Recent News

February London IMAX Screenings

By Siobhan
Last updated at 11:29:00 AM on 10 February 2012

The BFI Soutbank was set up to support film. Located in central London, it is home to one of the UK's few IMAX screens, which is also the country's largest IMAX screen. Its central location makes it easy for tourists to reach from their London hotel. Every month a number of films are shown on this larger than life screen creating a fully immersive experience for viewers.

IMAX is not your normal movie going experience. The 20-metre tall screen and state of the art sound system is a fun viewing experience. Southbank's IMAX screen shows a good selection of films from action and adventure, to family friendly documentaries. The theatre has 500-seats. While the steep seating arrangement ensures everyone gets a good view, some seats are better than others. The front row seats are often the cheapest, but these can also be the least comfortable. You may find that you get a sore neck from having to look up at the screen the entire time. However, comments regarding these seats are mixed, with some people not having any problems with them. The best seats in the house are the upper most rows in the middle of the theatre.

Really popular films and special screenings tend to sellout very quickly. To ensure you get the seats you want it is best to book your seat online as soon as tickets become available. The theatre provides standard fare you'd expect such as, soda, popcorn and sweets. You can also expect standard prices for snacks, which means they are expensive.

Over the next month or so the IMAX screen will feature some great films. If you're staying in London during February and want something to do on a cold or rainy day check one out.

Each month IMAX hosts a special all night event. On 18 February you can see the entire 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy, starting at midnight. The 'Lord of the Rings' films show some beautiful cinematography combined with one the 20th century's most popular adventure stories. You will be in the theatre until the early hours of the morning, so make sure to have a good strong coffee to help you stay awake. There will be breaks between each film, so you can re-stock your snacks and stretch your legs. Don't be afraid to go all out either and dress up. There is a fancy dress contest, which will only add to the fun of the night. The tickets, costing £21 to £32, aren't too expensive when you consider it does include three films and tea and coffee will be available throughout for free.

The family action film of the month is Star Wars Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Even though the film was made many years after the first Star Wars films, this is the film that shows the start of the saga. Kids will love the action and of course light sabers, which will look pretty amazing in 3D, which these screenings are. You can see the film until 23 February. Each day has five showings. If you want cheaper rates or want to try and avoid the busy periods, book an early showing on a weekday. Ticket prices start at £11.50, with the most expensive seats costing £18.50.

The best value film of the month is 'Born to be Wild,' a documentary about orphaned elephants and orangutans that is narrated by Morgan Freeman. The film looks at the lives of these orphaned animals and the people that care for them. It looks at how the rescuers help the animals grow and learn so that they can one day return to the wild. Ticket prices are very reasonable, especially for London, at £6.50 to £9.50 each. The film will be showing daily until 24 February.

Nearby you will find a variety of restaurants and bars for a pre or post-cinema meal. Most of the nearest London hotels are located on the opposite side of the River Thames, but you will find a few on the side of the cinema too. The Park Plaza Westminster Bridge is a four-star hotel within walking distance of the theatre and Waterloo station, so you can easily hop on a tube to other attractions. Some rooms at the hotel have great views of Big Ben and general reviews are positive with many complimenting the cleanliness