Staring off the morning with an extremely hearty breakfast at William Morgan, I popped next door to the Scala in Prestatyn for the opening off the weekends events of SciFi movies, including Metropolis, Alien and Serenity.
The foyer of the cinema was bustling with people and they were joined by a Dalek, Cyber Man, Storm Trooper and Toy Story’s Mike Wazowski, so after a few photo ops it was time to move on up to Seronies upstairs for the opening ceremony, which was opened with a speech from Chris Ruane talking about the weekend and the Scala.
Councillor Chris Ruane at the DVI Fear & Wonder Weekend at the Scala Cinema and Arts Centre
Sadly due to my extremely large breakfast I wasn’t able to enjoy the lovely looking buffet that was laid on for us all, but my first aim was to get in to one of the screens at 12pm for the showing of the classic movie from Frtiz Lange, Metropolis which a movie that I have always wanted to see on the big screen, so after taking some photos and tweeting, then sitting down and starting this article it wasn’t long before it was time to get in and see the 1927 classic in all it’s glory.
If you love SciFi, then get yourselves over to @scalaprestatyn for the start of a weekend of fear and wonder. pic.twitter.com/dA87kQzK7b
— Blazing Minds (@BlazingMinds) November 8, 2014
So on to, what is one of my favourite classic Sci-Fi movies, Metropolis.
Now before I start, I have to say that I have the movie on DVD and for me it is one of those movies that really stands there test of time when it comes to fascinating audiences even in this day and age with the excessive use CGI you find that a lot of films get lost in the over use of graphics.
But with Metropolis you get something very special, for starters being made in 1927 the movie is silent with those key moments of dialogue been added to the screen via the speech cards and a fantastic orchestrated soundtrack that builds to the emotion of the film.
Seeing such a fantastic movie on the big screen has been a real treat at the Scala in Prestatyn, the picture was crystal clear for a movie that is 87 years old, with the exception of some of the restored footage that was sadly beyond repair.
But the important thing here, as this is a special weekend at the Scala is seeing the movie on the big screen and that for me was certainly a worthwhile experience, the power of the movie on a big screen certainly works and it really is something that any Sci-Fi fan should do if they get the chance.
After the classic Metropolis we had an amazing discussion with Victor Hallett on the history of the Sci-Fi movies from Metropolis from 1927 through to his favourite years of Sci-Fi the 50s and we all found out that little bit more about the directors, actors and some of those marvellous movies including the next film on my list, the George Powell version of War of the Worlds, taking us up tomorrow the last film in the weekend, Serenity.
Following on from Victor was Natalie Jones who brought us an interesting discussion on analogue and digital effects in science fiction film.
Natalie Jones and a discussion on analogue and digital effects in SciFi films at @scalaprestatyn pic.twitter.com/8XyK1GkSeq
— Blazing Minds (@BlazingMinds) November 8, 2014
We were taking a deeper look in to the world of Metropolis and a look at behind the movie and what Natalie thought of the movie and how the Fritz Lang world was created and to some of the later matte painters and artists in films that have followed over the years from the 1927 classic.
Really fascinating on how the effects have changed over the years and that some old methods are still being put into practise.
It was almost time to move on to the next movie to see, this was another favourite of mine, George Pal’s 1952 version of H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds, with the story moved over to America and based in the 50s, the movie is another one of those classic that is still thoroughly enjoyable today.
It’s always great seeing the classic movies that use those superb “real” special effects and even better is getting the chance to see them on the big screen, which let’s face it, is how they should be seen.
So that was day one of the weekend over for me, Sunday would bring more SciFi in the form of a film that terrified me in my younger years, Ridley Scott’s, Alien! (I’ll be updating this post after today’s movies)
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
