Latest news with #CentralCinema
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cinema owner appeals decision to stop demolition
The owner of a long-disused cinema has lodged an appeal with the local council in his attempt to get the building demolished. The old Central Cinema on Hobson Street in Cambridge has not shown a film for more than 50 years. In November, councillors refused an application by owner Mark Richer to knock it down to make way for an office block after planning officers said this would result in "significant harm" to the conservation area. Mr Richer said the building was a "dead end" and could not be converted into anything else. The Central Cinema was opened in 1930 with 1,069 seats. It closed in 1972 and reopened as a bingo hall, but it has been unused since 2009. Mr Richer wanted to create retail units, "community space", and refurbish Hobson's Passage as part of his application. Concerns about the proposals were raised by planning officers at Cambridge City Council, who said the complete demolition of the "iconic 1930s Egyptian art deco style" building would result in "significant harm". Mr Richer bought the building from a nightclub operator in 2011 and said the previous owner had wanted to turn it into a burlesque club. He explained that particular plan "fell apart through a combination of high development costs and local opposition". He added: "I've talked to cinema operators, restauranteurs, gym operators, religious groups, and hoteliers [about possible uses] and we haven't made any meaningful progress in 14 years. "Everyone acknowledges the pressing need to do something on this site, to stop the rot and breathe in fresh life." He said he had now been "forced to make our case on appeal, rather than achieving planning permission from the council, who appear to have set their face firmly against any demolition". "A position we consider to be wholly unjustified," he added. A decision on the appeal is expected later this year. The council has been contacted for a response. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Disused art deco cinema needs 'magic money tree' Plans to demolish former art deco cinema refused Memories shared of Art Deco cinema frozen in time Cambridge City Council
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Cambridge cinema owner appeals decision to stop demolition
The owner of a long-disused cinema has lodged an appeal with the local council in his attempt to get the building old Central Cinema on Hobson Street in Cambridge has not shown a film for more than 50 November, councillors refused an application by owner Mark Richer to knock it down to make way for an office block after planning officers said this would result in "significant harm" to the conservation Richer said the building was a "dead end" and could not be converted into anything else. The Central Cinema was opened in 1930 with 1,069 closed in 1972 and reopened as a bingo hall, but it has been unused since Richer wanted to create retail units, "community space", and refurbish Hobson's Passage as part of his about the proposals were raised by planning officers at Cambridge City Council, who said the complete demolition of the "iconic 1930s Egyptian art deco style" building would result in "significant harm". Mr Richer bought the building from a nightclub operator in 2011 and said the previous owner had wanted to turn it into a burlesque explained that particular plan "fell apart through a combination of high development costs and local opposition".He added: "I've talked to cinema operators, restauranteurs, gym operators, religious groups, and hoteliers [about possible uses] and we haven't made any meaningful progress in 14 years."Everyone acknowledges the pressing need to do something on this site, to stop the rot and breathe in fresh life." He said he had now been "forced to make our case on appeal, rather than achieving planning permission from the council, who appear to have set their face firmly against any demolition"."A position we consider to be wholly unjustified," he added.A decision on the appeal is expected later this council has been contacted for a response. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Otago Daily Times
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Local cinema as yet unscathed by ‘Minecraft' movie mayhem
Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures/TNS The global trend of movie-goers making a mess of theatres during A Minecraft Movie has not reached Central Otago. Central Cinema co-chairwoman Tracy Blackwell said the cinema had not experienced any issues with customers' behaviour during screenings. The viral trend sees movie-goers throw popcorn and yell when the film's main character, played by Jack Black, says the line "chicken jockey", in reference to the rare in-game occurrence of a baby zombie riding on the back of a chicken. At some screenings around the world, fireworks were launched and one movie-goer even took a live chicken to hoist in the air during the frenzy. The behaviour has caused concern at cinemas overseas as it disrupts the film for other viewers and creates a mess to be cleaned up before the next showing. Ms Blackwell said feedback received from cinema volunteers about the screening was nothing but positive as most of the audiences attending screenings of the film were younger children accompanied by their parents. Some staff did discuss what to do if things got unruly, but did not have to put any plans into action as the audiences were well-behaved, she said.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why Cinematary is 'one of Knoxville's better kept secrets' for movie buffs after 11 years
No matter how you cut it, Knoxville is a movie town, from Regal Cinemas being headquartered here to the independent Central Cinema continuing to grow its Knoxville Horror Film Festival. But one of Knoxville's "better kept secrets" when it comes to film is a long-running movie podcast called Cinematary, which is celebrating its 500th episode and the start of a new era. It began 11 years ago in Knoxville, growing its audience internationally over the years with a variety of guests and four hosts who use the platform to share their opinions of movies new and old. They are: Zach Dennis, audience editor at The Charlotte Observer (Favorite movie: 'Night of the Hunter') Andrew Swafford, high school English teacher (Favorite movie: 'School of Rock') Michael O'Malley, high school English teacher (Favorite movie: "Babe") Grace Winburne, librarian and bartender (Favorite movie: 'Singin' in the Rain") 'Cinematary has been such a foundational part of my life for over a decade now," Dennis told Knox News. "It's been different lately, just kind of taking a step back and reflecting on that. Not only the movies that we saw − the movies that we talked about, the different episodes − but just the people that I met, the friendships and groups that we had through this thing." The hosts will gather at 8 p.m. May 3 to play Wes Anderson's film "The Grand Budapest Hotel" at Central Cinema, followed by a live podcast commemorating their 500th episode. They'll discuss the film, address the audience and reminisce with an interview conducted by Darren Hughes, co-founder of The Public Cinema and organizer for Film Fest Knox. The night brings together major players in Knoxville's cinema scene under one roof at 1205 N. Central St., and tickets can be purchased at Dennis was studying journalism at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville when he wrote an article about the UT Cinema Club and its presidents at the time, Dylan Moore and Andrew Swafford. One of Dennis' classes discussed the newer medium of podcasts, so he pitched an idea to the club presidents. The first Cinematary episode launched in 2014. "Podcasting was so new,' Swafford said. 'I think I had listened to some podcasts, but I wasn't quite sure what (Dennis was) asking of us. I thought (he was) maybe asking for us to be on the radio or something." It took a few episodes for them to find their footing, eventually settling into a groove and starting series that focused on specific film topics. One of the first was called "Young Critics Watch Old Movies," in which they pick landmark films from each decade to discuss, like "The Godfather" and "Blade Runner." The newest iteration includes 'The Phantom Carriage,' 'Pinocchio' and 'Repo Man.' Some of the other series are "Tennessee Auteurs," "Journalism in Film" and "Cinematary Re-Do," which reappraises films they've covered before. 'It's been kind of our excuse to continue film school to a degree,' Dennis said. 'Eleven years ago, I had such a small movie knowledge, and now I don't know if it's any bigger, but at least I've gone to more places with it." Since then, the hosts have launched a website and attended multiple film festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival and the Knoxville Horror Film Festival. The podcast has featured international guests, from film writers to scholars, and they even talked to the creators of Letterboxd before the movie reviewing app grew in popularity. 'It does feel like one of Knoxville's better kept secrets," Swafford said. "I don't know how big of a Knoxville audience we actually have. A lot of the people who have written into the show are from India or Spain or somewhere − people who are getting pointed our way through internet algorithms." Previous contributors include Dylan Moore, Lydia Creech, Jessica Carr and Nadine Smith, all of whom helped define the podcast. O'Malley joined in 2017, while Winburne is the newest addition, first appearing in 2020. 'It's been so fantastic to have people like Michael and Grace join because they bring new passion, new ideas, different ways of thinking about things that always kind of refreshes the group,' Dennis said. The hosts chose "The Grand Budapest Hotel" as their anniversary episode subject for two reasons: It's a big, vibrant film anyone can enjoy, and it's also the first film Cinematary dedicated an entire episode to discussing. It also fits in the "Re-Do" series, and Winburne has a special connection to director Wes Anderson. 'He was the first director for me where I felt like I was establishing my own film taste and aesthetics. I caught him in a pretty influential time," Winburne said. "That first movie for me was 'Moonrise Kingdom,' and then from there I went all the way back and then all the way forward, and I've been a loyal Wes Anderson fan throughout." The event caps off "Season One of Cinematary," Winburne said, as the group plans to take a brief hiatus afterward. The hosts are reconfiguring Cinematary to produce series that are more focused and that dive into different topics while giving themselves more time for research and stronger production. Instead of bi-weekly episodes, Cinematary will focus on one series at a time with one episode per week. Once the series concludes, they'll take a break and repeat the process. The length of each series will depend on "what we feel works," Dennis said. As the hosts prepare for their next chapter, they shared some of their favorite memories from the first 500 episodes. Favorite memory for Dennis: The first episode and attending the Toronto International Film Festival for the first time. Favorite memory for Swafford: Anniversary episodes like Cinematary's 200th in which they drunkenly summarized complex movies like David Lynch's 'Mullholand Drive' and Hideaki Anno's 'The End of Evangelion.' Favorite memory for O'Malley: Covering films screened during the Big Ears Music Festival or curating series, like the ones about international animation and Biblical films. 'Those kinds of series where we allow a main person to curate it is a good excuse to get people to go through your own obsession with you, and I had a good time with that,' he said. Favorite memory for Winburne: Inviting her dad on Cinematary to discuss David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia" and flex his film knowledge. "That is definitely an episode I will cherish for the rest of my life, knowing that we got to share in something so special, share our love for cinema with Cinematary and with listenership," she said. Keenan Thomas reports for the Knox News business growth and development team. You can reach him by email at Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks at This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Movie podcast Cinematary based in Knoxville celebrating 500 episodes
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Roots of Resilience' documentary supports fight food insecurity against in East Knoxville
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — To kick off Black History Month, a local collective held a documentary premiere at Central Cinema to highlight their fight to eliminate food insecurity in East Knoxville. 'We are in the business of not only recreating but reclaiming and restoring what was here in east Knoxville,' said Femeika Elliot, Rooted East Knoxville Collective co-founder. Tennessee university, medical center leaders write lawmakers about change to NIH research grants In their new documentary, 'Roots of Resilience: East Knoxville's Black Food Renaissance,' the Rooted East Knoxville Collective chose to highlight the voices of East Knoxville elders, learning from their stories how to restore access to healthy fresh produce. 'There's not anything really digitally that's owned by community, that's housed in community, telling the stories of our foodways in our green spaces of East Knoxville prior to urban renewal,' said Elliot. 'So, we sat down with our elders, sat down with community members, our home garden participants, stakeholders in our community to assess and amplify their voices.' Through their documentary, they hope to educate the community about how green spaces were used in the past and bring those practices back to East Knoxville. 'We believe that Sankofa is really important, which means going back and getting it or going back and fetching traditions and history, and we have to learn from our history in order to move sustainably and move forward,' said Elliot. Report notes 'significant' growth of food insecurity in East Tennessee As a collective, they hope to restore food access by bringing back community gardens and distributing fresh produce to the community. 'We are establishing — reestablishing, really, community sufficiency. So, we teach food pathways, more so focusing on gardening education, getting those that has that have been historically disenfranchised back to the land,' said Elliot. Through education in land stewardship and gardening, she said they hope to bring the power of growing your own food back to people, regardless of your zip code. 'It also feels great that people are taking an active interest in their health, in their overall wellness, in their intrigue and just trying to get back to learning those skill sets that we used to have,' said Elliot. How to watch WATE's 2025 Honoring Black History special Any ticket sales from their documentary screening went towards their effort to bring gardening back to east Knoxville. Elliot said they have not shared the documentary online yet, but hope to soon, and urge those interested in upcoming screenings to follow their social media, or check out their website to learn how to get involved in their program. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
