Posts Tagged ‘Cinema’

Lexi Cinema, Kensal Rise

Monday, April 5th, 2010

The Lexi Cinema truly is the archetypal great little place. Along Chamberlayne Road, past the gothic splendour of the Catholic Church of the Transfiguration, is Kensal Rise’s Constitutional Club. Its old hall has taken on a remarkable new life.

Inside is a gorgeous little cinema. With seats for 40 or so, it’s hugely intimate and cosy, but with a sound system installed by the same chap who does U2’s tours and crisp digital projection, it’s serious about the experience. Dangling from the ceiling is a mesmerising lighting installation by Bruce Munro, fading gently from one hue to another. It’s a proper community here – half the audience either know each other or know the Lexi staff, and there’s a true feel of locals. Everyone chats before the film. The seats are comfy, with candlelit tables at the front, and each film is personally introduced, harking back to an era where you didn’t just go and see a movie, you went out to the cinema. There are often Q&As with directors or added bits of theatre here and there; they even do a night where the New York Met Opera is beamed live to the assembled, black-tied, admirers.

What really sets the Lexi apart is its mission. All the profits, from tickets to drinks to popcorn,  go to a South African charity called The Sustainability Institute – which means they’re probably the only cinema in London which actively encourages you to drink wine whilst watching a film. We’ll take that. We won’t say more, just go.

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GLP #3. Lights, Camera, Action. The best cinemas in London…

Friday, March 5th, 2010

Maybe it’s just the time of year. Oscar season is in full swing. Baftas are a dime a dozen. But we’ve noticed over the last week there has been a lot of appetite for some old school cinema. Something intimate. Something special; a celluloid time capsule that even Michael J Fox would be proud of. The kind of place which makes you fall back in love with cinema in the same way Renée fell for Tom when he had her at ‘hello’. If only it were that easy… So we thought we’d theme this week around the best that film can offer. Here is a list of the most interesting, cosy cinema spaces London town has up its sleeve. In no particular order, the Oscar goes to…

1. Everyman Cinema – Hampstead (or Belsize Park if that’s closer because, as Adam Davison said, ‘Everyman Belsize is a luxury transatlantic cruise ship to Hampstead’s cosy steamer’. Adam you travel in style). The word luxury cinema doesn’t even do the Everyman Hampstead justice. This is the Tom Ford of the cinema world. There are two screening rooms, which seat 142 and 72. The smaller one is almost entirely sofas – perfect for snuggle time in a back-row-at-fourteen-years-old kind of way. Order champagne. Order beer. Order chocolate truffles if you’re a little bit fancy.

Thanks for the tipoff: Adam Davison

2. Shortwave cinema – Bermondsey
Art house meets independent movies at Shortwave cinema. Their screen has a capacity of 52 (so properly intimate) and the café/bar serves up all the alcohol, soft drinks, coffee and snacks you need to keep you on the edge of your seat.


Thanks for the tipoff: Ashish Patel.

3. The Phoenix Cinema – East Finchley
If an old cinema is your bag, try this one. Set up in 1910, it doesn’t get much older. Under its modern skin, lies an historic auditorium with unique Edwardian and art deco features. It’s even been listed Grade II, so you know it’s good.

Thanks for the tipoff: Louise Stapley.

4. The Electric – Notting Hill
Cinema sleepers beware: if you have a tendency to nod off, this place will only make your condition worse. Plush leather armchairs, sofas for couples and comfy footstools are the order of the day.

Thanks for the tipoff: Anton Bell.

5. The Garrison – London Bridge
Not a cinema. But, beneath this quaint gastropub, you’ll find your own little screening room for you and Mr/Mrs. Special. Your evening is down to you and your excellent choice in film. So choose wisely.


Thanks for the tipoff: Tassanie Johnston.

6. Lexi Cinema – Kensal Rise
Cosy 80-seater venue in North-West London. It’s the city’s first “social enterprise” art house cinema, where all profits go to charity. So you can be entertained and feel good at the same time. There tend to be chic parties going on around that area so keep your ears to the ground if you fancy venturing off into the night post-flic.


Thanks for the tip off: Leloly Lukki.

Plus here are four recommendations from our GLP back pocket:

7. One Aldwych Hotel – Covent Garden
This little number got quite a lot of attention on our wall/twitter. If you really want to impress your special someone, take them here to ‘Moet on the menu’ at the weekend. Champagne + Three Course Meal + Movie = Gold Dust.

8. Soho Hotel - Soho
There’s a small sumptuous screening room that snuggly fits 45 (i.e. 22 couples and 1 gooseberry I’m afraid) downstairs at the Soho Hotel. The cow skin seats are a sight to be seen.
Their Film Club takes place every Sunday, and includes a Champagne Afternoon Tea or a three course lunch or dinner, and the movie (which starts at 3.30pm). The damage: £35.00 per special someone.

9. The Exhibit - Balham
This little gem is a filmic concoction of cinema, restaurant and bar. The cinema room seats 56 on leather sofas for two. What more could you want?

10. It was going to be the Rex Cinema – Westminster, but it’s closed down. Boo. Thanks to Jas and Anne for pointing that out. So instead, by popular demand, it’s… Screen on the Green in Islington. Go go go!

There are plenty more great little cinemas. But we have a strict top 10 door policy I’m afraid. One in one out. Follow us on twitter for more… http://twitter.com/glpLondon.

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