When I’ve mentioned the opening of Everyman Cinema at Princes Square over the last week, the surprised reaction has been the same from most people: “I didn’t even know they were opening a cinema in Princes Square!” - and to be honest, I almost didn’t either.
It’s been a couple of months since I had a proper trot around the popular high-end shopping centre (my bank balance thanks me!). If I had been in over the last few weeks, I’d have spotted work being done to overhaul the former furniture shop in the lower ground floor and get it ready for Scotland’s first Everyman Cinema. An invitation to a screening of Bohemian Rhapsody pinged into my inbox recently and that’s how I became aware of Prince’s Square’s newest addition.
So, in case you hadn’t heard, consider this a final public service announcement: they’ve opened a cinema in Princes Square!
Everyman Cinema is a boutique theatre, rather than a multiplex - with three screens, shedloads of Art Deco interior design and a full food and drinks menu. Think neon signs, gourmet burgers and plush velvet sofas to sink into. Ahhh.
Such stylish surroundings were the perfect venue for us to go and enjoy Brian Singer’s epic new Queen film, Bohemian Rhapsody - so Gary and I rounded up a couple of pals for a night of handclaps, foot stomps and Gallileos!
The fact that I already love Queen’s music (and associate the movie’s title track so closely with my dad!) made me really keen to see the film; which covers the band’s beginnings and the years leading up to Live Aid in 1985. Beyond the songs - which are stunningly shot over a range of studio sessions, rehearsals and gigs - the script is awesome and the FASHION! Oh, the fashion. I was swooning at all the 1960s Biba, Freddie’s statement jackets and the 80s audience ensembles.
Sitting down to write this also made me reflect on just how much I actually adore a good biopic. In fact, I also like a really terrible biopic! I got pretty obsessed with The Bobby Brown Story last month, and I get sucked into Meatloaf: To Hell and Back whenever it happens to be on TV (which, as it turns out, is a lot!).
Bohemian Rhapsody definitely falls into the ‘good biopic’ category - it tells the usual rise to fame story but in a very dynamic way and, most crucially, uses the original music! Trust me, this can be a dealbreaker - see Michael Jackson: Man In the Mirror for evidence!
Rami Malek and the entire cast are excellent - playing rock icons are some big shoes to fill, and their chemistry as a band came across really well.
You can catch Bohemian Rhapsody at Everyman Cinema in Princes Square, along with a line-up of other films, now - click here for listings! I wonder if I could convince them to screen The Bobby Brown Story…?
With thanks to the team at Everyman Cinema for a rockin’ night!
