Screen 16. Probably the worst cinema experience of my life for £11. The image quality for the showing of The Holdovers looked like a really bad 576p pirate copy blown up on the big screen.
I've rented the movie on * and can attest that this is not the case even on an average bitrate streaming copy. Crystal clear compared. If the image and sound quality are better at home, why pay for the cinema experience, especially if the "experience" is awful?
First point. A blurred image I could deal with, but this image right through the trailers to the film itself was pixelated, showed artifacting, and aliasing.
So pixelated you could count the squares that made up the image on screen. It was most noticeable when Paul Giamatti was wearing a Corduroy jacket. The lines on the jacket were artifacting, and waving around as if I was on an LCD trip.
Second point, the image was too dark, anything that wasn't brightly lit on screen was lost in a dark mush. Turn up the projector lamp or replace your old lamps with better ones please.
Third point, the sound was in MONO. One speaker, behind the screen. The other speakers around both sides of the seating were OFF. The air conditioning and projector noise were almost as loud as the film itself. Turn your side speakers on please, or download your pirate copy with STEREO sound please.
Fourth. The screen itself. Scratches, and damage all over it. The top middle has a large set of creases a meter square. Once you see the damage you cannot unsee it. Time to update your screens. Looked like it had been in a fight with a cat.
Fifth, to the left of the screen, a couple of meters away and in full view of any seat in the house, the exit sign randomly flickered on and off for the whole showing. Please fix the exit light in screen 16.
Sixth. The glowing red on the bottom corners of each side of the screen from the stair lights. If the screen wasn't bad enough the red glow is just the cherry on top.
Seventh. The air conditioning. It's winter, around 0-5°C outside. The air con was blowing cold the entire time. Myself and a number of people had to put their coats back on. Luckily, I brought a scarf to wrap around my legs and a woolley hat to keep my head warm.
The air con problem happens in all screens. Whenever I visit Cineworld Newcastle in the winter the air con is always blowing cold. It gets uncomfortable. Please turn the air con off in winter or even regulate the temperature, adding a little bit of heat to the rooms. Maybe invest in a thermometer. Especially when the price almost doubles on the price of the Vue a couple of miles away.
Eighth. I'm just picking now, but it's all adding up. Old food on the seats. Put my hand at the side of the seat and something that felt like food, squidgy was taking a nap. Could have been pop corn, or even a bit of chewing gum. Who knows what it was.
The screen was so dark I couldn't inspect it. I suspect, Cineworld don't pay for enough staff to actually check and clean after each showing, and the 1 or 2 low pay employees have to run around each screen doing the basics of collecting cups and large items then run to the next screen so they can get back on the foyer to serve overpriced soft drinks.
On the image and sound I walked downstairs to the foyer, queued again to ask for an employee to check the image and fix it. Passed around 3 different people. Somebody came up 10 minutes later and had a brief look from the exit door. Glanced at the pixelated mess up close from a few feet from the screen. They didn't see anything wrong with it and left. Not a good sign that the employees of a cinema can't tell if the product is way below sub par and that the side speakers they were stood under were OFF.
Sent a complaint by email, and the usual botomated response "we value our customers, strive for quality and customer satisfaction".
I'll avoid Sinworld from now and and travel the extra mile for the Vue at half the price, and double...
Read moreCineworld Newcastle has truly raised the bar when it comes to delivering an unparalleled cinematic experience. From the moment I stepped foot inside, I was blown away by the variety and quality of their screening options. With the Superscreen in screen 1, 4DX in screen 3, ScreenX in screen 12, and the grandeur of screen 4 and screen 10 as the largest standard screens, Cineworld Newcastle has created a paradise for movie enthusiasts like myself.
Let's start with the Superscreen in screen 1. The moment I walked into this auditorium, I was in awe. The giant screen, paired with the advanced audio system, made me feel like I was right in the heart of the action. The picture quality was stunning, and the immersive sound design truly heightened my film watching experience. It was a feast for the senses, and I couldn't help but be completely absorbed in the film.
Moving on to screen 3, the 4DX experience was nothing short of mind-blowing. The combination of motion seats, environmental effects, and atmospheric enhancements took film watching to a whole new level. I could feel the rumble of explosions, the gentle breeze of a passing wind, and even the mist of water splashing during intense scenes. It was an exhilarating rollercoaster ride that added a new dimension of excitement and realism to the films.
Screen 12, featuring ScreenX technology, left me in awe of its panoramic view. The addition of two side screens expanded the film's world, creating an immersive experience that surrounded me from all angles. I felt completely immersed in the scenes, with the action unfolding all around me. It was like stepping into the movie itself, and it's an experience that I will never forget.
Screen 4 and screen 10, as the largest standard screens, were truly impressive in their sheer size. The vastness of these screens provided a captivating visual experience, ensuring that every detail was crystal clear. The immersive atmosphere created by these screens, coupled with the comfortable seating arrangements, made for a truly enjoyable movie-watching experience.
The overall ambiance of Cineworld Newcastle was remarkable. The auditoriums were clean, comfortable, and well-maintained. The staff members were friendly, helpful, and always available to assist. The concessions offered a wide range of snacks and drinks, ensuring that I could indulge in my favorite treats while enjoying the film.
In conclusion, Cineworld Newcastle has exceeded all my expectations and delivered a movie experience that is second to none. The Superscreen, 4DX, ScreenX, and the largest standard screens in screen 4 and screen 10 have truly transformed the way I perceive films. Whether you're a fan of stunning visuals, immersive effects, or panoramic views, Cineworld Newcastle has it all. I highly recommend this cinema to anyone seeking an unforgettable cinematic adventure.
Thank you, Cineworld Newcastle, for providing such an exceptional film watching experience. I can't wait to visit again and explore more of the amazing screenings you...
Read moreThe recent refurbishment has totally transformed the rather uninspiring and cavernous foyer into something that gives a trip to the cinema a real sense of occasion. Some effort has been made to reduce queues at the concession stand through the introduction of an electronic ordering system very similar to that in branches of McDonaldʼs, though the addition of a few more touch screens probably wouldnʼt go amiss. However, it doesnʼt really seem to have made that much difference to the amount of time youʼll need to wait to be served, which is worth bearing in mind at busy times, as is the fact there are only a handful of machines where pre-booked tickets may be collected or purchases can be made by card. Unfortunately, one issue the refurbishment hasnʼt resolved is that if you have a ticketing problem or want to pay in cash itʼs still necessary to wait in line at the concession stand behind people who want to buy food and drinks only, which can be especially frustrating if youʼre running late and the film you've come to see is about to begin.
The smaller and more intimate "studio" screens are extremely well-designed, being laid out in such a way that you feel like you're getting the “big screen” experience no matter where you sit (and the seats are extremely comfortable). For those on a budget, it's possible to purchase tickets at a discount every Tuesday, though unfortunately the prices have been raised by several pounds and the car park (accessed via Stowell Street) isnʼt free – use of this facility will set you back an additional £2.50 in the evening unless you also decide to eat at one of the restaurants in The Gate. Aficionados of Ben & Jerryʼs ice cream should note that this has now been replaced by an inferior brand, though the fact Starbucks have taken up residence in the foyer means you can get a decent...
Read more