Filmhouse

I love the Filmhouse, I love the films they show from old classics to documentaries to foreign films and kids films, there is a good mix and something to suit all. The theatre is comfortable and warm and has a vintage feel to it as the curtains open to reveal the screen. However there are no cup holders or much leg room but who cares when you can watch classic films like wizard of oz on big screen. The bar and cafe are great too although the portions are huge and a lot goes to waste the food is very tasty! The reception area sells DVD's which is great but it would be quicker and easier to find a DVD if they were displayed sideways instead of frontwards to save time flicking through every single DVD which is so frustrating and I give up in the end. Also the filmhouse has a sale of Vinyl records every month but there is no information in the filmhouse about it, no leaflet telling you when it's on, what time or how much the vinyls might cost, which I think would be useful in letting people know about events and things happening at the Filmhouse. All in all I give the Filmhouse a 5*.

I've been a proud Filmhouse member since 2011. Initially attracted by the fantastic selection of non-mainstream movies and also the cheap prices (especially as a student member), I've seen so many pictures at this cinema. They have a great bar and cafe area, which also holds a film quiz each month (extremely difficult).
The prices have been going up quite fast in the last few years, so I've gone somewhat less often recently, but the cinema is great. I love the friendly atmosphere, the unique programme, and the delicious cafe options. Well worth a visit!

Great little cinema showing a wide variety of films. We came to see a cycling documentary as part of a mini cycling film festival - what a great idea!

Not your typical cinema grub - just some chocolate bars/bags at the ticket counter and a café behind. I think some people were there just for drinks/snacks and not even to see a film. I did miss having popcorn though - it's one of my guilty pleasures and I restrict my consumption. I only go to the cinema a couple times a year so I do allow myself a popcorn treat -but alas not this time.

Our film was showing in room 2 which was fairly small, but clean and cosy. The seats were comfy but not too much room between rows. I'm short and only had an inch between my knees and the row in front of me and not much room for my bag or a drink (no cup holders).

So all in all and good place to see a movie, especially ones that you won't see in other cinemas but no real 'wows'.

It was a misunderstanding. - I had ended up at the wrong cinema and there just wasn't enough time to catch up with my friends and make it before the film had started. Only in hindsight am I really, really glad of this. I almost walked straight past the Filmhouse, I almost headed straight on home. The weary part of me that likes lounging with Netflix in pyjamas wanted to keep walking. I'm glad I ignored her.

The Filmhouse is a really lovely cinema; worn-in, as Jody B says, but that's entirely part of the charm. Staff are friendly and there's the perfect balance of blockbuster and indie flicks. I was there to see Roald Dahls' BFG and the cinema was just the right size and set just the right atmosphere. - There were no interruptions and the lighting and sound were all just right; perfect for letting the film take you away for a brief while and forget everything beyond those four walls.

I do believe I will head here more often. - It sure felt like home for those 1.5 hours.

Despite being frequently extremely pretentious the sporadic moments of genuinely inspired programming makes up for it. I've seen countless classic on the big screen over the years at the Filmhouse and discovered many hidden gems. In this regard the Filmhouse offers you a priceless chance to see movies that would otherwise not be screened elsewhere. Screenings vary between digital, 35mm, and sometimes even 70mm.

The cafe is a little too "cafe" and could do with better seating as I often feel like I am waiting in a bus station when in there since the sofas are ALWAYS occupied. The reviewer Rayan D. said that you are allowed to bring purchases from the cafe into the screens. This is not true. You are NOT allowed to do this and anyone who manages to do so only pulls this off through chance or confusion. The food in here is often good though no matter what mood you are in.

There are 3 screens, with Screen 1 naturally being the biggest and best, but the other smaller screens are cosy too.

The perfect venue to watch 'The Hateful 8' in 70mm. The filmhouse is a lovely venue for alternative cinema- though I didn't know this at the time.

The snack situation was pretty disappointing for me as I was hankering for some popcorn, but snacks are pretty much limited to ice cream, chocolates and various types of drinks.

I agree with many of the reviews. My experiences are very positive.
I like the fact that indy, foreign films and previous releases get a chance to showcase. We actually went to see a 3D film.

They have a large food court that serves coffee, cakes, ice creams, beer, wine etc.. which you are permitted to take into the cinema. Whoop!
There is however no place, bar the floor, to put these said drinks as there are no holders in the armrests.

My gripe is the seats, these are not very comfortable and smallish.

In the lobby there is also the opportunity to buy DVDs of all genres and eras of films.

Service is friendly and efficient.

I love Filmhouse. It's the city's best cinema, partly because of its amazing independent programme, partly because of the great feel of the building (it's a converted church), partly because of the brilliant little cafe, and partly because THEY DON'T SERVE POPCORN.

Yes, cinema goers. You read right. There's no popcorn. Which means you can usually enjoy a film in relative peace. No munching in your ear, no rustling, no crunchity crunchity. None of it. Wonderful!

Of course, even without that amazing element to it, Filmhouse would still be ruling the cinematic roost anyway. Its programme is always excellent. The Film Guild also runs a cracking programme that's well worth investigation.

There's none of that boring, cookie cutter multiplex feel either. Staff seem genuinely interested in film, the cinema supports local filmmakers and writers and it holds brilliant seasons and themes throughout the year. You don't see that at the local Odeon...

There's a loyalty scheme that you can join for free and get discounts on grub (amazing nachos btw) and accumulate points. Points make prizes!

Love, love, love!

Filmhouse, I want to love you to the ends of the earth, shimmy hug your concept and shout your praises from the rooftops... but you make it so damn hard!

On one hand, there's a large chunk of me that is singing such praises. I tip my hat to the fact that this place makes a point to show independent/foreign and previously released films. I recently saw Dear White People - a flick that has made its way to Netflix but was so much better in a theatre setting. I even like the fact that each theatre is a little worn. All these new fangled places are fine and dandy, but there is charm in the simplicity of an old school movie theatre. It's the kind of place I feel like would screen Rocky Horror and actually let you dress up, throw toast and time warp in the aisles.

Not to mention, this little expat is still DELIGHTED when you can bring alcoholic beverages into a theatre, as it's not something we can do back home. Beer + movies = heaven. All the makings of a solid shimmy hugging opportunity...

Except...

1. They don't have popcorn. I know this is silly, it's just a snack, but popcorn MAKES a theatre experience. It's like handing someone an ice cream sundae that's just a plain scoop of ice cream: something is obviously missing.

2. As much as I love the fact that I can bring a beer in, I can't put it anywhere! There's no cup holders and plunking it on the ground multiplies the chances i'll kick beer on the person in front of me. I'm not saying install cup holders simply because of clumsy people but there has to be some sort of tray contraption to make this a little easier?

Yup... my two biggest woes here were to do with food/drink. Surprise, surprise. Roll your eyes if you will, but I think the consumables are as important in the movie going experience. If I get a night off to treat myself to a movie, I want to do so with a bag of popcorn and stress free beverages. As much as I love what they are doing with their line up here it's just not a whole package.

I like to lurk around the Filmhouse cafe and bar now and again, pretending I'm a very deep film buff with a penchant for a random type of cinema that hardly anyone knows about, therefore making me very mysterious and intriguing. In real and honest terms, I do have a monthly pass for Cineworld to get my blockbuster and mainstream film fix, but I do love nothing better than a Spanish language film in an arthouse cinema, so the independent allure of the Filmhouse gets my vote.

The cinema shows a good variety of films of a week, and I'm sure any individual, no matter how movie fussy, would find something to their liking. There a lot of little film seasons and festivals that go on here throughout the year, with the biggest being the Edinburgh International Film Festival, which uses the Filmhouse as its main hub in June. The Cafe is also great for lunchtime hanging, with reliably hearty food that's always tasty, plus there's free Wi-Fi, massive bonus.