The Giant Screen (300: Rise of an Empire)

Can you believe it? For a weekly cinema goer, this is my first time in the Giant Screen, the largest in the Midlands. Housed in Millennium Point, a building that still fills me with amazement each time I walk in, this unique cinema holds a whopping 72 foot wide single screen!There’s the option of the extra comfy seats at the back for another £2.40, well worth it for a treat when watching an epic. Plus you’re close to the facilities – very much-needed for the aforementioned marathon viewings. There’s the added advantage that nobody is sitting behind you too but having said that, the seating is very much tiered so you won’t have a head in front of you, unless they are 8ft tall.This cinema sells alcohol as well as soft drinks and I elected a sweet mocha to get me through 300. (I never saw the draw of the first one film but took advantage of the opportunity to go the Giant Screen to sit through the umpteen battles in this one. There was the black team (Persians) who only wanted death and destruction although I was amused by the guards with the Samurai type masks – surely they were giggling at the absurdity of it all? Then there was the classy red team, who bothered to dress, but only really came along at the end when quite frankly, the battle(s) had already been won by the hard-working underdogs, the blue team. They clearly didn’t have the money for any clothes but all the battles were fought in the seas anyway, no-one thought it maybe a little more practical to fight on dry land.)However….. there are lots of (3D) films coming including Spiderman 2 and Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Gravity is still on. This is a truly family friendly cinema with lots coming up for kids of all ages: Muppets: Most Wanted plus they’re taking part if FlatPack Film Festival.Ticket prices are a little more than the regular, as you would expect for screen where the fish fingers from the advert look like they are going to jump out and land on you: £8.50 (£5 concessions) but only £6.50 before 5pm Mon-Thurs). Family of four starts at £20.The Woodman pub opposite is a draw but do check the Giant Screen site for special offers that will entice you in. BCU students get a deal anyway but there’s currently a nice 10% off Hotel la Tour food, just across the road when you produce your (same day) cinema ticket. I recommend the afternoon tea but every bite is delicious in this wondrous hotel.Find out more about Giant Screen (brilliantly different) here or follow @GiantScreen.See you there soon!Have you been to the Giant Screen? Are you a regular cinema goers? Please add your comments below or tweet me on @RickieWrites