have a better solution … Do you remember the last time you were lied to? I certainly do.

I was tricked by the North Finchley Vue, which sold me and my boyfriend tickets to a 7.15pm showing of The Odyssey.

Guess what was playing at 7.15pm? A car advert.

Ten minutes later, it was a trailer for the horror film Werwulf.

Then there was an advert for Vue – as if I wasn’t already there.

The film was half an hour late to its own showing when it finally started at 7.45pm.

I am sick and tired of cinemas getting away with such treachery.

I don’t want to follow in the footsteps of my friend, who knows that the ads at her local run for 22 minutes so slinks in at just the right time.

I shouldn’t have to do mental maths because I am being lied to by cinemas.

We are all the victims of their predatory time-wasting system.

Jeffrey Ingold is a freelance journalist covering LGBTQ+ issues, music and culture Continue reading...